Internships 2025: Graduate, Government & Private Sector Updates

Apply for 2025 internship opportunities from government departments, private companies, municipalities, and non-profits. These internships are meant for graduates looking for work experience or a final-year student needing practical exposure.

An internship is a short-term job where you learn while you work. It’s made for people who finished school, college, or university but don’t have experience yet.

You join a company or government office, do real work, and learn how the job is done. Most internships last between 6 to 24 months.

Internships help you:

• Get real work experience
• Learn new skills
• Build your CV
• Get a monthly stipend (some pay R4,000 to R9,000 per month)
• Have a better chance of getting a job later

Internships are not full-time jobs. But if you work hard, some companies may offer you a permanent job when the internship ends.

Most internships in South Africa are for young people who:

• Are between 18 and 35 years old
• Finished Matric, TVET college, or university
• Don’t have much work experience
• Are currently unemployed

You can apply even if:

• You don’t have a degree (some internships only need Matric or N6)
• You are still looking for your first job
• You studied at a public college or university

Some internships are only for graduates. Others are for people with TVET qualifications like N6, or those who did NC(V) or Report 191 courses.

Government internships often ask for these fields:

• Administration
• Human Resources
• IT
• Finance
• Public Management
• Office Management
• Environmental Studies

Each post will say what qualification you need. Make sure to read the requirements before you apply.

In 2025, there are many types of internships. Some are for students who just finished studying. Others are for people who want to learn and work at the same time.

Here are the main types:

1. Graduate Internships

For people who finished university or college. Usually need a diploma or degree. Lasts 12–24 months. Common in banks, tech, engineering, and government.

2. TVET Internships (N6/NCV/Report 191)

For students from public colleges. If you finished N6 and need in-service training, these internships will help you qualify. Often called Work Integrated Learning (WIL).

3. Government Internships

Run by departments like Health, Education, Transport, Home Affairs, etc. They hire hundreds of interns each year. Mostly for Public Management, Admin, HR, and Finance.

4. Private Company Internships

Big companies like Sasol, Capitec, Nedbank, and MTN offer paid internships. Some are part of their youth development or graduate programmes.

5. SETA Internships

These are funded by SETAs like MICT SETA, Services SETA, and BANKSETA. They help place young people into internships in different sectors.

Most internships in South Africa pay a monthly stipend. This is not a full salary, but it helps cover transport, food, and other needs while you learn.

Here’s what you can expect:

Type of Internship	Typical Monthly Stipend
Government Internships	R6,000 – R7,500
SETA-Funded Internships	R3,500 – R5,000
University Graduate Interns	R5,000 – R9,000
TVET Internships (N6/WIL)	R2,500 – R4,000
Private Company Internships	R5,000 – R10,000

Important Notes:

• The amount depends on the organisation, your qualification, and the province.
• You don’t have to pay to apply.
• If someone asks you to pay to apply for an internship, it may be a scam.

Most government departments and SETAs follow national rules for intern stipends. These are updated yearly.

Many internships now accept online applications. You don’t need to post anything or visit an office.

Here’s how to apply:

Step 1: Find an Open Internship

Go to websites like:

• Government department sites (e.g. dpsa.gov.za)
• Company websites (e.g. Capitec, Transnet, Eskom)
• SAYouth.mobi (for youth and entry-level roles)
• CareerDrive.co.za (updated daily)

Step 2: Read the Full Post

Make sure you meet the requirements. Check:

• Age range
• Qualification needed (Matric, N6, Degree, etc.)
• Location and closing date

Step 3: Prepare Your Documents

You usually need:

• Your CV
• A certified copy of your ID
• Qualifications (Matric/N6/Diploma/Degree)
• Proof of residence (some cases)
• Cover letter (if asked)

Step 4: Apply Online

Click on the “Apply” button or follow the link. Fill in the form and upload your documents.

Some may ask you to email your application. Others use online portals like:

• eRecruitment (for public sector)
• SAYouth
• Company careers pages

Step 5: Track Your Application

Write down your application reference number. Check your email and SMS often. Some departments take weeks to respond.

Not all internships need a degree. Many are open to youth with only Matric, an N6 certificate, or even just basic computer skills.

