The application deadline was 07 August 2026.
The Education Labour Relations Council is accepting applications from unemployed South African graduates for its 2026/2027 internship programme. Placements are available across Internal Audit, Dispute Management Services, Finance, Supply Chain Management, Information and Communication Technology, and Collective Bargaining Services.
The programme will run for 24 months at the ELRC Head Office in Centurion, Gauteng. Applicants must hold a relevant National Diploma or Degree, be between 18 and 35 years old, and must not have participated previously in a graduate internship funded by a government department or Sector Education and Training Authority.
Applications for the Education Labour Relations Council internships 2026/2027 close on 07 August 2026 at 16:00. Applications may be submitted by email, post or hand delivery, but applicants must clearly identify the department for which they are applying.
Description
The Education Labour Relations Council graduate internship programme is intended to help qualified graduates gain practical workplace exposure connected to their completed fields of study. The programme is not a permanent appointment and will run for a fixed period of 24 months.
Interns will be placed within one of six ELRC departments at the organisation’s Head Office in Centurion. A monthly stipend will be paid in accordance with ETDP SETA funding guidelines and the applicable ELRC policy. The official internship information does not provide the exact monthly amount.
Available Position(s)
Graduates must select the department that matches their completed qualification. Applicants should not submit a general application without indicating the internship department they want to join.
| Department | Accepted Fields of Study | Location | Job Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internal Audit | Internal Auditing, Accounting or Risk Management | Centurion, Gauteng | 24-month internship |
| Dispute Management Services | Labour Relations, Labour Law or Human Resources | Centurion, Gauteng | 24-month internship |
| Finance | Accounting, Financial Management or Cost and Management Accounting | Centurion, Gauteng | 24-month internship |
| Supply Chain Management | Supply Chain Management, Logistics or Procurement Management | Centurion, Gauteng | 24-month internship |
| Information and Communication Technology | Information Technology, Computer Science, Information Systems or Cyber Security | Centurion, Gauteng | 24-month internship |
| Collective Bargaining Services | Administration or Human Resources | Centurion, Gauteng | 24-month internship |
About Company
The official Education Labour Relations Council website describes the ELRC as a bargaining council serving South Africa’s public education sector. Its work includes facilitating collective bargaining, supporting labour peace and providing dispute prevention and resolution services.
The Council works with important public education stakeholders, including the Department of Basic Education, trade unions, educators and provincial education departments. Its organisational functions include collective bargaining, dispute management, financial administration, governance, stakeholder engagement and internal support services.
The ELRC was established within the framework of the Labour Relations Act 66 of 1995. Applicants who want to understand the Council’s mandate in more detail can review the official ELRC organisation profile.
Eligibility
The Education Labour Relations Council internships 2026/2027 are aimed at graduates who are currently unemployed and require workplace experience related to their qualifications.
To be considered, an applicant must:
- Be a South African citizen.
- Be between 18 and 35 years old.
- Be unemployed at the time of applying.
- Hold a relevant National Diploma or Degree from a recognised institution.
- Apply for a department that matches the completed qualification.
- Have good communication and interpersonal abilities.
- Be computer literate.
- Be willing and available to work at the ELRC Head Office in Centurion.
- Not have participated previously in a graduate internship funded by a SETA or government department.
Holding a qualification does not automatically guarantee selection. The Council will assess applications against the relevant department’s educational requirements and its recruitment process.
Responsibilities
The internship notice identifies the participating departments and accepted qualifications but does not provide a separate day-to-day duty list for each placement. Work exposure will be connected to the department in which the graduate is appointed.
An Internal Audit graduate, for example, can expect workplace learning connected to internal controls, auditing, accounting or organisational risk. Dispute Management Services placements will be aligned with labour relations, labour law or human resources, while Finance interns will gain exposure relevant to accounting and financial management.
Supply Chain Management placements will support learning in procurement, logistics and supply chain administration. ICT graduates will work in an environment relevant to information technology, computer systems, information systems or cyber security. Collective Bargaining Services placements will suit graduates with Administration or Human Resources qualifications.
Regardless of department, interns will be expected to complete assigned work professionally, follow organisational procedures, cooperate with colleagues and use the programme as a structured workplace-learning period.
