Are you a recent graduate looking for hands-on work experience in South Africa? The merSETA Graduate Internships 2026 offer a great chance for unemployed youth to gain skills in key industries. This 24-month program targets South African graduates aged 18 to 35 and runs from the head office in Parktown, Johannesburg, to regional offices across the country.
What is merSETA?
merSETA stands for Manufacturing, Engineering and Related Services Sector Education and Training Authority. It is a Schedule 3A public entity set up under the Skills Development Act. The organization works to build skills in areas like manufacturing, engineering, automotive, and plastics industries. Through its internship program, merSETA helps new graduates enter the workforce with real-world training.
Program Overview
The merSETA Graduate Internships 2026 last for 24 months. They provide structured workplace experience in various professional fields. The program is open to unemployed graduates who have not done an internship before. Positions are available at the head office and in regional offices nationwide. This setup lets interns work on national skills development projects.
Key details include:
- Duration: 24 months (fixed-term)
- Target group: Unemployed South Africans aged 18-35
- Work experience: Some prior experience is needed, but no past internships allowed
Available Internship Fields
Interns can apply for roles in many areas. Fields match common study programs and industry needs.
Head Office Positions (Parktown, Johannesburg)
- Learning Programmes & QA (4 posts)
- Grants Management (4 posts)
- Legal & Compliance (1 post)
- Human Resources (2 posts)
- Finance (3 posts)
- Assets Management (2 posts)
- Travel & Tourism (1 post)
- Marketing & Communications (2 posts)
- Project Management (1 post)
- Monitoring & Reporting (1 post)
- Sector Skills Planning & Research (3 posts)
- Quality Management (1 post)
- ICT (Networks, Development, Library/Information) (3 posts)
- Supply Chain Management (2 posts)
- Company Secretariat (2 posts)
Regional Offices (Nationwide)
- Client Services (16 posts total, with 2 posts per region)
Regions cover Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Western Cape, Eastern Cape, Mpumalanga, Limpopo, Free State, and Northern Cape.
These roles give exposure to public sector work and skills planning.
Minimum Requirements and Fields of Study
To qualify, applicants must meet these basics:
- South African citizen
- Aged 18 to 35 years
- Currently unemployed
- No previous internship experience
- Hold a National Diploma, Degree, or Honours in a relevant field
Relevant study areas include:
- Business Administration or Management
- Finance or Accounting
- Human Resources or Labour Relations
- Law or Legal Studies
- Marketing, Communications, or Journalism
- Project Management
- ICT, Computer Science, or Information Science
- Supply Chain or Logistics
- Social Sciences or Skills Development
- Engineering or Quality Systems
Check your qualification against these lists before applying.
Monthly Stipend
merSETA pays a monthly stipend based on your qualification level:
- National Diploma (NQF Level 6): R10,000
- Bachelor’s or BTech (NQF Level 7): R11,000
- Honours or Postgraduate (NQF Level 8+): R12,000
This support helps interns focus on learning without financial stress.
How to Apply for merSETA Graduate Internships 2026
Applications close on 20 April 2026. Submit via these methods:
- Email: Send to [email protected] or [email protected]
- WhatsApp: Contact 033 880 0263
- Online: Search for “Rapid Recruiting” on PNet or LinkedIn
Include your CV, certified ID, and proof of qualifications. merSETA follows Employment Equity and welcomes applications from people with disabilities.
Key Notes Before Applying
Expect no feedback within two weeks of the closing date if unsuccessful. The program offers career growth in public and private sectors. It builds skills for jobs in manufacturing and related fields. Apply soon to secure your spot in the merSETA Graduate Internships 2026.