Govt invites graduates keen on environment careers to apply for internship program

The internship programmes will expose the qualified yet inexperienced graduates to real work experience, with an aim to bridge the gap between academic study and competent performance in the workplace.

The Department of Environmental Affairs is inviting young South African graduates aged between 18 and 35 years who have a keen interest on environmental careers to apply for a two-year internship programme that will run between 2019 and 2021.

The internship programmes will expose the qualified yet inexperienced graduates to real work experience, with an aim to bridge the gap between academic study and competent performance in the workplace. The successful applicants will be placed in various branches within the Department, where they will receive practical and relevant work experience.

The Department's Head of Communications and Spokesperson Mr Albi Modise encourages the inexperienced and unemployed graduates to participate in the programme, which is part of the department's contribution towards the building of a just society that lives in harmony with its environment.

"Our internship programme is an opportunity that not only enable participants to actively participate in the work environment and build future career prospects, but it's actually an opportunity to meaningfully contribute towards environmental protection and conservation of our heritage," said Mr Modise.

The programme provides many exciting and satisfying career choices stretching across a tremendous range of fields and disciplines. These include but certainly not limited to environmental law, environmental impact assessments, marine science, oceanography, botany and zoology.

It is the Department's mandate to give effect to the Constitutional right to an environment that is not harmful to their health or well-being and to have the environment protected for the benefit of present and future generations. To this end, the department provides leadership in environmental management, conservation and protection towards sustainability for the benefit of South Africans and the global community.

"We firmly believe that effective execution of this responsibility requires talent, zeal and passion. As such, the internship programme will also assist in building capacity that will ensure sustainability of our efforts to promote a safe, clean and a better South Africa for all," added Mr Modise.

(With Inputs from South African Government Press Release)