Transnet Rail Cadet Scheme Guideline

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Transnet Rail Cadet Scheme Guideline

Background

The Rail Cadet Scheme was launched several years ago as a sponsorship programme for high school learners performing well in Mathematics and Science. The successful learners were to become future talent pool for engineers and technicians. Learners close to the Railway network were targeted. The programme was then discontinued due to operational reasons.

Purpose

The purpose of this document is to provide guidelines to all the stakeholders who will be active participants in the scheme. It serves to define the framework under which the Rail Cadet Scheme is structured, implemented, reviewed, controlled, updated, distributed and tracked to ensure its successful rollout. It lists the function of key responsibilities of the implementation team, and articulates the principles underpinning the processes outlined in the management of such a programme in TFR.

Scope

This guideline applies to all Grade 10 to 12 learners who reside along railway network in the rural areas of all the provinces of South Africa. It aims to engage their schools and parents or guardians to actively participate and commit to the upliftment of the railway communities through a structured sponsored framework. All participants will meet the minimum qualifications criteria as stipulated in Section 6. The scheme is only applicable to the learners who attend public schools. Children of Transnet employees living in the rural areas along the rail network and meeting the minimum qualifications criteria can also apply.

Guideline Statement

The Rail Cadet Scheme aims to create a pool for future bursars or employees within Transnet TFR. These learners, on condition that they maintain the required minimum academic performance standards throughout the duration of their participation in the scheme, will be given a chance to apply for full time bursaries to study at a University or University of Technology within South Africa. On successful completion of their studies, opportunities within Transnet TFR will be offered to them.

Roles and responsibility

5.1. Schools are responsible for:

• Point of contact between Transnet TRF and learners and parents;

• To help identify the learners who meet the minimum qualification criteria;

• To act as liaisons between the learners, parents and TFR;

• To ensure that the funds reach the beneficiaries and to provide evidence

5.2. Learners are responsible for:

• Adhering to all the schemes requirements;

• Performing consistently in their studies and at the required requirements;

5.3. Parents are responsible for:

• Authorising of their children to participate on the programme and offering the required support for their children who are nominated to participate on the programme;

6. Process description

Step 1: Identify schools

The corporate communications department will identify public schools that are on the Transnet railway network to participate in this programme. The heads of the schools will be the point of contact and they will be contracted in the scheme on behalf of the learners. The corporate communications department will liaise with both learners and parents through the heads of schools to ensure that all parties fully understand the terms and conditions as well as the benefits of the scheme thereof.

Step 2: Nominate learners

All learners meeting the minimum qualifying criteria will apply for the sponsorship. The learners’ performance will be judged against a point system to determine those who will qualify. Learners with the highest points will be first to be approved. Learners will submit applications forms to the Transnet representative.

 Point system

Symbol/ Percentage Science
(Higher Grade)		 Maths 
(Higher Grade)
A (80 -100) 8 8
B (70-79) 7 7
C (60-69) 6 6
D (50-59) 0 0

Step 3: Qualification criteria

The following criteria will have to be met as the minimum for consideration:

  • An aggregate “C” symbol for Mathematics and Science on HG
  • Continuation of the programme will depend on the academic performance of the learner
  • The number of sponsorships will be renewed annually
  • Learners will not be allowed to change schools without prior consultation and approval by Transnet SoR should the sponsorship be expected to continue
  • A checklist below gives an indication of who will qualify and who will not
  • SA citizenship

Qualifying checklist:

Details Yes No
Are you a South African citizen?
Are you living in a rural area?    
Are you attending a public school?
Are you enrolled in the following subjects and obtain at least a “C” symbol for each:
 
Mathematics and Science?
Is your average academic performance at least an aggregate “C” symbol?
Are you in Grade 10, 11 or 12?
If you have indicated a “No” for any of the above questions, you will not qualify to apply for the sponsorship.
Do you have any members of your family working for Transnet?
Do you aspire to join the world of Transnet one day?
Choose only 1 field of preference:
 
Do you aspire to become an Engineer, Technician or Artisan?
Do you aspire to become a Train driver?
Total
If you have answered yes to 8 or more of the above, submit your application for consideration.

Step 4: Approve sponsorships

All application forms will be forwarded to the Scheme’s Project leader for approval. A point system, as mention above, as stipulated will be used as the yardstick to determine the best qualifying candidates. All qualifying applications will be given consideration and the learners with best academic performance will be chosen. Children of Transnet employees will be allocated an extra point scoring point.

Step 5: Manage database

A database of all the approved candidates will be created and each learner will be profiled accordingly. This information will be readily available for any future talent pools requirements

Step 6: Monitor the process

Monitoring of the programme will be conducted on a monthly basis and reports will be provided on request. The monitoring of the scheme will be conducted by SoR. All records of the scheme will be maintained at SoR, Esselen Park. The following records will be maintained per successful candidate:

  • Copy of identity document
  • Application form
  • Sponsorship contract
  • Memorandum of agreement
  • Academic records
  • Invoices
  • Statements

Supporting documents

The following supporting documents are attached.

  • Annexure A: Sponsorship contract
  • Memorandum of Agreement
  • Application form

Further information

The sponsorship will ONLY cover the following:

  • Tuition fees
  • Prescribed books. Recommended books will not be covered.
  • School uniform