Services SETA makes a monitoring visit to MUT on 18 August 2026 to review 110 students’ progress in a funded internship placement programme
This is to ensure that students are being placed in appropriate training sites and report on their progress and concerns prior to graduation in 2027.
The annual internship placement is part of a five-year Skills Development partnership between Services SETA and Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT) to equip students with work-place experience in non-classroom settings.
110 students benefitting from work-place experience
The 110 students on the Services SETA funded internship programme come from two departments at MUT with 55 students each:
- The Department of Public Management and Economics
- The Department of Office Management Technology
Rather than completing their studies in the confines of the class-room, these students are completing a work-place learning programme in a variety of hosts including:
- eThekwini Municipality
- Sizakala Customer Care Centres
- King Dinuzulu Hospital
- Prince Mshiyeni Memorial Hospital
- MUT’s own departments
The work-place internship gives students an opportunity to apply what they have learned in the classroom while also learning essential vocational skills.
Services SETA monitor student welfare and compliance
During the monitoring visit, Services SETA reviewed the implementation of the internship programme and assessed the welfare of students placed in these work-place learning sites. Busisiwe Twala, Services SETA’s KZN Provincial Operations Officer is pleased with the progress being made by the students on the internship programme.
The monitoring of these students is an important element of the work-place learning programme. Even though students are being placed and funded by the SETA, there is no guarantee that students will accrue the work-place skills they need unless there is proper oversight of how these students are being utilised.
Hosts give positive feedback on MUT students
MUT’s Department of Co-operative Education also reported that the host organisations are happy with the MUT students and their conduct while on placement. Sibongile Bulose says the organisations noted by the students’ good behaviours.
She also thanked Services SETA for funding this programme which is important to help MUT students transition from an academic to a work-place environment.
For many students, transitioning from the classroom to the work-place can be stressful. This is because the conduct and etiquette expected by employers can be very different from what students are used to in the classroom. During their placement, students need to not only learn their specialist skills but also learn how to behave appropriately in the office.
These lessons can be challenging to absorb while also trying to learn a new job. This is why it is so important for students to understand what they will be getting into when they join a work-place learning programme.
Student gets first-hand experience at Addington Hospital
The work-place experience gained by these students has exposed them to environments that they would not typically encounter in the classroom. Andiswa Mtshali, who is studying for a Diploma in Office Management and Technology has joined Addington Hospital in the reception to complete her work-place learning.
Andiswa explained that she helps with answering queries over the phone and with admitting patients as well as filing.
Like many students on the internship programme, she has had to think on her feet to complete the tasks she has been given.
While dealing with a busy environment, she has tried to implement queuing systems to help speed up the process for patients. Ms Mtshali has also benefitted from the work-place learning by helping her with communication skills.
Student has to think laterally to deal with communication barriers
A similar situation has unfolded for Kanele Zulu who is also studying for a Diploma in Office Management and Technology. Mr Zulu has joined the Radiology Department at Addington Hospital to complete his work-place learning.
Mr Zulu encountered communication barriers both with the doctor and with patients who were unable to communicate effectively.
When faced with this challenge, Mr Zulu took it upon himself to research how to communicate more effectively with these groups of people. In doing so, he was able to utilise lateral thinking to get around some of the communication barriers he encountered.
This serves as a reminder that while students will benefit massively from work-place learning, they need to remember to keep an open mind if they are to succeed in their placement.
Why work-place learning is important for students
For many students, their qualifications represent the culmination of years of study. However, work-place learning can expose these students to challenges they would not typically encounter in the classroom.
By completing a work-placement, students can learn how to:
- Communicate with various stakeholders
- Deal with work-related responsibilities
- Solve work-related problems
- Apply theoretical skills in practice
- Deal with the realities of the work-place
- Learn to be responsible
- Adapt their conduct to the work-place setting
As such, work-place learning can be an invaluable experience for students to help them prepare for the world of work after they graduate.
However, it is important to remember that an internship or work-placement is not a guarantee of a job offer.
Five-year Skills Development partnership between Services SETA and MUT
The internship placement is part of a five-year Services SETA and MUT Skills Development partnership. This partnership has proven to be mutually beneficial for both organisations.
As the partnership continues to flourish, the students who have joined the internship programme will have the opportunity to complete their work-place learning and qualify for graduation in 2027.
What this means for students seeking an internship
The internship programme at MUT should serve as a lesson to students about the importance of understanding the details of an internship application before they apply.
This includes understanding:
- Who funds the internship programme
- Who administers the internship programme
- Whether the internship is linked to a qualification
- The length of the work-place learning
- Where the work-place learning will take place
- Whether the work-place learning comes with a stipend
- The entry criteria for the work-place learning
- Whether applications are currently open for the work-place learning
As such, while the MUT monitoring visit might seem like an opportunity for students to join the internship programme, it is important to remember that this article is not an application invite or a reminder that applications are currently open.
Students should always go to the appropriate website to confirm whether applications are currently open and what the application criteria entails.
A stepping stone to graduation
For the 110 students who have joined MUT’s work-place learning programme, the work-place learning is an important step between finishing their studies and joining the world of work.
By reviewing the work-place placements of these students, it is evident that they have been exposed to a variety of challenges in their respective fields. Ms Mtshali and Mr Zulu’s experiences serve as a reminder that the internship programme has the potential to be a valuable experience for students as they prepare to join the world of work.
As these students complete their internship, it is important to remember that these students still have to complete their qualifications and prepare for graduation in 2027.
Source
Source: Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT) – information concerning the Services SETA monitoring visit taking place on 18 August 2026 and the funded workplace training programme being undertaken by 110 MUT students.
Mangosuthu University of Technology
Editorial policy
This article was independently written for South African readers using the MUT information as its factual basis. It focuses on the significance of the programme to the students and the transition from the classroom to the work-place.
No extra stipend details, application deadlines, employment opportunities or entry criteria have been added where this information was not included in the original publication.
Disclaimer
The MUT/Services SETA internship programme discussed in this article is a workplace training programme involving the students mentioned in this article’s source.
It should not be used as confirmation that applications for a new intake are currently open.
Internship opportunities, requirements and funding can change.
Students should always double-check with the relevant organisation to confirm the latest internship requirements.
Student awareness
Students searching for internships and SETA-funded opportunities should be wary of any advertisements guaranteeing a job.
Never pay for guaranteed selection.
Always ensure that you understand the application process by consulting the relevant organisation and never share personal information until you are certain of the legitimacy of the application process.
