The Wholesale and Retail SETA Internships at the University of the Free State (UFS) offers unemployed graduates a valuable opportunity to gain practical workplace experience in a structured academic environment. This 12-month contract internship is designed for graduates who have completed a Diploma in Office Administration and have no previous work experience. With 20 internship positions available, this programme runs on a full-time basis (40 hours per week) and aims to bridge the gap between academic learning and real-world work exposure. The internship is funded through the Wholesale and Retail SETA and is ideal for candidates looking to build a strong foundation in administration and professional workplace skills.
Position Details
- Job Title: Wholesale & Retail SETA Internship
- Job ID: 6352
- Contract Type: Fixed-term contract (12 months)
- Occupational Level: Semi-Skilled
- Working Hours: 40 hours per week
- Number of Positions: 20
- Location: UFS Bloemfontein Campus, Free State
- Assumption of Duties: 01 April 2026
- Monthly Stipend: R5,000.00
- Closing Date: 06 February 2026
Requirements
- Diploma in Office Administration (NQF Level 6) obtained from CUT
- South African citizen or permanent resident
- Currently unemployed (affidavit required)
- No previous formal work experience
- Must not be studying full-time
- Must not have participated in any SETA-funded internship or learnership before
- Willing to sign a formal internship agreement with UFS
- Available for the full 12-month internship period
Skills Required
Successful candidates for the Wholesale and Retail SETA Internships should demonstrate the following skills and competencies:
- Strong organisational and time-management skills
- Good written and verbal communication ability
- Basic to intermediate knowledge of MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook)
- Ability to work accurately and pay attention to detail
- Professional conduct and strong work ethic
- Willingness to learn and adapt in a structured work environment
Key Responsibilities
Interns appointed under the Wholesale and Retail SETA Internships programme will be expected to:
- Provide general administrative support to assigned departments
- Perform office administration duties according to institutional policies
- Assist with document management, filing, record-keeping, and data capturing
- Support meeting coordination, including scheduling and minute-taking
- Assist with drafting and distributing internal and external correspondence
- Use office systems and technology efficiently
- Respond to routine enquiries and support customer service functions
- Assist with basic reporting and administrative tracking
- Maintain confidentiality and comply with workplace ethics
- Participate in workplace learning, coaching, and monitoring activities
Why Apply
The Wholesale and Retail SETA Internships is an excellent opportunity to:
- Gain real-world administrative experience
- Improve employability and professional skills
- Work in a reputable public higher education institution
- Earn a monthly stipend while building your career
- Receive structured mentorship and workplace exposure
Important Notes
- Applications must be submitted online only via the official UFS vacancy portal
- A maximum of eight attachments is allowed
- Incomplete applications will not be considered
- Required documents include:
- Detailed CV
- Certified copies of qualifications (not older than 3 months)
- Certified copy of ID
- Affidavit confirming unemployment and no prior SETA internship