Do you have an N4‑N6 qualification from a TVET college and want to start a stable career in the public service? There are a number of government artisan vacancies that are closing in the next few weeks, so you need to act now. Find the full list on SETA SA.
What the opportunity is
The South African public service is hiring artisans for essential trades such as electrical work, plumbing, carpentry, air‑conditioning, bricklaying, painting, diesel mechanics and general building maintenance. The posts are spread across the Western Cape, Eastern Cape, KwaZulu‑Natal and Limpopo.
Who can apply (eligibility)
- Completed an N4, N5 or N6 programme in a relevant technical trade at a TVET college.
- Hold the appropriate Trade Test Certificate for the specific trade (electrical, plumbing, etc.).
- Grade A posts do not require post‑qualification experience, but Grade B, C and Foreman posts do.
- Valid driver’s licence (where stated).
- Ability to work on‑call, standby and after‑hours duties (where required).
What you gain
- Permanent employment in the public sector with attractive salary scales.
- Access to government training, pension and medical benefits.
- Practical experience in hospitals, depots and municipal facilities.
- Career progression to senior Artisan and Foreman grades.
How to apply (step‑by‑step)
- Read each vacancy’s official requirements carefully.
- Gather the required documents:
- Identity document (ID)
- Qualified Trade Test Certificate (original or certified copy)
- N4‑N6 certificates (if applicable)
- Driver’s licence (where required)
- Updated CV highlighting trade skills and experience
- Prepare a tailored cover letter that mentions the exact trade, grade and reference number.
- Submit the application exactly as instructed for each post (online portal, email or departmental portal).
- Keep a record of the closing date, reference number and the centre of posting.
Current government artisan vacancies
- Artisan Production – Electrical (Grade A‑C) – 2 posts, Tygerberg Hospital (Parow Valley, Western Cape)
- Trade Test Certificate in Electrical required.
- Grade A – no experience required; Grade B & C – relevant experience needed.
- Driver’s licence and availability for standby duties.
- Closing date: 24 August 2026.
- Apply for Artisan Production Grade A‑C Electrical – 2 Posts at Tygerberg Hospital
- Artisan Production – Electrical (Grade A‑C) – Western Cape Department of Health – Metro East (Head Office, Cape Town)
- Trade Test Certificate in Electrical required.
- Grade A – no experience required.
- Work includes electrical fencing, CCTV, fire detection, generators, UPS, inverters, motors and maintenance.
- Closing date: 17 August 2026.
- View the Western Cape Artisan Production Electrical vacancy
- Artisan Production – Carpenter (Grade A/B) – Queen Nandi Regional Hospital, Empangeni (KwaZulu‑Natal)
- Grade 10 and Trade Test Certificate in Carpentry required.
- Grade A – 0‑2 years post‑certificate experience.
- Driver’s licence required.
- Closing date: 17 August 2026.
- Read and apply for the Carpenter Artisan vacancy at Queen Nandi Regional Hospital
- Artisan Plumbing – Grade A – 2 posts (Graaff‑Reinet & Struandale Depots, Eastern Cape)
- Trade Test Certificate in Plumbing required.
- Valid driver’s licence required.
- Closing date: 17 August 2026.
- View the Artisan Plumbing Grade A vacancies
- Artisan Air Conditioning – Grade A (Mthatha Depot, Eastern Cape)
- Air‑Conditioning Trade Test Certificate required.
- Valid driver’s licence required.
- Closing date: 17 August 2026.
- View the Artisan Air‑Conditioning Grade A vacancy
- Artisan Electrical – Grade A – 5 posts (Mthatha, Butterworth, Graaff‑Reinet, Mount Fletcher, Struandale Depots, Eastern Cape)
- Electrical Trade Test Certificate required.
- Valid driver’s licence required.
- Closing date: 17 August 2026.
- View all five Artisan Electrical Grade A posts
- Artisan Painting – Grade A (Libode Depot, Eastern Cape)
- Painting Trade Test Certificate required.
- Valid driver’s licence required.
- Closing date: 17 August 2026.
- Read the requirements for the Artisan Painting Grade A vacancy
- Artisan Bricklaying – Grade A – 2 posts (Idutywa & East London Depots, Eastern Cape)
- Bricklaying Trade Test Certificate required.
- Valid driver’s licence required.
- Closing date: 17 August 2026.
- View the two Artisan Bricklaying Grade A vacancies
- Artisan Carpentry – Grade A – 3 posts (East London, Port St Johns & Cofimvaba Depots, Eastern Cape)
- Carpentry Trade Test Certificate required.
- Valid driver’s licence required.
- Closing date: 17 August 2026.
- View the three Artisan Carpentry Grade A vacancies
- Artisan Production – Diesel Mechanic – Grade A – 3 posts (Mokopane, Sibasa & Malamulele, Limpopo)
- Diesel Mechanic Trade Test Certificate required.
- Experience is an advantage, not a minimum requirement.
- Closing date: 14 August 2026.
- View the three Artisan Production Grade A Diesel Mechanic vacancies
- Artisan Production – Bricklaying/Plumbing/Masonry/Carpentry – Grade A (Sekhukhune District, Limpopo)
- Trade Test Certificate in one of the listed trades required.
- Steel‑fixing and shuttering experience is an advantage.
- Closing date: 14 August 2026.
- View the Sekhukhune Artisan Production Grade A vacancy
- Artisan Production – Steel and Shuttering – Grade A (Capricorn District, Limpopo)
- Steel and Shuttering Trade Test Certificate required.
- Experience is an advantage.
- Closing date: 14 August 2026.
- Read the full Artisan Production Grade A Steel and Shuttering vacancy
- Artisan Production – Bricklaying – Grade A (Thohoyandou Building Maintenance, Vhembe District, Limpopo)
- Bricklaying Trade Test Certificate required.
- Closing date: 14 August 2026.
- View the Thohoyandou Artisan Production Grade A Bricklaying vacancy
- Artisan Foreman – Grade A (Mopani District, Limpopo)
- Trade Test Certificate required.
- Five years post‑qualification Artisan experience required.
- Closing date: 14 August 2026.
- View the Artisan Foreman Grade A vacancy in Mopani District
- Artisan Foreman – Grade A – Plumbing (Thohoyandou Building Maintenance, Vhembe District, Limpopo)
- Plumbing Trade Test Certificate required.
- Five years post‑qualification experience required.
- Closing date: 14 August 2026.
- View the Artisan Foreman Grade A Plumbing vacancy
- Artisan Foreman – Grade A – Mechanical (Sibasa Mechanical Workshop, Vhembe District, Limpopo)
- Mechanical Trade Test Certificate required.
- Five years post‑qualification experience required.
- Closing date: 14 August 2026.
- View the Artisan Foreman Grade A Mechanical vacancy
Tips to improve your chances
- Read the trade and grade requirements – an Electrical Trade Test does NOT qualify you for a Plumbing post.
- Do NOT assume an N6 certificate replaces a Trade Test Certificate.
- Only apply for Artisan Foreman posts if you have at least five years of relevant experience.
- Check the driver’s licence requirement for each vacancy.
- Submit before the closing date; late applications are rejected.
- Double‑check the reference number and centre you are applying to.
- Upload clear, legible copies of all certificates.
- Tailor your CV and cover letter to the specific trade and grade you are targeting.
- Do not claim skills you cannot demonstrate in an interview.
Conclusion – next steps
These government artisan posts give TVET graduates a realistic entry point into secure public‑service employment. Start by confirming you have the correct Trade Test Certificate, gather your documents, and submit each application before the listed deadline. Good preparation and attention to the exact requirements will boost your chances of getting hired.
