Atlas Copco South Africa is committed to playing a meaningful role in creating employment. The company recognises the importance of two fundamental elements of job creation, developing skills and providing experience in the workplace and has hosted a number of learnerships and internships over the years with great success.

While there is a tremendous need for skills development and experience in abled persons, these needs are even greater for the disabled who are faced with so many challenges in their daily lives. Recognising these challenges, Atlas Copco decided to implement a one year learnership programme for twelve disabled learners from the Skills Development Corporation (SDC).

“Our learnership and internship programmes are leading to fruitful relationship for both the learners and our organisation and the resounding success of the last two internships further motivated this latest learnership opportunity,” says Kathryn Coetzer, Corporate Communications and ACademy Manager for Atlas Copco South Africa.

“This time round we wanted to specifically provide entry-level experience to young, unemployed disabled learners due to the massive need for skills development in this arena,” explains Coetzer. Atlas Copco Secoroc (production facilities) previously hosted three female disabled learners so it is not the first time that Atlas Copco has offered a programme for the disabled.

This is however, the first time that the company is hosting such a large number of disabled learners at the same time at its disable-friendly head office facility in Jet Park, Johannesburg.

Atlas Copco decided to approach the SDC as it is an accredited learning institution which offers need-specific functional training to maximise skills opportunities in any company.

The learnership programme consists of a NQF Level 3 Learnership in General Management which is being presented to disabled male and female learners between 18 and 30 years of age. “At the end of the twelve month period the learners will not only armed with this qualification, they also have the benefit of a year’s invaluable workplace experience,” notes Coetzer.

“We also provide the learners with workplace professionalism and computer skills training, wellness training and testing, and access to a mentor. Our objective is that upon completion of the programme, the learners are well-rounded, confident individuals. It is a win-win scenario because while learning and gaining experience, the learners are also lending assistance to us.”

Atlas Copco is proud of its reputation as an Employer of Choice and is committed to providing the best opportunities for employees.

“We are always looking for talent! So we encourage all our learners to apply for vacancies within Atlas Copco South Africa both during and after their learnership,” states Coetzer adding that the last two internships in 2015 and 2016 saw a number of interns being given temporary employment after completion of the respective programmes.