Actom

About ACTOM

ACTOM (Pty) Ltd is a South African manufacturer, solutions provider, repairer and distributor of electro-mechanical equipment. Its roots go back more than a century, and it describes itself as black-empowered. The company employs about 7 500 people at over 30 operating units, production facilities and distribution outlets across Southern Africa. Its annual order intake exceeds R7.5 billion.

ACTOM designs and builds motors, transformers, switchgear and related electrical equipment. Its customers include Eskom's power stations, municipalities, mines and industrial plants. In practice, much of the equipment that keeps South African power and industry running passes through ACTOM's workshops.

The company is not connected to AECOM, the US-based infrastructure consultancy. The two names look alike, but the businesses have separate owners, histories and operations.

How ACTOM supports students

Skilled engineers are central to ACTOM's work, so the group funds a bursary for electrical engineering students. The ACTOM Electrical Engineering Bursary supports students in their final year of study. It gives the company a way to meet future engineers early and to help them finish their qualification.

The 2027 call describes financial support for the final year, plus exposure to a leading engineering employer. Shortlisted candidates may face interviews that test motivation, interpersonal skills, technical knowledge and analytical thinking. A strong performance can also open doors to graduate and career opportunities within the ACTOM Group, although the company does not promise a job.

What to know before applying

Eligibility is specific, and it can change between calls. For the 2027 academic year, applicants had to be South African citizens. They also had to live in the Madibeng, Moses Kotane or Rustenburg local municipalities in North West. In addition, they had to study electrical engineering at a recognised university of technology, enter their final year in 2027, and hold a good academic record.

Applications went by email, with a clear subject line naming the bursary. The documents requested were certified ID copies, recent academic transcripts, proof of enrolment, a CV, proof of residence in one of the listed municipalities, and a short statement about your circumstances and why you need funding. Reading the notice twice before you send anything will save you from silly mistakes.

That round closed on 31 July 2026. The exact value of the award and any work-back terms are unconfirmed, so check the official ACTOM website or the current notice. Other ACTOM bursaries may also appear from time to time, so look at each advert closely to see which one fits your situation. Keep copies of everything you send, and follow up politely if you hear nothing after the stated notification period.