For young South Africans interested in becoming qualified artisans, securing a structured learnership with both theoretical and workplace training can be one of the most important steps into the engineering trades. In mining especially, artisan skills remain central to keeping complex equipment, electrical systems and infrastructure operating safely and reliably.
Valterra Platinum, formerly Anglo American Platinum, is inviting unemployed candidates to apply for its Engineering Learnership Programme (18.2) at Mototolo Mine. Five opportunities are available across Electrician, Boilermaker Plater, Diesel Mechanic and Auto Electrician trades, with successful completion of the programme leading to a nationally recognised Artisan qualification.
Applications close on 20 September 2026.
Platinum Group Metals Engineering Learnership Programme : Quick Overview
- Company: Platinum Group Metals
- Formerly: Anglo American Platinum
- Programme: Engineering Learnership Programme (18.2 – Unemployed)
- Location: Mototolo Mine
- Sector: Mining / Platinum Group Metals
- Total opportunities: 5
- Electrician: 1 position
- Boilermaker Plater: 1 position
- Diesel Mechanic: 2 positions
- Auto Electrician: 1 position
- Training: Off-the-job and workplace training
- Outcome: Nationally recognised Artisan qualification upon successful completion
- Host communities: First preference
- Closing date: 20 September 2026
About the Valterra Platinum Engineering Learnership Programme
The programme is designed to develop unemployed candidates towards recognised artisan qualifications through structured engineering training.
Learners will receive a combination of:
- Off-the-job training
- Workplace training
- Practical technical development
- Exposure to an operational mining environment
Candidates who successfully complete the programme will obtain a nationally recognised Artisan qualification.
This makes the opportunity particularly relevant to young people who have already built the necessary academic foundation and now want to progress through formal artisan development.
Engineering Learnerships Available
Valterra Platinum is recruiting across four engineering trades.
Learnership Electrician X1
One opportunity is available for a candidate interested in developing within the electrical trade.
Learnership Boilermaker Plater X1
One candidate will be selected for the Boilermaker Plater learnership.
Diesel Mechanic X2
There are two Diesel Mechanic learnership positions, making this the trade with the largest number of openings in this intake.
Auto Electrician X1
One opportunity is available for an aspiring Auto Electrician.
In total, the programme provides five engineering learnership positions.
Minimum Entry Requirements
Valterra Platinum provides several possible academic pathways.
Applicants may qualify with Matric, N2 or higher, or an appropriate NCV Level 4 qualification, provided they meet the requirements applicable to that pathway and trade.
Candidates should therefore check their own qualifications against the specific requirements rather than assuming everyone needs the same subjects.
Option 1: Matric Requirements
Applicants using the Matric pathway need:
- Mathematics
- Physical Science
- English
Candidates must have achieved at least:
40% in each of these subjects.
Importantly, Valterra Platinum specifies Mathematics and not Mathematical Literacy.
Candidates with Mathematical Literacy should therefore not treat it as equivalent to the Mathematics requirement stated in the advert.
Option 2: N2 or Higher
Candidates with N2 or higher may also qualify, but they need the subjects specified for their chosen trade.
Boilermaker Plater Requirements
Applicants need the relevant subjects including:
- Plating & Structural Steelwork / Welders Theory
- Plating Structural & Steelwork Drawings
- Mathematics
- Engineering Science
Electrician Requirements
Relevant subjects include:
- Electrical Trade Theory / Electrotechnology / Electrotechnics
- Industrial Electronics or Engineering Drawings
- Mathematics
- Engineering Science
Diesel Mechanic Requirements
Candidates need:
- Diesel / Motor Trade Theory
- Engineering Drawings
- Mathematics
- Engineering Science
Auto Electrician Requirements
Candidates need:
- Motor Electrical Trade Theory
- Industrial Electronics
- Mathematics
- Engineering Science
Candidates applying through the N-level pathway should compare their academic records carefully against the trade they’re applying for.
Option 3: NCV Level 4
Candidates can also qualify with:
NCV Level 4 in the appropriate trade
with all required subjects passed at a minimum of:
40%.
The NCV qualification should correspond with the trade for which the candidate is applying.
Do You Need Previous Work Experience?
The advert doesn’t specify a minimum number of years of previous work experience.
The programme is identified as an 18.2 Unemployed Engineering Learnership, meaning it is specifically intended to provide training and development rather than recruit already-qualified artisans.
Candidates should focus on demonstrating that they meet the academic and documentation requirements.
What Does the Programme Offer?
Successful candidates will participate in structured training incorporating both theoretical and practical development.
Valterra Platinum specifically describes:
Off-the-job and workplace training.
This combination allows learners to develop technical knowledge away from the workplace while also applying their learning within a real operational environment.
Successful completion leads towards a nationally recognised Artisan qualification.
