[Services SETA] invites suitably qualified applicants to apply for the PowerX² Internship Programme. The closing date for applications is 11 December 2025.
Quick Snapshot
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Program | PowerX² – Services SETA 20 000 Internships |
| Length | 24 months |
| Who can apply? | Graduates with NQF Level 4‑7 degrees or certificates from public universities or TVET colleges |
| Must be | Unemployed at the time of application |
| Places | Private companies, public organisations, NGOs, local government, universities, and TVET colleges |
| How to apply | Submit an online Expression of Interest (EOI) |
| Opening | 21 November 2025 |
| Closing | 11 December 2025 at 16:00 |
| Documents | Yes – after you submit your EOI |
| powerx@serviceseta.org.za | |
| Website | www.servicesseta.org.za/powerx2 |
What Is the PowerX² Internship Programme?
The PowerX² programme is a huge national effort to give 20 000 South African graduates a chance to work for two years and build real skills. Many fresh graduates finish school with a qualification, but they need hands‑on experience to get a job. This programme is designed to fill that gap and help both young people and employers.
The initiative follows the National Skills Development Plan 2030, the National Skills Development Strategy, and the mandate of the Services SETA to make workplace learning easier for everyone.
About Services SETA
Services SETA is one of South Africa’s 21 sector‑specific education and training authorities. It focuses on the service industry (think hotels, telecoms, retail, public health, etc.). Their job is to:
- Fund training and learning projects
- Open more places for on‑the‑job training
- Support employers in up‑skilling young people
- Create jobs and improve employability
The PowerX² programme is their biggest internship rollout ever, showing how serious they are about helping graduates and the job market.
Who Can Apply as a Graduate?
To join the internship, you need to:
- Have finished a public university or TVET college course that is NQF Level 4 to 7.
- Be unemployed when you apply.
- Be ready to work for 24 months.
- Be willing to be placed anywhere in South Africa.
- Fill out the online Expression of Interest.
You don’t have to have received any previous funding from Services SETA – that does not affect your chance to apply.
Documents You’ll Need (after you send the EOI)
Once your EOI is accepted, you’ll get a secure upload link for these files:
- Certified copy of your ID
- Certified copy of your diploma or certificate (statement of results)
- An up‑to‑date CV
- Proof of where you live (utility bill, lease, etc.)
- Bank confirmation letter (showing a bank account)
All documents must be certified, meaning a notary or a public officer has signed them.
Employers Can Join Too
Companies and organisations that want to host interns can also sign up. Eligible hosts include:
- Private firms
- Public bodies
- Government departments
- Municipalities
- NGOs
- Universities and TVET colleges
What a Host Must Do
- Be registered with COIDA (the council that checks employers)
- Have a workplace that meets health and safety rules
- Promise to host interns for 24 months
- Give details about the job site
- Complete an Employer EOI
- Keep track of the interns’ progress and report back
- Get each site approved through the Workplace Approval Process
Documents for Employers (after EOI)
- Company registration (CIPC)
- SARS tax compliance PIN
- CSD summary (if applicable)
- COIDA letter of good standing
- Proof of health and safety compliance
- List of workplace sites
- Physical addresses of sites
- ID of the person who can sign for the company
How to Apply – Step by Step
Go to the website
Visit www.servicesseta.org.za/powerx2.Choose your category
Click on the “Graduate” tab if you’re a student or “Employer” if you want to host interns.Fill in the online EOI form
Provide your personal or business details.You’ll get a confirmation email
It will contain a reference number, a secure upload link for documents, a list of what you need to send, and a reminder of the deadline.Upload your documents before the closing time
Make sure they are certified and in the correct format.Wait for the next steps
Services SETA’s Programme Management Unit will contact you with further instructions.
Why Apply? Benefits for Graduates
- 24 months of real work – you’ll learn inside an actual office or business.
- See how a professional environment runs – this helps you understand teamwork and expectations.
- Boost your résumé – real experience impresses future employers.
- Build your confidence – you’ll be handling real tasks and learning on the job.
- Meet people in your field – networking can open doors later.
- Gain skills that fit the job market – you’ll learn both technical and soft skills.
- Access more funded programmes – being part of Services SETA gives you a path to other learning opportunities.
The programme is designed to give you a much stronger chance of landing a permanent job after you finish.
Handy Tools Before You Apply
- Keep a neat CV ready.
- Make sure all documents are certified on time.
- Use an email you check every day.
- Be prepared to move if your internship is far from home.
- Apply early – don’t wait until the last minute.
- Stay optimistic – this could change your future.
What Happens After 24 Months?
Many interns go on to:
- Graduate trainee roles
- Entry‑level jobs (admin, HR, marketing, IT, finance, customer service, etc.)
- Supervisor positions
- Further learnerships or technical training funded by SETA
- Their own business ideas
- Technical jobs in specific industries
Employers often keep interns after they finish, so your internship could be the first step to a full‑time career.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I get paid?
Most internships include a small stipend, but the amount depends on the employer.Can I pick my location?
No, placement is decided by the availability of job sites and employer needs.What if my degree isn’t in a services field?
All qualifications are accepted; matching will depend on the types of roles available.Do I upload documents during the EOI?
No, you upload them only after receiving the secure link.Can students who just finished high school apply?
Only graduates with an NQF Level 4–7 qualification can apply.Do documents need to be certified?
Yes, both ID and qualification documents must be certified.Can employed graduates apply?
No, applicants must be unemployed at the time of applying.How long is the internship?
24 months.Will late applications be accepted?
No – the application system closes at 16:00 on the deadline day.Do only public universities count?
Yes, only graduates from public institutions are eligible.
CLOSING DATE: 11 DECEMBER 2025
Important Notes
- This programme is free – be careful of anyone asking for money.
- Always use official Services SETA channels to apply.
- Verify any links or email addresses before submitting documents.
Ready to start a 24‑month journey that can change your future?
Apply now before the deadline and join South Africa’s biggest internship rollout!
