Internships and your first job · 2 min read
City of Cape Town graduate internship database: how to prepare
Understand the City’s graduate and student pathways and check the next application window.
The City of Cape Town maintains a graduate and student internship database for suitably qualified residents. Its official page says the application period closed on 30 September 2026. Use this guide to prepare for a future opening; it is not an announcement that registration is open.
Understand the pathways
The City describes several routes: a skills programme, work-integrated learning and graduate internships. Work-integrated learning is intended to connect study with workplace experience when that experience is needed for a qualification. The graduate programme is described as a skills-transfer opportunity for people with completed higher-education qualifications. Check the exact criteria for the relevant route.
The same official page lists different qualification descriptions for graduate internships, so applicants should ask the City which qualifications are accepted for a specific opportunity rather than relying on a generic summary.
Prepare for the next window
Keep your CV, identification and qualification records accessible. A student seeking work-integrated learning may need a letter from their institution and academic results, according to the City’s page. Check the current notice for document certification, residency and other requirements.
Clarify pay and placement
The City says some work-integrated-learning placements may be paid and others unpaid depending on the budget. Ask about the terms of the specific placement, duration, transport and reporting location before accepting. Registration on a database does not guarantee an interview or position.
Use the City’s own website and contact details to check when registration reopens. Do not pay an intermediary for a promised placement.