Artisan Assistant - VKB Engineering Services, Reitz

Introduction to the VKB Group

The VKB Group is an agricultural company providing support to farmers and producing straight-from-the-farm foods for consumers. Apart from its various consumer brands, the VKB Group is also represented by its regional brands: VKB, GWK and NTK.

Our roots are firmly planted in agriculture, with farming at our core, continuously growing and evolving throughout the years. Starting with providing everything needed on the farm to produce food, we now operate across the entire food supply chain, including processing, logistics, storage, handling and national and international market channels.

This "house of brands", established with the support of our farmer shareholders, forms the foundation for building the agribusiness of the future.

More About Engineering Services

Engineering Services plays a critical role in supporting the operational reliability of VKB's grain handling and storage facilities. The team is responsible for maintaining, repairing, and improving the mechanical and electrical infrastructure that keeps essential agricultural operations running safely and efficiently.

From silo equipment and conveying systems to electrical installations and maintenance projects, Engineering Services ensures that facilities remain operational throughout the agricultural cycle. Their work directly supports farmers, customers, and business operations by minimizing downtime, improving equipment performance, and promoting safe working environments.

Working within Engineering Services offers exposure to a wide variety of technical disciplines, practical problem-solving opportunities, and hands-on experience across multiple sites. It is an environment where technical skills are developed, teamwork is valued, and every maintenance activity contributes to the success of the broader agricultural value chain.

Why This Role Matters

As an Artisan Assistant within Engineering Services, you will play an important supporting role in maintaining the equipment and infrastructure that keep our grain handling operations running efficiently. This position offers exposure to both mechanical and electrical maintenance activities while working alongside experienced artisans.

It is an ideal opportunity for a practical, hands-on individual who enjoys working with tools, solving problems, and developing technical skills within a professional agricultural and engineering environment.

Why Join VKB?

At VKB, you become part of an organisation that is deeply rooted in agriculture and driven by a purpose larger than itself. Your work will contribute to the smooth functioning of facilities that support food production and agricultural sustainability across South Africa.

This role provides an opportunity to gain valuable exposure to engineering and maintenance practices, work with experienced professionals, and develop skills that can support future technical career growth. If you are eager to learn, committed to quality workmanship, and motivated by continuous improvement, VKB offers an environment where your contribution matters.

What Success Looks Like

• Supports safe and efficient maintenance activities across silo facilities.
• Delivers high-quality workmanship while following established standards and procedures.
• Maintains a clean, organised, and safe working environment.
• Contributes to the reliability and availability of engineering equipment and infrastructure.
• Builds practical technical knowledge through continuous learning and development.
• Supports artisans with preventative maintenance, repairs, and installations.
• Promotes compliance with health and safety requirements at all times.
• Demonstrates accountability, teamwork, and attention to detail in daily activities.

Who We Are Looking For

We are looking for a dependable and motivated individual who enjoys practical work and takes pride in delivering quality results. The ideal candidate is eager to learn, follows instructions carefully, and maintains a strong focus on safety and workmanship.

You should be comfortable working both independently and as part of a team, adaptable to changing operational requirements, and willing to travel to different sites when needed. Individuals who demonstrate a strong work ethic, a willingness to develop new technical skills, and a commitment to supporting colleagues will thrive in this role.

Minimum Requirements

Qualifications

• Grade 12 / NQF Level 4.
• Valid trade certificate will be advantageous.
• Valid driver's licence will be advantageous.

Essential Experience

• Practical exposure to both mechanical and electrical maintenance work.
• Experience using hand tools and maintenance equipment such as grinders, drills, and spanners.
• Basic troubleshooting ability within electrical and mechanical environments.
• Experience working in physically demanding environments.
• Exposure to maintenance, repair, fabrication, or related technical activities will be advantageous.

Competencies

• Safety awareness
• Accountability and responsibility
• Attention to detail
• Problem-solving ability
• Teamwork and collaboration
• Effective communication
• Adaptability and willingness to learn
• Initiative and self-management
• Quality orientation
• Ability to work under pressure
• Ability to work in high dust environment
• Ability to work at heights
• Assent and descent stairs at a regular basis

Skills Required

Advantageous:

• Mechanical maintenance support
• Basic electrical maintenance support
• Inspection and maintenance practices
• Equipment and infrastructure maintenance
• Preventative maintenance support
  

• Fault-finding and troubleshooting
• Safe use of hand and power tools
  
• Basic welding, cutting, and grinding skills
• Understanding of health and safety requirements
• Ability to read and follow work instructions

Key Responsibilities

• Assist artisans with preventative and corrective maintenance activities.
• Support electrical maintenance tasks under supervision.
• Assist with mechanical repairs, installations, and equipment servicing.
• Participate in inspections of silos, structures, valves, chutes, and related infrastructure.
• Perform cutting, grinding, fabrication, and basic welding activities where trained and authorised.
• Assist with the assembly and fitting of mechanical components.
• Support troubleshooting and basic fault-finding activities.
  
• Ensure compliance with health, safety, and operational standards.
• Travel to various VKB and silo sites to support maintenance activities and emergency repairs.
• Maintain tools, equipment, and work areas in a clean and orderly condition.
• Work closely with maintenance teams and operational personnel during repairs and installations.
• Complete assigned work according to quality standards and supervisor instructions.
• Participate in technical training and development opportunities.

Important Information for Applicants

VKB Group reserves the right to close or withdraw any vacancy at its discretion. All personal information submitted through the Career Portal will be used solely for recruitment purposes and, where applicable, for matters related to employment.

As an equal opportunity employer, VKB Group is committed to Employment Equity, transformation, and the inclusion of People with Disabilities. Our recruitment decisions are aligned with the VKB Group Employment Equity Plan and Transformation Strategy.

When applying, please ensure that:

• You use Google Chrome to access the Career Portal.
• You upload a clear and professional CV in PDF or Word format only.
• Your CV does not contain handwritten notes or markings.
• Supporting documents such as your ID, driver's licence, certificates, or other documentation are uploaded in the designated sections and not combined with your CV.
• Your profile photo meets the minimum size requirement of 300 x 300 pixels.

A Note on Honesty and Integrity

As part of the application process, you will be required to complete a screening questionnaire. We strongly encourage all candidates to answer every question honestly and accurately.

At VKB Group, our culture is rooted in the values of being Humble, Hungry, Smart, Bold, and Playing as One Team. We believe in building authentic relationships and making sound decisions based on trust and integrity. Misrepresenting qualifications, experience, competencies, criminal history, or any other information may result in your application being withdrawn or your employment being terminated should discrepancies be identified during verification processes.

We respect your time and ask that you respect ours by providing truthful information throughout the recruitment process. This helps ensure that we focus on candidates who are genuinely aligned with the requirements of the role and the values of our organisation.

VKB is hiring for this full-time position in Free State.

See all 36 jobs at VKB →

Full-time positions like this one are ideal for building real-world experience. Even if you don't meet every requirement, applying shows initiative — and many employers value attitude over experience for entry-level roles.

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