Here are examples of internships you can apply for:

1. SAYouth Internships

• No experience needed
• For youth aged 18-34
• Apply free at SAYouth.mobi

2. Government Internships (Clerical/Admin)

• Only need Grade 12 or NQF Level 4
• Often found in departments like Health, Social Development, Education

3. TVET In-Service Internships

• For students with N6 needing workplace experience
• Common in fields like Office Admin, HR, Marketing, Engineering

4. SETA-Funded Internships

• BankSETA, MICT SETA, Services SETA often fund entry-level interns
• You only need to register with a training provider

5. NGO and Local Municipality Internships

• These may ask for basic MS Word or computer skills
• Often aimed at unemployed youth

If you’re just starting your journey, look for internships that say:

• “No experience required”
• “Matric only”
• “TVET students welcome”

These give you a chance to build your CV and earn at the same time.

Many internships are available nationwide, but most have specific locations. It’s important to find ones near you, so you save on transport and can attend interviews easily.

Where to Look:

1. SAYouth.mobi

This platform uses your location to show nearby opportunities.
Just create an account and set your city or town.

2. CareerDrive.co.za – Filter by Province

Go to the Internships section and filter by:

• Gauteng
• Western Cape
• Eastern Cape
• Limpopo
• KwaZulu-Natal
• And more

Each listing shows closing dates, stipend, and province clearly.

3. Government Department Websites

Some internships are listed by province.
Examples:

• Western Cape Government
• Gauteng Provincial Government
• KZN Provincial Departments

4. Local Municipalities

Municipal offices also offer internships.
Examples:

• City of Tshwane
• eThekwini Municipality
• Nelson Mandela Bay

Tip: Always Check the Application Address

Some internships want you to email or hand-deliver your documents to local offices. Always read the full post carefully.

If you’ve completed your N6 qualification from a TVET college, you need 18 months of work experience to get your diploma. These internships are called Work Integrated Learning (WIL) or In-Service Training.

Who Can Apply?

• TVET students with N6 in hand (e.g. HR, Marketing, Engineering)
• Unemployed and need practical hours
• Between ages 18-35

Where to Find N6 Internships:

1. Government Departments

Many departments help N6 students get experience. Look for:

• Department of Health
• Department of Public Works
• Local municipalities

2. SETA-Funded Opportunities

MICT SETA, CETA, BANKSETA and others fund WIL internships.

You can apply through:

• Training providers
• TVET placement offices
• CareerDrive.co.za WIL listings

3. Private Companies

Some companies post N6-only internships. Common fields:

• Office Administration
• Financial Management
• Marketing Management
• Electrical/Mechanical Engineering

What to Expect:

• Stipend of R2,500 – R5,000/month
• Contract for 12-18 months
• Certificate of completion (used to get your diploma)

Some sectors in South Africa offer more internships than others, especially for youth, graduates, and TVET students.

Below are top sectors to look out for in 2025:

1. Government and Public Service

• Departments like Home Affairs, Health, Public Works
• Offers admin, HR, finance, and IT internships
• Many are open to youth with Matric or Diplomas

2. Banking and Finance

• Organisations like Capitec, FNB, BankSETA
• Good for finance, accounting, business students

3. Engineering and Technical Fields

• Companies like Eskom, Transnet, Sasol
• Needs N6, diploma, or degree in Engineering or IT

4. Education and Teaching

• Internships through DBE or private schools
• Great for education students or teaching graduates

5. Health and Social Development

• Hospitals, clinics, and the Department of Social Development
• Often for social work, admin, or health-related students

6. ICT and Digital Skills

• MICT SETA, private IT companies, and start-ups
• Great for coding, web design, or computer science students

7. Retail and Customer Service

• Big companies like Shoprite, Checkers, and Pick n Pay
• Internships in HR, marketing, and operations

8. Agriculture and Environmental

• Government and NGOs offer rural internships
• Good for students in agriculture, nature conservation

There are many fake job sites online. To stay safe and increase your chances, apply only on verified platforms. These are trusted places to find real internships in 2025:

1. SAYouth.mobi

• Official youth platform backed by government
• Free to join, and doesn’t use your data on some networks
• Shows internships near you

2. CareerDrive.co.za

• Focuses on youth and student opportunities
• Lists government, private, and SETA internships
• You can filter by location, field, and closing date

3. Department Websites

Examples include:

• Department of Health
• Department of Labour
• Department of Public Works

They post internship opportunities under their “Careers” section.

4. LinkedIn and Company Careers Pages

• Follow companies like Eskom, MTN, Capitec
• Go to their Careers page and apply directly

5. SETA Websites

If you’re looking for sector-specific internships:

• BANKSETA
• MICT SETA
• CETA
• Services SETA

They post learnerships and internships regularly.