23-year-old Jasmin Alexander says the bursary she received from the Shoprite Group took immense financial strain away from her parents and has given her invaluable practical experience.

Alexander, who grew up in the South of Johannesburg, says the prospect of a job placement with Africa’s largest retailer kept her focused on her studies and allowed her to push herself academically. She achieved a Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting Science, a postgraduate diploma in Accounting Science, and a certificate in Theory of Accounting at the University of Pretoria.

Currently a second-year Trainee Accountant with the Group, Alexander says the company continuously invests in her development through ongoing training.

The rotational nature of the trainee programme has also meant that she gains practical experience in several different facets of the Shoprite Group’s businesses. She has already worked in various departments, including Computicket, the Centurion Distribution Centre, National Foods Buying, and Group Finance.

With much of this taking place during Covid-19 lockdowns, Alexander greatly appreciated the rotation to the Computicket and Centurion Distribution Centre in Johannesburg, as it meant she could finally also spend some time with her family.

Applications for the Shoprite Group’s bursary programme are now open for the 2022 and 2023 academic years. These bursaries offer students in the fields of accounting, food sciences and information technology an opportunity to further their studies - and then go on to work for Africa’s largest retailer. Registered university students with a 65% aggregate or higher are encouraged to apply by visiting the Bursary page.