Youth Development
TAKING THE NEXT GENERATION TO NEW HEIGHTS
South African Airways offers a variety programmes that positively prepare South Africa’s youth to take on a progressive career journey. Our Youth Development Programmes are designed to expose youth to new knowledge and opportunities to practise skills in the workplace.
We want to empower tomorrow’s generation to become an integral part of the workplace by empowering them to reach for their dreams.
SAA offers the following Youth Development Programmes:
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The Graduate Programme is a strategic initiative aimed at creating a talent pipeline for critical areas within our business as well as for the aviation sector in general.
Graduates obtain a significant amount of exposure (build a career) and experience (build a legacy) in the workplace over an 18-month period. The Graduate Programme provides graduates with real, hands-on opportunities to make an impact.
The Programme has been designed to provide young graduates with an opportunity to spread their career wings. The Graduate Programme will target a developmental period of 18 months that will provide the graduates with accelerated and structured development opportunities. The programme will support the graduates being developed towards an identified hard-to-recruit position, and will also include rotational points across various business units.
THE GRADUATE PROGRAMME COULD SUPPORT TOP GRADUATES IN THE FOLLOWING DEGREE FIELDS:
- International Relations
- Logistics Management
- Marketing
- Auditing
- Mathematics/Statistics
- Economics
- Business Management/Administration
- Aeronautical Engineering
- Transport Economics or Management
- Project Management
- Information Technology or Management;
- Informatics / Computer Science
- Travel and Tourism
- Social Media / Digital Marketing
- Mechatronic / Robotics
- Criminology / Law / Police Science
- Occupational Health and Safety Management
- Risk, Governance and Compliance
- Financial or Management Accounting
- Mechanical Engineering
WHO ARE WE LOOKING FOR?
- Must have recently qualified in the last 12 months with a good academic record at NQF Level 7 (3-year degree)
- Must have passion for chosen field of study and desire to practically apply what has been learnt
- Must have good judgment and decision-making skills
- Must have problem-solving abilities
- Good communication skills
- Highly motivated in pursuing goals
- Must be able to generate ideas
- Positive thinking
- Must be able to embrace change
- Must be confident and open to feedback
- Be able to work as part of a team
- Show Composure
- Must uphold standards
Please note that our Youth Development Programme is aimed at providing successful candidates with tuition and practical exposure for a limited time period. Although the programme may open the door to further employment within SAA, this is not guaranteed.
Please note all candidates must be South African citizens
- Candidates may be expected to undergo pre-employment assessments and criminal and qualification checks
- SAA is committed to Employment Equity and all appointments will be made in this context
- Candidates with disabilities are welcome to apply
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The Internship Programme is a unique opportunity to gain business skills in the aviation industry. We provide interns with valuable work experience for a limited period (minimum 6 months and maximum one year).
Apart from practical hands-on work experience and in-depth knowledge gained, they benefit from being exposed to the world of work and the aviation environment in particular.
Upon completion of the Internship Programme, interns will be better prepared for a work role in their career fields of study.
The career fields within the SAA Group that support the Internship Programme include:
- Accounting
- Computer Science or Information Systems
- Economics
- Engineering
- Risk Management
- Financial
- Aviation Operations
- Supply Chain Management
- Mathematics or Statistics
- Human Resources or Psychology
- Marketing or Communications
- Management Science
- Law
- Professional Cookery
- Transport and Logistics
- Aviation Operations
- Supply Chain Management
PROGRAMME BENEFITS
The Programme will provide you with the following benefits:
- You will gain an understanding of the working world from a perspective of “what can I do with my qualification?”
- You will gain exposure to your field of expertise.
- You will acquire critical business competencies.
- The Internship Programme may open the door to future potential working opportunities within SAA (although this is not guaranteed).
- You will add a valuable reference to your CV as you will have worked for a premium brand.
WHO ARE WE LOOKING FOR?
In order to apply for our Internship Programme, candidates must meet the following requirements:
- Currently studying in final year or postgraduate studies and require mandatory in-service training of 6 months to qualify/recently completed studies in the last 12 months
- Must have no prior work experience in the field of study
- Good academics and extracurricular involvement
- Must have a positive attitude
- Basic computer literacy
- Good communication skills
- Results-driven
- Live the SAA Values of accountability, integrity, customer focused, safety, excellence in performance and valuing our people
Please note that our Youth Development Programme is aimed at providing successful candidates with tuition and practical exposure for a limited time period. Although the programme may open the door to further employmet within SAA, this is not guaranteed.
