For more information, please contact the
SAAF Recruitment Office:

The Air Force does not offer bursaries and learnerships (apprenticeship) as do organizations in the private sector. Instead, selected candidates are required to join the SANDF on a contract basis. This necessitates the successful completion of military courses during the first year of the contract, followed by studies and/or learnerships at selected universities or technical colleges and continued service in the SANDF for the remainder of the contract period.

Qualified engineers may direct enquiries to any of the Recruiting Offices.

Engineering

Fields of interest include electronics, electrical, mechanical, aeronautical and industrial engineering. University studies begin in the second year of service at either the Stellenbosch or Pretoria University. This study scheme requires students to finance their study costs and university fees out of their salary. Accommodation is paid for by the Air Force.

The following fields of study are on offer: Industrial Engineering; Electronic Engineering; Mechanical Engineering; Civil Engineering; Aeronautical Engineering.

The requirements to be accepted as an engineer in the SAAF are as follows:

1. Must be a South African citizen
2. Age: 18–24 Years - Completed Grade 12
3. Age: 22 - 26 Years if in possession of a relevant Tertiary qualification (Degree, N Diploma or N4, N5, N6 prescripts) completed Grade 12 with (Level - 6) Mathematics and Physical Science
4. Be recommended by the Consolidated Selection Board

The academic requirements are:

1. Complete Grade 12 with English (Level 5)
2. Mathematics and Physical Science Level 6
3. Admission Point Score (APS) of 35(University Entry)

Training:
Selected Air Force candidates for engineering studies join on a contract basis. This necessitates the successful completion of military courses during the first year of the contract, followed by studies at selected universities and continued service in the Air Force for the remainder of the first contract period.

Duration:
After successful completion of Basic Military Traiing and Officer Formative Training (which focuses primarily on leadership development) during the first year, the initial two-year MSDS contract is migrated to a nine-year Core Service System contract. Members then commence their studies at one of the following Universities: the University of Pretoria, the University of the Witwatersrand, the University of Cape Town in one of the following disciplines: Mechanical Engineering, Electronic Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Aeronautical Engineering and Civil Engineering.

On completion of their academic studies, these members will be given the opportunity to apply their skills in the engineering environment for the remainder of their contract.

Qualified Engineers and those that are currentyl studying are encouraged to apply.

Apprenticeship

Trade training is offered in a Mechanical, Electronic, Electrical or General Avionic support field.

The requirements to be accepted as an apprentice in the SAAF are as follows:

1. Must be a South African citizen
2. Age: 18 to 22 years (Completed Grade 12 or N3 with 6 subjects of which two must be languages)
3. Age: 22 to 26 years if in possession of N4, N5 and N6 (Technical subjects)
4. Classified medically fit for duty by the Surgeon General
5. Candidate must undergo prescribed psychometric evaluation
6. Be recommended by a selection board

The academic requirements are:

1. Grade 12 or N3 Certificate with English as a passed subject
2. Grade 12 with Mathematics and Physical Science NSC level 3 as passed subjects or N3 in a technical field
3. Tertiary qualification: N4 - certificate passed with at least 60% and N5-N6 certificate passed with at least 60% in a technical field and English (compulsory) as a passed subject

Training:
Following the completion of Basic Military Training (22 weeks), members will receive Basic Technical Training, including a School Block (12 weeks) and a Workshop Phase (12 weeks). Trade workers will only then be selected for further Trade Training based on their performance thus far.

Trade Training includes Trade Theory, Trade Practicals and exposure to the avionic environment at a depot or a base.

Duration:
After serving one year of the original two year MSDS contract, members will migrate to the Core Service System. Trade workers who have successfully completed the first year of development and who are not selected for Trade Training will be utilised as Technical Assistants during the second year of their contract.