Eskom - Electricity utility

How to apply for Eskom jobs

Eskom hires engineers, artisans, plant operators and bursars through one portal - eskomcareers.ci.hr. Free, online only, and never via WhatsApp.

Updated 22 July 2026 ·By GoCareers
Open Eskom Careers portal
Careers portal
eskomcareers.ci.hr
Main HQ
Megawatt Park, Sandton
Academy
Eskom Academy of Learning, Midrand
Applications
Online only
Cost
Free
Crime line
0800 11 27 22

Who Eskom hires

  • South African citizens with a clean criminal record
  • Bursary (University): Matric with Maths Level 5, Physical Science Level 5, English Level 4, plus conditional university acceptance
  • Bursary (University of Technology): Matric with Maths Level 4, Physical Science Level 4, English Level 4
  • Engineer-in-Training (EIT): completed BEng/BSc Engineering at NQF Level 8 from an accredited institution
  • Engineering Learnership: Matric with Maths and Physical Science (typically ≥50%), aged 18-35
  • Artisan Learnership: N4/N5/N6 with relevant trade subjects, or Matric plus technical subjects
  • Learner Plant Operator: Matric with Maths and Physical Science, medically fit (especially vision and colour vision), aged 18-35
  • Graduate Internship: completed 3-year degree or diploma, unemployed, SA citizen, typically <35

What you'll need

  • Updated CV (max 10 MB, PDF preferred)
  • Certified copy of SA ID (not older than 3 months)
  • Certified Matric / Grade 12 certificate
  • Certified tertiary qualifications + academic transcripts
  • Driver's licence (if the role requires)
  • Bursary: proof of university acceptance, latest academic results, proof of household income, parents'/guardians' IDs
  • Artisan: N-certificates and trade subject results
  • Disability declaration (optional, encouraged)

Step by step

  1. Open the Eskom Careers portal

    Go directly to eskomcareers.ci.hr or via the Careers link on eskom.co.za. This is the only legitimate channel - Eskom does not accept walk-ins, emailed CVs, paper applications, and does not charge any fee.

  2. Register your account

    Click Register / New User?, provide your email, mobile, ID/passport, and set a password (minimum 8 characters with upper, lower, number and special character). Verify your email via the activation link.

  3. Build your profile

    Complete every section: personal details, education history (highest grade, tertiary), work experience (including part-time and voluntary), skills, languages, driver's licence. The system parses your CV to pre-fill - review every field for accuracy.

  4. Upload your CV

    PDF, DOC, DOCX or TXT, max 10 MB.

  5. Search vacancies

    Filter by division (Generation, Distribution, NTCSA, Group), province, keyword or programme (Bursaries / Internships / Graduate Programmes / Learnerships). Open the advert and read the role requirements carefully.

  6. Apply and track

    Click Apply Now, attach supporting documents specific to the role, and submit. Track status under your profile dashboard.
    Tip: Late, faxed, emailed or hand-delivered applications are auto-rejected. The portal is the only route.

Eskom restructuring and what it means for recruitment

Eskom is mid-restructuring. The transmission division has been legally separated as NTCSA (National Transmission Company South Africa) since July 2024. The distribution side is being reorganised as NEDCSA, and a Generation Company (GenCo) plus an Eskom Green renewables arm are being established.

Practical impact: vacancies now appear under multiple legal entities (Eskom Holdings, NTCSA, Generation, Distribution). The application process is identical - same portal, same forms - but read the advert carefully to know which subsidiary will employ you.

Eskom University Bursary Scheme

The flagship "Eskom bursar" route covers:

  • Fields: BEng/BSc Electrical (Heavy & Light Current), Mechanical, Chemical, Civil, Industrial, Mining, Metallurgical Engineering; Computer Science / IT; Finance / Accounting; HR; Built Environment
  • Coverage: tuition, accommodation, meals, books, laptop, monthly personal stipend, plus paid vacation work
  • Application window: typically August-November each year. The 2026 intake closed 14 November 2025 (138 bursaries: 79 university + 59 UoT)

Work-back obligation: bursars must work at Eskom for a period equal to the years funded (year-for-year). Failure triggers full repayment.

Preference goes to designated groups under Eskom's EE Plan; students with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Engineer-in-Training (EIT) programme

A structured 24-month graduate development programme (some streams extend to 36) preparing engineering graduates for ECSA registration as a Professional Engineer (Pr Eng) or Professional Engineering Technologist (Pr Tech Eng).

Eligibility: SA citizen, completed BEng/BSc Eng at NQF Level 8 (electrical, mechanical, chemical, civil, industrial, mining and related).

Structure: rotational exposure across Generation, Transmission and Distribution; mentorship by registered Pr Engs; training and assignments aligned to ECSA's 11 outcomes.

Time on the EIT counts toward ECSA practical experience, and many EITs convert to permanent engineer roles. Recent intakes have advertised 37-50 posts at a time.

