If you recently completed your Mechanical Engineering degree and you are still searching for your first break, the Implats Mechanical Engineer Graduate Internship could be the opportunity you need right now. Many graduates sit at home for months because they lack practical experience. This 24-month programme gives you exactly that. You will work inside a real production environment where your engineering knowledge connects to actual equipment, safety protocols, and business targets.
What This Opportunity Is
This is a fixed-term graduate internship that runs for 24 months. Implats designed this programme specifically for the PGM industry. You will enter a structured training environment that connects classroom theory to real operational needs.
The internship is not a casual placement. You will follow a set training path that includes technical work, safety training, and exposure to managerial processes. You will support live production areas including Concentrator Operations, Smelting Operations, PMR, and BMR environments.
Who Can Apply
You must meet every requirement to qualify. Implats is strict about eligibility because they want graduates who truly need this experience.
You need:
- A completed NQF Level 7 qualification in Mechanical Engineering
- Unemployed status right now
- No previous participation in any graduate programme
- Medical fitness to work in different operational areas
- A willingness to work in technical and production-focused environments
Many applicants worry about the medical fitness requirement. This simply means you must be physically able to enter mining and production areas safely. You will work near heavy machinery and industrial processes.
What You Will Do and Learn
During the 24 months, you will complete a structured training programme that builds general knowledge of the PGM industry. You will not just watch. You will provide technical and engineering support to operational areas.
Your daily responsibilities include:
- Completing the full 24-month training programme without gaps
- Attending all required training and development sessions
- Writing and submitting training reports on time
- Supporting business and production targets with technical solutions
- Contributing to continuous improvement initiatives
- Developing practical technical and business solutions for real problems
You will learn how engineering decisions directly affect production performance. You will understand how equipment reliability, safety compliance, and production targets work together in a live setting.
How to Apply
You must submit your application through the official online portal. Implats does not accept email applications or walk-ins.
Follow these steps:
- Review the full job description on the official PNet application portal.
- Update your CV to show your NQF Level 7 qualification clearly.
- Add a section that lists any practical training, plant visits, or mechanical systems exposure.
- Submit your details before the closing date.
- Check your email regularly for feedback or interview requests.
Double-check that your CV shows your current unemployed status. Recruiters must see immediately that you meet the basic requirements.
Tips to Improve Your Chances
Competition for this internship is strong. Many Mechanical Engineering graduates apply because Implats is a major employer in South Africa. You need to show that you are ready for an industrial environment, not just academically smart.
Update your CV with these details:
- Your final-year project title and a brief description of what you built or fixed
- Any vacation work, practical training, or laboratory experience
- Engineering software you can use, such as AutoCAD or SolidWorks
- Workshop or plant exposure, even if it was during university tours
- Academic achievements that show consistency and discipline
- Group project experience that proves you can work in teams
- Technical writing samples or report-writing experience
Create a section called “Technical Exposure” near the top of your CV. List mechanical systems you have touched, maintenance concepts you understand, and safety awareness you have gained. Recruiters scan hundreds of CVs. They must see your fit within seconds.
Be honest about your experience. Do not exaggerate your practical skills. Implats will test your knowledge during interviews. Show willingness to learn instead.
Final Thoughts and Next Steps
This internship offers you a clear path from graduate to confident professional. You will earn while you learn. You will build relationships inside the PGM industry. You will understand how engineering supports production, safety, and business growth.
If you meet the requirements, apply today. Do not wait until the last minute. Prepare your CV now. Show Implats that you are ready to work hard, learn fast, and grow into a skilled Mechanical Engineer.
Your engineering career starts with practical experience. This 24-month programme can give you exactly that. Take the step.