Omnia

About Omnia

Omnia is a diversified chemicals group listed on the JSE and A2X. It was founded in 1953 and has its head office in Fourways, Sandton. The group operates in more than 20 countries and reaches customers in over 40 through a network of more than 70 distribution centres. It employs more than 3,500 people.

The business runs through three divisions. Agriculture develops and sells fertilizers and agribio products to farmers. Mining supplies explosives, blasting services and related technology. Chemicals provides specialty and industrial chemicals, together with technical, water and SHEQ services. Each division relies on graduates with strong science and engineering training.

How Omnia supports students

The Omnia bursary sits within the group's corporate social investment work. It targets academically strong students who come from financially disadvantaged homes. The funding is meant for STEM studies at undergraduate and postgraduate level, so it suits learners who want a technical career.

Preferred fields have included chemical, civil, electrical, industrial, mechanical and mining engineering. Agricultural science, chemistry, metallurgy, computer science, data science, environmental science, microbiology and soil science also appear on recent lists. As a result, the programme reaches well beyond a single discipline.

The award can cover tuition fees and textbooks. It can also pay for accommodation in residence or accredited housing, meals, and a transport allowance for students who live at home. This range of cover matters, because living costs often cause students to drop out.

The motivation is twofold. Omnia wants to widen access to science and engineering study. At the same time, it builds a pool of graduates in the chemical, agricultural and mining-related skills that its own divisions need. Publicly available information does not describe a compulsory work-back contract. However, bursary holders are a natural recruitment pool for the group.

What to know before applying

Applicants must be South African citizens with Mathematics and Science at school level. Recent adverts have quoted a minimum average of 65%, while older material mentions 70%. Requirements change from year to year, so confirm the current figure in the latest advert.

Recent calls have favoured Advanced Diplomas, BTech degrees, full degrees and postgraduate study rather than standard diplomas. Applicants are usually expected to be entering the qualification for the first time. Shortlisted candidates are invited to an interview.

Prepare certified copies of your ID, academic transcripts, proof of acceptance at a tertiary institution, a personal statement and a CV. Certified copies are normally accepted only if they are recent, so avoid leaving this step to the last week. Closing dates differ each year and have fallen in January, so watch for the new advert early. Always apply through Omnia's own recruitment channel and not through a third party.