Engineering and artisan learnerships

Artisan apprenticeships: Eskom runs a 3-year apprenticeship combining institutional and on-the-job training, ending in a Trade Test certificate. Recent adverts cover Electrical apprenticeships with three alternative entry routes:

  • Technical Matric: Maths 50%, Physical Science 50%, English 40%, plus Electrical Trade Theory
  • N3 Engineering: Maths 50%, Engineering Science 50%, plus Electrical Electrotechnology 40%
  • NCV Level 4: Physical Science 50%, Maths 50%, English 40%

No prior work experience is required. Learner - Plant Maintenance is a separate 2-year learning programme contract requiring Grade 12 in Mechatronics, Mechanical, Electrical or Electronics (C&I).

Training is delivered at the Eskom Academy of Learning (EAL). See our Eskom learnerships guide for the current status of applications.

Power station operations roles

Eskom periodically recruits learners into power station operations - boilers, turbines, ash plant, water treatment and chemical services - at its coal-fired stations across Mpumalanga, Limpopo and the Free State.

Entry typically requires Matric with Mathematics and Physical Science, and medical and colour-vision fitness is essential for plant work.

We could not verify a currently-advertised "Learner Plant Operator" programme on Eskom's applicant portal, and Eskom's recruitment site is presently suspended. Treat any advert claiming an open intake with caution and verify against eskomcareers.ci.hr directly.

Common reasons Eskom applications are rejected

  • Applying through unofficial sites or emailing a CV (auto-rejected - Eskom is portal-only)
  • Incomplete profile, skipping work history or education sections
  • Missing certified copies, or certifications older than 3 months
  • Applying for roles below or absurdly above your qualification level
  • Late applications (the portal closes at midnight on the closing date)
  • Single generic CV not tailored to the role's minimum requirements
  • Wrong NQF level (e.g. N3 for an N4-minimum advert)
  • Failing Eskom's psychometric / competency assessment after shortlist
  • Failing pre-employment medical (especially vision, hearing, drug test for operator and artisan roles)
  • Maths/Science marks below the EE-adjusted threshold for bursaries

Eskom job scams - red flags

Eskom-branded scams are widespread. Africa Check has debunked multiple variants.

  • Adverts on WhatsApp or Facebook with shortened or non-eskom.co.za links
  • Requests to pay for PPE, training, medicals, accommodation or "registration"
  • Requests to deposit money into a bank account "to confirm interview"
  • "60,000 youth learnerships" or other implausibly large numbers
  • Interview venues that aren't Eskom premises
  • Offer letters from generic Gmail or Yahoo addresses (legitimate ones come from @eskom.co.za)
  • Requests for ID and bank details before any formal interview

Verify every advert at eskomcareers.ci.hr. If it isn't on that portal, it isn't real.

Eskom contact details

  • Crime Line (toll-free): 0800 11 27 22
  • SMS Crime Line: 32211
  • Corporate switchboard: +27 11 800 8111 (Megawatt Park)
  • Head office: Megawatt Park, Maxwell Drive, Sunninghill, Sandton, Johannesburg
  • Eskom Academy of Learning: Dale Road, Halfway House, Midrand

Frequently asked questions

How do I apply for a job at Eskom?
Online only at eskomcareers.ci.hr. Register an account, complete your profile, upload your CV, search for vacancies, and apply through the portal. No emails, no walk-ins, no fees.
Is Eskom recruitment online only?
Yes. Eskom does not accept walk-ins, emailed CVs, paper applications, or applications submitted through third parties. The only legitimate channel is eskomcareers.ci.hr.
Does Eskom charge an application fee?
Never. Eskom applications, learnerships, bursaries and training are all free. Anyone asking for money is a scammer - report them to the Eskom Crime Line on 0800 11 27 22.
What are the requirements for the Eskom bursary?
SA citizen, Matric, conditional university acceptance, and strong Maths and Physical Science (Level 5 for university, Level 4 for university of technology) plus English at Level 4. Bursars are bound by a year-for-year work-back contract.
When do Eskom bursaries open and close?
The annual application window typically runs August to November. The 2026 intake closed 14 November 2025. Watch eskomcareers.ci.hr for the next opening.
What stipend does an Eskom learnership pay?
Eskom does not publish a figure. Every learner and apprentice advert we examined states the pay as "Market Related". Any specific rand amount quoted elsewhere is not sourced from Eskom. The gazetted legal minimum for registered learnerships applies, starting at R455.00 per week from 1 March 2026.
What is the Engineer-in-Training programme?
A structured 24-month (sometimes 36) graduate development programme that prepares BEng/BSc Engineering graduates for ECSA registration as a Professional Engineer or Professional Engineering Technologist.
Where is the Eskom Academy of Learning?
At Dale Road, Halfway House, Midrand. The Academy delivers institutional training for artisan, learnership and operator programmes, with catering and accommodation on-site.
How do I report an Eskom recruitment scam?
Call the Eskom Crime Line free on 0800 11 27 22, or SMS 32211. You can also report to SAPS on 08600 10111.

Related guides

Eskom learnerships 2026

What is actually open, verified against Eskom's own portal.

How to apply for Transnet jobs

Another major SA SOE - rail, ports, pipelines - with apprenticeships and bursaries.

How to apply for Sasol jobs

Chemicals and energy sector, similar engineering pipeline.

How to apply for SAPS jobs

Government recruitment with a similar vetting and assessment process.

Last updated 22 July 2026. We review and refresh this guide regularly — if something here is out of date, let us know.