Martin & East Gap Year and Bursary South Africa 2026 – 2027

The Martin & East Gap Year and Bursary South Africa 2026 – 2027 programme offers an incredible opportunity for motivated students who want to kick-start their careers in civil engineering and construction.
This initiative gives Matriculants practical, paid experience in 2026 — followed by bursary funding for tertiary studies in 2027.
It’s an exciting way to gain real-world exposure before heading to university.

🏗️ About Martin & East

Martin & East (Pty) Ltd is one of South Africa’s most respected civil engineering and construction firms.
With more than 70 years of experience, the company has helped shape the nation’s infrastructure — from roads and bridges to low-cost housing and water systems.

Their work covers:

• Large-scale earthworks and landfills
• Water and sewer infrastructure
• Road and bridge construction
• Low-cost housing projects
• Upgrading and maintenance of existing infrastructure

As a B-BBEE Level 1 supplier, Martin & East is committed to driving inclusive growth and empowering future professionals within South Africa’s construction industry.

🎓 About the Gap Year and Bursary Programme

Martin & East invites students completing Matric in 2025 to apply for their 2026 Matric Gap Year Programme.
This hands-on experience gives school leavers the chance to work on live projects while earning a salary.
Candidates will be placed on a Construction Roadworks and Supervision Learnership where they’ll gain valuable technical and field knowledge.

During the gap year, participants will be involved in areas such as:

• Bulk Earthworks and Landfills
• Bridges and Concrete Structures
• Crushing and Screening
• Erosion Protection and Gabions
• Low-Cost Housing and Services
• Pipelines and Underground Services
• Road Construction and Rehabilitation
• Road Surfacing and Maintenance
• Synthetic Playing Fields
• Trenchless Solutions

Once the 2026 gap year is complete, successful students will receive bursary funding for 2027 to study Civil Engineering at one of these approved institutions:

• University of Cape Town (UCT)
• Stellenbosch University
• Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT)
• University of Pretoria (UP)
• Nelson Mandela University (NMU)

💡 Bursary Selection Process

Selection for the Martin & East Gap Year and Bursary South Africa 2026 – 2027 will depend on two main factors:

• Overall site performance during the gap year
• Acceptance into one of the approved Civil Engineering programmes

The final decision will be made by the Martin & East Bursary Committee.
Successful candidates will be notified after the assessment process is complete.

✅ Eligibility Criteria

Before applying, make sure you meet the following requirements:

• Be a South African citizen
• Be in Matric in 2025
• Be willing to join the 2026 Matric Gap Year programme
• Plan to study Civil Engineering (BSc, BEng, BEng Tech, or Diploma) in 2027
• Have acceptance at one of the approved universities listed above
• Achieve at least 60% in Pure Mathematics/Technical Maths/Maths Literacy and Physical Science

📬 How to Apply

Students who meet the above requirements can apply via email to:
careers@megroup.co.za

Use the subject line: “Scholar Recruitment 2026”.
There is no application form — simply email the required documents listed below.

Required Documents:

• Certified copy of your South African ID
• Matric June results and latest available results
• Updated Curriculum Vitae (CV)

📅 Closing Date

The closing date for the Martin & East Gap Year and Bursary South Africa 2026 – 2027 is 31 October 2025.

🚨 Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted — apply early to secure your chance.

📧 Contact Details

For any questions about the bursary, please contact:

• Contact Persons: Megan Adonis or Zelia Cyster
• Email: careers@megroup.co.za

👉 When asked where you heard about this opportunity, please mention
www.edufunds.co.za — your trusted source for bursaries and education funding in South Africa.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Who can apply for the Martin & East Gap Year Programme?
Matric learners completing their final year in 2025 who are interested in pursuing a career in civil engineering.

2. Is the programme paid?
Yes. Participants will receive a salary during their 2026 gap year while gaining practical experience on-site.

3. What happens after the gap year?
Students who perform well and are accepted to a partner university will receive a bursary for 2027 to study Civil Engineering.

4. Which universities are eligible?
UCT, Stellenbosch University, CPUT, UP, and NMU are currently supported under the bursary programme.

5. What is the deadline?
Applications close on 31 October 2025. Late applications will not be accepted.