SMU Apprenticeships, Internships and WIL Programme 2026
Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) is inviting suitably qualified unemployed South African applicants to apply for 38 workplace-learning opportunities within its Built Environment Department.
The programme includes apprenticeships, internships and Work Integrated Learning opportunities across areas such as construction management, architecture, quantity surveying, civil and electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, artisan trades, health and safety, horticulture and environmental management.
Successful applicants will be appointed on 24-month contracts, providing an opportunity to gain practical workplace experience within the university environment.
Applications must be submitted by email and applicants need to quote the correct reference number for the opportunity they are applying for.
Quick Overview
| Programme Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Organisation | Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University |
| Department | Built Environment Department |
| Programme | DHET-SMU Apprenticeship Recruitment Programme 2026 |
| Opportunities | 38 |
| Opportunity types | Apprenticeships, internships and WIL |
| Contract duration | 24 months |
| Location | SMU, Gauteng, South Africa |
| Applicants | Unemployed South African applicants |
| Application method | |
| Closing date | 18 September 2026 at 16:00 |
About the SMU Built Environment Programme
The DHET-SMU Apprenticeship Recruitment Programme brings together a range of workplace-learning opportunities within the university’s Built Environment Department.
The available positions cover both professional disciplines and technical trades. This means the programme is relevant to applicants with qualifications ranging from N6 and National Diploma level through to BEng, BTech, BSc and other higher relevant qualifications, depending on the position.
Successful candidates will receive practical exposure in their respective areas over a 24-month contract period.
Available SMU Opportunities
The 38 positions are distributed across the following fields:
| Position | Reference | Posts | Minimum Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|
| Construction Management | 60/2026/KM/Intern | 3 | Diploma, BEng or higher in Construction Science, Construction Management or Building Sciences |
| Architect | 61/2026/KM/Intern | 3 | Diploma, BEng or higher in Architectural Studies |
| Quantity Surveyor | 62/2026/KM/Intern | 2 | Diploma, BEng or higher in Construction Economics, Quantity Surveying or Building Sciences |
| Civil Engineer | 63/2026/KM/Intern | 3 | Civil Engineering N6, Diploma, BEng or higher |
| Electrical Engineer | 64/2026/KM/Intern | 5 | Electrical Engineering N6, Diploma, BEng or higher |
| Mechanical Engineer / HVAC | 65/2026/KM/Intern | 4 | Mechanical Engineering N6, Diploma, BEng or higher |
| Plumbing | 66/2026/KM/Intern | 4 | N6, National Diploma or higher; trade certificate advantageous |
| Welding / Boilermaking | 67/2026/KM/Intern | 3 | N6, National Diploma or higher; trade certificate advantageous |
| Carpentry | 68/2026/KM/Intern | 3 | N6, National Diploma or higher; trade certificate advantageous |
| HVAC Artisan / Refrigeration Tradesperson | 69/2026/KM/Intern | 3 | N6, National Diploma or higher; trade certificate advantageous |
| Health and Safety | 70/2026/KM/Intern | 2 | Occupational Health and Safety, NEBOSH Level 6 or relevant qualification |
| Horticulturist | 71/2026/KM/Intern | 2 | Diploma in Horticulture, Landscape Management or related technology qualification |
| Environmental Officer | 72/2026/KM/Intern | 2 | Diploma, BTech or BSc in Environmental Sciences, Environmental Management or Environmental Engineering |
| Irrigation Specialist / Agricultural Engineer | 73/2026/KM/Intern | 1 | Diploma/Degree in Agricultural Engineering, NQF Level 6 or relevant National Certificate |
Total opportunities: 38
Construction Management — 3 Posts
Reference: 60/2026/KM/Intern
Applicants need a Diploma, BEng or higher qualification in Construction Science, Construction Management or Building Sciences.
Architecture — 3 Posts
Reference: 61/2026/KM/Intern
Applicants require a Diploma, BEng or higher qualification in Architectural Studies.
Quantity Surveying — 2 Posts
Reference: 62/2026/KM/Intern
The position is aimed at applicants with qualifications in Construction Economics, Quantity Surveying or Building Sciences at Diploma, BEng or higher level.
Civil Engineering — 3 Posts
Reference: 63/2026/KM/Intern
Eligible qualifications include Civil Engineering N6, Diploma, BEng or a higher relevant qualification.
Electrical Engineering — 5 Posts
Reference: 64/2026/KM/Intern
Applicants may qualify with Electrical Engineering N6, Diploma, BEng or a higher relevant qualification.
This is the largest single allocation in the advertised programme, with five positions available.
Mechanical Engineering / HVAC — 4 Posts
Reference: 65/2026/KM/Intern
Applicants require Mechanical Engineering N6, Diploma, BEng or a higher relevant qualification.
Plumbing — 4 Posts
Reference: 66/2026/KM/Intern
Applicants need an N6, National Diploma or higher relevant qualification.
A trade certificate is listed as an advantage.
Welding / Boilermaking — 3 Posts
Reference: 67/2026/KM/Intern
Applicants require an N6, National Diploma or higher relevant qualification.
A trade certificate will be advantageous.
Carpentry — 3 Posts
Reference: 68/2026/KM/Intern
Applicants need an N6, National Diploma or higher relevant qualification, with a trade certificate considered advantageous.
