Gold Fields South Deep Learnerships 2026

Gold Fields South Deep Learnerships can give young South Africans a route into mining, engineering and artisan careers.

South Deep Gold Mine is a Gold Fields operation in Gauteng. The mine has established skills development and youth programmes covering mining, engineering and workplace training.

Learnership opportunities can include engineering trades and mining-related programmes. Previous South Deep recruitment has included engineering learnerships such as Fitter, while the mine’s Social and Labour Plan documents describe both engineering and mining learnership routes.

Applicants should check the latest official vacancy before applying. Trade availability changes according to the mine’s skills requirements.

Gold Fields South Deep Learnerships at a Glance

Detail	Information
Company	Gold Fields
Mine	South Deep Gold Mine
Location	Gauteng
Sector	Mining
Opportunity Type	Learnerships and youth development
Fields	Mining and engineering
Possible Artisan Trades	Fitter and other engineering trades
Accreditation	MQA/QCTO requirements apply to relevant programmes
Experience	Depends on the specific programme
Stipend	Must be confirmed from the specific vacancy
Closing Date	Depends on the recruitment intake

What Are Gold Fields South Deep Learnerships?

South Deep uses learnerships as part of its skills development programmes.

The programmes combine theoretical learning with practical workplace training.

Gold Fields’ South Deep Social and Labour Plan states that the mine offers learnerships in core production disciplines, including mining and engineering. It also states that learnerships are approved and accredited through the relevant structures, including the Mining Qualifications Authority (MQA) and Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO).

This makes the programmes particularly relevant to applicants interested in technical and mining careers.

Engineering Learnerships

Engineering is one of the main areas covered by South Deep’s learnership programmes.

A previous South Deep recruitment advertisement for an Engineering Learnership – Fitter, including machining, required applicants to meet specific academic and technical requirements.

The programme was designed to combine practical work-based training with external technical training.

The aim was to prepare learners to qualify as artisans.

Mining Learnerships

South Deep also has a history of offering learnerships connected to mining operations.

The mine’s Social and Labour Plan identifies both 18.1 employee learnerships and 18.2 community-member learnerships.

The exact mining learnerships offered can change from one intake to another.

Applicants should therefore not assume that a particular mining trade will be available every year.

Artisan Trades

Depending on the recruitment intake, South Deep’s technical development programmes can include artisan-related fields.

Examples associated with South Deep learnership and training opportunities include:

• Fitting and machining.
• Boilermaking.
• Plating.
• Electrical-related trades.
• Other engineering disciplines.
• Mining-related occupational programmes.

The exact trade list must be checked against the active vacancy.

For example, a South Deep Engineering Learnership – Fitter advertisement required applicants to have specific N3 subjects.

Gold Fields Learnership Requirements

Requirements depend on the specific learnership.

Applicants interested in engineering learnerships should pay close attention to the academic requirements.

A previous South Deep Fitter learnership listed:

• Grade 12 with Mathematics and Science.
• Full N3 qualifications.
• Four required N3 subjects.
• Engineering Mathematics.
• Engineering Science.
• Mechano-Technology Trade Theory.
• Engineering Drawing.

Applicants also had to be medically fit for the position and working environment.

The vacancy further required applicants to pass a Heat Tolerance Screening test and other assessments that could be required to determine suitability.

These requirements should not be assumed to apply identically to every Gold Fields learnership. Each vacancy can have its own criteria.

Do You Need Grade 12?

For some South Deep engineering learnerships, Grade 12 with Mathematics and Science is required.

Applicants should check whether their subjects meet the requirements before applying.

Having Grade 12 alone does not automatically qualify someone for every artisan learnership.

Technical programmes can require additional N3 subjects or other qualifications.

N3 Requirements

Some engineering learnerships require a full N3 qualification.

For the previously advertised Fitter learnership, South Deep required four N3 subjects:

1. Engineering Mathematics.
2. Engineering Science.
3. Mechano-Technology Trade Theory.
4. Engineering Drawing.

This shows why applicants should read the full vacancy instead of relying only on the general phrase “Grade 12 required.”

Medical Fitness

Mining work can involve demanding physical and environmental conditions.

South Deep’s previous engineering learnership advertisement required applicants to be declared medically fit for the position and environment following a risk-based medical examination.

A Heat Tolerance Screening test was also listed.

Medical and physical requirements can vary by position.

Applicants should check the specific vacancy for the latest requirements.

South Deep Host Community Requirements

Some South Deep opportunities can include requirements linked to the mine’s host communities.

For example, a previous Fitter learnership advertisement stated that applicants seeking host-community status needed to live in one of the specified communities and meet the relevant technical requirements.

Communities listed in that advertisement included:

• Bekkersdaal
• Zuurbekom
• Thusanang
• Hillshaven
• Westonaria
• Poortjie
• Simunye
• Kalbasfontein
• Jachtfontein

This does not mean every Gold Fields vacancy is restricted to these communities.

Applicants must check the location and community requirements attached to the particular advertisement.

How Long Do South Deep Learnerships Last?

The duration depends on the programme.

