The Municipal Infrastructure Support Agent (MISA) has opened applications for its Apprenticeship and Experiential Learnership Programme for the 2026/2027 financial year.
The opportunity covers several pathways for unemployed young people, including Electrical, Plumbing, Bricklaying, Motor Mechanic and Diesel Mechanic apprenticeships. MISA is also accepting applications from unemployed technical graduates seeking workplace experience and students who require Work Integrated Learning (WIL) to complete their qualifications.
The apprenticeship programme is structured as a three-year learnership, while the technical graduate route provides two-year internship opportunities. WIL placements can run for approximately 12 to 24 months, depending on academic requirements.
Applications close on 28 September 2026 at 16:00, and applicants must use the prescribed MISA application process.
Quick Opportunity Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Organisation | Municipal Infrastructure Support Agent (MISA) |
| Department | Department of Cooperative Governance |
| Financial year | 2026/2027 |
| Programme | Apprenticeship and Experiential Learnership Programme |
| Apprenticeship duration | 3 years |
| Graduate technical internship | 2 years |
| WIL duration | Approximately 12–24 months |
| Apprenticeship fields | Electrical, Plumbing, Bricklaying, Motor Mechanic, Diesel Mechanic |
| Target group | Unemployed youth, technical graduates and WIL students |
| Placement | MISA-identified municipalities/participating organisations |
| Application method | MISA application form and supporting documents |
| Closing date | 28 September 2026 |
| Closing time | 16:00 |
| Late applications | Not accepted |
MISA’s official programme page confirms these three main pathways and the applicable durations.
About the Opportunity
MISA is a government component within the Department of Cooperative Governance that provides technical support and capacity development to municipalities.
Its youth programmes are connected to technical skills needed for municipal infrastructure, including areas such as engineering, construction, maintenance and other built-environment activities.
The 2026/2027 intake therefore combines apprenticeship training with workplace-based opportunities for graduates and students.
Successful apprenticeship candidates undergo both on-the-job and off-the-job training and are placed with municipalities for the duration of their learnership.
Who Can Apply?
The programme has different eligibility routes depending on the opportunity.
Apprenticeship applicants
The apprenticeship programme is aimed primarily at unemployed youth from TVET Colleges and accredited training institutions who have qualifications relevant to the advertised trades.
Applicants must compare their academic background with the requirements of the specific trade.
Technical graduates
MISA offers a two-year work-based internship route for unemployed graduates from universities, universities of technology and TVET Colleges whose qualifications are relevant to municipal infrastructure operations and maintenance.
WIL students
The experiential programme also accommodates students who require workplace experience to complete their qualifications.
WIL applicants should be able to provide confirmation from their institution where this workplace experience is an academic requirement.
Requirements
The apprenticeship requirements differ according to the trade.
Electrical Apprenticeship
The published requirements include recognised technical pathways such as:
- Engineering Science or full N2 Engineering with relevant trade theory;
- SETA-quality-assured technical trade-theory programmes equivalent to NQF Level 3;
- Relevant Engineering NC(V) qualifications;
- Technical Grade 11 with the specified subjects; or
- Relevant N6 trade theory or National Technical Diploma routes.
Reference: 2026/01
Plumbing Apprenticeship
Applicants must meet the specified engineering or trade-theory requirements for the plumbing apprenticeship, including recognised N2, NC(V), technical Grade 11 or relevant N6/National Technical Diploma routes.
Reference: 2026/02
Bricklaying Apprenticeship
Applicants interested in bricklaying must meet MISA’s specified technical and trade-theory requirements.
Reference: 2026/03
Motor Mechanic Apprenticeship
Applicants must meet the applicable engineering and trade-theory requirements for the Motor Mechanic route.
Reference: 2026/04
Diesel Mechanic Apprenticeship
The published requirements include routes such as:
- Technical Grade 12 with Mathematics;
- Full N2 Engineering with relevant trade theory; or
- N3 Engineering with the specified relevant trade theory.
Reference: 2026/05
Because requirements vary by trade, applicants should not assume that any engineering or technical qualification automatically qualifies them.
Stipend/Salary
The 2026/2027 advert information reviewed does not disclose a specific monthly stipend amount for each pathway.
Applicants should therefore not rely on amounts published for previous MISA intakes.
MISA’s broader programme information confirms that its apprenticeship, experiential learner and graduate programmes provide financial support, but the current opportunity should be checked against the official 2026/2027 advert for the exact applicable terms.
Duration
The programme has different durations:
- Apprenticeship: Three-year learnership.
- Technical graduate experiential programme: Two years.
- WIL: Approximately 12–24 months, depending on the student’s academic requirements.
MISA confirms these programme structures on its official 2026/2027 programme page.
Location
Successful apprenticeship candidates are placed with MISA-identified municipalities.
