merSETA 24-Month Internship Programme 2026 – Apply Today

ByRainbow Time

Position: Internship Programme 2026
Programme Duration: 24 Months (Fixed-Term Internship)
Stipend: R10,000 – R12,000 per month (depending on qualification level)
Locations: Parktown (Johannesburg Head Office) and Regional Offices Nationwide
Eligibility: South African graduates aged 18–35 with no prior internship participation
Closing Date: 20 April 2026

Applications are invited from suitably qualified graduates for participation in the merSETA 24-month Internship Programme, a structured workplace learning initiative designed to support professional development across multiple operational departments. The programme provides valuable exposure to public sector skills development systems supporting the manufacturing, engineering, automotive, plastics, and related services industries.

This internship programme forms part of national workforce readiness initiatives aligned with the Skills Development Act (Act No. 97 of 1998) and supports employment preparation through practical experience in administrative, technical, research, ICT, compliance, finance, and sector planning environments.

Overview of the merSETA Internship Programme

The merSETA Internship Programme provides graduates with structured workplace experience over a fixed 24-month period across departments responsible for sector skills planning, training programme oversight, compliance support, ICT services, monitoring systems, research coordination, and stakeholder engagement.

Internship placements are designed to strengthen professional readiness while supporting national priorities in technical skills development across the manufacturing and engineering sectors. Participants gain exposure to workplace systems supporting sector education frameworks, grant management structures, project coordination workflows, and quality assurance monitoring environments.

Workplace exposure obtained during the internship programme contributes to improved employability prospects across public sector institutions and private industry organisations operating within engineering and manufacturing value chains.

About merSETA

The Manufacturing, Engineering and Related Services Sector Education and Training Authority operates as a Schedule 3A public entity responsible for facilitating skills development across critical industrial sectors in South Africa. The organisation supports workforce development initiatives across industries including:

  • Metal and Engineering
  • Motor Retail and Components Manufacturing
  • Automobile Manufacturing
  • Plastics Manufacturing
  • New Tyre Manufacturing

Through structured training oversight and sector planning activities, merSETA contributes to strengthening national technical capacity across priority manufacturing industries supporting economic development objectives.

Internship Programme Duration and Structure

The internship programme runs for 24 months, providing graduates with long-term exposure to operational environments supporting skills development planning and implementation frameworks. During the programme cycle, interns participate in supervised workplace activities aligned with departmental responsibilities and professional learning outcomes.

Structured mentorship supports knowledge transfer throughout the internship cycle, enabling participants to develop practical competencies aligned with their academic qualifications. Exposure includes documentation processes, stakeholder coordination tasks, project administration activities, compliance monitoring support, and sector research assistance depending on placement area.

Completion of the full internship cycle strengthens professional readiness for employment within technical education, training coordination, research support, and organisational administration roles.

Internship Stipend Structure

Internship participants receive a monthly stipend determined by qualification level as follows:

  • R10,000 per month – National Diploma (NQF Level 6)
  • R11,000 per month – Bachelor’s Degree or BTech (NQF Level 7)
  • R12,000 per month – Honours or Postgraduate Qualification (NQF Level 8 and above)

The stipend supports participation in the workplace learning programme during the internship cycle and contributes to graduate skills development accessibility across technical disciplines.

Eligibility Requirements for Applicants

Applicants interested in the merSETA Internship Programme must meet the following requirements:

  • Must be South African citizens
  • Must be between 18 and 35 years old
  • Must hold a National Diploma, Bachelor’s Degree, or Postgraduate qualification in a relevant discipline
  • Must have no previous internship participation
  • Must not currently be enrolled in another internship programme
  • Must be available for the full 24-month internship duration

Meeting eligibility criteria ensures alignment with national graduate skills development programme objectives.

Internship Placement Departments Available

Internship placements are available across several merSETA operational units located primarily at Head Office in Parktown, Johannesburg, as well as selected regional offices nationwide.

No of Interns: 4
Unit: Learning Programmes & Quality Assurance
Location: Head Office, Parktown (Johannesburg)
Qualifications: National Diploma or Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Office Administration, Project Management, Training, or related field

No of Interns: 4
Unit: Grants Management
Location: Head Office, Parktown (Johannesburg)
Qualifications: National Diploma or Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Finance Management, Accounting, or related field

No of Interns: 1
Unit: Legal and Compliance
Location: Head Office, Parktown (Johannesburg)
Qualifications: National Diploma or Bachelor’s Degree in Labour Law or related field

No of Interns: 2
Unit: Human Resources
Location: Head Office, Parktown (Johannesburg)
Qualifications: National Diploma or Bachelor’s Degree in Labour Law, Human Resource Management, Labour Relations, Industrial Psychology, Social Sciences, or related field

