South African graduates often face the same challenge after completing their studies: finding meaningful workplace experience. Many employers require experience before offering permanent employment, leaving thousands of qualified young people struggling to enter the labour market.

To help address this challenge, the Services Sector Education and Training Authority (Services SETA) has launched the PowerX² 20 000 Internships Programme, a large-scale national initiative aimed at placing 20 000 university and TVET college graduates into 24-month structured internships across South Africa.

The programme offers graduates an opportunity to gain practical workplace exposure while helping employers develop skilled talent for the future. If you recently completed your qualification and are currently unemployed, this opportunity could become the bridge between your studies and your professional career.

Quick Overview

• Programme: Services SETA PowerX² 20 000 Internships Programme
• Organisation: Services SETA
• Internship Duration: 24 Months
• Number of Opportunities: 20 000 Internships

Who Can Apply?

• University graduates
• TVET College graduates

Employment Status Required

• Must be unemployed when applying

Qualification Level

• Completed an NQF Level 4–7 qualification

Closing Date: 29 July 2026

Application Method: Online Expression of Interest

What is the Services SETA PowerX² Programme?

The PowerX² Programme is a national internship initiative designed to improve graduate employability by connecting unemployed graduates with employers across South Africa.

Unlike ordinary internship advertisements that recruit for only a few positions, this initiative aims to create 20 000 structured internship opportunities, making it one of the country’s largest graduate workplace programmes.

According to Services SETA, the programme was developed to strengthen graduate employability while supporting employer capacity and South Africa’s long-term skills development objectives.

The programme supports national priorities including:

• National Skills Development Strategy (NSDS)
• National Development Plan (NDP) 2030
• Workplace skills development
• Youth employment
• Graduate workplace exposure

The internships will run for 24 months, giving graduates enough time to gain meaningful practical experience rather than only short-term exposure.

Who Can Apply?

Graduates are invited to apply if they meet the following requirements.

Applicants must:

• Have completed an NQF Level 4–7 qualification
• Have graduated from a public university or TVET college
• Be unemployed at the time of application
• Be available to participate in a full 24-month internship
• Be willing to be matched to workplaces based on employer demand and opportunity availability
• Submit the Graduate Expression of Interest Form

One important point highlighted by Services SETA is that whether or not you previously received Services SETA funding does not affect your eligibility.

Required Documents for Graduates

After completing the online Expression of Interest, successful applicants will later receive access to upload their supporting documents securely.

Graduates should prepare the following documents:

• Certified copy of ID
• Certified qualification certificate or statement of results
• Updated Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Proof of residence
• Bank confirmation letter

No documents are uploaded during the initial Expression of Interest stage.

How the Application Process Works

The application process takes place online.

Applicants should follow these steps:

Step 1: Complete the online Expression of Interest here

Step 2: Select the appropriate category.

For graduates, choose: Graduate Expression of Interest

Step 3: Receive confirmation.

Applicants will receive:

• A reference number
• A secure upload link
• A reminder of the closing date
• The list of required supporting documents

Step 4: Upload all requested documents before the closing date.

Step 5: Await further communication from the Programme Management Unit (PMU).

How Graduates Will Be Matched

Unlike ordinary recruitment where applicants choose a specific employer, this initiative works slightly differently.

Graduates will be matched according to:

• Employer requirements
• Workplace availability
• Sector relevance
• Skills demand
• Capacity within participating organisations

This allows Services SETA to distribute graduates across approved workplaces throughout South Africa.

Employers Also Participate

The programme is not only recruiting graduates.

Employers from across South Africa are also invited to register as host organisations.

Eligible employers include:

• Private companies
• Public entities
• Government departments
• Municipalities
• Non-profit organisations
• Universities
• TVET Colleges

Participating employers must demonstrate suitable workplace readiness before graduates are placed.

Employer Requirements

Host employers must:

• Be CIPC registered
• Demonstrate Occupational Health and Safety compliance
• Commit to hosting interns for 24 months
• Provide workplace information
• Complete the Employer Expression of Interest here
• Participate in programme monitoring

All employer sites will undergo a formal workplace approval process before interns are placed.

Required Documents for Employers

Employers will later be required to submit documents including:

• CIPC Registration
• SARS Tax Compliance Status PIN
• Compensation Fund (COID) registration or Letter of Good Standing
• Occupational Health and Safety compliance
• Workplace site list
• Physical addresses of host sites
• ID of the authorised representative

Benefits of Participating

Graduates who are successfully placed may benefit from:

• Two years of structured workplace experience
• Professional mentoring
• Improved employability
• Industry exposure
• Practical skills development
• Stronger CV
• Better future employment opportunities

For employers, the programme offers access to motivated graduates while contributing to national skills development.

Tips Before Applying

Before completing your Expression of Interest:

• Ensure your CV is updated.
• Check that your ID copy is certified.
• Prepare your proof of residence.
• Make sure your bank confirmation letter is available.
• Use an active email address.
• Save your application reference number.
• Upload documents before the deadline.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is the Services SETA PowerX² Internship Programme paid?

Services SETA has not stated the internship stipend in the Expression of Interest notice. Successful applicants will receive further details during the placement process.

Can TVET graduates apply?

Yes. Graduates from recognised TVET colleges who have completed an NQF Level 4–7 qualification are eligible.

Can university graduates apply?

Yes. Graduates from recognised South African universities are encouraged to apply.

Is previous work experience required?

No. The programme is specifically designed to help unemployed graduates gain workplace experience.

Can I choose where I will be placed?

No. Placements are based on employer demand, workplace availability, and the relevance of your qualification.

When is the closing date?

Applications close on 29 July 2026.