The Municipal Infrastructure Support Agent (MISA), a government entity under the Department of Cooperative Governance, has announced its Apprenticeship and Experiential Learnership Programme for the 2026/2027 financial year. This programme targets unemployed youth, recent graduates, and Work Integrated Learning (WIL) students aiming to gain practical experience and develop artisan and technical skills related to municipal infrastructure.
About the Programme
MISA’s initiative offers structured apprenticeship training and experiential learnership opportunities to support skills development in key artisan trades and technical fields crucial to municipal infrastructure. The apprenticeship component is a three-year learnership leading to artisan qualification, while the experiential learnership includes graduate internships of up to two years and WIL placements lasting between 12 and 24 months, depending on study requirements.
Available Trades and Fields
- Apprenticeship Trades: Electrical, Plumbing, Bricklaying, Motor Mechanic, Diesel Mechanic
- Experiential Learning: Graduate internships and WIL placements in technical areas related to municipal infrastructure operations and maintenance
Who Can Apply
The apprenticeship programme especially targets unemployed youth who have completed relevant qualifications from Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Colleges or accredited institutions. Graduates from universities, universities of technology, and TVET Colleges in technical fields requiring workplace experience may apply for experiential internships or WIL. Candidates should compare their academic qualifications carefully with the specific trade requirements.
Key Qualification Requirements
- Electrical Apprenticeship: Engineering Science or full N2 Engineering with trade theory, SETA-recognised trade programmes at NQF Level 3, or equivalent technical certificates.
- Plumbing and Bricklaying Apprenticeships: Relevant N2 engineering or trade-theory qualifications, NC(V), Technical Grade 11 with Maths and Science, or N6/National Technical Diplomas.
- Motor Mechanic Apprenticeship: Relevant engineering and trade theory qualifications matching MISA criteria.
- Diesel Mechanic Apprenticeship: Technical Grade 12 with Mathematics or equivalent technical trade theory qualifications inclusive of diesel mechanic-specific subjects.
Placement and Locations
Successful applicants will be placed in municipalities identified by MISA across South Africa and in some private-sector organisations participating in the programme. Applicants must be prepared for placement at these locations, which may require relocation or rotation. Preference for placement should be indicated by applicants choosing from the official list of host municipalities.
Application Process
Applications must be submitted via email using the official MISA application form, accompanied by a Curriculum Vitae, certified copies of qualifications and ID, proof of residence, and where applicable, a confirmation letter from educational institutions for WIL candidates. Each trade or programme has a specific email address for submission:
- Electrical: [email protected]
- Plumbing: [email protected]
- Bricklaying: [email protected]
- Motor Mechanic: [email protected]
- Diesel Mechanic: [email protected]
- Experiential Learning: [email protected], [email protected], or [email protected] depending on the programme reference
The application form is obtainable from MISA or the Department of Cooperative Governance websites or can be requested via email at [email protected].
Important Application Information
- All documents must be submitted in one organized package; incomplete applications will not be considered.
- Late applications after 28 September 2026, 16:00 will not be accepted.
- Applicants should clearly state the municipality preferred for placement from the approved list.
- No employment is guaranteed after programme completion.
- MISA reserves the right to conduct suitability checks including verification of qualifications, criminal records, and previous employment.
Closing Date
The deadline for submitting applications is 28 September 2026 at 16:00.
