Altron's Ascent Bursary Programme has welcomed its 2026 cohort, marking another milestone in our commitment to building a transformed ICT talent pipeline. The programme, an initiative of the Altron Foundation Trust, supports the educational aspirations of employees' family members pursuing technology qualifications. It's part of a deliberate, six-decade commitment to education and skills development, and a manifestation of our philosophy that investing in our people means investing in their families too.
It begins at home
Our business is built on three principles: being purpose-led, customer-obsessed, and growth-focused. When it comes to skills development, we believe that being purpose-led means supporting the families of those who show up every day to deliver on our promise to customers. If we’re serious about building South Africa's digital future, that commitment should start at home.
Since launching in 2024, the programme has supported 23 bursars across seven Altron operating companies - all maintaining a 100% pass rate. Applications have more than doubled year-on-year, and the 2026 intake brings 10 new bursars to join 4 continuing students, forming an active cohort of 14.
What stands out is the shift in ambition. In 2024, all bursars pursued ICT certifications. This year, 50% are pursuing degrees, 36% diplomas, and 14% certificates or higher certificates. Ascent is opening doors to higher qualifications, and our bursars are taking the opportunity to walk right through them.
From classroom to career
Education without a pathway to employment solves only half the problem. That's why Ascent is designed to create circular pathways from sponsored education to meaningful careers within the Altron ecosystem.
We're already seeing this in action. Kgomotso Letswalo completed the programme with an average of 85% and now works as a Field Service Technician at AltronFinTech, and Tswellang Machaka has joined as a Junior Sales Consultant in the same OpCo.
These aren't feel-good stories we share at year-end but proof points for a model we intend to scale, with a target of 75 bursars over the next five years and deliberate pathways connecting education to employment across the Group.
What this is really about
From daughters and sons to nieces, nephews and siblings, 93% of our Ascent bursars are direct or extended family of Altron employees. This is what investing in our people really looks like.
These programmes have made a real difference, and we're just getting started. As we welcome the Class of 2026, we're reminded that being purpose-led isn't a once-off commitment. It's showing up, year after year, for the people who shape us and the families who stand behind them.
To learn more about careers at Altron, visit; https://www.altron.com/careers