The Services SETA Graduate Internship Programmes 2026 are now open, offering structured and paid workplace experience to unemployed South African graduates across a wide range of critical career fields. These internships are designed to bridge the gap between academic learning and real-world work experience, giving graduates a practical entry point into the labour market.
For many participants, these programmes become more than just temporary placements. They often serve as a foundation for long-term employment, professional growth, and career clarity within both the public and private sectors.
About the Services SETA Graduate Internship Programme
The Services SETA Graduate Internship Programme is a structured development initiative aimed at equipping graduates with hands-on workplace exposure aligned to their qualifications. Interns are placed within functional business units where they gain practical experience, workplace discipline, and industry-relevant skills that employers actively look for.
The programme covers multiple disciplines, making it accessible to graduates from diverse academic backgrounds including business, finance, ICT, human resources, strategy, operations, and public administration.
Programme Overview
Organisation: Services SETA
Programme Name: Graduate Internship Programme 2026
Target Group: Unemployed South African graduates
Duration: Typically 12 months
Stipend: Monthly stipend paid in line with SETA guidelines
Internship Fields Available:
Marketing and Communications
Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
Finance
Bursaries Administration
Strategy and Insights
Office of the CEO
Operations
Human Capital Management
Provincial Operations
Internship Fields and Minimum Requirements
Marketing and Communications Internship
This role focuses on supporting internal and external communication initiatives. Interns assist with digital content, campaigns, stakeholder engagement, and promotional material.
Minimum qualification required is a diploma or degree in marketing, communications, public relations, or media studies.
Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Internship
ICT interns support technical operations through system maintenance, troubleshooting, data management, and digital solutions. Exposure to cybersecurity and network support forms part of the learning experience.
Applicants must hold a diploma or degree in information technology, computer science, or information systems.
Finance Internship
Finance interns assist with financial administration, reporting, reconciliations, budgeting support, and compliance processes while working closely with finance teams and auditors.
A diploma or degree in finance, accounting, or financial management is required.
Bursaries Administration Internship
This internship focuses on managing bursary applications, beneficiary records, reporting, and stakeholder communication with students and institutions.
Applicants should hold a diploma or degree in public administration, education, administration, or development studies.
Strategy and Insights Internship
Interns support research, data analysis, strategic planning, and performance monitoring. This role suits graduates who enjoy working with data, trends, and decision-making support tools.
A degree in economics, statistics, business management, or strategy-related fields is required.
Office of the CEO Internship
This placement provides exposure to executive administration, governance processes, reporting, correspondence management, and strategic coordination at senior management level.
Applicants must have a diploma or degree in office management, business administration, or public management.
Operations Internship
Operations interns assist with daily operational activities, service delivery coordination, process improvement, and reporting across different units.
A diploma or degree in operations management, business management, or logistics is required.
Human Capital Management Internship
This internship provides exposure to recruitment processes, onboarding, HR administration, training coordination, and labour relations support.
Applicants must hold a diploma or degree in human resource management, industrial psychology, or labour relations.
Provincial Operations Internship
Interns support programme implementation at regional level, stakeholder engagement, monitoring, reporting, and compliance support.
A diploma or degree in public management, development studies, or administration is required.
General Requirements
All applicants must meet the following conditions:
Applicants must be South African citizens
Applicants must be unemployed graduates
Applicants must not have previously participated in a SETA-funded internship
Applicants must hold a relevant post-school qualification
Applicants must be willing to commit to the full duration of the internship
Application Process
Applicants are required to prepare a professional CV and attach certified copies of their South African ID, qualifications, and academic transcript.
APPLY FOR THE MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS INTERNSHIP HERE
APPLY FOR THE INFORMATION & COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY (ICT) INTERNSHIP HERE
APPLY FOR THE FINANCE INTERNSHIP HERE
APPLY FOR THE BURSARIES ADMINISTRATION INTERNSHIP HERE
APPLY FOR THE STRATEGY & INSIGHTS INTERNSHIP HERE
APPLY FOR THE OFFICE OF THE CEO INTERNSHIP HERE
APPLY FOR THE OPERATIONS INTERNSHIP HERE
APPLY FOR THE HUMAN CAPITAL MANAGEMENT INTERNSHIP HERE
APPLY FOR THE PROVINCIAL OPERATIONS INTERNSHIP HERE
Applications must be submitted through the official Services SETA application channels as specified in the original advert.
The closing date for all Services SETA Graduate Internship Programme applications is 16 January 2026.
Conclusion
The Services SETA Graduate Internship Programmes 2026 offer a valuable opportunity for unemployed graduates to gain structured, paid workplace experience in fields that directly align with South Africa’s skills development priorities. With placements across multiple disciplines, these internships provide practical exposure, professional confidence, and a meaningful stepping stone into permanent employment.
For graduates ready to transition from theory to practice, this programme represents a strong and credible starting point toward long-term career growth.
