The South African National Energy Development Institute (SANEDI) invites applications from 300 learners to participate in the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) Skills Development Programme. The opportunity is aimed at unemployed South African youth who meet the minimum educational and eligibility requirements.
The programme will be implemented across KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng, Western Cape, Mpumalanga, Limpopo, Northern Cape and Free State. Applicants who are selected will participate in an intensive 10-day EPC Skills Development Programme designed to provide foundational knowledge and practical skills related to Energy Performance Certificates and building energy-performance data collection.
Applications close on 18 September 2026.
Programme Details
Learnership: EPC SDP Learners (x300)
Programme: Programme 3 – EEDSM
Division: EPC Skills Development Programme (SDP)
Opportunity: EPC SDP Learners
Number of Learners: 300
Training Level: NQF Level 4
Programme Duration: 10 weekdays
Expected Start Date: From 12 October 2026
Monthly Stipend: No monthly stipend
Transport Allowance: Not guaranteed
Training Locations: Participating TVET Colleges in selected provinces
Provinces: KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng, Western Cape, Mpumalanga, Limpopo, Northern Cape and Free State
Closing Date: 18 September 2026
SANEDI EPC Skills Development Programme
The EPC Skills Development Programme forms part of a national initiative aimed at supporting the implementation of regulations relating to the mandatory display and submission of Energy Performance Certificates for certain buildings.
The regulations were initially promulgated on 8 December 2020 and subsequently amended on 25 November 2022 and 3 August 2023. The regulatory framework provides for Energy Performance Certificates to support the assessment and improvement of energy performance in buildings.
The Skills Development Programme is intended to create a pool of trained unemployed graduates who can assist building owners, accounting officers, energy specialists and qualified EPC professionals with activities associated with EPC compliance.
Learners will receive introductory training in EPC fundamentals and building energy-performance data collection. The training is intended to provide practical exposure to gathering, recording, capturing and checking information required for EPC-related activities.
The programme is coordinated by the Department of Electricity and Energy (DEE) and the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, with implementation by SANEDI through a Programme Management Unit.
The programme will be offered in KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng, Western Cape, Mpumalanga, Limpopo, Northern Cape and Free State.
Applicants are encouraged to apply within the province where they reside. However, SANEDI reserves the right to place or transfer successful learners to another location within the programme where operational requirements make this necessary.
Purpose of the Programme
The main purpose of the EPC Skills Development Programme is to equip unemployed South Africans with foundational knowledge and practical skills that can be used to support EPC-related activities.
Learners will be introduced to the collection and analysis of information required for building registration and assessment. Training will also cover the collection and capturing of building energy-performance information according to prescribed EPC requirements.
Participants may gain exposure to areas such as:
- EPC fundamentals
- Building information gathering
- Energy-performance data collection
- Data capturing
- Data verification
- Quality assurance
- Supporting EPC-related activities
- Building energy-use information
- Energy-efficiency assessment support
The programme also aims to create a potential pathway for participants who wish to develop further towards becoming EPC Practitioners, with a longer-term pathway towards registration as EPC Professionals.
10-Day Training Programme
The initial EPC Skills Development Programme will take place over 10 weekdays and is structured at NQF Level 4.
The training is designed to provide learners with a basic understanding of Energy Performance Certificates and the practical activities associated with collecting building information.
Participants will be expected to attend and complete the full programme. Field-based data collection activities may form part of the training or related practical activities.
The programme can provide unemployed learners with exposure to an emerging area within the energy-efficiency sector while developing practical skills that may be useful for future employment and further training.
Further Training Opportunity
The initial 10-day programme may provide an opportunity for high-performing learners to progress to additional training.
According to the programme information, top-performing learners will be selected to participate in a 12-month EPC training programme incorporating both theoretical learning and practical application of EPC knowledge.
Selection for the extended training will therefore depend on performance during the initial programme and the applicable selection process.
This creates a potential development pathway for learners interested in energy efficiency, building performance and Energy Performance Certificate-related work.
Minimum Requirements
Applicants must satisfy the following minimum requirements to be considered:
- Must be a South African citizen.
- Must be between 18 and 35 years old.
- Must currently be unemployed.
- Must have a Grade 12/Matric certificate or an NQF Level 4 equivalent qualification.
- Must have Mathematics or Mathematics Literacy at Grade 12/Matric or NQF Level 4.
