Hatch

About Hatch

Hatch is an employee-owned engineering and project delivery firm. It was founded in Toronto, Canada, in 1955 and is now headquartered in Mississauga, Ontario. The firm grew into metallurgy in the late 1950s under Gerry Hatch, who later bought the business and gave it his name. Today it employs more than 10,000 people in over 70 offices worldwide.

Hatch serves the metals, energy, infrastructure, digital and investment sectors. Its current focus includes green steel, battery manufacturing, energy transformation and sustainable urban development. In South Africa, the firm works from Woodmead in Johannesburg and has other offices in cities such as Cape Town, Durban and Gqeberha. Its local arm grew through the Hatch Goba business, and it has been reported to employ about 1,500 people in the country. Because Hatch also works on major mining and industrial projects across Southern Africa, its South African team supports clients in several countries. The Woodmead office on Western Service Road is the local base most applicants will deal with.

How Hatch supports students

Hatch has offered engineering bursaries to South African students for many years. Past calls covered mechanical, electrical, electronic, civil, structural and mechatronics engineering. Students were normally funded from the second year up to their final year. Depending on need, a bursary may be a full-cost award or a partial one. Engineering faculties such as Stellenbosch University have listed Hatch among their company bursary providers.

A minimum academic average of 65% has been the usual requirement. After graduation, bursary holders move into the Hatch Professional Development Programme. This global programme guides young engineers through their first years of work, with structured training and career planning. For that reason, a Hatch bursary is closer to a career pathway than a simple payment of fees.

What to know before applying

Hatch does not run a call every year, and the fields on offer can shift with project demand. Therefore, do not rely on old advertisements. Check the careers section of the official Hatch website for the current intake, closing date and list of documents.

The exact work-back terms are not publicly confirmed, so ask about them before you sign anything. Meanwhile, keep your marks strong and your records ready. Applicants usually need a certified ID, a matric certificate, university results and a CV. A short, honest motivation that links your studies to mining, metals or infrastructure will also help your application stand out. If you are shortlisted, expect to talk about your marks, your interests and where you want to work after graduation. Therefore, think about whether you prefer design, project delivery or plant work, and be ready to explain why.