- Please note all candidates must be South African citizens
- Candidates may be expected to undergo pre-employment assessments and criminal and qualification checks
- SAA is committed to Employment Equity and all appointments will be made in this context
- Candidates with disabilities are welcome to apply
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SAA is providing an opportunity to aspiring pilots to participate in the Cadet Pilot Development Programme, a bursary award programme aimed at assisting successful candidates with funding to obtain a Frozen Airline Transport Pilot's Licence.
On completion, successful cadets will be required to seek employment in the aviation sector to gain further flying experience to facilitate employment within SAA among other employers in the aviation industry. Once sufficient flying experience has been obtained and should suitable vacancies arise in SAA, successful cadets will be eligible to apply for an appropriate position in line with SAA's recruitment and selection processes.
PROGRAMME BENEFITS
The Development Programme will provide you with the following benefits:
- You will gain knowledge and skills in the functions and competencies required for the job role of an entry-level Pilot
- This Programme may open the door to future potential working opportunities within SAA (Please note that this is not guaranteed)
The Curriculum includes:
- Preparation Training
- Technical Training
- Ground School Theory
- Practical Flight Training
WHO ARE WE LOOKING FOR?
In order to apply for our Cadet Pilot Development Programme candidates must meet the following requirements:
- Matric Certificate/N3 or relevant tertiary qualifications (SAQA accredited)
- Compulsory subjects include: Mathematics or Statistics 101, Physical Science and English Subjects are to be passed on D symbol on Higher Grade, C symbol on Standard Grade or Level 5
- Candidates with/without previous flying experience/valid pilot licence will be considered
- Pass a security competency assessment
- Must be willing to relocate for the duration of the training
- Good communication, judgment and decision-making skills
- Must have the ability to multitask
- Must be medically fit
- Good hand-eye co-ordination
- Technically orientated
- Highly motivated
- Ability to work under pressure
- Must be confident and assertive
- Sign a training bond
OUR SELECTION PROCESS
The selection process consists of five phases:
- Pre-screening on application
- Psychometric testing
- Medical examination
- Assessment
- Panel Interviews
Please note that our Youth Development Programme is aimed at providing successful candidates with tuition and practical exposure for a limited time period.
- Please note all candidates must be South African citizens
- Candidates may be expected to undergo pre-employment assessments and criminal and qualification checks
- SAA is committed to Employment Equity and all appointments will be made in this context
- Candidates with disabilities are welcome to apply
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SAA cabin crew are required to be professional, friendly individuals who deliver a personalised, consistent service to our customers on board our aircraft. Our cabin crew are more than just the airline brand ambassadors, they represent the South African nation; they reflect the colourful cultures of the nation, the warm African hospitality and the beauty of our land. At SAA we regard it a privilege to be an SAA cabin crew member and with this privilege comes an enormous amount of responsibility.
Cabin crew are required to be well groomed, medically fit and should maintain a healthy lifestyle. They need to be able to manage fatigue, jet lag, and ensure that they are sufficiently rested before each duty.
The SAA cabin crew travel to international destinations, meet interesting people, stay in excellent hotels and experience different cultures and places. Yet the job is also challenging - they sometimes have to forego family get-togethers; birthdays and other social activities. Whilst on duty, they are expected to deal with emergencies, turbulence, sick passengers, and possible conflict amongst flight occupants, delays, tiredness and loneliness may also occur.
If this exciting, challenging career is for you, you need to obtain distinctions in Aviation Medicine training, safety and emergency procedures training, and SAA service procedures training. You also need to pass the South African Civil Aviation Authority Licensing Assessments. All training is given after the recruitment process once an incumbent starts their job.
Before applying for a Cabin Crew position; the candidate must meet the following requirements:
- You must have a Grade 12 or equivalent diploma;
- Pass in English at Grade 12 level (or equivalent);
- Pass the SAA English Language Proficiency Test;
- You must have good interpersonal skills;
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills- in English;
- Safety orientated;
- Culturally sensitive;
- You must have the ability to work under pressure;
- No negative findings on SAA’s pre-employment checks (criminal, credit and qualification checks);
- Must be medically fit;
- With a minimum height of 1.58m;
- Be a competent swimmer.
Please note that our Youth Development Programme is aimed at providing successful candidates with tuition and practical exposure for a limited time period. Although the programme may open the door to further employment within SAA, this is not guaranteed.
- Please note all candidates must be South African citizens
- Candidates may be expected to undergo pre-employment assessments and criminal and qualification checks
- SAA is committed to Employment Equity and all appointments will be made in this context
- Candidates with disabilities are welcome to apply
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This Programme is a unique opportunity to obtain tuition and workplace experience for the Flight Dispatcher Qualification, NDip Flight Dispatcher NQF 5.
