SETA Contact Centre Internship in South Africa

Are you looking for a fast-paced job where you can work with people, solve problems, and build real office experience? A SETA Contact Centre Internship is one of the most accessible career entry points in South Africa. It’s fully funded, offers a monthly stipend, and helps you gain skills that are in demand across industries — from telecommunications to banking and retail.

In this guide, we explain what a SETA Contact Centre Internship is, who qualifies, how to apply, and what career opportunities it unlocks in 2025.

What Is a SETA Contact Centre Internship?

A Contact Centre Internship funded by SETA is a work-integrated training programme designed to help unemployed youth gain practical experience in customer service and call centre operations.

Interns are placed in real call centres — either inbound (receiving calls) or outbound (making calls) — and receive both technical training and on-the-job coaching.

These internships are typically funded by:

Services SETA – business and customer service sectors
MICT SETA – digital and telecoms customer service roles
INSETA – insurance and financial services call centres

The internship is free to attend and comes with a monthly stipend (usually R3,000–R5,000).

What Do Contact Centre Interns Do?

As an intern, your responsibilities may include:

Answering incoming customer calls
Logging queries, complaints, and service requests
Assisting with billing, orders, or account queries
Escalating unresolved issues to supervisors
Following scripts for outbound calls (sales or surveys)
Capturing data on CRM (Customer Relationship Management) systems
Responding to customer emails or chats (if multi-channel support is offered)

Benefits of a SETA Contact Centre Internship

Free training – funded by SETA
Monthly stipend – R3,000 to R5,000
12 months of work experience
Mentorship and skills development
Nationally recognised certification (NQF Level 2–4)
Job placement support after completion

These internships are ideal for young South Africans without work experience who want to break into the workforce.

Who Can Apply?

SETA Contact Centre Internships are open to:

Unemployed South African youth (ages 18–35)
Matriculants (Grade 12 required by most employers)
TVET college students needing work experience (e.g., N6 Office Admin or Business Management)
Graduates from business, marketing, or customer care programmes
People with disabilities (many SETAs prioritise inclusive hiring)

General Requirements:

Certified South African ID
Certified Matric certificate or post-school qualification
Basic computer skills
English communication skills
Willingness to work in a fast-paced, team-based environment

How Long Does It Last?

Most SETA Contact Centre internships run for 12 months, but shorter options (6 or 9 months) may be available. During this time, you’ll receive both:

Theoretical classroom training (on customer service, call handling, and systems), and
Practical workplace experience at a real contact centre

What Qualification Will You Earn?

After completing your internship, you will receive:

National Certificate: Contact Centre Support (NQF Level 2 or 3) or
Statement of Results from Services SETA or MICT SETA
A reference letter or work experience confirmation from your host company

This qualification is recognised by most employers across industries and can help you move into permanent jobs or further studies.

Where Can You Apply for SETA Contact Centre Internships?

1. SAYouth.mobi

A free government platform
Search for “Call Centre Internship” or “SETA contact centre learnership”
Apply online and upload your documents

2. Job Sites (PNet, Indeed, LinkedIn)

Search for:

“Contact Centre Internship 2025”
“SETA Call Centre Learnership”
“Customer Service Internships + stipend”

3. Employer Websites

Large organisations that frequently offer contact centre internships:

Telkom, Vodacom, MTN
Discovery, Capitec, Standard Bank
Clicks, Mr Price, Woolworths
Department of Home Affairs or Health (for public service call centres)

4. Training Providers

Look for accredited providers listed under Services SETA or MICT SETA directories. Some offer free placement support.

How to Apply

1: Prepare Your Documents

Certified copy of ID
Certified copy of Matric certificate or academic transcript
Updated CV
Proof of residence
Motivation or cover letter (optional but helpful)

2: Submit Your Application

Apply before the deadline
Only apply through legitimate platforms — never pay for a SETA internship

3: Attend the Interview

If shortlisted, you may be invited for:

A telephone or in-person interview
A language or communication test
A basic computer literacy assessment

What Jobs Can You Apply for After the Internship?

After completing the internship, you’ll qualify for:

Call Centre Agent (Inbound or Outbound)
Customer Service Consultant
Helpdesk Support Agent
Live Chat or Email Support Agent
Data Capturer / Admin Assistant
Sales Support Consultant

These jobs are available across sectors — banking, insurance, retail, government, healthcare, and telecoms.

With time and experience, you can grow into Team Leader, Trainer, or Customer Service Manager positions.

Can You Study Further After Completion?

Yes! Many learners continue into:

Contact Centre Operations (NQF Level 4)
Business Administration (NQF Level 5)
Sales and Marketing (SETAs offer these too)
Public Relations or Customer Experience Management

You can also apply for other SETA-funded internships or bursaries based on your new qualification.

Final Thoughts

The SETA Contact Centre Internship is an excellent career starting point for young South Africans looking to gain skills, earn a stipend, and build a solid employment history. It opens doors across sectors and equips you with transferable customer service skills that are always in demand.

If you’re ready to take the next step toward a rewarding career in 2025, start applying for SETA-funded contact centre internships today.

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