Fresh Internships at Columbus Stainless – 2025 Programs

South Africa’s unemployment remains stubbornly high at 33%—and over 45% for youth . Yet, manufacturing giants like Columbus Stainless, Africa’s only fully integrated stainless steel plant, are offering structured internships and learnerships. If you’re a graduate or technical learner, 2025 is your moment—Columbus Stainless is recruiting new talent eager to learn, grow, and build a stainless future.

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South Africa’s Youth Employment Landscape

• National unemployment: ~33%, youth unemployment: ~45% columbus.mcidirecthire.com+15za.indeed.com+15gilejobs.co.za+15

• Internships are rising: Government and corporates commit to youth development.

• Manufacturing demand: As SA industrial strategy targets job creation, work-integrated learning in steel and technical fields becomes vital.

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2025 Internships & Learnerships at Columbus Stainless

Columbus Stainless offers structured entry-level programmes—traineeships, learnerships, apprenticeships, and graduate internships. Below is a snapshot:

Note: Date ranges may vary; check portals for live deadlines.

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Salary Insights & Employer Profile

• Average full-time salary: R440,072/year, bonus ~R6,000/year; top earners up to R727k/year payscale.com

• Internships typically include stipends, medical aid, meals, transport support stufnews.com

• Indeed reviews highlight structured training and good workplace culture; typical trainee programme includes free meals, transport, and safe environments columbus.co.za+2za.indeed.com+2za.indeed.com+2

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How to Apply

1. Search internship programmes on GILE Jobs, STUF News, Learnerships24, and InternNerd.

2. Apply with CV, academic transcripts, ID copy, and proof of residence (if applicable).

3. Ensure technical courses (e.g., Engineering, Metallurgy, IT) are on your CV.

4. Use relevant portals: e.g., LinkedIn apply on GILE Jobs posts stufnews.com+3linkedin.com+3gilejobs.co.za+3.

5. Prepare for assessments and interviews—technical and behavioural.

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Who They’re Looking For

• Academic: National Diploma/BEng Tech for graduates; N3/Matric for apprenticeships.

• Technical Skills: Engineering (Mechanical, Elect), Metallurgy, Instrumentation, IT, Finance, HR.

• Attributes: Quick learners, disciplined, able to work shift rotations, safety-first mindset.

• Certification Desirables: MERSETA metals qualification for production trainees; additional certificates beneficial.

Example: Learnership requires N3/Matric with Maths & Science ≥50%, residency in Steve Tshwete Municipality learnerships24.co.za+5vacancyupdate.co.za+5gilejobs.co.za+5learnerships24.co.za.

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Industry Trends & Job Market Outlook

• Manufacturing internships align with SA’s National Development Plan for skills development.

• Acerinox investment ensures Columbus remains technologically advanced columbus.co.za.

• Wider career pathways: Trainees often transition into permanent roles as artisans, engineers, and technical specialists.

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✅ Pros & Cons

Pros

• Structured programmes with clear outcomes and support.

• Exposure to advanced industrial operations and top-tier technology.

• Additional benefits: meals, transport, and sometimes housing.

• Established employer with global backing (Acerinox, IDC).

Cons

• Middelburg location may require relocation or long commutes.

• Apprenticeships are long (2–3 years) and shift-heavy.

• Competition is strong; selection is rigorous.

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️ Tips to Stand Out

1. Highlight technical subjects—e.g., engineering, metallurgy—on your CV.

2. Showcase practical work or projects (e.g., welding, coding, instrumentation).

3. Prepare with MERSETA terminology and safety knowledge.

4. Practice competency interviews, particularly around discipline, safety, and teamwork.

5. Network—connect with Columbus Stainless employees via LinkedIn to learn about company culture.

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FAQs

Q: Can I apply to multiple programmes?
A: Yes—tailor your CV and application to each specific programme.

Q: Do they provide housing?
A: Some traineeships include accommodation or travel support; details vary—verify on the portal.

Q: Are the programmes paid?
A: All structured learnerships/internships include a stipend plus benefits linkedin.com+13stufnews.com+13glassdoor.com+13.

Q: What happens after the programme?
A: Graduates often transition into artisan, engineering, or technical specialist positions at Columbus.

Q: Is there a graduate scheme?
A: Yes—the Graduate/Engineer-In-Training offers cross-functional exposure over 24 months .

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Useful Resources

• Stats SA Q1 2025 unemployment report

• MERCETA Metals Manufacturing Framework – for certification guidance

• Payscale Columbus Stainless profile – salary insights gilejobs.co.za+6learnerships24.co.za+6za.indeed.com+6vacancyupdate.co.za+15payscale.com+15za.indeed.com+15

• National Treasury & Department of Trade Industrial Strategy – on manufacturing career planning

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✨ Real Internship Feedback

“IST trainee programme was productive and fun… perks like free food and transport,” notes an Indeed reviewer at Middelburg za.indeed.com+1learnerships24.co.za+1.

This highlights how supportive the internship experience can be, despite demanding hours.

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Key Takeaways

• Internship offers at Columbus Stainless include Production Traineeships, Graduate Internships, and Technical Apprenticeships.

• Salary and benefits: average salaries ~R440k/year, with added stipends, meals, and transport benefits for interns.

• Ideal candidates: disciplined graduates or learners with technical education, a safety-first mindset, and shift readiness.

• Apply proactively via portals like GILE Jobs, STUF News, LinkedIn, and Learnerships24.

• Plan your future: these programmes can lead to long-term technical careers in a high-tech GROWTH manufacturing environment.

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Connect & Apply

• Company HQ & plant: Hendrina Road, Middelburg, Mpumalanga – [Google Maps link]

• Main contacts: +27 13 247 9111, info@columbus.co.za

• Follow on LinkedIn & Facebook for internship updates facebook.com+5columbus.co.za+5columbus.co.za+5payscale.comlearnerships24.co.za+1vacancyupdate.co.za+1stufnews.com+2gilejobs.co.za+2linkedin.com+2za.indeed.com+5za.linkedin.com+5columbus.co.za+5

• Job portals:

  • GILE Jobs

  • STUF News

  • Learnerships24

  • InternNerd

  • VacancyUpdate

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Final Words

If you’re a technical graduate or aspiring artisan in 2025, the internships and learnerships at Columbus Stainless are unmatched opportunities. You’ll gain cutting-edge skills, work in a stable industrial environment, and potentially build a long-term technical career. Prepare early, apply smart, and embrace the challenge—you could soon be crafting South Africa’s stainless tomorrow.