Key facts
- Status
- Applications open Closes 30 September 2026
- Provider
- City of Cape Town
- Study level
- TVET / college, University
- Last checked
- September 2026
The City of Cape Town's graduate/student internship database (CS 138/26) was open on 27 September 2026 and closes on 30 September 2026.
VerifiedOnce a year the City of Cape Town opens a database for students, graduates and school leavers who want practical training in a City department. The 2026 notice, posted on 31 August 2026 under reference CS 138/26, covers four routes: a skills programme, Work Integrated Learning (in-service training), the Graduate Internship Programme and learnerships. Registration closes on Wednesday, 30 September 2026, and the City states that late applications will not be considered.
The opportunities are only for unemployed people who live permanently within the City of Cape Town’s jurisdiction. The City’s advert adds that graduates of universities, universities of technology, colleges and TVET colleges in Cape Town get preference. These are fixed-term contracts run by the City’s Human Resources department, separate from the City of Cape Town bursary, which pays for study.
Which programme matches your qualification
| Programme | Minimum qualification the City lists | What the City says about it |
|---|---|---|
| Skills Programme | Grade 10 or 11, a National Senior Certificate, N1 to N5, or NQF level 2 to 4 | Structured practical exposure; intakes happen quarterly throughout the year |
| Work Integrated Learning (WIL) | N6 students needing in-service training, or students at a higher education institution with a letter from the institution requesting WIL and an academic transcript | For students whose qualification requires workplace experience; paid or unpaid depending on budget |
| Graduate Internship Programme (GIP) | A three-year diploma or national diploma, advanced diploma or BTech, degree, honours, master’s or PhD | Part-time or full-time, for skills transfer |
| TVET graduate internship | A completed National N Diploma or diploma from a TVET (FET) college or other accredited institution | Full-time, for skills transfer |
| Learnerships | Grade 12 (Matric), plus requirements that vary by learnership | 12 to 24 months, leading to a qualification registered on the NQF |
The City’s online notice contains one line that conflicts with the table above: after listing diplomas, it says that a graduate internship requires a bachelor’s degree or a postgraduate qualification. The downloadable Student Opportunities advert lists diplomas as eligible and does not include that sentence. Diploma holders should read the requirements on the specific internship listing in the City’s job search app, where each opportunity is posted.
Pay of R38.40 to R60.36 an hour
The advert gives a basic rate of R38.40 to R60.36 per hour. The City does not publish a monthly figure or say which rate applies to which programme. For Work Integrated Learning it warns that students may or may not be paid, depending on the budget available, and may be placed on special projects.
Conditions that come with a City placement
- Interns may not be registered for further study during the internship, except WIL students and PhD or doctoral students.
- Completing a programme does not guarantee a permanent job at the City.
- Anyone appointed must work as rostered and may not hold another job or run a private business without the City Manager’s written permission.
- Applicants may face criminal and security checks, personal verification and lifestyle audits during recruitment and afterwards.
Registering through e-Services and the job search app
Applications are online only. The City will not accept printed or emailed applications. The process has three steps:
- Register for City e-Services and activate the careers service.
- Build an online CV with personal details, education, work experience and qualifications.
- Open the City’s job search app, filter for internships that match your skills and register for the one you want.
Upload a certified copy of your South African ID (the City will not accept affidavits), a recently certified copy of your matric certificate or statement of results, which the advert calls mandatory, and a certified copy of your highest qualification. The online notice also asks for a cover letter and any references. WIL applicants add the institution’s letter and their transcript.
The advert warns that the application does not work on a smartphone. Library members can use a free SmartCape computer at a City library. You join a library with your ID and proof of residence.
Hearing back from the City
If you have not heard about an appointment within three months of the closing date, the City asks you to accept that the application was unsuccessful. Queries go to the City Call Centre on 0860 103 089 or hrservicedesk@capetown.gov.za. Other City programmes are listed on our City of Cape Town provider profile, and national and provincial departments’ internships are covered under government internships.
FAQs
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