VKB Group

About VKB Group

VKB Group is an agricultural business rooted in the Free State, with a base in Reitz. It grew out of a farmers' cooperative and now operates as a company. Its activities include grain trading, agricultural retail, milling and food processing. It trades across the Free State and into neighbouring provinces. As a result, it is an important employer in many rural towns.

Running a business of this size takes more than farming knowledge. It needs accountants, engineers, economists and marketers. VKB's bursary programme is built around that need.

How VKB supports students

VKB offers bursaries in a deliberately wide set of fields. Recent calls have listed chartered accountancy, mechanical engineering, quantity surveying, agricultural economics, international trade and marketing. Other recent listings have included agronomy, economic sciences and risk management. The list changes each year, so check which qualifications are on offer in the current round.

Published listings say the bursary gives financial support towards approved studies. It also offers vacation work, mentoring and workplace experience. Bursars complete this vacation work at one of VKB's regional head offices. In this way, they see how a large agribusiness runs before they graduate. Some may also be considered for permanent jobs afterwards.

The exact amount covered has not been confirmed in the sources we found. Ask VKB whether the award covers tuition only or also includes accommodation and books.

What to know before applying

VKB serves both English and Afrikaans communities. For that reason, applicants must be fluent in both languages, spoken and written. This is a firm requirement, not a bonus.

Academic standards apply as well. Grade 12 learners need a valid South African ID and a National Senior Certificate average of at least 70%. Current university students must be at an accredited South African institution. They should also hold at least 60% in their major subjects and provide a full academic record.

In addition, applicants must be willing to relocate after their studies. This may be for employment or to meet a work-back obligation. Read the contract carefully, because the length of any service period is not confirmed here.

The latest call ran from 1 July to 31 August 2026, for a January 2027 intake. VKB has used the middle of the year before, but dates can move. Apply through the company's online recruitment system, and keep your results ready.

Think about where you might work. VKB's regional offices sit in farming towns, so bursars should be comfortable with rural life. Ask which office you would be placed at for vacation work. Grade 12 applicants must also upload their Grade 11 and current Grade 12 results, so keep certified copies of your ID and school reports ready.