NRF-SAAO Annual Job Shadow Programme

Every year during the June and September school holidays, NRF-SAAO hosts its highly sought-after, two-day Job Shadow Programme, designed to expose Grade 10 and 11 learners to a range of careers within and beyond astronomy. The initiative forms part of the school curriculum and offers learners authentic insight into real-world STEM professions.

The final programme for 2025, held in October, welcomed 15 learners from three provinces —KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng, and the Western Cape. Demonstrating the programme’s growing reputation and popularity, several learners travelled to Cape Town at their own expense to attend. With demand consistently exceeding available spaces, this session also included spillover participants from earlier in the year.

This multi-STEM, career-focused initiative has set the stage for other NRF facilities to build on, inspiring similar opportunities to expose learners to the diverse world of science, technology and engineering. What makes it particularly impactful is the breadth of STEM career exposure covered over two intensive and engaging days—from astronomy, mechanical, electronics and software engineering, to information technology, environmental science, and particle physics. Learners gain hands-on experience, visit operational areas, and engage directly with professionals who bring science to life.

This year marked an historic milestone for the initiative, two NRF facilities—NRF-SARAO and NRF-SAEON, as well as the OAD—joining forces with NRF-SAAO for the first time. This cross-collaboration broadened the scope of the learners’ experience and offered valuable insight into the interconnected nature of STEM careers.

The success of the programme is made possible through teamwork and dedication, with staff from across facilities generously giving their time and expertise to support the initiative.

Conceptualised and managed by Natalie Jones, the Job Shadow Programme represents a bold vision to extend learning opportunities beyond a single facility. It requires extensive planning, coordination, and collaboration—efforts that have contributed directly to its outstanding success.

Since its inception, the NRF-SAAO Job Shadow Programme has reached 303 learners nationwide and has reinforced the organisation’s commitment to education, innovation, and the power of opportunity.