The South African Wind Energy Association (SAWEA) has announced the opening of applications for the 2025 Wind Industry Internship Programme (WIIP).

The initiative supports South Africa’s goal of achieving a low-carbon economy and a climate-resilient society through creating jobs, aligning with South Africa’s Just Energy Transition Investment Plan (JET-IP), and the South African Renewable Energy Master Plan (Sarem).

Applications opened on October 24 and close on November 14.

The initiative addresses a need for practical experience in the renewable-energy sector, given that youth unemployment in South Africa is currently at 46.6% among individuals aged 15 to 34, according to Statistics South Africa’s 2024 second-quarter labour force survey.

In the first quarter, wind technology accounted for 4.9% of South Africa’s total electricity consumption, compared with the third quarter, when wind provided 5.3%, indicating wind energy’s increasing contribution to the energy mix.

Moreover, there is an additional 2.2 GW of wind projects currently under construction, positioning wind to provide more than 10% of the country’s installed capacity.

The expansion of the wind industry requires an array of skills to fill various roles.

The WIIP presents an opportunity for young graduates to bridge the gap between graduation and employment.

Since its inception in 2022, there has been a growing interest in the WIIP from both the renewable-energy sector and the youth. The WIIP has placed more than 20 interns this year alone, many of whom have transitioned into permanent roles.

For 2025, SAWEA aims to place 30 interns across member organisations, providing a structured pathway into the renewable-energy sector.

Interns will benefit from eight months of practical experience, supplemented by a newly introduced ten-day work-readiness programme. This training equips participants with essential workplace skills, including computer literacy and professional etiquette, ensuring they are well-prepared for their careers.

The programme welcomes diverse talents, appealing to young South Africans from various academic backgrounds, including engineering, natural sciences, administration, social sciences and IT.

As part of the WIIP, participants will engage in meaningful work that contributes to South Africa’s renewable-energy landscape while also enhancing their skills.

“Wind energy contributes significantly to alleviating the impact of climate change, boosting job-creation and community development. As such, we are excited to cultivate the next generation of renewable-energy leaders.

“As the sector evolves, we witness a rise in emerging positions that the industry requires. These include engineers, project managers, environmental experts and data analysts. Through this programme, we are able to attract passionate youth and develop their skills in alignment with the sector’s rapid growth,” SAWEA chief communications officer Morongoa Ramaboa says.

Aspiring candidates can submit their applications here or they can express their interest by emailing agnes@sawea.co.za, attaching their resumé along with certified proof of their qualifications and identification.

For host companies that wish to take part in the training, registrations for participation in the programme are also open and can be completed here.