The Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) is excited to invite all unemployed South African graduates and Work Integrated Learning (WIL) students to apply for the 2025–2027 Graduate Internship and Work Integrated Learning Programme. This 24-month fixed-term opportunity is designed to provide you with valuable workplace experience that aligns with your academic background.
Empowering South Africa’s Future: DHET Graduate Internships and Learnerships 2025
To help bridge the gap between what students learn in school and the skills they need in the workplace, the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) has rolled out its Graduate Internships and Learnerships Programme for 2025. This initiative is all about empowering young South Africans by giving them hands-on experience, exposure to various industries, and pathways to secure jobs in the public sector and beyond.
A National Commitment to Skills Development
As the guardian of post-school education and training in South Africa, the DHET understands how crucial it is to equip graduates with not just theoretical knowledge but also practical skills. The internships and learnerships for 2025 are designed to align with the broader National Development Plan (NDP), which emphasizes youth employment and building capacity in essential sectors.
This program takes a strategic approach to tackle youth unemployment by providing recent graduates and young people with limited work experience a structured, paid opportunity to hone their skills in real-world settings.
Who Can Apply?
The 2025 intake is aimed at:
– Recent university or college graduates (both TVET and university) holding National Diplomas, Degrees, or higher qualifications.
– Unemployed youth aged between 18 and 35.
– Learners with disabilities are especially encouraged to apply, as the DHET is dedicated to fostering inclusive development.
Applicants must be South African citizens with a clean criminal record and should not have previously participated in similar government internship or learnership programs.
**Internship Requirements**
To qualify, applicants need to:
– Be unemployed South African citizens aged between 18 and 35
– Have never taken part in any internship or WIL programme within the public service
– Hold the relevant qualifications for the positions available
– Be available for the entire duration of the internship (24 months)
– Submit a completed Z83 form along with a detailed CV
Please note that if you don’t submit the required documents, your application won’t be considered.
**Internship Opportunities**
There are various internship and WIL positions available across different branches and regions, including:
– **Pretoria Head Office – Graduate Intern Posts**
– Teaching Qualifications Policy (Ref: DHET/UE/2025/01) – Public Administration/Office Management
– International Scholarships (Ref: DHET/UE/2025/02) – BCom in International Relations/Marketing
– Student Support and Sector Engagement (Ref: DHET/UE/2025/03) – Public Administration/Management
– Governance Support (Ref: DHET/UE/2025/04)
– Management Support & Transfers (Ref: DHET/UE/2025/05) – Finance
– HRDC Secretariat (Ref: DHET/HRDC/2025/01) – Communications, Research, M&E
– Logistics, Supply Chain, Compliance, Finance, Public Entities, Development Support
– **Olifantsfontein – Skills Development Internships**
– Artisan Development (Ref: DHET/SD/2025/01)
– National Artisan Moderation Body (Ref: DHET/SD/2025/02, /03)
– ARPL & Assessment (HRM & Aux Services)
– Maintenance, Registration, and Security Support Services
– **Community Education and Training (CET) Regional Offices**
– Regional Offices: Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Free State, and more.
