When to apply for the bursary ?
Applications open in August/September annually. Application forms are available at the 14 South African Institutions of Higher Learning that have been listed on our website.
Who is eligible for the bursary ?
All learners that have passed Grade 12 and have been accepted at the 14 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 Affairs.
Can you qualify for the bursary if you did not apply at any of the mentioned learning institutions ?
Yes, you may consult the Director: Learning Academy of the Department of Water Affairs for further information. Visit the Contact Us page.
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 Affairs ?
To minimise costs for the interns they will be employed at DWA 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 DWA. After completion, they follow their respective training programme and are placed in various functional areas (base stations) within
the Department of Water Affairs. Graduate Trainees are allocated a mentor within
the line functions of the Department of Water Affairs 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.