Government looks for 10 000 fresh internship
Government looks for 10 000 fresh internship
- The Department of Labour has launched its occupational health and safety internship programme.
- Around 10 000 new interns will be hired across several internship programmes, some lasting 24 months.
- Interns can earn a stipend of around R7 000 a month.
Last month, the Department of Employment and Labour (DEL) revealed that the government would launch positions for 10 000 new interns countrywide to work as inspectors for the department’s many activities.
It would be the first cohort of interns to work for the government in this respective field, with a further 10 000 intern posts to be created in early 2026 for a total of 20 000 new intern inspectors. Not much was revealed about the posts at that moment.
Government looks for 10 000 fresh internship
However, with the launch of the new PSV circular, we know more about the new internships, including how to begin the application process, what the positions entail, the length of the internships and what the remunerations are.
Hopeful government interns – what you need to know
According to the circular (PDF), the department is inviting unemployed graduates between the ages of 18 to 35 to apply for the internships.
“The internship is meant to provide work exposure to graduates related to their qualifications for a period of twenty-four (24) months from the date of appointment,” the circular reads.
The only requirements for the application is a completed CV and a filled out new Z83 application form which you can find here.
Interns who are enrolled in the programme will receive a stipend of R7 450.62 per month. You can find where to apply in the circular, in the section enquries in the ‘Graduate Internship Programme.” You can find there the names of each of the respective contacts in each provincial office.
For example, Gauteng the contact is: Mbongeni Tshabalala at +27 72 337 2654.
Requirements:
- “Three year tertiary qualification – National Diploma (NQFL6)/Undergraduate Bachelor Degree (NQFL7) in Environmental Health, Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Construction related Engineering, Occupational Health/Hygiene/Analytical Chemistry, Explosives Management, and Explosives Engineering.
- A valid driver’s license.”
Interns will be required to “Provide administrative support to the inspectors. Assist in investigation of incidents and complaints reported pertaining to the 7 OHS Act,” and “Give support to the inspector during enforcement. Assist in compiling and consolidating reports emanating from such inspections.”
The programme will run from 2025 to 2027 or 24 months. You can find more information in the circular.
The department says that the new internships are to bolster the industries like domestic work, agriculture, the public sector and others are “under monitored.”
“Our increased actions should serve as a deterrent toward wrongdoing hence the work of inspection and enforcement services of the department is critical in safeguarding workers’ rights, ensuring compliance with labour laws and upholding fair practices,” said DEL minister Nomakhosazana Meth.