Services SETA PowerX² 20 000 Internships 2025/2027

If you’ve been waiting for a breakthrough opportunity, THIS is it.
The Services SETA has officially launched one of South Africa’s largest internship programmes ever — the PowerX² 20 000 Internships Initiative, designed to connect 20 000 unemployed graduates with real workplace experience over 24 months.

This programme is not just another internship.
It is a national movement to bridge the gap between qualifications and actual work readiness, giving unemployed graduates a real chance to gain experience and employers an

Quick Overview

Programme	PowerX² – Services SETA 20 000 Internships
Duration	24 Months
Who Can Apply?	Graduates with NQF Level 4–7 qualifications from universities or TVET colleges
Status Needed	Must be unemployed
Host Employers	Private sector, public sector, NGOs, municipalities, government departments
Application Type	Expression of Interest (EOI) submitted online
Opening Date	21 November 2025
Closing Date	11 December 2025 at 16:00
Documents Needed?	Yes – after submitting EOI
Contact Email	powerx@serviceseta.org.za
Official Link	www.servicesseta.org.za/powerx2

What Is the PowerX² Internship Programme?

The PowerX² – Services SETA 20 000 Internships Initiative is a national graduate placement programme aimed at helping 20 000 South African graduates gain meaningful 24-month workplace experience.

It responds directly to one of South Africa’s biggest challenges:
graduates leaving school qualified, but not experienced enough to get hired.

The programme is aligned to:

NSDP 2030 (National Skills Development Plan)
The National Skills Development Strategy
The Services SETA mandate to improve access to workplace learning

Whether you studied HR, Marketing, Finance, Law, IT, Business Admin, Engineering, or ANY other field — ALL qualification fields will be considered, and placements will be matched based on workplace needs.

About Services SETA

The Services Sector Education and Training Authority (Services SETA) is one of South Africa’s 21 SETAs responsible for skills development in the services sector.

Their mandate includes:

Funding training
Expanding access to workplace experience
Supporting employers to upskill young people
Creating opportunities that boost employability

For years, Services SETA has funded learnerships, internships, bursaries, and skills programmes.
But PowerX² is their biggest internship rollout yet, strengthening their commitment to supporting both the labour market and unemployed graduates.

Who Can Apply as a Graduate?

To qualify, you must:

Have completed an NQF Level 4–7 qualification at a public university or public TVET college
Be unemployed at the time of applying
Be available for a 24-month internship
Be willing to be matched with a workplace anywhere in SA
Submit the Graduate Expression of Interest (EOI) online

Good news:
Whether you were previously funded or NOT funded by the Services SETA does NOT affect your eligibility.

Required Documents for Graduates (Submitted AFTER EOI)

After submitting your Expression of Interest, you will receive a secure upload link for the following:

Certified copy of your ID
Certified copy of your qualification / statement of results
Updated CV
Proof of residence
Bank confirmation letter

Employers Can Also Apply to Host Interns

Eligible host organisations include:

Private companies
Public entities
Government departments
Municipalities
Non-profit organisations
Universities & TVET colleges (as host sites)

Employer Requirements:

Must be COIDA-registered
Have OHS-compliant workplaces
Commit to hosting interns for 24 months
Provide workplace site details
Complete the Employer EOI
Participate in monitoring & reporting
All sites must undergo Workplace Approval Process

Required Employer Documents

Provided AFTER submitting EOI:

CIPC registration
SARS Tax Compliance PIN
CSD Summary
COIDA / Letter of Good Standing
OHS compliance evidence
List of workplace sites
Physical address of sites
ID of authorised representative

How to Apply: Step-By-Step

Step 1: Visit the Official Website

Go to: www.servicesseta.org.za/powerx2

Step 2: Select Your Category

Graduate
Employer

Step 3: Complete the Online EOI Form

Enter your personal or organisational details.

Step 4: Receive Confirmation Email

This will contain:

Your reference number
Secure upload link
List of required documents
Reminder of closing date

Step 5: Upload Your Documents Before Deadline

Step 6: Wait for Next Steps

You will receive further communication from Services SETA’s Programme Management Unit (PMU).

Why You Should Apply (Graduate Benefits)

24 months of real-world work experience
Exposure to professional workplaces
Impress future employers with actual experience
Increase your employability
Build networks
Gain confidence and skills
Access SETA-funded opportunities

This programme can multiply your chances of landing permanent employment.

Before you Apply, Check the Edupstairs Youth Tools Hub below that can be helpful in your application

Edupstairs Advice

If you want to stand out:

Prepare a clean, professional CV
Make sure your documents are certified on time
Use a valid email you check daily
Be ready to relocate if placed far from home
Apply early — don’t wait until the last day
Use Edupstairs tools (CV Builder, Cover Letter Generator, Internship Checklist)
Stay positive — this could be the opportunity that changes your life

Your breakthrough is closer than you think. Don’t miss the chance to be part of South Africa’s biggest internship rollout.

Career Growth Path After This Programme

After completing the 24-month internship, you can grow into:

Graduate Trainee roles
Entry-level positions (Admin, HR, Marketing, IT, Finance, Customer Service, etc.)
Supervisor roles
SETA-funded learnerships or skills programmes
Entrepreneurial opportunities
Industry-specific technical roles

Employers often hire interns permanently once they’ve seen their potential — your future career may begin here.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Will I get paid during this internship?

Most SETA internships include a stipend, but the amount will depend on employer arrangements.

Can I choose where I want to be placed?

No — placements depend on employer demand and workplace availability.

What if I studied a field not related to the services sector?

All qualification fields are accepted. Matching is based on employer needs.

Do I upload documents during the EOI stage?

No. Documents are uploaded AFTER you receive the secure link.

Can matriculants apply?

Only graduates with NQF Level 4–7 qualifications from public institutions can apply.

Must documents be certified?

Yes — both ID and qualifications must be certified.

Can employed graduates apply?

No — you must be unemployed at the time of applying.

How long is the internship?

The programme runs for 24 months.

Will late applications be accepted?

No. The system closes automatically at 16:00 on the deadline day.

Can private colleges apply?

Only graduates from public universities and public TVET colleges qualify.

CLOSING DATE: 11 DECEMBER 2025

You can also:

Disclaimers

Edupstairs does not recruit or place candidates for this programme.
Always apply directly using official Services SETA channels.
Avoid scammers asking for money — SETA programmes are completely free.
Always verify links and email addresses before submitting personal documents.

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