Eighty graduate internship positions are open right now at SANEDI, and applications close on Monday, 2 November 2026. If you already hold a completed degree or advanced diploma, this SANEDI internship could give you 18 months of paid workplace experience in the energy sector. Many graduates wait years for that first real job. This programme exists to close that gap, but the window to apply is short.
What is the SANEDI internship 2026/2027?
The South African National Energy Development Institute (SANEDI) runs the EPC Skills Development Programme. It is offering 80 positions to unemployed graduates. Each placement runs for 18 months, with work expected to start around mid-February 2027.
Interns learn about Energy Performance Certificates, also called EPCs. These certificates show how much energy a building uses. South African law now requires certain buildings to have them, which is creating real demand for trained people.
Key facts at a glance
- Organisation: South African National Energy Development Institute (SANEDI)
- Programme: EPC Skills Development Programme
- Positions: 80
- Closing date: Monday, 2 November 2026
- Contract: 18 months
- Start date: Around mid-February 2027
- Age requirement: 18 to 35 years
- Stipend: Paid monthly; amount not disclosed
- Application method: Online through SANEDI’s official website
Last updated: 28 October 2026.
Who can apply?
You must meet all of the following requirements:
- You are a South African citizen.
- You are between 18 and 35 years old.
- You are currently unemployed.
- You have completed an NQF Level 7 qualification or higher.
- Your qualification falls within one of the eligible fields listed below.
- You have an academic record available.
- You can work independently and in a team.
- You are willing to travel or accept placements where the programme needs people.
Your qualification must be finished. If you are still studying towards your NQF Level 7 qualification, you do not meet the entry requirement yet.
Qualifying fields of study
Engineering
- Relevant engineering qualifications.
Energy Studies
- Energy Studies.
- Energy Management.
Built Environment
- Architecture.
- Property Management or Real Estate.
- Construction Management.
- Property Studies.
- Quantity Surveying.
Other qualifying fields
- Natural Sciences.
- Economic Sciences.
Can you apply with Matric, N6 or an NQF Level 6 diploma?
No. These qualifications alone do not meet the entry requirement.
This confuses many applicants, and it is easy to see why. The training inside the programme is offered at NQF Level 5. But that Level 5 course is what successful interns will receive during the programme. It is not the qualification you need to get in.
To qualify, you must already hold a completed qualification at NQF Level 7 or higher. A standalone N6 certificate or NQF Level 6 diploma does not satisfy this rule.
Where will interns be placed?
The 80 positions are spread across five provinces:
- Eastern Cape
- North West
- KwaZulu-Natal
- Northern Cape
- Free State
Training takes place at participating TVET colleges. After that, interns gain practical experience at host institutions.
SANEDI encourages you to apply in your own province. The stipend covers your monthly allowance, but the advert does not mention extra money for relocation or accommodation.
Know this too: SANEDI reserves the right to place or transfer successful candidates based on operational needs. The advert does not name the specific colleges or say how many positions each province will receive.
What will you do during the 18 months?
The programme combines classroom-style training with real workplace experience.
Phase 1: Six weeks of occupational training
You will complete an EPC Practitioner Occupational Skills Programme at NQF Level 5. The training includes practical learning and continuous assessments related to Energy Performance Certificates.
Phase 2: About 17 months of workplace learning
You will then work on assignments at host institutions. Tasks may include:
- Collecting building energy-performance data.
- Supporting building registration.
- Assisting with energy assessments.
- Supporting Energy Performance Certificates.
- Identifying opportunities for energy audits.
- Helping implement energy-efficiency improvements.
- Completing workplace assessments.
The six weeks of training form part of the full 18-month contract.
What will you earn?
SANEDI confirms that interns receive a monthly stipend. However, the official advert does not disclose the amount.
It also does not confirm whether transport, accommodation or relocation costs will be covered. If you are offered a placement far from home, ask about these arrangements before you accept.
How could this help your career?
The programme aims to build graduates who can support South Africa’s building energy-performance requirements. EPCs document how buildings use energy and help organisations meet the law.
After 18 months, you would have technical experience and mentorship relevant to:
- Energy consulting firms.
- Facilities management companies.
- Energy service companies.
- Organisations working with Energy Performance Certificates.
The programme also builds towards EPC Practitioner competencies and possible professional registration. Be clear about one thing: completing the internship does not guarantee professional registration or a permanent job. What it does give you is documented experience, which is often the hardest thing for a new graduate to get.
Which documents must you prepare?
The official SANEDI advert lists the following:
- Curriculum Vitae (CV).
- Certified copy of your completed qualification.
- Certified copy of your South African identity document.
An academic record is also listed under the qualification requirements, so keep it ready when you complete the form. Make sure your documents are clear and that your qualification details match what you type into the application.
How to apply step by step
- Visit the official SANEDI application page: https://www.sanedi.org.za/vacancies/epc-sdp-interns-x80/
- Read the vacancy information and confirm that your qualification meets the NQF Level 7 requirement.
- Prepare your CV, certified qualification, certified ID and academic record.
- Complete the online application form shown on the vacancy page.
- Provide the requested documents and check everything before you submit.
You can also read the official SANEDI internship advert (PDF) for the full details.
Applications close on Monday, 2 November 2026. SANEDI has not published an exact closing time, so do not leave your submission until the final hours. If you do not receive feedback within 30 days after the closing date, treat your application as unsuccessful.
A warning about scams
Legitimate internships never charge application, registration or placement fees. Apply only through SANEDI’s official website, and never pay anyone who promises you a place in the programme.
Tips to improve your chances
- Apply early. Application websites often slow down on closing days when many people submit at once.
- Check your NQF level. Confirm the level of your completed qualification before you start, so you do not waste time on an application you cannot win.
- Get fresh certified copies. Some organisations only accept certification copies that are less than three months old.
- Match your details. The qualification name on your CV should match your certificate exactly.
- Apply in your province. It fits what SANEDI prefers and reduces travel and accommodation stress later.
Your next steps before 2 November
Start today. Confirm that your completed qualification is at NQF Level 7 or higher. Gather and certify your documents. Then submit your application directly through SANEDI’s official page.
Only 80 people will be chosen, and many of them will be applicants just like you. There are no guarantees here, and that is the honest truth. But you cannot be selected if you never apply. Prepare carefully, submit early, and give yourself the best possible chance. Good luck.