Choosing a career path can be a difficult decision. To choose the right career, you need to first find out what you like and enjoy doing. Take some time to do research and consider your options. Read up on career websites and newspapers and consider job shadowing, learnerships, or volunteering in your field of choice before making your final decision.
Perhaps you want to apply for a bursary or an internship but don’t know where to begin. We’ve put some information together on the various options available to help you make the best decision for your future.
1. Bursaries
A bursary is a financial award made by an institution to individuals who can't afford to pay tuition fees. Bursaries are usually renewed each year, provided that the student is making satisfactory progress. In terms of the national and provincial government, bursaries are allocated based on the needs of a specific province such as engineering, nursing, or teaching etc. The following bursary opportunities are either a full, partial, or work-back bursary.
To apply for one of the bursaries listed below, you should contact the relevant government department, university, or public entity directly.
Western Cape Government bursaries
We offer various bursaries, internships and learnerships across all departments that’ll allow graduates to receive mentoring, on-the-job training and exposure to skills training and development that’ll make you more employable. You can visit our website to see what opportunities are available throughout the year.
Here are some of the opportunities offered by us: ![Students leaving college](https://www.westerncape.gov.za/sites/www.westerncape.gov.za/files/students_leaving_college_0.jpg)
Universities in the Western Cape
Bursaries offered by national departments
- The National Student Financial Aid Service (NSFAS) provides financial aid to eligible students at public Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges and public universities. For example, the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) offers Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) bursaries for education and training courses at TVET Colleges across South Africa. Other bursaries are also available, which will vary from college to college.
- The Funza Lushaka Bursary Programme offers full-cost bursaries to eligible students who want to complete a full teaching qualification in an area of national priority. If you receive this bursary, you'll be required to teach at a public school once you’ve completed your studies.
- The National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) has a comprehensive database of bursary opportunities in higher education available on the NYDA youth portal. The database is searchable by career category and includes information on eligibility criteria, application deadlines, contact details and conditions.
- The Auditor-General of South Africa (AGSA) offers bursaries for students intending to study towards a qualification as a chartered accountant at universities accredited by the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA). Have a look at AGSA's bursary guide for more information.
- The Thuthuka Bursary, was established in 2005 by the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA) and supports disadvantaged African and coloured students who want to study to become CAs(SA). Find out how you can apply.
- The National Arts Council (NAC) offer bursaries to those who'd like to pursue the arts, such as craft, dance, literature, multidiscipline, music, theatre, and visual arts. Read more about the opportunities on offer.
- The National Skills Fund (NSF) offers annual bursaries to increase the number of skilled workers and to stabilise South Africa's economy. These bursaries are for candidates to gain their first degree and candidates doing practical training and is not available for postgraduate studies. For more information, call the Department of Labour at 021 466 7160 or 012 309 4000.
Bursaries offered by public entities ![3 Students walking to class](https://www.westerncape.gov.za/sites/www.westerncape.gov.za/files/three-students-walking_0.jpg)
Other bursaries
- The Chevening Scholarships in South Africa offer opportunities and financial support to study for a Masters degree at one of the United Kingdom's leading universities and to become part of an influential and highly regarded global network.
- The Anglo-American mining company offers bursary and graduate opportunities to top-performing learners interested in disciplines or fields of study relevant to the mining industry, such as Mining, Engineering, Process, Geosciences and Finance, through its Blast Programme.
- The Nedbank Bursary Fund awards bursaries to students who need help to meet the costs of studying at higher education institutions full-time.
2. Learnerships on offer in the Western Cape
Learnerships are learning programmes that lead to an occupational qualification. This includes classroom-based learning at the institute and on-the-job training at our research farms. The learnerships available are:
- The Year Beyond programme appeals to local and international volunteers with mathematics, technology, and language skills to give a year of their time to tutor primary and secondary school learners in these subjects. Applications for this programme open towards the end of the year.
- The Services Sector Education and Training Authority (SETA) is a government body that organises education and training programmes within a specific sector. There are 21 sectors, and each sector has its own SETA. Find out more.
- The National Youth Service Programme is aimed at unemployed youth in the technical trade industry with no work experience and those in the technical trade industry with work experience but no trade certification.
- The Expanded Public Works Programme focuses on skills development by giving unemployed people (between 16 and 35) access to temporary work.
- The Contractor Development Programme aims to develop skills and promote business sustainability for emerging contractors in the construction industry.
3. Internships, apprenticeships and artisanships
Internships provide real-world experience to those looking to explore or gain the relevant knowledge and skills required to enter into a particular career field. ![Bellville Mechanical Workshop](https://www.westerncape.gov.za/sites/www.westerncape.gov.za/files/construction-workers_0.jpg)
- DST-NRF Internship Programme aims to provide university graduates and postgraduates with work experience in science, engineering and technology to improve their chances of finding a job.
- The Western Cape Government also offers internship opportunities, which often turn into job opportunities, at the different departments where students can get hands-on experience and skills.
Apprenticeships provide on-the-job training and are often accompanied by coursework.
Artisanships offer practical training focusing primarily on employable skills training and development.