The Zambian Government has announced that the National Youth Internship Programme will commence on 1 October 2026, creating new opportunities for young people to gain practical workplace experience, mentorship and skills development. The programme is designed to help address one of the challenges faced by many young people entering the labour market, limited work experience and exposure. Through structured placements in Government institutions, participants will have an opportunity to apply their education in real workplace environments while developing practical skills. The initiative is also expected to support young people in becoming more prepared for employment and productive participation in Zambia’s economy. The announcement provides an important development for eligible young people who are looking for opportunities to gain experience and strengthen their career prospects.
Speaking during a press briefing on the National Youth Internship Programme, Ministry of Youth, Sport and Arts Permanent Secretary Mr Kangwa Chileshe explained that the programme is being implemented following a directive issued by Republican President Hakainde Hichilema during this year’s National Youth Indaba. The directive focused on creating meaningful opportunities for young people to gain practical work experience. The Government has recognised that academic qualifications alone may not provide young people with all the workplace skills and exposure required when entering employment. The internship programme is therefore intended to bridge part of the gap between education and the workplace. By placing young people in structured working environments, the programme aims to give participants practical experience that can complement their academic and professional backgrounds.
Mr Chileshe explained that the programme seeks to address limited work experience and exposure among young people by providing structured workplace opportunities. Interns will receive mentorship and skills development while undertaking meaningful responsibilities within their host institutions. This approach is intended to ensure that participants do more than simply observe workplace activities, as they will have opportunities to learn through practical involvement. Mentorship and supervision will also provide young people with guidance as they develop professional skills and adjust to workplace expectations. The combination of practical experience and structured support is expected to help participants build greater confidence and improve their readiness for employment.
The National Youth Internship Programme builds on the experience of the Internship, Volunteer, Apprenticeship and Graduate Programme, commonly known as IVAG. The previous programme placed 2,000 young people across Government institutions, the United Nations and the private sector. According to Mr Chileshe, 360 of those young people were subsequently absorbed into permanent employment. The experience provided evidence of the potential value of work-based learning in supporting employment and career development. The new programme will build on these lessons by providing young people with opportunities to gain practical exposure and develop skills that can be useful when pursuing longer-term employment.
Government has also directed ministries, provinces, agencies, commissions and quasi-Government institutions to participate in the National Youth Internship Programme. The directive follows Cabinet Office Circular Minute No. 19 of 2026, which requires participating institutions to place youth interns for a period of one year. This arrangement is expected to expand the number of workplaces available to young people while giving public institutions an opportunity to contribute to skills development. The one-year placement period will provide participants with sufficient time to gain practical experience and understand the responsibilities associated with their areas of work. It also gives host institutions an opportunity to mentor young people and expose them to professional standards and workplace processes.
The programme is scheduled to begin on 1 October 2026, with opportunities expected to be advertised before eligible young people are selected and placed. The Ministry of Youth, Sport and Arts has encouraged eligible applicants to take advantage of the programme once the application opportunities are announced. Young people will be expected to submit their applications directly to institutions of their choice. Applicants should therefore pay attention to official announcements and the requirements provided by participating institutions. The application process will give eligible young people an opportunity to seek placements that align with their qualifications, interests and career development goals.
Successful interns will be placed in offices up to principal level within their respective provinces and districts. The placements are intended to provide young people with meaningful responsibilities while ensuring that they operate in a supportive learning environment. Participants will receive mentorship and supervision as they carry out tasks assigned by their host institutions. This structure is important because workplace learning becomes more valuable when interns receive clear guidance and feedback on their responsibilities. The programme is consequently designed to combine practical work with professional development rather than treating internships simply as temporary placements.
Mr Chileshe emphasised that successful implementation will require strong collaboration across Government. The Ministry of Youth, Sport and Arts will coordinate implementation and monitoring in collaboration with relevant Government institutions. Host institutions will also have an important responsibility to provide guidance, supervision and mentorship to ensure that young people gain meaningful experience during their placements. Effective coordination will help participating institutions understand their responsibilities and support consistent implementation across provinces and districts. The involvement of different Government institutions also creates an opportunity to expose young people to a wide range of professional environments and areas of public service.
The Government expects the programme to contribute to the development of a skilled, productive and competitive workforce. Young people will have opportunities to develop practical skills that can complement their formal education and improve their understanding of professional environments. Host institutions can also benefit from the participation of young people by gaining access to new ideas, skills and approaches that can support innovation. The programme is therefore intended to provide benefits to both interns and the institutions where they are placed. Over time, the Government expects these opportunities to contribute to improved employability and stronger participation by young people in Zambia’s economy.
Government institutions have also been called upon to fully embrace the internship programme and provide the support required for its success. This includes creating conducive learning environments, assigning meaningful responsibilities and ensuring that interns receive appropriate supervision. Host institutions will play an important role in determining whether participants gain practical experience that can help them progress towards employment. The quality of mentorship and the relevance of assigned duties will therefore be important aspects of the programme’s implementation. Government’s call for institutions to take the programme seriously reflects the need for internships to provide genuine workplace learning opportunities.
The National Youth Internship Programme is expected to create pathways for young people as they transition from education into employment. Many young people face difficulties when attempting to enter the labour market because employers often require previous experience, creating a challenge for recent graduates and other first-time job seekers. Structured internships can give participants an opportunity to develop workplace skills while building experience that can be included in future job applications. The programme also aligns with the Government’s broader focus on increasing opportunities for young people and supporting Zambia’s social and economic transformation. As the 1 October 2026 start date approaches, eligible young people are encouraged to monitor official announcements and prepare to apply when opportunities become available.