Get a head start into the world of work by participating in the Mercedes-Benz South Africa (MBSA) Bursary Programme and transport your career with one of the world’s most successful automotive companies.
The MBSA Bursary Programme aims to harness outstanding achievers from tertiary levels into our fold of growing talent. Eligible participants are offered financial assistance throughout their academic studies as well as experiential learning where applicable. Bursary applications are available for both our sales and marketing environment (Pretoria) and our world-class manufacturing plant (East London).
What the MBSA bursary offers
The MBSA bursary offers funding for learners to study at a university or private tertiary level institution of their choice. The benefits include funding towards tuition and registration fees, accommodation, meals, textbooks, stationery and a monthly stipend to assist the learners with their everyday expenses.
In addition, to accommodate the current academic long-distance learning introduced by most academic institutions due to the Covid-19 pandemic, MBSA also makes an additional contribution of a laptop and/or data allowance to the programme offerings. Bursary holders also have an opportunity to work at Mercedes-Benz South Africa during their vacation.
Through vacation work, bursars get a career head start as they are able to put theory into practice while continuing with their studies. Bursary recipients have opportunities to work in specialised areas that provide them with real insights into their higher education modules, thus contributing significantly towards their studies. Through the experiential workplace experience bursary recipients get the opportunity to play their part as an integral team member on specific projects within the organisation.
In addition, the bursary recipients are able to amplify on their networks through the relationships formed during their vacation period. These relationships can entail professional working relationships with key stakeholders within the organisation at all levels, as well as with fellow bursary holders, immediate colleagues and managers. This is an important first step in creating own networks within the group of companies, as well as providing bursary recipients with real opportunities to positively contribute to internal work processes.
After successful completion of their studies, bursary recipients will have the opportunity to join the company’s Graduate Development Programme; which will, together with the vacation work experience, offer the graduates excellent prospects for a future career at Mercedes-Benz South Africa.
Application process
Interested candidates can apply to be MBSA bursary recipients in response to an advert on the Daimler Careers Website at www.daimler.com/career. The bursary programme is advertised annually in both Pretoria and East London, with the commencement of applications taking place from September to November. All applications must be submitted online on the careers website.
The MBSA Bursary Programme is applicable to all South African citizen students pursuing full-time studies at a university or private tertiary level institution. High school students may apply for the Bursary Programme from Grade 12 or use their final Grade 11 marks should their matric results not be available at the time of application. Should prospective bursars be successful during the application process, all results provided will only grant provisional acceptance. Final acceptance is based on final results from either Grade 12 studies or the respective year of study at the relevant tertiary institution.
The qualification streams funded are relevant to the requirements of the organisation. Therefore, the streams covered on the bursary programme are:
- Engineering: Mechanical, Electrical, Electronics, Industrial, Mechatronics and Metallurgy
- Computer Engineering/Information Technology
- Finance related fields
- Supply Chain/Logistics
- Human Resources
- Business Studies – Sales, After sales and Marketing
- Legal and Compliance – Law
Selection criteria
- Grade 12 learners who have a minimum average of 70%, and applicants with distinctions in Mathematics and/or Physical Science will have an added advantage in the applicable career streams/qualifications.
- Applicants at tertiary level are required to have a minimum aggregate average of 65% to be considered for the Bursary Programme.
All applications should include the following documents:
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Certified copy of Grade 11/12 results, or recent full tertiary academic record
- Certified copy of Identity Document (ID)
Mercedes-Benz South Africa is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will be considered; in addition, foreign nationals must qualify for a study visa or permit as per the provisions of the Immigration Act 13, 2002.
The Mercedes-Benz South Africa Bursary Programme aims to provide similar offerings in both environments, however, due to the significant difference in the sales and marketing and manufacturing environments, the two Bursary Programmes may have slight differences in their offerings to students as well as with the required career streams.
Students interested in the Mercedes-Benz South Africa Bursary Programme may contact the HR Specialists mentioned below for further information:
- East London – Jade Vengadajellum (jade.vengadajellum@daimler.com)
- Pretoria – Koketso Mookeletsi (koketso.mookeletsi@daimler.com)
Testimonials from previous bursary recipients
“The Mercedes-Benz South Africa Bursary Programme has given me the opportunity to chase my dreams. I am now able to complete my studies without the additional stress I would have had due to my financial situation at home”.
“This programme has given me the opportunity to form relationships with students at my university, at other institutions as well as with great people within the company. My mentor, which the company also provided for me, has been a great sounding board when I hit a stumbling block in some of my modules – Thank you MBSA!”
