Eskom is inviting applications for its Electrical Apprentice programme at Matimba Power Station in Lephalale, Limpopo. This is a structured artisan apprenticeship that combines institutionalised training with practical on-the-job experience in a live power station environment. Twelve positions are available across a broad range of technical trades, and the Electrical trade is one of the core disciplines on offer. The programme is aimed at South African citizens who already hold a Grade 12 certificate plus a relevant N3, N4, N5 or N6 technical qualification in Electrical Engineering, or an NCV Level 4 in Electrical. Applications close on 21 September 2026, so candidates need to prepare their documents promptly.
Opportunity Summary
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Apprenticeship | Eskom Electrical Apprentice 2026 (Learner Artisan Programme) |
| Company | Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd |
| Trade | Electrical (other trades also available – see below) |
| Location | Matimba Power Station, Lephalale, Limpopo |
| Duration | Apprenticeship duration (structured institutional and workplace training) |
| Qualification | Grade 12 plus N3, N4, N5 or N6 in Electrical Engineering, OR Grade 12 plus NCV Level 4 in Electrical |
| Academic Marks | At least 50% in Mathematics and 50% in Science |
| Stipend | Market related / monthly stipend during the learnership (no specific amount published) |
| Closing date | 21 September 2026 |
| Status | Open – applications close 21 September 2026 |
| Official application | Eskom careers portal |
About the Apprenticeship
The Eskom Electrical Apprentice programme is an artisan training opportunity, not a general internship or a short learnership. It is designed to take candidates who already have electrical theory and give them the structured workplace exposure needed to progress along an artisan pathway. Successful applicants receive both institutionalised training and practical on-the-job training within Eskom’s operations. The programme is based at Matimba Power Station, one of Eskom’s coal-fired power stations in Limpopo, and it offers twelve positions across multiple trade disciplines. The Electrical trade is one of the confirmed streams within this intake.
While the headline focuses on the Electrical Apprentice, the same intake also covers Instrumentation, Fitting, Fitting and Turning, Boilermaking, Welding, Plumbing, Carpentry, Rigging, Civil, Millwright and Bricklaying. Applicants who hold qualifications in these other fields can apply for the relevant trade. This article concentrates on the Electrical stream, but the requirements, application process and closing date apply across the programme.
What Trade or Skill Will You Learn?
As an Electrical Apprentice, you will learn the practical and theoretical skills needed to maintain, repair and test electrical equipment in a power station environment. Electricians and electrical artisans are responsible for the installation, maintenance and fault-finding of electrical systems, including motors, switchgear, cables, lighting, control circuits and protective devices.
At Matimba Power Station, electrical apprentices can expect to work alongside qualified artisans and technicians on live plant equipment. The training covers safe isolation procedures, electrical testing, reading electrical drawings, wiring, termination and maintenance of electrical machines. Because power stations operate continuously, electrical artisans also learn to work under strict safety rules and to coordinate with mechanical, instrumentation and operations teams. The apprenticeship is therefore a practical route into the technical workforce of a large industrial operation.
Who Can Apply?
The programme is open to South African citizens who meet the academic requirements and who are available for full-time training. Applicants should be unemployed or able to commit to a full-time apprenticeship programme, because the training combines institutional learning with workplace shifts.
The official requirements state that applicants must be South African citizens and must meet one of the advertised qualification routes. There is no stated age limit in the confirmed information, but apprenticeship programmes are typically aimed at young people and early-career candidates. Applicants should also be willing to be based at Matimba Power Station in Lephalale for the duration of the training.
Qualifications Required
For the Electrical stream, there are two main qualification routes.
Route 1: Grade 12 plus an N-level electrical certificate.
Applicants need a Grade 12 certificate together with an N3, N4, N5 or N6 Certificate in Electrical Engineering. The minimum academic marks are 50% in Mathematics and 50% in Science.
Route 2: Grade 12 plus NCV Level 4.
Applicants need a Grade 12 certificate together with an NCV Level 4 in Electrical (or a related electrical trade field), also with at least 50% in Mathematics and 50% in Science.
Grade 12 alone is not sufficient for this intake. The programme requires the additional technical qualification, and the field of that qualification must match the trade the applicant wishes to pursue. Candidates should check both their qualification field and their Mathematics and Science marks before applying.
Practical Training and Workplace Experience
Training is split between institutionalised learning and on-the-job training. Institutional training builds the theoretical and technical foundation, while workplace training shows how those principles are applied in a real power station environment. At Matimba, electrical apprentices can expect to learn to work within strict safety, maintenance and operational standards.
The practical component is designed to develop technical competence, workplace safety awareness, teamwork, professional communication, technical discipline and problem-solving. Electrical artisans in power stations rarely work alone, so apprentices also need to develop the ability to coordinate with mechanical, instrumentation and maintenance teams. The exact rotation between workshop training and site-based work may depend on the trade and the station’s operational requirements, but the overall purpose is to turn technical theory into applied artisan skill.
