The ArcelorMittal is currently offering a Production Learnership for 2026. This is a great opportunity for many Unemployed South Africans.
The ArcelorMittal Production learnership comes at a moment when industrial skills are quietly becoming valuable again, especially in manufacturing hubs like Vanderbijlpark.
This opportunity is for unemployed youth who want structured, long-term technical exposure rather than short courses that end without real workplace experience. With applications closing on 31 January 2026, timing matters not because this guarantees a job, but because it offers something rarer: a realistic pathway into heavy industry.
Why Manufacturing Learnerships Still Matter in 2026
Manufacturing Skills build on each other, unlike short-term work. A learner who understands machinery, safety systems, and production processes becomes more valuable with experience, as they can be able to use those in a different Manufacturing environment.
The ArcelorMittal Production learnership does not promise permanent employment, but what it does offer is 36 months of structured exposure to real production environments, something many young people never gain access to after school.
Inside the ArcelorMittal Learnership Programme
The ArcelorMittal group learnership is designed to train process operators at the Vanderbijlpark facility. Successful candidates enter a 36-month fixed-term learner’s agreement, combining institutional learning with on-the-job training inside an operational steel plant.
This is not classroom-only learning. The programme follows an outcome-based structure with regular assessments and progress monitoring. Learners are trained in how steel is produced, processed, and managed within a live industrial environment where safety and precision are non-negotiable.
The bursary support includes:
- Payment of institutional training costs
- Personal protective equipment (PPE)
- Personal insurance
- A bursary allowance
Permanent employment after completion is not guaranteed, and ArcelorMittal states this clearly. That transparency is important, especially for applicants weighing this against other opportunities.
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Minimum requirements
This learnership is open to individuals with a complete Grade 12 qualification, meeting the following minimum requirements:
- English: 45%
- Mathematics: 40% or Mathematics Literacy: 50%
Preference is given to South African youth under the age of 35, and all successful applicants will undergo a medical examination. The physical demands and safety-critical nature of steel production mean this is not a desk-based opportunity.
It is also worth noting what the programme is not. It is not a fast track to management, and it is not a casual internship. The environment is regulated, structured, and demanding. For some, that discipline will be a strength. For others, it may feel restrictive.
Applicants should also be alert to scams. ArcelorMittal has stated clearly that no fees are charged for learnerships or apprenticeships. Any request for payment should be treated as fraudulent.
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What Makes This Opportunity Different from Short Courses
One of the quiet advantages of the ArcelorMittal group learnership is its length. Three years allows learners to move beyond observation into competence. Over time, participants are exposed to systems, routines, and production pressures that short programmes simply cannot simulate.
The company’s “We Care” safety culture also shapes the experience. Zero harm is not a slogan in steel manufacturing — it is operational reality. Learners who complete the programme leave with a safety mindset that is transferable across industrial environments.
However, there is uncertainty too. If applicants do not receive feedback by the end of February 2026, they should assume the application was unsuccessful. The recruitment process includes the use of Wamly, a one-way recorded interview platform, which may be unfamiliar to first-time applicants.
HOW TO APPLY
Applications must be submitted online through the official links provided by ArcelorMittal.
Apply Here for the ArcelorMittal Production Learnership 2026
Closing Date: 31 January 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the ArcelorMittal group learnership paid?
Learners receive a bursary allowance and covered training costs, but it is not a full salary.
Does the learnership guarantee a permanent job?
No. Permanent employment after completion is not guaranteed.
Where is the learnership based?
The programme is based in Vanderbijlpark, Gauteng.
Who can apply?
Unemployed South African youth under 35 with a complete Grade 12 meeting the minimum subject requirements.
A Practical Starting Point in a Tough Economy
The ArcelorMittal Production Learnership is not a shortcut into employment, and it does not promise easy outcomes. What it does offer is something far more practical in today’s job market: time to learn, exposure to a real industrial environment, and structured training inside one of South Africa’s most established manufacturing operations.
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