The SAIFA / AgriSETA Graduate Placement Programme has officially opened applications for 2026, offering unemployed South African graduates a 12-month paid placement in the agricultural sector, with a monthly stipend of R5 000. This is not just another internship headline — it’s a structured, SETA-supported pathway into real workplace experience in one of South Africa’s most critical industries.
- Check if You Qualify for this Graduate Programme Before You Apply (Avoid Rejection)
- Are you ready for these Internships? Take the Internship Readiness Quiz Here!
- Track Your Daily Career Score here
- Create and Download your CV for these Graduate Internships here
- Create a Motivational Letter for these Graduate Internships here
- Practise Interview Questions and Answers for these Internships Here
- Check if these Graduate Internships Match your Career Choice
- View more 2026 Internships here
Quick Overview
Programme Name: SAIFA / AgriSETA Graduate Placement Programme
Duration: 12 Months
Stipend: R5 000 per month
Age Requirement: 18 – 35 years
Citizenship: South African citizens only
Fields Covered:
- Agriculture
- Horticulture
- Animal Production
- Other agriculture-related qualifications
Who Can Apply: Graduates with a Diploma or Degree (TVET N6 not accepted)
Closing Date: 21 January 2026 at 16:30
Application Email: info@saifa.africa
Email Subject Line: AgriSETA Graduate Placement Programme
Physical Address: 23 Monument Road, Kempton Park
About the Organisations Behind the Programme
Southern Africa Institute for Artisans (SAIFA)
SAIFA is a respected skills development institution focused on training, placement, and workforce readiness. While widely known for artisan and technical development, SAIFA also plays a critical role in coordinating graduate placements funded through SETAs.
Their focus is simple but powerful:
Training must lead to real work opportunities.
AgriSETA
AgriSETA (Agriculture Sector Education and Training Authority) operates under the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET). Its mandate is to:
- Develop skills in the agricultural sector
- Fund learnerships, internships, and graduate placements
- Support transformation and youth participation in agriculture
When a programme is AgriSETA-funded, it means:
- It follows national skills standards
- It is quality-assured
- It carries weight on your CV
Fields & Qualifications Accepted
This programme is designed specifically for agriculture-related graduates. You may apply if you hold a qualification in:
- Agriculture
- Horticulture
- Animal Production
- Any other relevant agriculture-related field
Important Note on TVET Qualifications
- TVET N6 learners do NOT qualify for this programme
- Only completed Diplomas or Degrees are accepted
This is crucial — many applicants are disqualified simply for missing this detail.
Minimum Requirements (Documents to Be Submitted)
To be considered, you must meet all of the following requirements and submit certified documents:
Eligibility Criteria
- South African citizen
- Aged between 18 and 35 years
- Unemployed graduate
Required Documents
- Updated CV
- Certified copy of South African ID (smart card – front & back)
- Certified Matric Certificate
- Certified Academic Record
- Certified Qualification Certificate (Diploma or Degree)
- Proof of Residence
- Bank Confirmation Letter
Certification Rules:
All documents must be:
- Clear and readable
- Properly certified
- Certified within the last 3 months
How to Apply
Follow these steps carefully — small mistakes can cost you the opportunity.
- Prepare all documents listed above
- Combine them into one clear PDF file (recommended)
- Email your application to: info@saifa.africa
- Use this exact subject line: AgriSETA Graduate Placement Programme
- Submit before 21 January 2026 at 16:30
Late applications are usually not considered, so don’t wait until the last hour.
About the Stipend: What R5 000 per Month Really Means
The R5 000 monthly stipend is intended to:
- Assist with transport costs
- Cover basic living expenses
- Allow graduates to focus on learning and work exposure
While it may not be a full salary, it provides financial breathing room while you gain experience that can unlock much higher earning potential later.
How Edupstairs Helps You Prepare
At Edupstairs, we don’t just post opportunities—we help you win them.
Recommended Tools:
- Edupstairs Internship / Learnership Eligibility Checker
- Edupstairs Financial Literacy Mini-School
- Grow your Confidence – 30-day Challenge
- SA Bursary Probability Checker
- Edupstairs Simple CV Builder Tool
- Edupstairs AI Cover Letter Generator Tool
- Edupstairs Learnership Application Checklist Tool
- Edupstairs Internship Application Checklist Tool
- Edupstairs Interview Q & A Coach Tool
- SA Youth Apprenticeship Readiness Quiz
- Edupstairs Learnership Stipend Calculator Tool
- NSFAS Funding Eligibility Checker Tool
- Edupstairs Qualification-to-Career Pathways Tool
- South African Salary Explorer Tool
- TVET College Enrolment Eligibility Checker Tool
- Edupstairs Career Personality Tool
- Daily Career Score Tracker
- Learnership and Internship Readiness Quiz
Edupstairs Advice (Read This Carefully)
At Edupstairs, we’ve seen thousands of young people miss opportunities not because they weren’t qualified — but because they:
- Applied late
- Submitted incorrect documents
- Used the wrong subject line
- Didn’t prepare their CV properly
Our advice:
- Apply early
- Double-check your documents
- Make your CV simple, clear, and professional
- Treat this like a real job application — because it is
This programme can change your career direction if you take it seriously.
Career Growth Path After This Programme
Completing a graduate placement like this can open doors to roles such as:
- Agricultural Technician
- Farm or Production Supervisor
- Extension Officer
- Agricultural Administrator
- Quality Assurance Officer
- Agribusiness Officer
- Junior Animal Production Specialist
Many graduates go on to:
- Permanent employment
- Further SETA-funded training
- Postgraduate studies
- Entrepreneurship in farming or agri-processing
Experience is often the missing link — and this programme helps you build it.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Is this a permanent job?
No. It is a 12-month graduate placement, not a permanent position.
- Can I apply if I’ve done an internship before?
The advert does not explicitly exclude previous internships, but preference is usually given to those needing first-time exposure.
- Will I get a certificate after completion?
Most SETA-supported placements provide completion confirmation, which strengthens your CV significantly.
- Can I apply if I’m still studying?
No. You must have completed your qualification.
- Is the programme available nationwide?
Placements depend on available host sites, but applications are open nationally.
CLOSING DATE: 21 JANUARY 2026
You can also:
- View latest Internships
- View latest Learnerships
- View Latest Bursaries
- View latest Government jobs
- View latest Company Vacancies
- View latest Municipality vacancies
- Visit the Edupstairs blog for daily updates
Disclaimer
- Edupstairs is not the appointing authority
- We do not influence selection decisions
- Always verify details directly with the organisation
- Never pay anyone to “secure” placement — this programme is free to apply
EDUPSTAIRS IS A REGISTERED NON-PROFIT ORGANISATION NPO No: 232 – 182, PUBLIC BENEFIT ORGANISATION (PBO): 930066984. EDUPSTAIRS DOES NOT, IN ANY WAY OR FORM, SOLICIT MONEY OR CV’S FROM PEOPLE FOR JOBS. PLEASE BE AWARE OF PHONY JOB POSTINGS AND RECRUITMENT FRAUD. FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT OUR SCAM/FRAUD ALERT PAGE HERE