Currently there is a shortage of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) skills in the country, with government looking at more initiatives to help address the shortage. Local companies are aiming to do their part too, and one of the firms assisting with the development of a STEM skilled workforce is Sasol with its their Corporate Bursary Programme.
The programme is available to Grade 12 learners, and recently opened up for 2020 applicants.
Successful applicants will then be able to study in various engineering fields at public universities and universities of technology across the country.
We had the opportunity to speak to Charles Gumede, a consultant at the Sasol Graduate Bursary Office to find out more about the programme and what plans they may have for it future.
Hypertext: When was the Sasol Graduate Programme started and what motivated the company to do so?
Charles Gumede (CD): The programme was started over three decades ago. It is a critical talent vehicle that enables us to strategically start recruiting and preparing the people who are going to take over the reigns at Sasol in the STEM fields of study. The programme is part of Sasol’s investment strategy that has education as one of its key pillars.
Hypertext: How many learners has the Sasol Graduate Programme benefited thus far?
CD: There has been thousands over the years. I can say now currently we have got over a thousand young people with Sasol bursaries in our pipeline ranging from students studying Diplomas and Bachelors in Technology, as well as postgraduate studies.
Hypertext: Are there any success stories that come to mind?
CD: There is a young lady who comes to mind by the name of Thandie who has just completed a PHD in Polymer Science at the University of the Free State. She has been part of a group of young scientists who were invited to attend the 69th Indian Laurel meeting that is happened in January.
Another success story comes from Marvel Makhubele, currently doing his PhD doing GeoPhysics. He’s been with us up to his Masters and he’s been working at Sasol Exploration and Production internationally.
Hypertext: Does this programme prioritise learners from disadvantaged backgrounds, and if so are there any communities in particular that have benefitted?
CD: Yes, Sasol’s operational areas is in Secunda, Sasolburg. They are the biggest to receive learnerships of artisans, and many of them are part of the bursary scheme. Sasol also looks at other skills that the community might need such as doctors and social workers.
Hypertext: Following the programme, what opportunities are afforded to graduates. Does Sasol offer employment with themselves or other companies?
CD: We will typically look after a young person for four to five years if they study engineering as those students need to complete practical work (vocation work) They enter a graduate development programme called Engineers Training, where they are rotated and given all sorts of skills so that they can be professionally registered engineers.
Hypertext: In terms of expenses, what does Sasol assist learners with?
CD: Our bursaries are comprehensive, we cover tuition fees, accommodation across universities, textbooks, meals, pocket-money and money to buy instruments such as notebooks and calculators.
Hypertext: Why does Sasol prioritise STEM related fields of study, and how will doing so benefit the country moving forward?
CD: There is a general shortage of STEM related field skills in our country. So Sasol is in a very good position to afford bursaries in the STEM field. We can grow our skills in STEM for the country as a whole and also absorb a lot of young people in careers within Sasol, which has a lot to do with our engineering operations, science and developmental research and operations in general.
Hypertext: In terms of getting more children involved in STEM related careers at an early age, what do you think needs to be done, and does Sasol have any plans in that regard?
CD: We have also got the Sasol Careers Exhibition to expose learners from primary and high school. What Sasol does is to introduce them to the STEM related fields of study, along with mine visits, job shadowing and bring a child to work day.
Hypertext: Looking forward is Sasol planning to expand or refine the graduate programme based on what it has learned over the years?
CD: We are in continuous contact with our current students and we also follow the trend of how to get to spaces where young people are, so that we get to interact with them as best as we can, leveraging social media in particular. We are busy piloting an app that will optimally monitor our student’s progress at respective universities making it easy for students to communicate with us.
Hypertext: Does Sasol encourage the graduates to be mentors to children around their respective communities?
CD: Many of our students come from all corners of the country. They always attend former school career days from their communities. Our junior engineers in Secunda for example have youth centres there and they tutor in mathematics and science. They always volunteer to assist learners.
Hypertext: What does Sasol do to combat the gender inequality in the STEM field?
CD: Our bursary recruitment strategy is in line with employment equity commitments to the government. Over the years there has been a growth of women across the race spectrum coming into engineering as a result.
We are relentless trying to get those young women to take engineering bursaries and we also do a lot of work with young female organisations that are seeking to introduce them to STEM fields.
Our bursaries are currently open for opportunities in 2020, and we encourage learners to visit our website and go through it to see what field of studies we sponsor.
[Image – CC 0 Pixabay]