Qualifications
A completed National Diploma or Degree in a relevant field is required. Applicants should compare their qualification with the department-specific requirements before submitting an application.
Internal Audit Department
- National Diploma or Degree in Internal Auditing;
- National Diploma or Degree in Accounting; or
- National Diploma or Degree in Risk Management.
Dispute Management Services Department
- National Diploma or Degree in Labour Relations;
- National Diploma or Degree in Labour Law; or
- National Diploma or Degree in Human Resources.
Finance Department
- National Diploma or Degree in Accounting;
- National Diploma or Degree in Financial Management; or
- National Diploma or Degree in Cost and Management Accounting.
Supply Chain Management Department
- National Diploma or Degree in Supply Chain Management;
- National Diploma or Degree in Logistics; or
- National Diploma or Degree in Procurement Management.
Information and Communication Technology Department
- National Diploma or Degree in Information Technology;
- National Diploma or Degree in Computer Science;
- National Diploma or Degree in Information Systems; or
- National Diploma or Degree in Cyber Security.
Collective Bargaining Services Department
- National Diploma or Degree in Administration; or
- National Diploma or Degree in Human Resources.
Applicants should submit certified copies of their completed qualifications. An academic record must also be included where applicable.
Experience
Previous professional experience is not listed as a compulsory requirement for the Education Labour Relations Council graduate internship programme. The opportunity is specifically directed at unemployed graduates who need practical workplace exposure.
There is, however, an important restriction. A person who has already participated in a graduate internship funded by a SETA or government department does not meet the stated selection criteria.
Applicants should provide accurate information about any previous internships, learnerships or government-funded graduate programmes. Misrepresenting previous participation could affect the application or later appointment process.
Skills
The Council is looking for graduates who can apply their academic knowledge while learning how to operate in a professional environment. The internship information highlights the following competencies:
- Clear verbal communication;
- Professional written communication;
- Planning and organisational ability;
- Analytical thinking;
- Problem-solving ability;
- Computer literacy;
- Good interpersonal skills;
- Ability to work independently;
- Ability to contribute as part of a team;
- Professional conduct and integrity; and
- Willingness to learn and accept guidance.
Applicants can demonstrate these skills through academic projects, volunteer work, student leadership, part-time employment or practical assignments. Any examples included in the CV should be truthful and relevant to the selected department.
Job Benefits
The main benefit of the programme is 24 months of structured workplace exposure within a statutory organisation operating in South Africa’s public education sector. Graduates will have an opportunity to apply what they studied while developing practical administrative and professional skills.
Successful interns will also receive a monthly stipend. Payment will be determined according to ETDP SETA funding guidelines and ELRC policy. Since a specific Rand amount was not published in the available internship details, applicants should not rely on unofficial salary estimates.
The advertisement does not promise permanent employment after completion. Applicants should view the appointment as a fixed-term development programme rather than a guaranteed route to a permanent ELRC position.
Useful Information
Applications must be complete and submitted through one of the accepted methods before the deadline. Prepare the documents early because certified copies, attachment limits and postal delivery times can cause delays.
The application should include:
- A comprehensive and updated Curriculum Vitae;
- Certified copies of relevant qualifications;
- A certified copy of the applicant’s South African identity document;
- An academic record, where applicable; and
- A clear indication of the department being applied for.
Applications should be marked “Confidential” and addressed to the HR Department. Email submissions must not exceed 5MB, so applicants may need to combine or compress documents without making them difficult to read.
Women and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply in line with the Council’s employment-equity commitments. The ELRC also reserves the right not to make an appointment.
Applicants who do not receive a response within 30 days after the closing date should accept that their application was unsuccessful. Candidates should never pay an application, processing, placement or training fee to apply for an ELRC internship.
How to Apply
Start by reviewing the original ELRC Internship Programme 2026 advertisement. Confirm that your qualification matches one of the listed departments before preparing the supporting documents.
- Update your CV with your education, relevant skills, academic projects and any genuine work or volunteer experience.
- Obtain certified copies of your South African ID and completed qualifications.
