Article author: karabo Ntswaki
Category: Internships and Learnerships
Target audience: Unemployed South African graduates
Employer: National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA)
Programme duration: 24 months
Closing date: 16 November 2026
Application method: Email or post
A qualification can open the door to a career, but finding the first opportunity to use that knowledge in a professional environment is not always easy. Graduates in fields such as law, finance, engineering, information technology and public relations often need practical workplace exposure to understand how their academic knowledge connects with real organisational responsibilities.
Through our CareersFocus Internships and Learnerships updates, we bring attention to opportunities that can help South African jobseekers take this important next step. One of the opportunities currently advertised is the 2026 Internship and Learnership Programme offered by the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA).
The recruitment advert covers 21 divisions, giving unemployed graduates from different academic backgrounds an opportunity to apply for a programme related to their qualifications. Successful candidates will be appointed on a 24-month contract.
Applications close on 16 November 2026.
CareersFocus Internships and Learnerships: Explore the 21 graduate opportunities
NERSA is a national regulatory authority responsible for regulating South Africa’s electricity, piped-gas and petroleum pipeline industries.
Its work involves licensing, compliance, pricing, tariffs, infrastructure planning and regulatory oversight. These responsibilities require people with different professional skills, including legal knowledge, financial analysis, engineering expertise, research, communication and administration.
The advertised opportunities are therefore spread across several divisions rather than being limited to one occupation. The actual duties will depend on the division in which a candidate is appointed.
Available divisions and qualification fields
The recruitment advert identifies the following opportunities. Applicants should use the relevant reference number when applying.
| Division | Relevant qualification field | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Legal Advisory Services | Law, BA in Law or National Diploma in Law | LAS2026 |
| Information, Communication and Technology | IT or Information Management | ICT2026 |
| Information Resource Management | Information Science or Information Management | IRM2026 |
| Communication and Stakeholder Management | Communication, Public Relations, Marketing or Journalism | CSM2026 |
| Human Resources Management | Human Resources Management | HRM2026 |
| Internal Audit Unit | Auditing | IAU2026 |
| Regulatory Analysis and Research | Economics, Finance or Statistics | RAR2026 |
| Finance Management and Governance | Accounting | FMG2026 |
| Supply Chain Management, Facilities/Project | Supply Chain, Purchasing or Logistics Management | SCM2026 |
| Office of the CEO | Business Administration or Office Management | CEO2026 |
| Security Management | Security Management, Security Risk Management or Safety and Security Management | SM2026 |
| International Relations | Diplomacy Studies, International Relations or Political Studies | IR2026 |
| Strategic Planning and Monitoring | Auditing or Risk Management | SPM2026 |
| Electricity Pricing and Tariffs | Accounting, Finance or Economics | EPT2026 |
| Electricity Licensing, Compliance and Dispute Resolution | Electrical Engineering | ELC2026 |
| Electricity Infrastructure Planning | Electrical Engineering | EIP2026 |
| Gas Licensing, Compliance and Dispute Resolution | Chemical Engineering | GLC2026 |
| Gas Competition and Market Analysis | Accounting, Finance or Economics | GCM2026 |
| Gas Pricing and Tariffs | Accounting, Finance or Economics | GPT2026 |
| Petroleum Pipelines Tariffs | Accounting, Economics or Finance | PPT2026 |
| Petroleum Licensing, Compliance and Dispute Resolution | Mechanical, Chemical or Industrial Engineering | PLC2026 |
The qualification field matters. A graduate should not apply simply because a division sounds interesting. For example, an Electrical Engineering graduate should examine the electricity-related divisions, while an Accounting graduate may find relevant options in finance management, pricing or market analysis.
Who can apply?
According to the advert, applicants must:
- Be unemployed South African citizens.
- Have completed Matric or Grade 12.
- Have completed a relevant tertiary qualification at a South African university.
- Hold a qualification that matches the requirements of the selected division.
The advert recognises qualifications at different levels, including a National Diploma or Diploma at NQF Level 6, Bachelor’s Degree, BTech Degree or Advanced Diploma at NQF Level 7, Postgraduate Diploma or Honours Degree at NQF Level 8, or Master’s Degree at NQF Level 9.
Meeting the general requirements does not automatically make someone eligible for every division. The subject or field of study must also match the specific qualification requirement.
Documents required for the application
Applicants must prepare a comprehensive CV, certified copies of their identity documents and qualifications, and a full academic record.
Prepare these documents before writing the application email. Check that the copies are readable and that your CV clearly identifies your qualification, institution, contact details and relevant experience.
The academic record is important because it provides information about the studies completed. Do not leave it out simply because you already have a qualification certificate.
How to apply for the 2026 opportunities
Applications may be submitted by email or post.
Email applications: Send your application to:
Use the correct division name and reference number in the email subject line. For example:
Subject: ICT2026 – Information, Communication and Technology
The advert warns that applications that do not clearly show the reference number and division in the subject line may be disqualified.
Candidates interested in more than one division must submit a separate application for each one. Do not combine several division applications into one email.
Postal applications:
National Energy Regulator of South Africa
Human Resources Division
PO Box 40343
Arcadia
Pretoria
0007
Mark the application for the attention of Ms Lena Rankhumise or Mr Nkankyiso Magwaza.
Applications from recruitment agencies will not be accepted.
Contract duration and employment conditions
The advertised appointment period is 24 months. The advert does not provide a confirmed monthly stipend or salary figure, so applicants should not rely on amounts circulated by unofficial websites.
The programme does not guarantee permanent employment after completion. NERSA indicates that future opportunities may be considered on merit.
People with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Communication will be limited to shortlisted candidates. If an applicant has not heard from NERSA within three months after the closing date, the advert advises them to consider the application unsuccessful.
Closing date: 16 November 2026
Graduates interested in these CareersFocus Internships and Learnerships updates should prepare their documents and submit applications before 16 November 2026. Allow enough time for the application to reach the employer, particularly when using the postal option.
Useful links:
- NERSA official website: https://www.nersa.org.za/
- NERSA application email: Applications@nersa.org.za
Karabo Ntswaki – Author of CareersFocus.co.za
Karabo Ntswaki is passionate about empowering South Africans with reliable, verified, and easily accessible information about careers and education. Through CareersFocus.co.za, Karabo’s mission is to support students, job seekers, and young professionals by providing accurate guidance on learnerships, internships, bursaries.
Her vision is to make CareersFocus.co.za the most trusted online source in South Africa for career and educational information, helping individuals overcome barriers, make informed decisions about professional goals. you can contact me at info@careersfocus.co.za or our website https://careersfocus.co.za/