HVAC Artisan / Refrigeration — 3 Posts
Reference: 69/2026/KM/Intern
Applicants require an N6, National Diploma or higher relevant qualification. A relevant trade certificate is advantageous.
Health and Safety — 2 Posts
Reference: 70/2026/KM/Intern
Applicants should have a qualification in Occupational Health and Safety, NEBOSH Level 6 or another relevant qualification.
Horticulture — 2 Posts
Reference: 71/2026/KM/Intern
The position requires a Diploma in Horticulture, Landscape Management or a related technology qualification.
Environmental Officer — 2 Posts
Reference: 72/2026/KM/Intern
Applicants should have a Diploma, BTech or BSc in Environmental Sciences, Environmental Management or Environmental Engineering.
Irrigation Specialist / Agricultural Engineer — 1 Post
Reference: 73/2026/KM/Intern
Applicants may qualify with a Diploma or Degree in Agricultural Engineering, an NQF Level 6 qualification, or a National Certificate in Landscape Irrigation / Irrigation Installation and Management.
General Requirements
According to the supplied advert, applicants must:
- Be South African citizens.
- Be unemployed.
- Be new entrants to the workplace programme.
- Not have previously worked or held an internship position.
- Be able to work independently.
- Be able to work as part of a multidisciplinary team.
Applicants should also review the qualification requirements for their specific position because the minimum academic requirements differ between opportunities.
Skills and Competencies
The programme seeks applicants who can demonstrate:
- Good time management.
- Client focus.
- Results orientation.
- Ability to work under pressure.
- Report-writing ability.
- Good communication skills.
- Interpersonal skills.
- Attention to detail.
- Willingness to learn and adapt.
These competencies may be particularly relevant in a workplace environment involving multiple professional and technical disciplines.
Duties and Workplace Experience
Successful candidates may be involved in activities connected to their respective Built Environment placements.
The supplied information indicates that participants may:
- Support Built Environment projects.
- Participate in meetings.
- Attend workshops and training sessions.
- Assist with project coordination.
- Provide administrative support.
- Contribute to departmental initiatives.
Specific technical responsibilities will depend on the applicant’s field and placement.
Stipend or Salary
Not disclosed in the supplied advert information.
Applicants should therefore not assume a particular stipend or salary unless it is confirmed by SMU.
Contract Duration
Successful candidates will be appointed on 24-month contracts.
The programme is intended to provide practical workplace exposure within the university environment.
Documents Required
Applicants must submit:
- A comprehensive CV.
- Certified copies of all qualifications.
- Contact details for three referees.
Applicants should ensure that the documents are complete and that they quote the correct reference number for the position being applied for.
How to Apply for SMU Apprenticeships and Internships 2026
Applications must be submitted by email.
Applicants should address their applications for the attention of:
Mr K Mothabela
Send the application to:
Important Application Step
The correct reference number must be clearly quoted for the opportunity being applied for.
For example:
- Electrical Engineering — 64/2026/KM/Intern
- Civil Engineering — 63/2026/KM/Intern
- Plumbing — 66/2026/KM/Intern
- Construction Management — 60/2026/KM/Intern
Applicants interested in another position should use the corresponding reference number from the table above.
Application Closing Date
The SMU Apprenticeship, Internship and WIL applications close on:
18 September 2026 at 16:00
Applications should be submitted before the stated closing time.
Important Things to Know Before Applying
- There are 38 opportunities across multiple Built Environment fields.
- The programme includes apprenticeships, internships and Work Integrated Learning.
- Contracts are for 24 months.
- The advertised programme is aimed at unemployed South African applicants.
- Applicants must meet the qualification requirements for their selected position.
- The correct reference number is important when submitting an application.
- A comprehensive CV, certified qualifications and three referee contacts are required according to the supplied advert.
- The stipend or salary is not disclosed in the information provided.
- Applications close at 16:00 on 18 September 2026.
Who Should Consider Applying?
The programme may be relevant to unemployed South Africans who have qualifications or training in areas such as:
- Construction management
- Architecture
- Quantity surveying
- Civil engineering
- Electrical engineering
- Mechanical engineering
- Plumbing
- Welding
- Boilermaking
- Carpentry
- HVAC and refrigeration
- Occupational health and safety
- Horticulture
- Environmental management
- Agricultural engineering
- Irrigation
Applicants should apply only for positions where they meet the stated qualification requirements.
Final Thoughts
The SMU Built Environment Programme 2026 offers 38 workplace-learning opportunities across professional, engineering, construction, environmental and artisan-related disciplines.
With contracts running for 24 months, the programme can provide practical workplace exposure to qualifying unemployed South Africans. The most important step is to identify the position that matches your qualification and use its correct reference number when submitting your application.
The deadline is 18 September 2026 at 16:00, so applicants should prepare their CV, certified qualifications and referee details before applying.
Written by: Mbalizuke Nkosi
Published: 13 September 2026
Information checked: 13 September 2026
Mbalizuke Nkosi is the editorial voice behind YouthScope.co.za, a South African youth-focused platform dedicated to providing reliable information on opportunities, education, and career development. The platform serves students, graduates, job seekers, and young professionals by delivering accurate, timely, and easy-to-understand content.
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