South African graduates have a big chance to gain real work experience through the Department of Employment and Labour’s Graduate Internship Programme, called Project 20K. This programme runs for 24 months, from 2025 to 2027, and offers internship spots all over the country. The programme mainly supports unemployed youth and people with disabilities.
Fast Facts About Project 20K
- Hiring Organisation: Department of Employment and Labour
- Programme: Graduate Internship Programme (Project 20K)
- Duration: 24 months (2025–2027)
- Stipend: About R7,860 per month
- Who Can Apply: Unemployed South African graduates aged 18 to 35
- How to Apply: Search “Project 20K” on SAYouth.mobi
- Closing Date: 21 November 2025 (16:00 for walk-ins, midnight for online)
- Type: Internship (No previous experience needed)
- Priority: Youth, previously disadvantaged people, and those with disabilities
What Does the Department of Employment and Labour Do?
The Department of Employment and Labour works to create safe workplaces, fair labour practices, and equal job opportunities across South Africa. They have labour offices in every province and focus a lot on helping young people get skills and jobs.
Through Project 20K, thousands of graduates will get training in many areas, such as:
- Occupational Health & Safety
- HR, Labour Relations & Employee Relations
- Business Administration
- Auditing & Financial Management
- Environmental Health
- Equity, Policy & Research
- Social Work, Psychology, and Wellness
- Organisational Development
Who Can Apply?
You can apply if:
- You are a South African citizen.
- You are unemployed.
- You have never been part of an internship before.
- You have a recognized qualification like:
- National Diploma (NQF 6)
- Bachelor’s Degree (NQF 7)
- You are ready to take assessments, attend interviews, and go through screening.
- You can arrange your own accommodation and transport if needed.
- You are willing to work full-time for 24 months.
Important: If shortlisted, you must provide certified copies of your:
- Matric Certificate
- Academic Record or Transcript
- SAQA evaluation (if your qualification is from outside South Africa)
- ID
Internship Categories and Required Qualifications
- Occupational Health & Safety (3,385 posts): Environmental Health, Engineering, Chemistry, Occupational Health, and related fields.
- Basic Conditions of Employment (3,197 posts): Labour Relations, Law (BCom Law, LLB, etc.).
- Employment Equity (260 posts): Law degrees and Labour Law.
- Employer Audit Services (1,076 posts): Accounting, Auditing, Financial Management.
- Office of the COO (8 posts): Public Administration, Project Management.
- Inspector-General Unit (5 posts): Public Finance, Business Admin.
- Corporate Services (2 posts): Office Management, Business Management.
- Employee Relations (26 posts): LLB, Labour Law.
- Training & Performance Management (26 posts): HR Management.
- Human Resource Operations (90 posts): Human Resource Management.
- Organisational Development (4 posts): Industrial Engineering, HRM, Psychology.
- Employee Health & Wellness Programme (26 posts): Social Work, Psychology, OHS.
- Gender, Disability, and Youth (26 posts): Social Science, Gender Studies.
- Policy Research & Monitoring (4 posts): Human Resource Management.
How to Apply: Simple Steps
- Go to SAYouth.mobi and register or log in.
- Search for “Project 20K”.
- Choose your province and internship field.
- Fill out the online application with correct details.
- If shortlisted, upload your documents:
- CV
- Certified ID
- Certified Matric certificate
- Certified academic record
- SAQA certificate (if applicable)
- Attend assessments and interviews as scheduled.
- Wait for final placement and contract offer for the 24-month internship.
This internship is a great chance for young graduates to build skills, get practical experience, and open doors for future jobs. Don’t wait—apply before the 21 November 2025 deadline!
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