Gold Fields’ South Deep Social and Labour Plan states that the minimum duration for a mining learnership is 18 months, while engineering learnerships can run for 24 to 36 months.

The duration for a specific intake should always be confirmed from the active vacancy.

Is There a Stipend?

Applicants should be careful with stipend figures shared on social media.

The amount can depend on the specific programme and recruitment intake.

A stipend amount should only be published when it appears in the current official vacancy or another current Gold Fields source.

For this reason, applicants should not assume that every South Deep learnership pays the same amount.

What Skills Can Learners Gain?

A South Deep learnership combines classroom or technical training with practical workplace exposure.

Depending on the programme, learners can gain experience related to:

• Mining operations.
• Engineering.
• Equipment maintenance.
• Technical problem-solving.
• Workplace safety.
• Production procedures.
• Machinery.
• Trade-specific skills.
• Workplace communication.
• Occupational health and safety.

The practical component is a major part of the learnership model.

Why South Deep Learnerships Matter

South Deep has used learnerships and other youth programmes as part of its skills development work.

Gold Fields has reported youth employment and training initiatives at South Deep. Between 2022 and 2024, the mine enrolled 165 unemployed youth from its local community through its partnership with YES4Youth.

The programme is separate from every artisan learnership and should not be confused with a current learnership vacancy.

Still, it shows the wider role of youth development at the mine.

How to Apply for Gold Fields Learnerships

Gold Fields uses different platforms for job advertisements and applications.

The company’s official careers guidance says applicants can create a profile on its HR portal and apply online. Its stated recruitment process can include:

1. Application and CV submission.
2. Shortlisting.
3. Interviews.
4. Psychometric assessments.
5. Security and reference checks.
6. Offer proposal.

Applicants should use the application method shown on the specific learnership advertisement.

Gold Fields Careers and Vacancies

Documents to Prepare

Applicants should prepare their documents before applying.

Depending on the vacancy, these may include:

• Updated CV.
• Grade 12 certificate.
• Academic results.
• N certificates.
• Trade-related certificates.
• Identity document.
• Proof of residence where required.
• Driver’s licence where required.
• Other certificates requested in the vacancy.

For one previous South Deep engineering learnership, Gold Fields specifically stated that relevant certificates had to be attached to the CV for the applicant to be considered for shortlisting.

Always follow the document requirements in the current advertisement.

How to Avoid Missing a Learnership

Gold Fields does not keep every learnership open throughout the year.

The availability of programmes depends on the mine’s skills needs and the availability of learnership opportunities through the relevant training authorities.

Job seekers should therefore:

• Check the official Gold Fields careers page regularly.
• Keep their CV updated.
• Have certificates ready.
• Check their email regularly.
• Apply before the stated deadline.
• Read the full vacancy before submitting an application.

Gold Fields South Deep Scam Warning

Job seekers should never pay someone to secure a Gold Fields job or learnership.

Gold Fields has previously warned that South Deep does not require applicants to pay employment fees. The company also warns job seekers to be cautious of recruitment scams.

A genuine employer should not ask you to pay money in exchange for a job offer.

Do not pay for:

• Application forms.
• Shortlisting.
• Interviews.
• Training.
• Medical bookings arranged by an unknown recruiter.
• Guaranteed employment.

Use the official Gold Fields recruitment channels.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Gold Fields offer learnerships at South Deep?

Yes. South Deep has documented learnership programmes covering mining and engineering disciplines.

Where is South Deep Gold Mine?

South Deep is a Gold Fields underground mining operation in Gauteng, South Africa.

What Grade 12 subjects are needed?

Some engineering learnerships require Grade 12 with Mathematics and Science. Other programmes can have different requirements.

Can I apply with N3?

Yes, where the specific learnership requires N3. A previous Fitter learnership required four N3 subjects, including Engineering Mathematics, Engineering Science, Mechano-Technology Trade Theory and Engineering Drawing.

Does South Deep offer artisan learnerships?

Yes. South Deep has offered engineering learnerships designed to provide practical and technical training towards artisan qualifications.

How long are South Deep learnerships?

Gold Fields’ South Deep Social and Labour Plan states that mining learnerships have a minimum duration of 18 months, while engineering learnerships can run for 24 to 36 months.

Is there an age limit?

The age requirement depends on the specific vacancy. Applicants should check the active advertisement rather than relying on requirements from previous intakes.

Is accommodation provided?

Applicants should not assume that accommodation is provided. Check the benefits and conditions in the specific vacancy.

Does Gold Fields charge an application fee?

No. Gold Fields has warned that South Deep does not require applicants to pay employment fees.

Where can I find Gold Fields vacancies?

Use the official Gold Fields careers and vacancies channels.

Final Word for Job Seekers

Gold Fields South Deep remains an important source of mining and technical skills development in Gauteng.

Its documented programmes include engineering and mining learnerships, with some engineering routes leading towards artisan qualifications. Requirements can include Grade 12 Mathematics and Science, N3 technical subjects and medical fitness, depending on the programme.

The biggest mistake is applying based on an old poster or social media post.

Check the current vacancy.

Check the qualification requirements.

Check the closing date.

And never pay anyone for a Gold Fields job or learnership.