NERSA: Internship and Learnership Programmes 2026

NERSA

The National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) is inviting applications from suitably qualified and unemployed South African graduates for its 2026 Internship and Learnership Programmes. The programmes offer young graduates an opportunity to gain valuable workplace experience, develop professional skills and build practical knowledge in different fields.

A total of 21 departments and functional areas are included in this recruitment programme, covering fields such as Law, Information Technology, Human Resources, Finance, Accounting, Engineering, Communication, Supply Chain Management, Economics and International Relations.

Successful applicants will be appointed on a 24-month contract, providing an opportunity to gain meaningful exposure within a national regulatory institution.

Position Details

  • Position: Internship and Learnership Programme 2026
  • Duration: 24 Months
  • Stipend: Not Specified
  • Location: Pretoria, Gauteng
  • Closing Date: 16 November 2026

The programme is aimed at unemployed South African citizens who have completed Grade 12 and obtained a relevant tertiary qualification from a South African university.

Applications are now open, and interested candidates are encouraged to submit their applications before the closing date.

About the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA)

The National Energy Regulator of South Africa is responsible for regulating the energy industry in South Africa. Its regulatory responsibilities cover the electricity, piped gas and petroleum pipelines industries.

Through its Internship and Learnership Programmes, NERSA contributes to youth development and skills development by providing graduates with opportunities to gain workplace exposure.

The programmes are designed to help graduates develop relevant workplace competencies while gaining experience in their respective fields of study.

Candidates selected for these opportunities will have the chance to work in different departments and gain exposure to professional working environments.

Available Internship and Learnership Opportunities at NERSA

NERSA is recruiting interns and learners in the following departments:

1. Legal Advisory Services

Reference Number: LAS2026

Required qualification:

  • Grade 12 (Matric).
  • Bachelor of Laws (LLB), Bachelor of Arts in Law (NQF Level 7), or National Diploma in Law (NQF Level 6).

2. Information Communication and Technology

Reference Number: ICT2026

Required qualification:

  • Grade 12 (Matric).
  • Bachelor’s Degree (NQF Level 7) or National Diploma (NQF Level 6) in Information Technology or Information Management.

3. Information Resource Management

Reference Number: IRM2026

Required qualification:

  • Grade 12 (Matric).
  • Bachelor’s Degree (NQF Level 7) in Information Science or Information Management.

4. Communication and Stakeholder Management

Reference Number: CSM2026

Required qualification:

  • Grade 12 (Matric).
  • Bachelor’s Degree, BTech Degree or Advanced Diploma (NQF Level 7) in Communication, Public Relations, Marketing or Journalism.

5. Human Resources Management

Reference Number: HRM2026

Required qualification:

  • Grade 12 (Matric).
  • Bachelor’s Degree, BTech Degree or Advanced Diploma (NQF Level 7), or National Diploma (NQF Level 6) in Human Resources Management.

6. Internal Audit Unit

Reference Number: IAU2026

Required qualification:

  • Grade 12 (Matric).
  • Bachelor’s Degree, BTech Degree or Advanced Diploma (NQF Level 7), or National Diploma (NQF Level 6) in Auditing.

7. Regulatory Analysis and Research

Reference Number: RAR2026

Required qualification:

  • Grade 12 (Matric).
  • Bachelor’s Degree, BTech Degree or Advanced Diploma (NQF Level 7), or National Diploma (NQF Level 6) in Economics, Finance or Statistics.

8. Finance Management and Governance

Reference Number: FMG2026

Required qualification:

  • Grade 12 (Matric).
  • Bachelor’s Degree, BTech Degree or Advanced Diploma (NQF Level 7), or National Diploma (NQF Level 6) in Accounting.

9. Supply Chain Management, Facilities/Project

Reference Number: SCM2026

Required qualification:

  • Grade 12 (Matric).
  • Bachelor’s Degree, BTech Degree or Advanced Diploma (NQF Level 7), or National Diploma (NQF Level 6) in Supply Chain Management, Purchasing Management or Logistics Management.

10. Office of the CEO

Reference Number: CEO2026

Required qualification:

  • Grade 12 (Matric).
  • Bachelor’s Degree, BTech Degree or Advanced Diploma (NQF Level 7), or National Diploma (NQF Level 6) in Business Administration or Office Management.

11. Security Management

Reference Number: SM2026

Required qualification:

  • Grade 12 (Matric).
  • Bachelor’s Degree, BTech Degree or Advanced Diploma (NQF Level 7), or National Diploma (NQF Level 6) in Security Management, Security Risk Management, or Safety and Security Management.

12. International Relations

Reference Number: IR2026

Required qualification:

  • Grade 12 (Matric).
  • Bachelor’s Degree, BTech Degree or Advanced Diploma (NQF Level 7), or National Diploma (NQF Level 6) in Diplomacy Studies, International Relations or Political Studies.

13. Strategic Planning and Monitoring

Reference Number: SPM2026

Required qualification:

  • Grade 12 (Matric).
  • Bachelor’s Degree, BTech Degree or Advanced Diploma (NQF Level 7), or National Diploma (NQF Level 6) in Auditing or Risk Management.

