Vacation work, or “vac work,” is a program where university students get temporary work experience during their holidays. It is a powerful way to build your CV, gain real-world skills, and earn an income.
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Most employers prefer to hire graduates who already have some work experience. Vac work gives you a serious advantage after you graduate.
What is Vac Work?
Vac work is a short-term job or internship for university students. It usually takes place during the June/July or December/January university holidays.
The main goal is to give you practical experience in your field of study. This is common for students in engineering, law, finance (like CA programs), and tech.
5 Key Benefits of Doing Vacation Work
Engaging in a vac work program provides more than just a line on your CV.
- Test Your Career Choice, Vac work lets you see if your chosen field is a good fit. You get real, daily experience before you commit to a long-term career.
- Gain Practical SkillsYou will learn practical, on-the-job skills that university lectures cannot teach you. This makes you more valuable to employers.
- Build Your Professional Network, You will meet supervisors, managers, and colleagues in your industry. These contacts can become mentors or provide references for your first job application.
- Earn an Income, Many vac work programs are paid. This provides an extra income for your studies, savings, or personal expenses.
- Improve Your CVA CV that lists vac work programs always stands out. It shows employers you are responsible, motivated, and already have industry experience.
How to Apply for Vac Work
There is no single application portal. You must apply to each company directly.
- Identify Companies: Use the list below to find companies in your field.
- Visit Their Career Pages: Go to the official website of each company (e.g., “PwC careers”) and look for their “Students” or “Graduates” section.
- Check Deadlines: Most programs have strict deadlines, often many months in advance.
- Prepare Your CV: You will need an updated CV and your most recent academic transcript (university results).
Companies Offering Vac Work in South Africa
Many top South African companies offer formal vacation work programs. Here is a list to start your search, broken down by industry.
Accounting, Audit, and Finance
- AGSA (Auditor-General of South Africa)
- BDO (RED Vacation work Programme)
- Deloitte (Vacation Interactive Business Experience – VIBE)
- EY (EY Vacation Work)
- FNB (FNB Vacation Work)
- KPMG (KPMG Vacation Work)
- Moore South Africa
- Public Investment Corporation (PIC)
- PwC (CA Vac programme)
- SNG Grant Thornton (CA Training Programme)
Law
- Allen & Overy (Vacation Scheme)
- Barnaschone Attorneys
- BBM Law
- BDP Attorneys
- Bisset Boehmke McBlain
- Bowmans (Break Vacation Work Programme)
- Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr (Student Vacation Programme)
- Clyde & Co (Vacation Scheme)
- Cox Yeats
- De Klerk & Van Gend
- ENS Africa (Vacation Programme)
- Eversheds Sutherland
- Fairbridges Wertheim Becker
- Hurter Spies
- Lawtons Africa
- Malan Scholes
- Norton Rose Fulbright (Vacation Scheme)
- Obert Ntuli Inc
- TMJ
- Venns Attorneys
- Webber Wentzel (Vacation Programme)
- Werksmans (CA Vacation Programme)
Engineering, Tech, and Industrial
- African Council for Graduates
- APAA (Vacational Work)
- ASL (Vacation Work Programme)
- BELL Equipment
- Hensoldt
- Peralex
- Psybergate (Vac Programme)
- Sasol (Vacation Work)
- WBHO
- Zutari
Retail
- TFG (Vac Work)