Why Artisan Training in Mining Can Be Valuable
Mining operations rely on multiple engineering disciplines.
Electrical systems, heavy machinery, vehicles, fabricated structures and mechanical equipment all require skilled people to install, inspect, maintain and repair them.
This creates an environment where trades such as:
- Electrician
- Boilermaker
- Diesel Mechanic
- Auto Electrician
play an important operational role.
A structured learnership allows aspiring artisans to begin developing their trade skills within this type of environment.
First Preference for Host Communities
Valterra Platinum states that:
First preference will be given to relevant applications from host communities.
This is important for candidates living in communities surrounding the company’s operations.
Host-community candidates must submit proof of residence carrying a stamp from the relevant:
- Tribal office, or
- Municipality
Candidates shouldn’t overlook this requirement.
Does Host-Community Preference Mean Others Cannot Apply?
The advert states that first preference will be given to relevant host-community applications.
That is different from explicitly saying that applications are restricted exclusively to host communities.
However, candidates from those communities should make sure they provide the required proof of residence because it forms an important part of their application.
Documents Required
Applications must include:
- CV
- Certified copies of all relevant qualifications
- Copy of South African ID
Applicants from host communities must additionally provide:
- Proof of residence stamped by the relevant tribal office or municipality
Valterra Platinum states that the required documents may be attached together as one document.
Incomplete Applications May Be Declined
Candidates need to take the document requirements seriously.
Valterra Platinum states that applications are being reviewed as they arrive and that incomplete applications will unfortunately be declined due to the volume of interest.
Before pressing submit, candidates should check that every required document has actually uploaded successfully.
What Valterra Platinum Offers
Successful candidates will join an organisation that highlights:
- Meaningful work
- Learning and development
- Career progression opportunities
- Market-aligned reward and recognition
- Diversity and inclusion
- Innovation
- Safe operations
For learners, the major career value is the opportunity to work towards a recognised artisan qualification while gaining structured practical exposure.
About Valterra Platinum
Valterra Platinum is the company formerly known as Anglo American Platinum.
Following its demerger from Anglo American plc, Valterra Platinum operates as an independent publicly listed company, with listings in Johannesburg and London.
Its operations span the platinum group metals value chain, including mining, smelting and refining activities in Southern Africa, with its produced metals marketed globally.
Who Should Consider Applying?
This programme could be particularly suitable for an unemployed candidate who:
- Wants to become a qualified artisan
- Meets one of the academic pathways
- Has Mathematics rather than Mathematical Literacy where using the Matric pathway
- Is interested in Electrician, Boilermaker, Diesel Mechanic or Auto Electrician training
- Wants practical mining-industry exposure
- Is prepared for structured technical training
- Can provide all required supporting documents
- Meets the requirements of the specific trade selected
Candidates from relevant host communities may receive first preference.
Thabang’s Tip
Don’t simply see “N2 or higher” and apply because you have an N2 certificate. Your actual subjects need to match the trade you’re applying for.
For example, a Diesel Mechanic applicant should make subjects such as:
Diesel/Motor Trade Theory | Engineering Drawings | Mathematics | Engineering Science
easy to identify on the CV and supporting academic records.
The same principle applies to Electrical, Auto Electrical and Boilermaking candidates.
Also, don’t miss the Matric detail: Mathematics Literacy isn’t accepted under the stated Matric pathway. Valterra Platinum specifically requires Mathematics, Physical Science and English, with at least 40% in each.
Finally, host-community applicants should treat the proof-of-residence requirement as essential. Get the required document stamped by the relevant tribal office or municipality and upload it with the rest of your application.
How to Apply for the Valterra Platinum Engineering Learnership Programme
Applications must be completed using the online application form provided through the official job advert.
Before submitting, prepare:
- Updated CV
- Certified copies of relevant qualifications
- South African ID copy
- Academic records where required
- Stamped proof of residence if applying from a host community
Applicants should select the engineering trade that corresponds with their qualifications and ensure that all required documents are successfully uploaded.
Valterra Platinum is reviewing applications as they’re received, so eligible candidates don’t need to wait until the deadline.
For aspiring artisans with the right academic foundation, the Valterra Platinum Engineering Learnership Programme at Mototolo Mine offers more than short-term workplace exposure. Successful completion can lead to a nationally recognised Artisan qualification, providing a foundation for building a long-term technical career in South Africa’s mining and engineering industries.
Apply For The Platinum Group Metals Engineering Learnership
Closing Date: 20 September 2026
Disclaimer
CareersPursuit shares publicly available opportunities for informational purposes only and is not affiliated with the companies or organisations mentioned unless explicitly stated otherwise. Do not send your personal information, CV, or applications directly to CareersPursuit. Always verify opportunity details through official channels before applying.
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