GRADUATE INTERNSHIP PROGRAMME 2027/2029 (X3 POSTS)

The Graduate Internship Programme 2027/2029 offers three fixed-term developmental posts within the Department of Public Works, Roads and Infrastructure, based in the Vhembe District. This is a structured workplace experience opportunity aimed at unemployed South African graduates who hold a National Diploma or Degree in Civil Engineering and who have never previously participated in a Public Service Graduate Internship programme in any government department. The programme is scheduled to run for 24 months, from 01 April 2027 to 31 March 2029, and is designed to give successful candidates meaningful exposure to the roads maintenance environment. Interns will be placed within the district’s roads maintenance unit, where they will work under supervision and contribute to the department’s broader mandate of planning, delivering and maintaining provincial road infrastructure. The role is ideal for recent civil engineering graduates seeking the practical experience required to launch their careers in the public service.

Candidates must be unemployed South African youth and must have completed a National Diploma or Degree in Civil Engineering. A valid driver’s licence is also required, as is a Grade 12 certificate. Applicants with foreign qualifications are responsible for ensuring that their qualifications are evaluated by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) before they can be considered. Shortlisted candidates will be required to submit certified copies of their Identity Document, Grade 12 certificate and relevant qualifications to Human Resources on or before the day of the interview. All shortlisted candidates will be subjected to a security clearance, verification of qualifications, and two pre-entry assessments: one practical exercise to determine technical and generic suitability for the post, and one integrity or ethical conduct assessment. The recommended candidate will also undergo a Personnel Suitability Check for security reasons.

The core purpose of the internship is to provide on-the-job training and professional development in the field of roads maintenance. Interns will be expected to perform duties as assigned within the roads maintenance unit, which may include assisting with road condition assessments, supporting maintenance planning and scheduling, participating in site inspections, helping to monitor contractor performance, and contributing to technical reports and documentation. The programme is structured to expose interns to the full cycle of road maintenance work, from identification of defects to planning and execution of remedial works, while also developing their understanding of public service procedures, safety standards and ethical conduct. Interns will receive a monthly stipend in accordance with the Department of Public Service and Administration’s Directive on Employment of Persons on Developmental Programmes in the Public Service.

The Department of Public Works, Roads and Infrastructure is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer, and women and people living with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply. The employment decision will be informed by the department’s Employment Equity Plan. The department reserves the right not to make any appointment to these posts. Correspondence will be limited to shortlisted candidates only; if applicants do not hear from the department within three months after the closing date, they should consider their application unsuccessful. Applicants who are dissatisfied with the outcome may seek reasons for the administrative action in terms of the Promotion of Administrative Justice Act (PAJA), Act No. 3 of 2000. Candidates attending interviews will be responsible for their own transport, accommodation and meals, as the department will not carry any related costs. It is important to note that failure to submit the required documentation, whether through the e-recruitment system or as requested at a later stage, will result in disqualification. This internship is a valuable opportunity for qualifying civil engineering graduates to gain hands-on experience in the public sector while contributing to the maintenance and preservation of Limpopo’s road network.