- Must be willing and available to participate in the complete 10-day programme.
Meeting the minimum requirements does not automatically guarantee selection. Applicants may be assessed and selected according to the programme’s requirements and available opportunities.
Additional Requirements
Applicants should be comfortable working independently as well as working as part of a team.
A willingness to participate in field-based data collection is also required because EPC-related activities can involve gathering information from buildings and recording relevant building and energy-use data.
Successful applicants must also be willing to travel to designated locations when required.
Applicants are therefore encouraged to apply within their province of residence. However, placement may be determined according to operational requirements, and SANEDI reserves the right to place or transfer successful learners to other locations within the programme.
Provinces Covered
Applications are invited from eligible candidates in the following provinces:
- KwaZulu-Natal
- Gauteng
- Western Cape
- Mpumalanga
- Limpopo
- Northern Cape
- Free State
Applicants should carefully consider the location of participating training facilities and their ability to attend the programme for the entire duration.
Inclusion and Equal Opportunity
The EPC Skills Development Programme is intended to support inclusive participation in the energy sector.
Applications are encouraged from women, young people, persons with disabilities and LGBTQIA+ persons. Learners from rural areas are also strongly encouraged to apply.
The programme seeks to support participation in line with the objectives of a sustainable and just energy transition.
Selection decisions are intended to be made fairly and without discrimination based on disability status. Priority may be given to learners from historically disadvantaged backgrounds in line with employment equity objectives, while applications from South Africans of all races are welcomed.
What Successful Learners Can Gain
The programme can provide learners with foundational knowledge that may help them support qualified EPC professionals and energy specialists.
Training can expose participants to the practical process of collecting, recording, verifying and capturing building and energy-use information required for EPC and energy-efficiency assessments.
The skills developed through the programme may be relevant to organisations operating in the energy-efficiency and building-performance sectors.
The EPC Skills Development Data Collector qualification can potentially create opportunities in areas such as:
- Energy Service Companies (ESCOs)
- Energy consulting firms
- EPC-related organisations
- Energy-efficiency projects
- Building energy-performance activities
- EPC data collection and support services
Further education, training and professional development may also provide opportunities for learners seeking to progress within the energy-efficiency sector.
Stipend and Transport Information
Applicants should take note that the 10-day EPC Skills Development Programme does not provide a monthly stipend.
A transport allowance is also not guaranteed.
Candidates should therefore consider their ability to travel to the designated training location before applying.
There may also be a requirement to travel for field-based activities, depending on the operational needs of the programme.
Documents Required
Applicants must submit the required supporting documentation through the designated SANEDI application platform.
The following documents are required:
- Certified copy of Matric certificate or NQF Level 4 qualification
- Certified copy of South African identity document
Applicants should ensure that the documents are clear, valid and properly certified before submission.
Failure to provide the required documentation may affect the application.
Closing Date
The closing date for applications is: 18 September 2026
Applications submitted after the closing date may not be considered. Candidates should therefore ensure that the completed application and required documents are submitted before the deadline.
Important Information for Applicants
The expected training start date is from 12 October 2026, although the final arrangements and specific training details will be communicated to successful candidates.
Applicants should also understand that SANEDI reserves the right to place or transfer successful learners to locations within the programme based on operational requirements.
The initial training lasts 10 weekdays, and selected learners must be available for the full programme.
Applicants who are not contacted within 30 days after the closing date should consider their applications unsuccessful.
SANEDI EPC Learnership 2026 Summary
The SANEDI EPC Skills Development Programme provides 300 unemployed South Africans aged 18 to 35 with an opportunity to receive introductory training in Energy Performance Certificate-related activities.
The programme is particularly relevant to candidates interested in energy efficiency, building performance, environmental sustainability, technical data collection and the energy sector.
The initial programme lasts 10 weekdays and is conducted at participating TVET Colleges in selected provinces. High-performing learners may subsequently be considered for a 12-month EPC training programme involving theory and practical application.
Interested applicants should ensure that all eligibility requirements are met and that the required certified documents are submitted through the official SANEDI application platform before 18 September 2026.
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted online through the official SANEDI application page for the EPC Skills Development Programme.
Applicants should complete the application form and upload the required supporting documents before submitting the application.
It is advisable to complete the application well before the closing date to avoid possible last-minute technical difficulties.