The Education Labour Relations Council (ELRC) is now accepting applications for its Graduate Internship Programme 2026 – a chance to start your career with 24 months of paid, hands‑on experience in the public education sector.
What the internship involves
The ELRC will take on ten unemployed South African graduates for a two‑year internship at its head office in Centurion, Gauteng. You will work in one of the following areas:
- Internal Audit – 2 places
- Dispute Management Services – 2 places
- Finance – 2 places
- Supply Chain Management – 2 places
- Information and Communication Technology – 1 place
- Collective Bargaining Services (Administration/HR) – 1 place
The exact monthly stipend follows ETDP SETA funding guidelines; the advertisement does not state a specific amount.
Who can apply
To be eligible you must meet all of the following:
- South African citizen
- Unemployed and looking for your first professional role
- Age between 18 and 35
- Hold a recognised National Diploma or Degree in a relevant field (see below)
- Never have completed a graduate internship funded by a SETA or government department
- Good communication, interpersonal and computer skills
- Willing to work at the ELRC Head Office, 261 West Avenue, Centurion
Field‑specific qualifications
- Internal Audit (2): Diploma or degree in Internal Auditing, Accounting or Risk Management
- Dispute Management Services (2): Studies in Labour Relations, Labour Law or Human Resources Management
- Finance (2): Qualification in Accounting, Financial Management or Cost & Management Accounting
- Supply Chain Management (2): Diploma or degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics or Procurement
- ICT (1): Studies in Information Technology, Computer Science, Information Systems or Cyber Security
- Collective Bargaining Services (1): Qualification in Administration or Human Resources Management
What you will gain
- Practical exposure to public‑sector processes and policies
- Hands‑on experience in governance, risk, finance, procurement or ICT, depending on the department
- Development of analytical, problem‑solving and teamwork skills
- Professional networking within the education labour‑relations arena
- A recognised 24‑month work record to strengthen future job applications
How to apply – step by step
- Prepare a full, up‑to‑date CV that highlights your qualification, projects, any work exposure and relevant software skills.
- Gather certified copies of your qualification, South African ID and, if you have one, your academic record.
- Write a brief cover note stating the department you are applying for (e.g., “Finance”).
- Save each document with a clear name, e.g.,
John_Doe_CV.pdfandJohn_Doe_ID.pdf. - Send the complete package by one of the following methods before 07 August 2026 at 16:00:
- Email: recruitment.hr@elrc.org.za – keep the total attachment size under 5 MB.
- Post: Private Bag X126, Centurion, 0046.
- Hand delivery: ELRC Building, 261 West Avenue, Centurion.
Tips to improve your chances
- Apply early. Servers can become busy close to the deadline.
- Tailor your CV to the specific department – list relevant coursework, projects and any volunteer work.
- Use a professional email address (e.g., firstname.lastname@email.com).
- Proofread every document; spelling errors reduce credibility.
- Compress PDFs if they exceed the 5 MB limit.
- In the email subject line, write clearly, for example: “Application – Graduate Internship – Finance – Jane Smith”.
Next steps
If you meet the criteria, gather your documents and submit your application before the deadline. A well‑prepared application shows professionalism and can open doors, even if this particular internship does not become your final placement. Use this experience to build a strong portfolio for future graduate programmes.
