The Alfred Duma Local Municipality invites applications from unemployed young graduates for participation in the Youth Mass Skilling Programme for the 2026/2027 period. This programme is aimed at providing eligible graduates with valuable workplace exposure and practical work experience within various municipal departments.
The programme is intended to assist young people who have completed tertiary or higher education qualifications in gaining the practical experience needed to improve their employability and prepare them for future job opportunities.
Successful applicants will be placed in relevant municipal departments, where they will have the opportunity to become familiar with workplace procedures, departmental responsibilities and the day-to-day operations of local government.
Position Details
- Position: Youth Mass Skilling Programme 2026/2027
- Duration: 12 Months
- Stipend: R100 per day
- Job Type: Graduate Programme / Work Experience
- Location: Alfred Duma Local Municipality, Ladysmith, KwaZulu-Natal
- Closing Date: 23 October 2026 at 12:00 midday
About the Alfred Duma Local Municipality Youth Mass Skilling Programme
The programme will run for a period of one year, during which participants will be expected to work physically at their allocated departments during normal office hours, from Monday to Friday.
This opportunity is particularly suitable for unemployed graduates who meet the municipality’s residency, age and qualification requirements and are looking to gain practical experience related to their fields of study.
Available Fields of Study
The municipality will only consider applicants who have obtained qualifications in the fields listed below. Interested candidates should ensure that their qualifications correspond with one of the accepted areas of study.
The eligible fields are:
- Supply Chain Management
- Human Resource Management
- Financial Management
- Business Management / Local Economic Development (LED)
- Public Management
- Law
- Agriculture / Horticulture
- Tourism Management
- Youth Development
- Communication
- Community Development
- Accounting
- Engineering, including Electrical and Civil Engineering
- Town Planning and Regional Planning
- Library Services
- Project Management
- Risk Management
- Information Technology
- Internal Auditing
Applicants who have completed an accredited tertiary qualification in one of these fields are encouraged to apply, provided they meet all the other requirements of the programme.
Please note that the municipality has specified the above fields of study for this recruitment process. Qualifications outside these areas may not be considered.
Minimum Requirements
To qualify for the Alfred Duma Local Municipality Youth Mass Skilling Programme 2026/2027, applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Must be an unemployed young person between the ages of 18 and 35 years.
- Must reside within the jurisdiction of the Alfred Duma Local Municipality.
- Must possess an accredited tertiary or higher education qualification.
- Must have a qualification in one of the fields of study specified by the municipality.
- Must be available to participate in the programme for the full 12-month period.
- Must be prepared to work physically at the municipal department where they are placed.
- Must be able to attend work during normal office hours, from Monday to Friday.
Young people living with disabilities will have an advantage during the selection process.
Applicants are advised to ensure that all the eligibility requirements are met before submitting their applications. Meeting the minimum requirements does not automatically guarantee selection, as appointments will depend on the municipality’s recruitment and selection process.
Programme Duration and Daily Allowance
The Youth Mass Skilling Programme will run for a period of one year. During this period, successful candidates will receive practical workplace exposure within their allocated municipal departments.
Participants will receive an allowance of R100 per day for the duration of the programme.
The municipality has indicated that graduates participating in the programme will not qualify for any other service benefits. Successful applicants will also be required to enter into an agreement with the municipality to formalise their participation in the programme.
Applicants should carefully consider the programme conditions, including the daily allowance, working arrangements and one-year commitment, before submitting their applications.
Duties and Workplace Exposure
Although specific duties will depend on the department and field of study in which each graduate is placed, participants can expect to gain exposure to the working environment of a local municipality.
The programme aims to familiarise graduates with departmental operations and provide practical experience that may assist them when applying for advertised vacancies in the future.
Depending on the relevant department, workplace exposure may include administrative processes, departmental support, record management, communication, project-related activities, financial procedures, technical operations or other tasks aligned with the graduate’s qualification.
