130 Government Internship Opportunities with the Department of Employment and Labour – 2025/2026 Intake

The Department of Employment and Labour is offering an exciting opportunity for young South African graduates to gain valuable work experience and contribute meaningfully to public service. A total of 130 internship positions are available nationwide for graduates who wish to join the Department as Employment Counsellors under the 2025/2026 Presidential Youth Employment Initiative.

These internships aim to enhance the employability of participants by offering hands-on experience aligned with their academic qualifications. The programme will run for a fixed period of ten (10) months, and successful applicants will receive a monthly stipend of R7,450.63.

About the Programme

The Presidential Youth Development Programme is a strategic initiative intended to create work exposure opportunities for unemployed graduates who have completed their tertiary studies. These internships are available at various Department of Labour offices located throughout all nine provinces, including:

• Eastern Cape
• Free State
• Gauteng
• KwaZulu-Natal
• Limpopo
• Mpumalanga
• North West
• Northern Cape
• Western Cape

Who Should Apply?

This internship opportunity is ideal for young South African graduates who:

• Are currently unemployed
• Have never previously participated in any other government internship or developmental programme
• Hold a three-year tertiary qualification (NQF Level 6/7) in Psychology or Industrial Psychology
• Possession of an Honours degree in either field will serve as an added advantage
• Registration with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) as a Registered Counsellor (Independent Practice) or Psychometrist (Independent Practice) will also be considered beneficial, although not mandatory

Key Responsibilities

Interns appointed as Employment Counsellors will perform a range of duties, including:

• Providing administrative support to professional Employment Counsellors
• Conducting research on labour market trends and best practices in employment counselling
• Assisting in the delivery and implementation of recruitment and selection services
• Engaging and networking with stakeholders to ensure the quality of services
• Assisting with the registration of job seekers and providing support in employment-related services

What You Need to Apply

Interested candidates must submit the following:

• A fully completed, initialled, and signed new Z83 application form (available from any government department or online)
• An up-to-date comprehensive Curriculum Vitae (CV)

Please note: Applicants are not required to submit certified copies of qualifications or other supporting documents at the initial stage. These may be requested later during the selection process.

All applications must be submitted in PDF format with the Z83 form and CV merged into one document.

How to Apply

To view full application details and submit your application, please click here or visit the official Department of Labour website.

Closing Date

The deadline for applications is Wednesday, 14 May 2025 at 12:00 PM. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.

Additional Information

• The Department reserves the right to verify all qualifications and conduct background checks.
• Correspondence will be limited to shortlisted candidates only.
• If you do not receive a response within three months of the closing date, please consider your application unsuccessful.