The North West Department of Health is inviting young South Africans to apply for the DHS Training Academy Internship Programme for 2026, offering structured workplace training across all provincial districts. This initiative provides an excellent opportunity for graduates and TVET students to gain practical experience within the public health sector while earning a monthly stipend.
Monthly Stipend: R7 200
Application Closing Date: 05 December 2025
Internship Locations: All districts in the North West Province – Bojanala, Ngaka Modiri Molema, Dr Kenneth Kaunda and Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati, including the Provincial Office
The programme aims to strengthen the province’s capacity through targeted skills development in critical administrative, technical, and professional fields.
Overview of the 2026 DHS Internship Programme
The Department offers two separate internship streams for 2026, each designed to support different categories of young professionals:
1. Graduate Internship Programme (24 Months)
- Contract Duration: Fixed-term, 24 months
- Reference Number: NW11/2025/02
- Placement: Provincial Office and all district offices
This stream is ideal for university graduates with a completed Bachelor’s Degree or National Diploma. Interns will be placed in specialised units aligned to their academic backgrounds and will work under professional supervision to build core workplace competencies.
Eligible Fields for Graduates
Applicants must hold qualifications in one of the following areas:
- Human Resource Management
- Financial Management / Financial Accounting / Auditing / Commerce
- Logistics Management / Transport Economics / Supply Chain Management / Transport Management
- Information Technology / A+ and N+ certifications
- BSc Computer Science / BCom Information Systems
- Statistics / Information Management
- Office Management & Technology
- Public Management / Public Administration
- Hospitality Management
- Dietetics
- Communications / Visual Arts / Graphic Design
- LLB Law
- Labour Relations / Labour Law
- Security Management
- Records Management
- Epidemiology / Social Science
- Operations Management
- Industrial Psychology / Organisational Psychology
- General Social Science / Statistics
These fields address skills shortages within the provincial health sector, making the internship an important pathway into public service careers.
2. Student Internship Programme – TVET (18 Months)
- Contract Duration: 18 months
- Reference Number: NWH 11/2025/01
- Placement: Provincial Office and district offices
This programme supports TVET N6 students needing practical experience to complete their National Diploma. Applicants must have an official experiential learning letter from their college.
Eligible TVET N6 Fields
- N6 Human Resource Management
- N6 Financial Management
- N6 Business Management
- N6 Management Assistant
- N6 Public Management
The internship provides hands-on training in administrative and departmental functions, ensuring students gain the practical competencies required for graduation.
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What Interns Will Gain From the Programme
The DHS Training Academy internship provides meaningful exposure to real operational environments within the public health sector. Interns will benefit from:
1. Practical Workplace Experience
Interns assist with departmental operations such as HR support, finance administration, SCM processes, IT support, office management, communication services and more.
2. Professional Mentorship
Participants work under the guidance of experienced supervisors who support their professional development.
3. A Monthly Stipend
All interns receive R7 200 per month, helping them cover daily expenses while completing their training.
4. Broad Provincial Exposure
With placements across all four North West districts, applicants can work within their home area or request a preferred location.
5. Improved Employability
Successful completion improves candidates’ competitiveness in the job market and strengthens their CV with recognised public-sector experience.
Required Documents for Application
Applicants must submit the following items when applying:
- A fully completed Z83 application form
- A detailed and recently updated curriculum vitae
- A certified ID copy (only required from shortlisted candidates)
- Names and contact details of three referees
- Clear indication of the Reference Number, Position, and Preferred Centre on the Z83 form
Incomplete applications or missing information may lead to automatic disqualification.
How to Submit Your DHS Internship Application
Applications must be hand-delivered to any North West Department of Health office. Submission points include:
- Local Sub-District Offices
- District Offices within your area
Department officials will help ensure applications are routed to the correct centre, especially when applicants indicate a preferred placement location.
No email or online submissions are accepted for this programme.
Who Should Apply?
The programme is well-suited for:
- Unemployed graduates needing work experience
- TVET N6 learners who require workplace training
- Youth who want to build careers within the public health sector
- Candidates with strong academic records and a willingness to learn
- Individuals committed to public service, administration or technical fields
Important Notes for Applicants
- The closing date for applications is 05 December 2025.
- Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for the next stage.
- Applicants must ensure the reference number corresponds with the correct internship stream.
- Certified copies of documents will be requested only from candidates shortlisted for interviews.
- The Department reserves the right to verify all information and conduct background checks.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can applicants from outside the North West Province apply?
Yes, but local applicants may receive preference based on departmental needs.
2. Do interns receive a monthly stipend?
Yes. All interns receive R7 200 per month for the duration of their internship.
3. Is a driver’s licence required?
A driver’s licence is not mandatory unless otherwise specified by the placement centre.
4. Will the internship lead to permanent employment?
No. This is a fixed-term skills development programme. However, completing the programme improves employability.
5. Can I submit my application via email?
No. All applications must be hand-delivered to district or sub-district offices.
6. What happens if I leave sections blank on the Z83 form?
Incomplete Z83 forms may result in disqualification. Applicants must complete all fields.
7. When will shortlisted candidates be notified?
Shortlisted applicants are contacted directly. If you do not receive communication after a reasonable period, consider the application unsuccessful.
Conclusion
The DHS Training Academy Internship Programme 2026 offers an important opportunity for young South Africans to develop their skills, gain work experience and prepare for future employment in the public sector. With structured training, district-wide placement options, and a monthly stipend, this initiative plays a crucial role in supporting youth development across the North West Province.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to prepare their documents early and submit their applications before the 05 December 2025 deadline.