The Programme provides unemployed youth with skills that are deemed as scarce in the aviation industry.
Participants who complete the Programme successfully, can seek employment in Aviation as Flight Dispatchers or in other disciplines of operational control.
PROGRAMME BENEFITS
The Programme will provide you with the following benefits:
- You will complete a qualification in Flight Dispatch based on Unit Standards as per the Qualification ID 59256
- You will gain an understanding of the world of aviation
- You will gain knowledge, skills and abilities in the functions and work processes related to flight dispatch
- The Skills Programme may open the door to future potential working opportunities within SAA (please note that this is not guaranteed)
WHERE WILL MY PARTICIPATION IN THE FLIGHT DISPATCHER SKILLS PROGRAMME TAKE ME?
You will be provided with formal tuition and assessment in the following areas:
- IATA OCC Phase 1 Course
- Human Factors in Aviation
- ICAO Flight Dispatcher Course
- Initial Manual Weight and Balance – SAA Passenger Aircraft non-system
- Dangerous Goods Category 10 Regulations
- Applicable Enterprise Induction Programme
- Airside Rules and Regulations Course
- Security Awareness
- Aircraft Systems Course for non-technical personnel
- Workplace experience will include the Flight Dispatch Induction Programme and unique operational experiential learning opportunities
WHO ARE WE LOOKING FOR?
- In order to apply to our Flight Dispatcher Skills Programme, candidates must meet the following requirements:
- Grade 12 or equivalent with a D symbol in Mathematics, Geography and Physical Science
- Pass in English at Grade 12 level (or equivalent)
- Interpersonal, analytical and decision making skills
- Excellent verbal, written communication and presentation skills in English
- High level numeric skills
- You must have good planning and organising skills
- Safety orientated
- You must be culturally sensitive
- You must have the ability to work under pressure
- No negative findings on SAA’s pre-employment checks (criminal, credit and qualification checks)
- Must be medically fit
- Candidates who have speech impediments, problematic visual and colour perception problems might not be able to enter this Programme
Please note that our Youth Development Programme is aimed at providing successful candidates with tuition and practical exposure for a limited time period. Although the programme may open the door to further employment within SAA, this is not guaranteed.
- Please note all candidates must be South African citizens
- Candidates may be expected to undergo pre-employment assessments and criminal and qualification checks
- SAA is committed to Employment Equity and all appointments will be made in this context
- Candidates with disabilities are welcome to apply
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SAA Technical requires highly skilled people in the career discipline of aviation maintenance. To address this requirement Training Apprenticeship Programmes were established in eleven trade disciplines.
These Programmes are a unique opportunity to receive tuition and practical training towards attaining a technical qualification. The Programmes provide unemployed youth with the necessary and valuable skills that are deemed as scarce in the aviation industry.
As a result, participants become more marketable and employable and this provides an opportunity for longterm career growth.
PROGRAMME BENEFITS
The Programme will provide you with the following benefits:
- You will gain an understanding of the technical working world
- You will gain knowledge, skills and abilities in the functions and competencies required for the selected technical trade discipline.
- The Apprenticeship Programme may open the door to future potential working opportunities within SAA (please note that this is not guaranteed)
WHERE WILL MY PARTICIPATION IN THE TRAINING APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMME TAKE ME?
You will complete a Training Apprenticeship Programme within one of the following eleven disciplines:
- Aircraft Mechanic
- Aircraft Spray Painter
- Aircraft Composite Structures
- Aircraft Electrician
- Aircraft Instrument Technician
- Aircraft Radiotrician
- Aircraft Structure Workers
- Aircraft Trimming
- Turner Machinist
- Welding
- Electroplating
WHO ARE WE LOOKING FOR?
In order to apply for a particular technical discipline, candidates must meet the following requirements:
- Matriculated with Maths, English and Physical Science (all subjects compulsory with at least E Symbol on Higher Grade or D Symbol on Standard Grade) OR minimum N3 Certificate with Maths and Engineering Science D Symbol
- Must be able to communicate in English
- Prepared to undergo a training course (company sponsored)
- Medically fit
- Must be prepared to sign a learnership contract
Please note that our Youth Development Programme is aimed at providing successful candidates with tuition and practical exposure for a limited time period. Although the programme may open the door to further employment within SAA, this is not guaranteed.
- Please note all candidates must be South African citizens
- Candidates may be expected to undergo pre-employment assessments and criminal and qualification checks
- SAA is committed to Employment Equity and all appointments will be made in this context
- Candidates with disabilities are welcome to apply
