City of Cape Town Student Opportunities and Internship Programmes 2026
The City of Cape Town is inviting suitably qualified unemployed candidates to apply for its Student Opportunities and Internship Programmes 2026 under the Human Resources Directorate – Corporate Services (Training and Development).
Available Programmes
1. Skills Programme (Fixed-Term Contract)
Minimum Requirements: Grade 10 / Grade 11 / National Senior Certificate (Grade 12/Matric), N1 – N5, Level 2 – 4
Programme Overview: This programme provides structured experiential learning and practical workplace exposure to build foundational work skills.
2. Work Integrated Learning (WIL) – Fixed-Term Contract
Minimum Requirements:
- National Certificate – N6 (WIL/In-service Training)
- Official letter from institution requesting WIL placement
- Academic transcript
Programme Overview: WIL integrates academic learning with workplace application and is a compulsory component for students requiring in-service training to complete their qualification.
3. National N Diploma / Diploma Internship
The City offers graduate internship programmes to students who have completed qualifications at TVET Colleges, FET Colleges, or accredited institutions of higher learning. These internships are full-time and aimed at skills transfer.
4. Graduate Internship Programme (GIP) – Fixed-Term Contract
Minimum Requirements: 3-year Diploma / National Diploma, Advanced Diploma / B-Tech Degree, Honours, Masters, PhD
Programme Overview: Graduate internships are available for students who have completed qualifications at Universities or Universities of Technology. These programmes may be part-time or full-time and focus on structured skills transfer.
5. Learnerships (12–24 Months)
Minimum Requirements: Grade 12 (Additional requirements vary depending on the learnership)
Programme Overview: Learnerships combine structured learning with practical workplace experience and lead to a registered qualification on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF).
Important Eligibility Conditions
- Applicants must be permanently residing within Cape Town
- Applicants must be unemployed
- Applicants must not be enrolled for further studies during the internship period (exceptions for WIL, PhD, and Doctoral students)
- Preference given to graduates from Universities, Universities of Technology, Colleges, and TVET Colleges within Cape Town
Stipend Information
Depending on budget availability, interns may receive remuneration ranging from:
- R36.66 per hour
- R57.62 per hour
Some programmes may be unpaid depending on funding.
Key Performance Areas
- Provide practical workplace exposure
- Enhance employability
- Develop youth skills across various City Directorates
- Address youth unemployment
- Support skills enhancement within municipal structures
Note: There is no automatic guarantee of employment after completion of the programme.
Special Conditions
- Appointed candidates must be available according to work rosters
- No other employment or private business without written permission from the City Manager
- May undergo criminal, security, verification, and lifestyle audits