What is the Entrepreneur Internship Programme (EIP)?
The Anglo American Entrepreneur Internship Programme is an accelerated learning experience for high potential entrepreneurs who have the capacity to start or grow businesses that can achieve rapid growth in employment size and revenues. It combines experiential learning with industry exposure, mentoring and networking. Together these components can help you to catalyse a cycle of personal and business capacity development, confidence and accomplishment that will empower you to translate your ideas into a sustainable business. By the end of the EIP experience you will be able to develop a detailed “Go to Market” business plan that is implementable and provides the foundation to run a successful business with strong growth opportunities. It is possible that Anglo American could become a customer of your business, or you a supplier of goods or services to Anglo American.
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Why is Anglo American running the EIP?
Anglo American has a strategic role to play in promoting social and economic development and is committed to supporting the national priority of job creation. The EIP is designed to help create sustainable businesses that can lead to meaningful social and economic transformation. Anglo American is also interested in investing in small and medium enterprises that could, given time, work with its Supply Chain in future to supply a pipeline of products and services.
Who should apply for the EIP?
Can you demonstrate that you have a high potential to develop an innovation? Can you seize an opportunity to mobilise required resources and skills, and can you take calculated risks to create markets for new products or services? Do you wish to start a business in areas of special interest to Anglo American such as electrical equipment, explosives, water treatment facilities, “green” technology, and alternative energy? Are you willing to resign from your current position or leave your business under a care-taker for up to 12 months should you already being running one?
If your answer is an unequivocal “Yes!” then you are an individual well suited for the EIP.
How do I know if I am eligible for the EIP?
You are especially encouraged to apply if you are a Historically Disadvantaged South African. In order to be eligible, you must meet the following criteria, with no exceptions:
- South African citizenship.
- A minimum of 25 years of age by 31st December 2011.
- A minimum of a Higher National Diploma or a Bachelor’s degree.
- At least 3 years of relevant work experience.
- High aptitude for entrepreneurship, to be determined through a structured assessment.
- Demonstrated business innovation and leadership capabilities.
- Skills or experience in areas relevant to Anglo American operations that provide high value added to our organisation.
Prior entrepreneurial experience is preferred, but not required. Due to the limited number of positions, and the competitive nature of this opportunity, experience and networks in your industry of interest is considered a key factor for eligibility and an indicator for potential success on the Entrepreneur Internship Programme.
What are the terms and conditions for the EIP?
- You will be responsible for your own transport to and from your point of origin to the internship location.
- You will be regarded as a contractor and not an Anglo American employee, and will not be covered by collective bargaining agreements.
- You will be paid a monthly stipend sufficient to cover the basic costs of living for the duration of the EIP.
- You will be responsible for your own medical and other insurance.
- Scheduled travel to Anglo American operations within South Africa will be required.
- If you are currently operating a business you will be required to make other arrangements for the running of the business for the duration of the internship.
- If you are an Anglo American employee who is accepted into the programme you will be required to resign from Anglo American employment.
- The internship will not lead to employment with Anglo American. Anglo American has no intention or obligation to secure employment opportunities for you at the end of the programme.
Where do I apply?
If you have the required skills, passion for your business, a strong drive and commitment to succeed, then click here http://www.aurik.co.za/anglo-form/ to begin your application for the EIP. You must submit your completed application by December 15th 2011.
What are the main features of the Entrepreneur Internship Programme?
If successful, you will join a programme that will improve your ability to establish a successful business. You will achieve this through skills training, exposure to practical aspects of the mining business, mentoring and networking. The main features of the EIP are described below:
Selection
We are looking for entrepreneurial individuals with high potential for growth and innovation, who wish to start a business, including those who are currently in a corporate environment. The assessment and selection process to identify these entrepreneurs consists of three steps:
- An Entrepreneurial Aptitude Assessment designed to identify individuals with the key prerequisites for entrepreneurial success. (All applicants)
- One-on-one in-depth interviews with each of the top candidates. (20)
- A face-to-face panel interview for the shortlisted candidates. (10)
The feedback from this assessment will be used to provide applicants with constructive feedback on opportunities to improve themselves as entrepreneurs. It will also be used to guide the learning and development experience for each successful applicant. We anticipate that 4 to 6 of the top finalists will be invited to join this unique programme starting in March 2012.
Programmatic learning
Your learning experience will begin with an induction programme that will introduce you to the mining industry in general and Anglo American’s business units, operations and functions. Anglo American will collaborate with a number of selected providers to equip you with the core skills that will enable your success as an entrepreneur. Skills development will consist of programmatic and experiential learning, and the topics and content will be customised to your individual needs.
Business rotations
The EIP is designed to create an environment in which, based on your exposure to the mining industry and analysis of the local market, you can recognise and develop innovative, high value business opportunities. You will work on at least two rotational “stretch” or “learning” assignments during the EIP. The first rotational assignment will give you exposure to Anglo American’s operations, while the second will provide you with specialised exposure to technical operations customised to your individual experience and area of business interest. You will be expected to make a meaningful contribution to each of the business units you will be deployed to during the rotation. The EIP will also provide you with mentoring by experienced Anglo American managers through an “Adopt an Entrepreneur” approach.
Business planning support
What we want to achieve through your acquisition of skills, capabilities, strategic networks and experience on the EIP is the establishment of a financially viable business enterprise. The EIP will assist you to develop a detailed plan for the growth and profitability of your business. As part of this support, we will also facilitate a process to help you secure technical and financial resources, through networking with suppliers, industry experts and professional development events. If your business qualifies to become a part of the Anglo American Supply Chain you will be assured of some level of financial security right from the beginning.