The Department of Employment and Labour invites suitably qualified applicants to apply for their Graduate Internship Programme vacancies. The closing date for applications is 5 December 2025.
What is Project 20K?
Project 20K is a big internship programme run by the Department of Employment and Labour. It gives South African graduates a chance to work for 24 months and learn real job skills. The programme is open to every province and especially helps unemployed young people and those with disabilities.
Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Employer | Department of Employment and Labour |
| Name of programme | Graduate Internship Programme (Project 20K) |
| Length of internship | 24 months (2025 – 2027) |
| Monthly stipend | About R7 860.50 |
| Who can join | Unemployed graduates aged 18‑35 |
| How to apply | Search “Project 20K” on SAYouth.mobi |
| Application deadline | 5 Dec 2025, 16:00 for walk‑ins, midnight for online |
| Type of job | Internship (no previous experience required) |
| Priority applicants | Youth, previously disadvantaged people and people with disabilities |
About the Department
The Department of Employment and Labour works to make workplaces safe, fair and full of jobs. It runs labour centres in all nine provinces and focuses a lot on helping young people learn skills and get jobs. Project 20K lets thousands of graduates get hands‑on experience in many areas, such as:
- Remote ICT technicians
- ICT service desk agents
- Contract and licence controllers
- Asset management officers
- Administration clerks
- Field ICT technicians
- Labour market analysts
- Library staff
- Digital content creators
- Researchers
Who Can Apply?
To be eligible you must:
- Be a South African citizen
- Be unemployed
- Never have done an internship before
- Hold a recognised qualification:
- National Diploma (NQF 6) or Bachelor’s degree (NQF 7) in a relevant field
- Be ready to do tests, interviews and screening
- Have your own housing and transport if you live far from the job location
- Agree to work full‑time for 24 months
Documents you’ll need
- Matric certificate
- Academic record or transcript
- SAQA evaluation if your qualification is from another country
- ID
Internship Categories and Minimum Qualifications
Remote ICT Technicians – 4 spots
• 3‑year National Diploma or Bachelor’s in Information Technology
• A+ or N+ certificate helpsICT Service Desk Agents – 4 spots
• National Higher Certificate or College Diploma in ICT (or A+ cert)Contract and Licence Controller (ICT) – 5 spots
• 3‑year Diploma or Bachelor’s in Business Management, Administration, Logistics, Finance, Law or ICTAsset Management Officer (ICT) – 3 spots
• 3‑year Diploma or Bachelor’s in Supply Chain, Asset Management, Public Administration, Accounting, Taxation or AuditingAdministration Clerk (ICT) – 1 spot
• 3‑year Diploma or Bachelor’s in Management, Business Administration or similarField ICT Technicians – 50 spots
• 3‑year Diploma or Bachelor’s in IT, Computer Science, or EngineeringLabour Market Information & Statistics – 2 spots
• 3‑year Diploma or Bachelor’s in Economics, Statistics, Data Analytics or Social SciencesLabour Market Monitoring – 2 spots
• Same qualifications as aboveLibrary – 1 spot
• 3‑year Diploma or Bachelor’s in Library and Information ScienceDigital Content Creator – 1 spot
• 3‑year Diploma in Graphic Design, Multimedia or Visual CommunicationResearcher – 1 spot
• 3‑year Diploma or Bachelor’s in Public Administration, Social Sciences or Economics
How to Apply
Create or log in to SAYouth.mobi
Go to SA Youth or type “SA Youth” in your search bar.Find Project 20K
Type “Project 20K” into the search box.Choose your province and job stream
Pick the category that matches your interest.Fill out the online form
Provide all details carefully.Upload required documents if shortlisted
• Updated CV
• Certified ID
• Certified matric certificate
• Certified academic record
• SAQA certificate (if you have a foreign degree)Attend assessments and interviews
Shortlisted applicants will be contacted within 8 weeks of the deadline.Get your placement
If you succeed, you’ll sign a 24‑month internship contract.
What You Need to Know
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Do I need experience? | No – the programme is for graduates who haven’t interned before. |
| Can I apply for more than one job? | Yes, but submit separate applications for each reference number. |
| How long is the internship? | 24 months, from 2025 to 2027. |
| Will I get paid? | Yes, you’ll receive a monthly stipend of about R7 860.50. |
| What if I don’t hear back? | If no contact within 8 weeks, consider yourself not selected. |
| Are foreign qualifications accepted? | Only if you get an SAQA evaluation. |
| Are people with disabilities welcomed? | Yes – the programme prioritises youth and people with disabilities. |
Ready to Apply?
Remember, the closing date for all applications is 5 December 2025. Don’t miss this chance to jumpstart your career with a real work experience that lasts two whole years.