The programme is therefore not simply an office-based opportunity at MISA’s Centurion headquarters.
MISA states that apprenticeship learners will be placed with municipalities for the duration of their contracts. WIL and experiential learners may also be placed in municipalities or other participating organisations where appropriate workplace exposure is available.
Applicants should identify an appropriate municipality from the applicable MISA list when completing their application.
Documents Required
Applicants should prepare the documents required by MISA, including:
- Completed MISA application form;
- Correct reference number for the trade or programme;
- Name of the preferred municipality;
- Curriculum vitae;
- Certified copies of relevant qualifications;
- Certified copy of South African ID;
- Proof of residential address; and
- Where applicable, a letter from the institution confirming the need or approval for WIL.
MISA instructs applicants to submit the required documents as one organised application package.
How to Apply
Applicants must complete the official MISA application form and submit the required supporting documents using the email address applicable to their chosen programme or trade.
The application form and programme information are available through MISA’s official website. MISA also provides an email through which applicants can request the application form.
Apprenticeship application emails
| Trade | Reference | |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical | 2026/01 | CB.electrical@misa.gov.za |
| Plumbing | 2026/02 | CB.plumbing@misa.gov.za |
| Bricklaying | 2026/03 | CB.bricklaying@misa.gov.za |
| Motor Mechanic | 2026/04 | CB.motor@misa.gov.za |
| Diesel Mechanic | 2026/05 | CB.diesel@misa.gov.za |
Experiential Learnership
The published programme information provides these references for experiential applications:
- 2026a – CB.electrical01@misa.gov.za
- 2026b – CB.civil@misa.gov.za
- 2026c – CB.town@misa.gov.za
Applicants should use the reference that corresponds with their programme and ensure the application form is completed correctly.
Do not send only a CV. MISA requires the prescribed application form together with the supporting documents.
Closing Date
Applications close on:
28 September 2026 at 16:00.
MISA states that applications received after the deadline will not be considered.
Applicants should avoid waiting until the final day, particularly where certified documents or an institutional WIL confirmation letter still need to be obtained.
Important Things to Know Before Applying
Choose the correct pathway
MISA’s intake contains several different programmes. An apprenticeship applicant should not apply as though they are applying for the graduate experiential programme, and WIL students have separate academic requirements.
Check the reference number
Each apprenticeship trade has its own reference number. Using the wrong reference could make it difficult for MISA to process the application correctly.
Select a municipality carefully
Applicants are expected to indicate the municipality where they would prefer to be placed from the applicable MISA list. A preferred municipality is not necessarily a guarantee of placement there.
WIL applicants need institutional confirmation
Students who require WIL to complete their qualifications should include the required confirmation from their institution.
There is no guaranteed permanent job
MISA states that participation in the programme does not guarantee employment after qualification.
Physical applications are not accepted
The published instructions state that faxed, posted and hand-delivered applications will not be accepted. Applications should follow the specified email process.
Who Should Consider This Opportunity?
The MISA intake is particularly relevant to:
- Unemployed TVET College learners with relevant technical qualifications;
- Young people pursuing artisan careers;
- Applicants interested in electrical, plumbing or construction trades;
- Motor and diesel mechanic candidates;
- Unemployed graduates in relevant technical fields;
- University and university of technology graduates seeking workplace exposure; and
- Students who need WIL to complete a technical qualification.
The strongest applicants are those who carefully match their qualification and academic requirements to the specific MISA pathway rather than applying broadly to unrelated trades.
Final Thoughts
The MISA Apprenticeship and Experiential Learnership Programme gives unemployed youth, technical graduates and WIL students several routes into practical workplace experience during the 2026/2027 financial year.
The apprenticeship component covers five trades, while the experiential programme provides opportunities for technical graduates and students who need workplace learning.
The most important step is to identify the correct programme, reference number and municipality before submitting the application.
Applications close at 16:00 on 28 September 2026, and incomplete or incorrectly submitted applications may not be considered.
Official Source and Application
The Municipal Infrastructure Support Agent (MISA) publishes its apprenticeship and experiential learnership information on its official website.
Official MISA Apprenticeship & Learnership Programmes:
MISA Apprenticeship & Learnership Programmes
MISA’s official page provides access to the 2026/2027 advert, application form and participating municipality information.
Applicants should use MISA’s official documentation as the final authority if any requirement or application instruction changes.
Related Youthscope Content
- TVET College opportunities
- Apprenticeships in South Africa
- Learnerships for unemployed youth
- Graduate internships
- Work Integrated Learning opportunities
Author/Updated Information
Author: Mbalizuke Nkosi
Publication date: 8 September 2026
Last updated: 8 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.
Through informative and professionally curated content, YouthScope.co.za aims to equip young people with the knowledge and resources needed to make informed decisions about their education and future careers.
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