No of Interns: 3
Unit: Finance
Location: Head Office, Parktown (Johannesburg)
Qualifications: National Diploma or Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting or Financial Management

No of Interns: 2
Unit: Assets
Location: Head Office, Parktown (Johannesburg)
Qualifications: National Diploma or Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Financial Management, Accounting, or related field

No of Interns: 1
Unit: Travel
Location: Head Office, Parktown (Johannesburg)
Qualifications: National Diploma or Bachelor’s Degree in Travel, Tourism, or related field

No of Interns: 2
Unit: Marketing and Communications
Location: Head Office, Parktown (Johannesburg)
Qualifications: National Diploma or Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism, Marketing, Public Relations, or Communications

No of Interns: 1
Unit: Project Management
Location: Head Office, Parktown (Johannesburg)
Qualifications: National Diploma or Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Office Administration, Commerce, Project Management, Development, Training, or related field

No of Interns: 1
Unit: Monitoring and Reporting
Location: Head Office, Parktown (Johannesburg)
Qualifications: National Diploma or Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Management, Project Management, Commerce, Social Sciences, Skills Development, Training, or related field

No of Interns: 3
Unit: Sector Skills Planning, Research & Innovation, Chambers
Location: Head Office, Parktown (Johannesburg)
Qualifications: National Diploma or Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Management, Project Management, Commerce, Social Sciences, Skills Development, Training, or related field

No of Interns: 2
Unit: Quality Management
Location: Head Office, Parktown (Johannesburg)
Qualifications: National Diploma or Bachelor’s Degree in Quality Systems, Operations Management, Engineering, or related field

No of Interns: 1
Unit: ICT (Networks)
Location: Head Office, Parktown (Johannesburg)
Qualifications: National Diploma or Bachelor’s Degree in Communications Networks or Support Services

No of Interns: 1
Unit: ICT (Development)
Location: Head Office, Parktown (Johannesburg)
Qualifications: National Diploma or Bachelor’s Degree in System Development or Computer Science

No of Interns: 1
Unit: ICT (Library / Information)
Location: Head Office, Parktown (Johannesburg)
Qualifications: National Diploma or Bachelor’s Degree in Library and Information Science or Information Science

No of Interns: 1
Unit: Supply Chain
Location: Head Office, Parktown (Johannesburg)
Qualifications: National Diploma or Bachelor’s Degree in Public Administration, Logistics Management, Supply Chain Management, Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or related field

No of Interns: 1
Unit: Company Secretariat
Location: Head Office, Parktown (Johannesburg)
Qualifications: National Diploma or Bachelor’s Degree in Law or related field

No of Interns: 16 (2 per region)
Unit: Client Services
Location: Regional Offices (Gauteng South A & B, Gauteng North, KwaZulu-Natal, Western Cape, Eastern Cape, Mpumalanga & Limpopo, Free State & Northern Cape)
Qualifications: National Diploma or Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Management, Project Management, Commerce, Social Sciences, Skills Development, Training, or related field

Skills Developed During the Internship Programme

Participants benefit from exposure to professional competencies including:

  • Project coordination support
  • Workplace communication systems
  • Research documentation preparation
  • Compliance tracking procedures
  • Stakeholder engagement coordination
  • Data management support activities
  • Administrative workflow monitoring

Development of these competencies strengthens readiness for employment across technical and administrative sectors.

Career Opportunities After Completing the Internship Programme

Graduates completing the merSETA Internship Programme may pursue employment opportunities within:

  • Skills development coordination environments
  • Project administration support roles
  • Training programme implementation units
  • Research and planning divisions
  • ICT support services
  • Public sector governance structures
  • Finance administration units
  • Supply chain coordination environments

Structured workplace exposure improves readiness for entry-level placement across multiple sectors supporting industrial workforce development initiatives.

Employment Equity Commitment

The internship programme supports employment equity objectives aligned with national transformation priorities. Preference may be given to suitably qualified applicants from designated groups and persons living with disabilities in accordance with organisational employment equity plans.

Application Process for the merSETA Internship Programme

Applicants meeting eligibility requirements may submit applications using one of the following methods:

Email Applications:
[email protected]
[email protected]

WhatsApp Application Enquiries: 033 880 0263

Applications may also be submitted via:

  • PNet recruitment platform
  • LinkedIn application listings through Rapid Recruiting

Applicants should ensure submission of updated curriculum vitae and supporting qualification information during the application process.

Important Application Deadline Reminder

Applications for the merSETA 24-month Internship Programme close on: 20 April 2026

Applicants who do not receive feedback within two weeks after the closing date should consider their applications unsuccessful.