Participants will be expected to comply with municipal workplace procedures, report for duty as required and fulfil the responsibilities assigned to them by their respective departments.
The programme is designed to help graduates bridge the gap between academic qualifications and practical workplace experience. However, participation does not guarantee permanent employment or future appointment to any advertised municipal vacancy.
Application Documents Required
Applicants must prepare a complete application containing the documents specified by the municipality.
The following documents are required:
- Detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV): Provide an updated CV containing personal contact details, educational qualifications, relevant skills and any applicable work experience.
- Covering Letter: Include a covering letter expressing interest in the Youth Mass Skilling Programme and explaining how the qualification relates to the opportunity.
- Proof of Residence: Submit proof confirming that the applicant resides within the jurisdiction of the Alfred Duma Local Municipality.
- Certified Qualification Documents: Include a certified copy of the relevant degree, diploma or N6 certificate.
Applicants should check that all documents are included and that the information provided is accurate and up to date.
The municipality specifically requires a detailed CV, a covering letter, proof of residence and a certified copy of the relevant qualification. Applicants should ensure that their applications are clearly marked with the required heading.
How to Apply
Interested and suitably qualified candidates must submit their applications by hand delivery or through the postal submission details provided by the municipality.
Applications must be addressed to:
Executive Director: Corporate Services
Alfred Duma Local Municipality
PO Box 29
Ladysmith
3370
Applicants must ensure that the application is clearly marked with the heading:
UNEMPLOYED GRADUATES
The application must include the detailed CV, covering letter, proof of residence and certified copy of the degree, diploma or N6 certificate.
Applications submitted by post must be received by the municipality before the closing date. Applicants using postal services are advised to allow sufficient time for delivery to avoid missing the deadline.
The municipality has specified the above submission arrangements. Applicants should follow the stated instructions and ensure that their documents reach the relevant office on time.
Closing Date
The closing date for applications is 23 October 2026 at 12:00 midday.
Late applications may not be considered. Applicants are encouraged to prepare and submit their documents well before the deadline to ensure that all required information is received on time.
Important Notice to Applicants
Applicants who have not been contacted within 30 days after the closing date must accept that their applications were unsuccessful.
Only candidates who meet the municipality’s eligibility requirements and submit the required documentation should apply.
Applicants should also remember that the Youth Mass Skilling Programme is a fixed-term workplace experience opportunity lasting 12 months. The daily allowance is R100, and participants will not qualify for additional service benefits under the programme.
Further Information
For further information about the programme, applicants may contact the municipality’s Youth Development Office.
Candidates are encouraged to review the eligibility criteria, confirm that their qualifications fall within the approved fields of study and ensure that all application documents are prepared correctly before submission.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who can apply for the programme?
Unemployed young graduates aged 18 to 35 who reside within the Alfred Duma Local Municipality’s jurisdiction and hold an accredited qualification in one of the specified fields of study.
2. How long will the programme last?
The programme will run for 12 months.
3. How much is the daily allowance?
Successful participants will receive an allowance of R100 per day.
4. Which qualifications are accepted?
The municipality has listed qualifications in fields such as Supply Chain Management, Human Resource Management, Financial Management, Public Management, Law, Agriculture, Tourism Management, Accounting, Engineering, Information Technology and other specified disciplines.
5. How must applications be submitted?
Applications must be addressed to the Executive Director: Corporate Services, PO Box 29, Ladysmith, 3370, and must be marked UNEMPLOYED GRADUATES. The municipality’s stated submission instructions must be followed.
6. What is the closing date?
Applications close on 23 October 2026 at 12:00 midday.
7. Will applicants receive permanent employment after completing the programme?
The programme is intended to provide practical work experience and improve graduates’ readiness to apply for advertised vacancies. Permanent employment after completion is not guaranteed.
Apply before the closing date if you meet the requirements and are interested in gaining practical workplace experience through the Alfred Duma Local Municipality Youth Mass Skilling Programme 2026/2027.