When to apply for the bursary ?

Applications open in May-August annually. Application form is available on our website.

Who is eligible for the bursary ?

All learners that have passed Grade 12 and have been accepted at the 21 South African Institutions of Higher Learning within water related qualifications.

How many points are needed to qualify for the bursary ?

This is determined by the tertiary institutions and not the Department of Water and Sanitation.

Can you qualify for the bursary if you did not apply at any of the mentioned learning institutions ?

No, you must apply in the listed Institutions of Higher Learning.

When will you know that your application is successful ?

Successful applicants will be notified by November. A bursary pack will be forwarded to successful applicants.

What are the conditions if awarded the bursary ?

See Bursary Manual.

How long does the Non-Technical Internship Programme take ?

It depends on the programme the intern may be employed between 12 and 24 months.

Is the Non-Technical Internship Programme available in the national and provincial offices of the Department of Water and Sanitation?

To minimise costs for the interns they will be employed at DWS offices that are as close to their home town as possible. This means that interns will be employed at national as well as provincial/regional offices.

When do candidates join the Learning Academy ?

There are two intakes annually for Graduate Trainees. The main intake is in February with a second intake in July for predominantly postgraduates from the respective Institutes of Higher Learning. Learner Interns in the Engineering and Science disciplines joins the LA in January annually.

What kind of experience will you get as a Graduate Trainee ?

The Graduate Trainee is exposed to general and soft skill training programmes, orientation and induction into DWS. After completion, they follow their respective training programme and are placed in various functional areas (base stations) within the Department of Water and Sanitation. Graduate Trainees are allocated a mentor within the line functions of the Department of Water and Sanitation for a period of between 3 to 5 years and receive the job training. The experience and expertise gained during this time will assist with the professionalisation of scientists and engineers in the programme.