Valterra Platinum Learnerships Open Mining Engineering and Artisan Training for 2026 / 2027

Valterra Platinum is offering Engineering Learnerships for unemployed South Africans who want to build practical skills in mining engineering, industrial maintenance and artisan trades.

The programme combines structured off-the-job training with workplace experience and can lead to a nationally recognised artisan qualification after successful completion.

Opportunities are available across six trades, including fitting, boilermaking, rigging, electrical work, instrumentation and millwright training.

Which engineering learnerships are available?

The programme includes:

• Fitter
• Boilermaker
• Rigger
• Electrician
• Instrument Mechanician
• Millwright

Each trade supports a different part of the engineering and maintenance environment used in mining and processing operations.

What will you gain from the programme?

You will complete a combination of:

• Off-the-job technical training
• Workplace training
• Practical engineering experience

The programme is designed to help you build the knowledge and competence required to qualify as an artisan.

This gives you a structured route from technical studies into practical engineering work.

What does a Fitter learn?

Fitting focuses on the mechanical side of industrial equipment.

You can expect to build knowledge around areas such as:

• Mechanical components
• Equipment assembly
• Maintenance
• Bearings
• Pumps
• Mechanical fault finding
• Plant equipment

Fitters are important in processing environments because production equipment needs regular maintenance and repair.

What does a Boilermaker train for?

Boilermaking focuses on metal fabrication and structural work.

You can build practical skills around:

• Structural steelwork
• Plate work
• Fabrication
• Cutting and forming
• Welding-related processes
• Repair of metal structures

This trade supports the physical infrastructure used across industrial and smelter environments.

What will you learn as a Rigger?

Rigging involves the safe lifting, moving and positioning of heavy equipment.

Your training can include areas such as:

• Lifting equipment
• Ropes and slings
• Load handling
• Safe lifting procedures
• Equipment positioning
• Engineering drawings

Rigging is especially important in heavy industrial environments where large machinery and components need to be moved safely.

What will the Electrician learnership involve?

Electrical apprentices develop skills around industrial electrical systems.

Your training can include:

• Electrical equipment
• Motors
• Wiring
• Fault finding
• Electrical maintenance
• Isolation procedures
• Industrial power systems

Reliable electrical systems are essential in mining and processing operations, where machinery depends on continuous power.

What does an Instrument Mechanician do?

Instrument Mechanicians work with the systems used to monitor and control industrial processes.

You can develop knowledge in areas such as:

• Instrumentation
• Industrial electronics
• Process measurement
• Sensors
• Calibration
• Control systems
• Fault diagnosis

This trade is especially relevant in modern processing and smelting operations where accurate process control is essential.

What is a Millwright?

Millwrights work across both mechanical and electrical systems.

The trade combines skills from fitting and electrical work, which can include:

• Mechanical maintenance
• Electrical systems
• Machinery
• Industrial electronics
• Fault finding
• Engineering drawings

This makes the millwright trade especially valuable in environments where technicians need to understand multiple systems.

Can you apply with Matric?

You can qualify with Matric or Technical Matric if you passed:

• Mathematics
• Physical Science
• English

Each subject must have a minimum pass of 40%.

Mathematics Literacy is not accepted in place of Mathematics.

Can you apply with N2 or higher?

You can also qualify with an N2 or higher qualification if you have the required trade-specific subjects.

Boilermaker

You need subjects such as:

• Plating and Structural Steelwork or Welders Theory
• Plating Structural and Steelwork Drawings
• Mathematics
• Engineering Science

Millwright

Relevant subjects include:

• Electrical Trade Theory, Electrotechnology or Electrotechnics
• Fitting Trade Theory or Mechanotechnology
• Industrial Electronics or Engineering Drawings
• Mathematics
• Engineering Science

Electrician

Relevant subjects include:

• Electrical Trade Theory, Electrotechnology or Electrotechnics
• Industrial Electronics or Engineering Drawings
• Mathematics
• Engineering Science

Mechanical Fitter

Relevant subjects include:

• Fitting Trade Theory, Mechanotechnology or Mechanotechnics
• Engineering Drawings or Draughting
• Mathematics
• Engineering Science

Instrument Mechanician

You need:

• Instrument Trade Theory or Industrial Instrument
• Industrial Electronics
• Mathematics
• Engineering Science

Rigger

You need:

• Rigging Trade Theory
• Engineering Drawings or Draughting
• Mathematics
• Engineering Science

Can NCV Level 4 graduates apply?

Applicants with NCV Level 4 in an appropriate trade may also qualify.

All relevant subjects must have been passed with at least 40%.

This gives TVET graduates another route into the programme.

What documents do you need?

Your application must include:

• CV
• Certified copies of relevant qualifications
• Copy of your South African ID

Applicants from host communities must also include proof of residence stamped by the relevant tribal office or municipality.

You can combine the required supporting documents into one file before uploading them.

Why is proof of residence important?

Host-community applicants need to provide verified proof of where they live.

This helps confirm eligibility where local-community considerations form part of the programme.

Make sure the document is properly stamped and clearly readable before you upload it.

What can the programme lead to?

Successful completion can result in a nationally recognised artisan qualification.

That can support careers in areas such as:

• Mechanical Fitting
• Boilermaking
• Rigging
• Electrical Maintenance
• Instrumentation
• Millwright Work
• Plant Maintenance
• Smelter Maintenance
• Mining Engineering Support

These trades are used across mining, manufacturing, processing and other heavy industrial sectors.

How do you apply?

Applications must be submitted online through the Valterra Platinum recruitment platform.

Apply for the Valterra Platinum Engineering Learnership Programme 2026 / 2027

Make sure all required supporting documents are attached before submitting your application.