14. Electricity Pricing and Tariffs

Reference Number: EPT2026

Required qualification:

  • Grade 12 (Matric).
  • Bachelor’s Degree, BTech Degree or Advanced Diploma (NQF Level 7), or National Diploma (NQF Level 6) in Accounting, Finance or Economics.

15. Electricity Licensing, Compliance and Dispute Resolution

Reference Number: ELC2026

Required qualification:

  • Grade 12 (Matric).
  • Bachelor’s Degree, BTech Degree or Advanced Diploma (NQF Level 7), or National Diploma (NQF Level 6) in Electrical Engineering.

16. Electricity Infrastructure Planning

Reference Number: EIP2026

Required qualification:

  • Grade 12 (Matric).
  • Bachelor’s Degree, BTech Degree or Advanced Diploma (NQF Level 7), or National Diploma (NQF Level 6) in Electrical Engineering.

17. Gas Licensing, Compliance and Dispute Resolution

Reference Number: GLC2026

Required qualification:

  • Grade 12 (Matric).
  • Bachelor’s Degree, BTech Degree or Advanced Diploma (NQF Level 7), or National Diploma (NQF Level 6) in Chemical Engineering.

18. Gas Competition and Market Analysis

Reference Number: GCM2026

Required qualification:

  • Grade 12 (Matric).
  • Bachelor’s Degree, BTech Degree or Advanced Diploma (NQF Level 7) in Accounting, Finance or Economics.

19. Gas Pricing and Tariffs

Reference Number: GPT2026

Required qualification:

  • Grade 12 (Matric).
  • Bachelor’s Degree, BTech Degree or Advanced Diploma (NQF Level 7) in Accounting, Finance or Economics.

20. Petroleum Pipelines Tariffs

Reference Number: PPT2026

Required qualification:

  • Grade 12 (Matric).
  • Bachelor’s Degree, BTech Degree or Advanced Diploma (NQF Level 7) in Accounting, Finance or Economics.

21. Petroleum Licensing, Compliance and Dispute Resolution

Reference Number: PLC2026

Required qualification:

  • Grade 12 (Matric).
  • Bachelor’s Degree, BTech Degree or Advanced Diploma (NQF Level 7), or National Diploma (NQF Level 6) in Engineering, specialising in Mechanical, Chemical or Industrial Engineering.
Eligibility Requirements

Applicants interested in the NERSA 2026 Internship and Learnership Programmes must meet the following requirements:

  • Must be an unemployed South African citizen.
  • Must have completed Grade 12 (Matric).
  • Must have completed a relevant National Diploma, Diploma (NQF Level 6), Bachelor’s Degree, BTech Degree or Advanced Diploma (NQF Level 7), Postgraduate Diploma or Honours Degree (NQF Level 8), or Master’s Degree (NQF Level 9).
  • The qualification must have been obtained from a South African university.
  • Applicants must possess qualifications relevant to the department they wish to apply for.

Candidates should carefully check the qualification requirements for their preferred department before submitting an application.

Required Application Documents

Interested applicants must prepare and submit the following documents:

  1. A comprehensive and updated CV.
  2. A certified copy of their South African ID.
  3. Certified copies of relevant qualifications.
  4. A full academic record.

Applicants should ensure that all required documents are included in their applications. Incomplete applications may affect their chances of being considered.

How to Apply for NERSA Internship and Learnership Programmes 2026

Applications must be submitted by email or post.

Email applications:

Send your comprehensive CV and supporting documents to:

  • Email Address: [email protected]
  • Important: The reference number and department must clearly appear in the email subject line. Applications that do not reflect the required reference number and division in the subject line will be disqualified.

Candidates applying for more than one department must submit separate applications for each position.

Postal applications:

Applications may also be submitted by post to:

National Energy Regulator of South Africa
Human Resources Division
PO Box 40343
Arcadia
Pretoria
0007

For the attention of:

  • Ms. Lena Rankhumise
  • Mr. Nkanyiso Magwaza

Applications received from recruitment agencies will not be accepted.

Important Application Information

Before submitting an application, candidates should take note of the following:

  • The internship and learnership programmes run for 24 months.
  • Applicants must be unemployed South African citizens.
  • A relevant tertiary qualification is required.
  • The reference number and division must be clearly indicated in the email subject line.
  • Separate applications must be submitted for each department.
  • Applications must include a comprehensive CV, certified ID copy, certified qualification copies and a full academic record.
  • Persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
  • Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Successful candidates will be appointed on a 24-month contract. Participation in the programme does not guarantee permanent employment after completion. However, the possibility of permanent employment may be considered based on merit.

Closing Date for NERSA Internship and Learnership Programmes 2026

The closing date for applications is 16 November 2026.

Interested and suitably qualified unemployed graduates are encouraged to submit their applications before the deadline. Late applications may not be considered.

Candidates should carefully select the department that matches their qualifications, use the correct reference number and ensure that all supporting documents are attached.

This is an opportunity for unemployed graduates to gain valuable workplace experience and develop professional skills within South Africa’s energy regulatory sector.