Apprenticeship Duration
The confirmed sources describe the programme as a structured apprenticeship with institutional and workplace training but do not publish a fixed number of years in the excerpted information. Artisan apprenticeships in South Africa commonly run for three to four years, depending on the trade and the candidate’s progress towards a trade test. Applicants should treat this as a multi-year commitment rather than a short-term training course. The duration for the Electrical trade will be confirmed by Eskom during the recruitment process.
Documents Required
The official sources do not publish a detailed document checklist, but based on the Eskom application process and the stated requirements, applicants should prepare:
- A CV highlighting any electrical studies and practical exposure.
- Certified copies of the Grade 12 certificate and the relevant N3/N4/N5/N6 or NCV Level 4 certificate in Electrical.
- Academic transcripts showing the Mathematics and Science marks.
- South African identity document or proof of citizenship.
- Any other supporting documents requested by the Eskom careers portal.
The Eskom careers portal may prompt for specific uploads once the application is started. Applicants should complete all required fields and attach the documents the system requests.
How to Apply
- Go to the Eskom careers portal
- Search for the Learner Artisan opportunity at Matimba Power Station (reference numbers are used to distinguish vacancies, so confirm the correct listing before applying).
- Register or log in to the applicant portal if required.
- Complete the online application form and indicate Electrical as your preferred trade. Quote the relevant reference number.
- Upload your CV, certified qualifications and identity document.
- Submit the application before 21 September 2026.
OFFICIAL APPLICATION LINK: Eskom Electrical Apprentice 2026
ALSO APPLY FOR: PG Bison Apprentice 2026
Applications must be submitted online through the Eskom careers portal. Eskom does not require payment to apply, and third-party sites that charge fees for placement should be treated with suspicion.
Closing Date
The closing date for the Eskom Electrical Apprentice 2026 at Matimba Power Station is 21 September 2026. The posting was published in mid-September 2026, giving applicants a short window to prepare and submit. Interested candidates should not wait until the final day, because portal traffic can increase near the deadline.
Career Opportunities After the Apprenticeship
Completing an electrical apprenticeship at a power station provides a recognised technical foundation and practical experience in an industrial environment. Realistic pathways after the programme include working as a qualified electrical artisan in maintenance, operations or construction roles, subject to passing the relevant trade test and meeting Eskom’s employment requirements. The apprenticeship does not guarantee permanent employment, but it develops skills that are relevant across the energy, manufacturing, mining and industrial maintenance sectors. Apprentices who perform well may also be able to apply for further technical development or specialised roles within Eskom when vacancies arise.
Avoid Apprenticeship Scams
Apply only through the official Eskom careers portal. Be cautious of anyone who asks for a fee to submit an application, promises a guaranteed placement, or requests payment for “registration” or “training materials.” Legitimate employers do not charge applicants to apply for an apprenticeship. Verify the opportunity by checking the Eskom careers domain and confirming the reference number and training programme before submitting. If a message or social media post asks you to pay, treat it as a red flag.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the Eskom Electrical Apprentice 2026?
It is a structured electrical artisan apprenticeship at Matimba Power Station in Lephalale, Limpopo, offering institutional and workplace training in the Electrical trade.
2. What are the Eskom Electrical Apprentice requirements?
Grade 12 plus an N3, N4, N5 or N6 certificate in Electrical Engineering, or Grade 12 plus an NCV Level 4 in Electrical, with at least 50% in Mathematics and 50% in Science. South African citizenship is required.
3. Are other trades available besides Electrical?
Yes. The same intake also covers Instrumentation, Fitting, Fitting and Turning, Boilermaking, Welding, Plumbing, Carpentry, Rigging, Civil, Millwright and Bricklaying.
4. Where is the apprenticeship based?
Matimba Power Station, Lephalale, Limpopo.
Official Source
The official application channel is the Eskom careers portal: https://eskomcareers.ci.hr/applicant/index.php. Applicants should search for the Learner Artisan opportunity at Matimba Power Station and confirm the reference number before submitting.
Conclusion
The Eskom Electrical Apprentice 2026 at Matimba Power Station is a practical route into the electrical trade for candidates who already hold a relevant technical qualification and meet the Mathematics and Science mark requirements. It offers twelve positions across multiple trades, with Electrical as one of the core streams, structured institutional and workplace training, and a monthly stipend (amount not published). The closing date is 21 September 2026. Prepare certified copies of your Grade 12 and N-level or NCV certificates, confirm your Mathematics and Science marks, and submit your application through the official Eskom careers portal. Avoid any third party that asks for payment to secure a place.
