Civil Engineering Internship – YES Programme 2026 – Nelspruit, Mpumalanga
SGS is looking for young South African students who are currently not working to join their Civil Engineering Learner Programme. This internship, part of the Youth Employment Service (YES), will give you hands‑on experience in real field and laboratory projects. You’ll work in a team, learn how to keep a site tidy, follow safety rules, and perform tests that check the quality of construction materials. If you’re between 18 and 30, have a Civil Engineering diploma, and want to build a career in engineering, this could be your next step.
About SGS
SGS is a big name in checking and testing the world’s products and projects. Think of it as a giant laboratory with more than 2,600 offices and a team of nearly 97,000 people worldwide. They set standards for safety and quality, so companies know they’re doing things right. Working here means you’ll see the same high level of care that helps build strong bridges, roads, and buildings.
What You’ll Do
You’ll work under the guidance of supervisors and carry out a mix of tasks that help keep everything running smoothly:
- Keep the workshop and site clean after every job.
- Make sure the work area is free from trash and loose items.
- Follow SGS’s safety and quality rules.
- Talk to your manager if something looks off or doesn’t match the plan.
- Do basic tasks that your site supervisor or lab manager gives you.
- Take samples of soil, concrete, asphalt and run tests in the field or in the lab.
- Work out calculations for the test results.
- Help keep the lab organized and follow the steps that your department needs.
These activities give you a clear picture of what engineering work looks like outside the classroom.
Skills and Experience That Help
While you can learn on the job, a few things will give you a better chance:
You’ve already done some sampling or prepared materials for testing.
You know how to run common field tests:
- Density tests for soil
- Checking how deep a pile will go (Dynamic Cone Penetrometer)
- Making concrete cubes and testing them for strength
- Running ring or ball tests on aggregates
- Looking at how asphalt behaves with a sand patch test
- Getting samples of different construction materials such as concrete, asphalt and rock
You can do the math needed for these tests.
You’re ready to help keep the lab’s quality control on track.
You’re fit enough to move samples and gear around a site.
Minimum Qualifications
- A National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 4 or a Civil Engineering diploma.
- Good English skills – you’ll need to read reports and speak with your team.
- Basic computer skills, especially Microsoft Office, to keep records and share results.
Who Should Apply
- You must be a South African citizen.
- Age 18 to 30.
- Currently without a job.
- No criminal record.
- Ready to move to Nelspruit if you’re not already there.
- Strong at research, organising tasks and paying close attention to details.
- You should be someone who can motivate themselves and take initiative.
How to Apply
To start your journey, click Apply Now to submit your details for the SGS YES Civil Engineering Learner Programme 2026.
If you don’t hear back within two weeks, your application may not have been selected.
Apply Now – https://jobs.smartrecruiters.com/SGS/744000090343854
Good luck! This internship can be the first step toward a solid career in civil engineering and a chance to learn from one of the top inspection companies in the world.