Tronox – Smelter Learnership Programme 2026

Tronox Mineral Sands is inviting unemployed young people from the Saldanha Bay Municipal area to apply for its 2026 Smelter Learnership Programme.

The 12-month programme offers structured workplace training, practical exposure to modern production processes and an opportunity to obtain a qualification while developing experience in the metals and manufacturing industry.

Important: Applicants must live within the Saldanha Bay Municipal area and provide proof of residence. All required application documents must be combined into one PDF or Word document.

At a glance

What this opportunity is

This is a 12-month training opportunity for unemployed young people who live within the Saldanha Bay Municipal area.

Successful applicants will enter into a fixed-term learnership agreement with Tronox Mineral Sands and receive structured on-the-job training in a smelter and manufacturing environment.

The programme is intended to help participants gain a qualification, develop practical workplace experience and build a foundation for future opportunities in metals, minerals processing and manufacturing.

Employment clarification: Tronox expressly states that the learnership is a training opportunity and does not constitute a contract of employment. Completing the programme does not guarantee permanent employment.

What the learnership offers

• A 12-month structured learnership programme.
• Practical workplace experience.
• Structured on-the-job training.
• An opportunity to obtain a qualification.
• Exposure to modern production processes.
• Exposure to manufacturing and processing technologies.
• Experience within the metals and manufacturing industry.
• A monthly stipend during the programme.
• An opportunity to develop workplace skills and employment readiness.

The official advert does not state the exact qualification title, NQF level, training provider or assessment structure. Applicants should confirm these details if shortlisted.

Minimum requirements

• Be a South African citizen.
• Be between 18 and 35 years old.
• Have successfully completed Grade 12 / Matric.
• Be currently unemployed.
• Have little or no formal work experience.
• Have no criminal record.
• Not have participated previously in a funded learnership programme.
• Live within the Saldanha Bay Municipal area.
• Be able to provide acceptable proof of residence.
• Be willing to participate in the full 12-month programme.

Preference will be given to Employment Equity candidates in accordance with the Tronox Employment Equity Policy.

Grade 12 subjects

Grade 12 is the compulsory minimum educational requirement.

• Mathematics is advantageous.
• Physical Science is advantageous.

The official advert does not specify minimum percentages for Mathematics or Physical Science and does not make either subject a compulsory minimum requirement.

Applicants who completed relevant technical subjects or additional qualifications should include them in their application, provided the information is accurate and supported by certificates or academic records.

Local residence requirement

This opportunity is specifically aimed at applicants who reside within the Saldanha Bay Municipal area.

Applicants must include proof of residence with their application. The advert does not state whether affidavits, municipal accounts, letters from local authorities or other forms of proof will be accepted.

Use a current and legitimate document showing your residential address. Do not apply using an address where you do not genuinely live.

Required application documents

Applicants must upload the following documents:

• A cover letter or application letter.
• A comprehensive and updated CV.
• A certified copy of your South African identity document.
• A certified copy of your Grade 12 certificate.
• Proof of residence within the Saldanha Bay Municipal area.
• Copies of additional qualifications, certificates or academic records, where applicable.

Upload instruction: The required documents must be combined and uploaded as one PDF or Word document.

Make sure every page is clear, correctly oriented and readable before combining the documents. Missing supporting documents may result in the application being rejected.

What to include in your cover letter

• The exact programme name: Smelter Learnership Programme 2026.
• Your current residential area within the Saldanha Bay Municipality.
• Confirmation that you have completed Grade 12.
• Your interest in the metals, manufacturing or minerals-processing industry.
• Your willingness to complete the full 12-month programme.
• Any relevant Mathematics, Physical Science or technical subjects.
• A brief explanation of why you want to gain workplace experience at Tronox.

Keep the letter concise and factual. Do not claim technical or workplace experience that you do not have.

Application checklist

• Confirm that you are between 18 and 35 years old.
• Confirm that you are currently unemployed.
• Confirm that you live within the Saldanha Bay Municipal area.
• Check that you have not previously participated in a funded learnership.
• Prepare a clear cover letter.
• Update your CV.
• Certify your identity document and Grade 12 certificate.
• Prepare valid proof of residence.
• Add any relevant supporting qualifications.
• Combine all documents into one PDF or Word file.
• Check that the combined document opens correctly.
• Submit before the official closing date.

Need assistance preparing your CV or application documents? Visit our Learnership Resources and Guides.

About Tronox

Tronox is a global mining and manufacturing company that mines and processes titanium ore, zircon and other minerals. The company also manufactures titanium dioxide pigments used to improve the brightness and durability of products such as paints, plastics and paper.

Learn more through the official Tronox website.

Quick tips for applicants

• Submit by 1 September 2026 where possible.
• Use a genuine and current proof-of-residence document.
• Show Grade 12 clearly on your CV.
• Include Mathematics and Physical Science results if you completed these subjects.
• Mention relevant technical subjects or certificates.
• Keep the application document below any file-size limit shown on the portal.
• Give the combined file a professional name that includes your full name.
• Check your cellphone number and email address before submitting.
• Keep a copy of the complete application file.

Common application mistakes

• Applying while living outside the Saldanha Bay Municipal area.
• Failing to upload proof of residence.
• Uploading documents as several separate files instead of one combined document.
• Submitting uncertified copies where certified copies are required.
• Failing to include a cover letter.
• Uploading an incomplete or outdated CV.
• Not disclosing previous participation in a funded learnership.
• Submitting documents that are blurred, cropped or unreadable.
• Waiting until the closing date to combine and upload documents.

Scam warning

Apply only through Tronox’s official ApplicantStack recruitment page.

• Do not pay anyone for an application, interview, assessment, training or learnership placement.
• Do not share banking PINs, passwords or one-time PINs.
• Do not trust anyone who guarantees selection in exchange for money.
• Confirm that the vacancy ID is 40081749 before submitting personal information.
• Upload your identity document and certificates only through the secure official recruitment process.

How this opportunity was verified

This opportunity was verified using the official Tronox ApplicantStack listing for Smelter Learnership Advertisement 2026, vacancy ID 40081749.

The official listing confirmed the Namakwa Sands location, Saldanha Bay residence requirement, 12-month agreement, Grade 12 requirement, monthly stipend, required documents and closing date.

The advert does not state the exact qualification title, NQF level, stipend amount, programme start date, working hours or number of learners to be appointed.

Read more about our process on the How We Verify Listings page.

How to apply

1. Open the official Tronox application page below.
2. Confirm that the title is Smelter Learnership Advertisement 2026.
3. Confirm that the vacancy ID is 40081749.
4. Read the complete official advert.
5. Prepare your cover letter and updated CV.
6. Prepare certified copies of your ID and Grade 12 certificate.
7. Add proof that you live within the Saldanha Bay Municipal area.
8. Add any relevant additional qualifications or academic records.
9. Combine all required documents into one PDF or Word document.
10. Complete the online application accurately.
11. Upload the combined document and review your information.
12. Submit before the closing date.

Application closing date

The official closing date is 2 September 2026.

Applications submitted after the closing date, without the required supporting documents or through a channel other than the official recruitment portal will not be considered.

Applicants should submit by 1 September 2026 to reduce the risk of missing the deadline because of certification, document-combination or upload problems.