The Free State Office of the Premier is inviting 1,000 unemployed graduates residing in the Free State Province to participate in a 24-month Graduate Internship Programme funded by Services SETA. The programme is intended to provide successful applicants with structured workplace experience and improve their employability.
This is a valuable opportunity for unemployed Free State residents with qualifications from NQF Level 4 to NQF Level 7 and above who are looking for practical workplace exposure and an opportunity to develop their careers. Applicants looking for similar graduate and internship opportunities should carefully check the requirements below before applying.
Quick Key Details
- Organisation: Free State Office of the Premier
- Programme: Graduate Internship Programme 2026
- Number of opportunities: 1,000
- Location: Free State Province
- Duration: 24 months
- Funding: Services SETA
- Target group: Unemployed graduates residing in the Free State Province
- Qualification levels: NQF Level 4 to NQF Level 7+
- Application method: Online
- Closing date: 25 September 2026
- Experience: No previous work experience requirement is stated in the advert
Stipend
The stipend amount is not stated in the official advert provided.
Applicants should therefore avoid relying on stipend figures published elsewhere unless they are confirmed by the Free State Office of the Premier.
About the Graduate Internship Programme
The programme provides 1,000 unemployed graduates with an opportunity to gain workplace experience over 24 months.
According to the advert, the programme is funded by Services SETA and focuses on structured experiential learning that can help participants gain practical workplace exposure and improve their employability.
The opportunities are allocated across Mangaung Metro and four Free State districts.
Allocation of Opportunities
- Mangaung Metro: 100
- Lejweleputswa District: 200
- Xhariep District: 150
- Thabo Mofutsanyana District: 300
- Fezile Dabi District: 250
Total: 1,000 opportunities.
Minimum Requirements and Qualifications
The programme covers several qualification levels.
NQF Level 4
Applicants may have:
- Completed Learnership at NQF Level 4
- NQF Level 4 Occupational Certificate
- QCTO/trade-tested artisan qualification
- National Certificate (Matric)
NQF Level 5
Applicants may have:
- Public or Private Higher Education Certificate
- Public TVET NATED/Report 191 National Certificate where awarded
- Private accredited Skills Development Provider qualification
- NQF Level 5 Occupational Certificate
NQF Level 6
Applicants may have:
- Advanced Certificate
- TVET N6 with Diploma awarded
- Completed Learnership at NQF Level 6
- Trade-tested artisan qualification
NQF Level 7 and Above
Applicants may have:
- Advanced Diploma
- Degree
- Bachelor’s Degree
- Postgraduate Certificate
- Candidacy-track professional qualifications
Applicants must be unemployed graduates residing in the Free State Province.
Experience Requirements
The programme is specifically intended to provide unemployed graduates with workplace experience through structured experiential learning.
What You’ll Gain
Successful participants will have an opportunity to:
- Gain practical workplace experience
- Develop professional workplace skills
- Apply their qualifications in a work environment
- Gain structured experiential learning
- Improve their employability
- Build experience that may support future employment applications
Participation in the programme does not guarantee permanent employment.
Required Documents
Applicants must prepare and upload the following:
- Updated CV
- Certified copy of Matric Certificate
- Certified copy of highest qualification certificate
The Matric and highest qualification certificates must be certified and the certification must be less than six months old.
A statement of Matric results should not be submitted in place of the Matric certificate.
Documents must be uploaded in PDF format only and must be under 8MB.
Failure to upload all requested documents may result in the application not being considered.
Useful Career27 Links
How to Apply
Applications must be completed online through the application platform specified in the official advert.
Official Online Application – To The Power of X
When completing the application, applicants will be required to provide:
Personal details: Full name and surname as they appear on the ID, South African ID number, contact details, municipality, home language and an updated CV.
Qualification details: Qualification name, institution and completion status/year.
Preferences: Applicants must indicate their willingness to relocate and provide the preference requested on the application platform.
Declarations: Applicants must provide POPIA consent and complete an accuracy declaration.
The advert states that submitting an Expression of Interest does not guarantee placement.
District Enquiries
For Mangaung Metro, applicants may contact Ms Lintle Thamae on 060 533 0059 or lintle.nkemele@fspremier.gov.za.
For Lejweleputswa District, contact Mr Thabo Maropela on 079 506 7081 or thabo.maropela@fspremier.gov.za.
For Xhariep District, contact Ms Thandi Solitswayi on 060 533 1141 or thandi.solitswayi@fspremier.gov.za.
For Thabo Mofutsanyana District, contact Mr Liphapang Liphapang on 078 458 8291 or Liphapang.liphapang@fspremier.gov.za.
For Fezile Dabi District, contact Mr Sifiso Mokoena on 083 650 4257 or sifiso.mokoena@fspremier.gov.za.
Closing Date
25 September 2026
Applications should be submitted before the closing date.
The advert states that applicants who do not receive feedback within three weeks after the closing date should consider their applications unsuccessful.
People with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
The department reserves the right not to make an appointment.
Editorial Note / Sources & References
Career27 prepared this article from the recruitment information contained in the Free State Office of the Premier Graduate Internship Programme advert. Applicants should follow the requirements and application instructions contained in the official advert and application platform.
Official Application Link:
Apply Online – To The Power of X
Official Source/Advert: Free State Office of the Premier – Graduate Internship Programme 2026 recruitment advert supplied above.
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Career27.co.za is an independent career information platform and is not the Free State Office of the Premier, Services SETA or the employer. Career27 does not charge applicants any fee to apply for this opportunity. Applicants should submit their applications through the application method specified in the official advert and should never pay anyone in exchange for employment or placement.