- Attach an academic record where it applies to your qualification or application.
- Clearly state the selected internship department in the application.
- Mark the application “Confidential” and address it to the HR Department.
- Submit the documents by email, post or hand delivery before 16:00 on 07 August 2026.
Email Applications
Applications may be emailed to recruitment.hr@elrc.org.za.
The total size of the email and its attachments must not exceed 5MB. Use a clear subject line that identifies the programme and selected department, such as:
ELRC Internship 2026/2027 – Finance Department
Postal Applications
Postal applications may be sent to:
HR Department
Education Labour Relations Council
Private Bag X126
Centurion
0046
Applicants using the postal method must allow enough delivery time for the application to arrive before the closing date. Posting an application before the deadline does not necessarily mean it will be received on time.
Hand-Delivered Applications
Applications may be delivered by hand to:
Education Labour Relations Council Building
261 West Avenue
Centurion
Gauteng
For recruitment-related enquiries, applicants may contact Mr Nkanyiso Mhlungu on (012) 663-7446. Use the contact details for genuine questions that are not already answered in the official notice.
Closing date: 07 August 2026 at 16:00.
Late or incomplete applications may not be considered. Before submitting, check that the selected department is clearly stated and that all attached documents are legible.
Final Summary
The Education Labour Relations Council internships 2026/2027 provide 24-month placements for unemployed South African graduates in Centurion. Available fields include Internal Auditing, Accounting, Risk Management, Labour Relations, Labour Law, Human Resources, Financial Management, Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Procurement, Information Technology, Computer Science, Information Systems, Cyber Security and Administration.
Applicants must be South African citizens between 18 and 35, hold a relevant National Diploma or Degree and have no previous participation in a SETA- or government-funded graduate internship. A monthly stipend will be paid according to ETDP SETA guidelines and ELRC policy, although the exact amount has not been specified.
Applications must reach the HR Department by 07 August 2026 at 16:00. Graduates can apply by email, post or hand delivery after preparing their CV, certified identity document, certified qualifications and academic record where applicable.
Official Sources
Applicants should use the official pages below to verify the internship requirements, application deadline, submission instructions and information about the Education Labour Relations Council.
| Official Source | Information Available |
|---|---|
| Original ELRC Internship Programme 2026 advertisement | Internship departments, eligibility requirements, qualifications, programme duration and application information. |
| ELRC vacancies page | Current and recently published recruitment notices from the Education Labour Relations Council. |
| Official ELRC website | General information about the Council, its services, publications, contact details and public education mandate. |
| About the Education Labour Relations Council | Information about the Council’s role in collective bargaining, labour peace and dispute resolution. |
| Labour Relations Act 66 of 1995 | The official legislation governing labour relations, collective bargaining and bargaining councils in South Africa. |
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Which ELRC internship departments are accepting applications?
Applications are available for Internal Audit, Dispute Management Services, Finance, Supply Chain Management, Information and Communication Technology, and Collective Bargaining Services.
2. Where will the interns be based?
The Education Labour Relations Council internships will be based at the ELRC Head Office in Centurion, Gauteng. Applicants must be willing to work from this location.
3. What is the closing date for ELRC internships 2026/2027?
Applications close on 07 August 2026 at 16:00. Documents must reach the HR Department before the deadline.
4. Which qualifications are accepted?
The programme accepts relevant National Diplomas or Degrees in fields including Internal Auditing, Accounting, Risk Management, Labour Relations, Labour Law, Human Resources, Financial Management, Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Procurement Management, Information Technology, Computer Science, Information Systems, Cyber Security and Administration.
5. Is previous work experience required?
No specific professional experience requirement is stated. The programme is aimed at unemployed graduates, but applicants must not have participated previously in a SETA- or government-funded graduate internship.
6. How can graduates apply?
Applications may be emailed to recruitment.hr@elrc.org.za, posted to Private Bag X126, Centurion, 0046, or delivered by hand to the ELRC Building at 261 West Avenue in Centurion.
7. Which documents must be submitted?
Applicants need a comprehensive CV, certified copies of qualifications, a certified South African identity document and an academic record where applicable. The selected internship department must be clearly identified.
