If you are looking for a job in broadcasting and related fields, keep your eyes peeled on the ongoing opportunities offered by the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC). In particular, the internship opportunities are a proven way of getting your foot in the door and one step up the ladder of success, particularly if you don’t have the training or experience to get a job in the industry any other way.
The SABC is, of course, South Africa’s official broadcaster, and has been for decades. Its services are available throughout the country and they also get licenses from other countries to broadcast both sound (radio) and TV broadcasting content and services.The SABC hires a huge workforce that is based in the country’s major centres, and there are some great job opportunities for people with the right training and experience. But the training offered via internships is not only based on SABC requirements; the experience will benefit anybody wanting to break into the industry.
The training and skills opportunities offered in terms of the Mict SETA and they are not static. This is why it is important to continually check the advertisements posted by the Broadcasting Corporation.
New Skills Opportunities in Limpopo
One of the most recent SABC learnership opportunities was launched in Limpopo only last week. Described on October 7 by the Limpopo premier, Mr Chupu Mathabatha as a “groundbreaking opportunity,” the Film and Television & New Ventures Creations Skills Programme was made available to 50 “young people” from that province.
“I am aware that this reality is born out of both the visionary leadership of the SABC and some strategic partnerships,” he said.
The partnerships he was referring to include the Mict SETA that has been positioned as the country’s overall leader in developing a “highly skilled knowledge-based information society.” This is the critical SETA for those wanting to break into the communication industry.
Internship Opportunities at the SABC
In general, the SABC has internships and bursaries in a number of specified fields including:
- Journalism
- Radio and TV operations
- Broadcast engineering
- Electrical engineering as it relates to “light current”
There are a number of other internships in fields that depend on the economic and industry environment as it relates to television and radio broadcasting.
These are advertised by the SABC as they become available. Most start at the beginning of the year (in January), or mid year (July), and most are targeted at young South Africans who are unemployed and who either need to complete their studies and get qualifications, or who need to get some sort of well-grounded experience in the work place. Ultimately the result is that they will be “employable” once they have completed the SABC’s internship.
Most internships offered by the SABC are for three to twelve months and there is no cost involved. There is some remuneration during the programme, based on relevant Government policies and legislation. Generally the training given is “on the job” rather than just teaching – which is an invaluable form of learning.
While the SABC states that it will not guarantee that it will employ people who go through their internship programmes, the Corporation emphasizes that anyone going through their programmes will certainly have more identifiable experience, and will therefore be more employable in the industry. So they are not aiming to use their programmes specifically for their own benefit, but rather for the benefit of the industry as a whole.
How to Apply for Internship Opportunities at the SABC
When internships are available at the SABC these are advertised in the media, on the SABC website and usually also via radio stations owned by the SABC. If you apply, you will need to fill in the relevant form supplied by the Corporation and you will need to provide certain documents including:
- A covering letter that tells them which internship you want to apply for
- An up-to-date CV with comprehensive information about your training and experience until that point in time
- Certified copies of the applicant’s identity document
- Certified copies of the applicant’s qualifications and/or results (either matric or any others)
- Current contact details including residential and postal addresses and phone numbers
Once an internship is approved, a contract will be provided and the specific job or work function will be defined. Then you’ll be on your way to future employment possibilities.