Pretoria, South Africa, 28 March 2023 – HENSOLDT South Africa launched a bursary program at the end of 2022, aimed at building its workforce pipeline. After rigorous evaluations and interviews, bursaries were awarded to 12 deserving students from various universities, including Stellenbosch, the University of Pretoria, the University of Johannesburg and North-West University.
These undergraduate students were selected based on strict criteria, including having passed their first year of studies and demonstrating exceptional academic records. This year’s bursary intake was the largest in HENSOLDT SA’s history, with various engineering disciplines identified as skills shortages. The major disciplines included computer engineering, electronic engineering, mechanical engineering and software development.
Earlier in March, HENSOLDT welcomed these 12 bursars in a meet and greet event where we showcased the company’s innovation and capabilities. The event was hosted on the Irene campus, with capabilities from all three business units showcased to the students, who were visibly fascinated by HENSOLDT’s innovations. The event marked the beginning of the bursary programme, and the students were encouraged to start the programme with the values of collaboration and team spirit, key attributes of our HENSOLDT culture.
The students will be involved in vacation work while they are completing their studies and will join HENSOLDT’s workforce upon completion of their studies. The bursary programme is an excellent initiative aimed at developing and retaining skilled engineers in South Africa. It's a positive step towards building a workforce pipeline that is essential for the continued growth of the country's economy.
“To make the difference for a safer tomorrow, we need to invest in tomorrow’s minds today,” says Marina Francis, HENSOLDT SA Human Resources Executive. HENSOLDT is committed to nurture and develop local talent by investing in the future of young, deserving students. Such initiatives go a long way in addressing the skills shortage challenge in the engineering sector, and we hope to see more companies follow suit.
After the event, one student expressed his excitement: “For me it’s more than just a bursary opportunity, it’s a life changer, a lifetime opportunity and a dream come true. Behold, as we detect to protect the planet and its inhabitants.”
Cymondi Stassen, responsible for the recruitment of the bursars adds that “It was exciting to meet the future experts and leaders of our company and to introduce them to the company that they will help to build.” We wish the 12 bursars all the best in their studies and future careers.
About HENSOLDT South Africa
HENSOLDT South Africa is a pioneer of technology and innovation in defence and security electronics. The company offers a comprehensive range of products, systems and services across defence and civil markets, from electronic warfare and optronics, spectrum monitoring and security solutions, to radar, IFF and datalinks. With more than 700 South African employees across five sites in South Africa, it is the HENSOLDT Group’s largest industrial base outside of Europe and one of the largest defence and security electronics companies in South Africa.
About HENSOLDT
HENSOLDT is a leading European defence company with a global reach. Headquartered in Taufkirchen near Munich, Germany, the company develops comprehensive sensor solutions for defence and security applications. As a technology leader, HENSOLDT is driving the development of defence electronics and optronics solutions and is continuously expanding its portfolio with innovative approaches in the fields of data management, robotics and cybersecurity. HENSOLDT is listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange and generates annual sales of 1.7 billion euros (2022) with its more than 6,500 employees.
www.hensoldt.net
