Young people looking for practical experience in firefighting, emergency response and community safety can apply for the Sundays River Valley Municipality Firefighter Learnership Programme 2026/2027.
The municipality is recruiting three Firefighter Learners for the Paterson, Addo and Nqweba areas in the Eastern Cape. The learnership runs for 12 months, and successful learners will receive a R5,000 stipend, according to the municipal advertisement.
The opportunity is aimed at unemployed young people who meet the minimum requirements, including Grade 12, a valid Code B (08) driver’s licence and physical fitness.
Applications close on 21 August 2026 at 12:00.
Sundays River Valley Municipality Firefighter Learnership 2026/2027
This programme provides an opportunity for qualifying young people to gain practical workplace exposure in firefighting and municipal safety services.
Unlike a typical office-based learnership, this opportunity has a strong physical component. Applicants must be prepared to work in confined areas and at heights and should be able to cope with physically demanding activities.
Shortlisted candidates will undergo a physical fitness evaluation that includes running, push-ups, sit-ups, carrying a dead load and climbing a ladder.
Quick Overview
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Organisation | Sundays River Valley Municipality |
| Programme | Firefighter Learnership Programme 2026/2027 |
| Position | Firefighter Learner |
| Number of posts | 3 |
| Province | Eastern Cape |
| Areas | Paterson, Addo and Nqweba |
| Duration | 12 months |
| Stipend | R5,000 |
| Minimum qualification | Grade 12 |
| Age | 18–35 years |
| Driver’s licence | Code B (08) |
| Residency | Must reside within Sundays River Valley municipal area |
| Closing date | 21 August 2026 |
| Closing time | 12:00 |
| Application method | Hand delivery |
| Experience | Disaster management knowledge/experience is an added advantage |
Who Can Apply?
Applicants must meet the requirements specified by Sundays River Valley Municipality.
You must:
- Have completed Grade 12.
- Be between 18 and 35 years old.
- Reside within the Sundays River Valley municipal area.
- Have a valid Code B (08) driver’s licence.
- Be physically fit.
- Be able to work in confined or restricted areas.
- Be comfortable working at heights.
- Be able to work effectively as part of a team.
- Be able to cope with traumatic situations.
- Have no criminal record.
Knowledge and experience in disaster management will be an added advantage.
Important: Disaster Management Experience Is Not Mandatory
The municipality lists disaster management knowledge and experience as an added advantage rather than a compulsory requirement.
Therefore, applicants who meet all the mandatory requirements should still consider applying even if they do not have previous disaster management experience.
However, applicants must always provide truthful information on their CVs and application forms.
Firefighter Learnership Physical Fitness Assessment
Applicants should understand that physical fitness is an important part of this opportunity.
The municipality’s advertisement indicates that candidates will undergo a physical fitness evaluation involving:
- 200-metre run
- Push-ups
- Sit-ups
- Dead-load carry
- Ladder climb
- Claustrophobia assessment
- Acrophobia assessment
The advertisement does not specify the exact number of push-ups or sit-ups required, the weight of the dead load or the precise time limit for every activity.
Applicants should therefore avoid relying on unofficial social-media posts claiming specific pass marks unless these are confirmed directly by the municipality.
What Are Claustrophobia and Acrophobia Tests?
Claustrophobia refers to a strong fear of enclosed or confined spaces.
Acrophobia refers to a strong fear of heights.
These assessments are relevant because firefighters may need to operate in restricted spaces and at elevated locations.
Fresh listings:
What Will Firefighter Learners Gain?
The programme provides a 12-month practical on-the-job assignment.
While the advertisement does not provide a detailed training curriculum, the nature of the position means learners can expect exposure to a municipal environment focused on firefighting, safety and risk-management activities.
The opportunity can help successful candidates develop practical workplace experience, teamwork and discipline while gaining exposure to community safety services.
The learnership should not, however, be viewed as a guarantee of permanent employment after the 12-month period.
Why This Opportunity Could Be Valuable
For a young person with Grade 12 who wants to pursue a career related to:
- Firefighting
- Emergency services
- Disaster management
- Municipal safety
- Community safety
- Risk management
this programme could provide valuable practical exposure.
The combination of workplace experience and exposure to a real municipal safety environment can also help candidates better understand the demands of emergency-service careers.
Documents Required
Applicants must prepare the required supporting documents before submitting their applications.
The application should include:
- Completed Sundays River Valley Municipality application form
- CV
- Certified copy of ID
- Certified copies of relevant certificates
- Motivational letter
Make sure that the information on your CV and application form is accurate and consistent.
How to Apply for the Sundays River Valley Municipality Firefighter Learnership
Applicants must complete the official SRVM application form.
After completing the form, attach the required documents.
Hand Delivery Address
Applications must be delivered to:
Office of the Skills Development Facilitator
Sundays River Valley Municipality
23 Middle Street
Nqweba
6120
Applicants should ensure that their application reaches the municipality before the stated deadline.
Application Closing Date
The closing date is:
21 August 2026 at 12:00
The 12:00 deadline is important. Applicants should not assume that applications can be submitted until midnight on 21 August.
It is advisable to submit your application well before the closing time to avoid problems with transport, printing, certification or delivery.
How to Prepare a Strong Application
1. Make Sure You Meet the Mandatory Requirements
Before applying, check that you have:
- Grade 12
- A valid Code B (08) driver’s licence
- Age between 18 and 35
- No criminal record
- Physical ability to perform the required activities
- Residency within the Sundays River Valley municipal area
If you do not meet a compulsory requirement, carefully consider whether you are eligible before submitting your application.
2. Prepare a Relevant CV
Your CV should clearly show the information most relevant to the learnership.
Include:
- Grade 12 qualification
- Driver’s licence
- Contact details
- Community involvement
- Volunteer experience
- Safety-related training, if applicable
- Disaster management experience, if applicable
- Teamwork experience
- Other relevant practical experience
Do not claim qualifications or experience you do not have.
3. Write a Good Motivational Letter
A motivational letter is specifically required.
Use it to explain:
- Why you want to become a firefighter
- Why you are interested in community safety
- Why you want practical workplace experience
- Your willingness to learn
- Any genuine community or safety-related experience
- Your ability to work in a team
- Your understanding that firefighting can be physically and emotionally demanding
Keep your motivation relevant to the opportunity.
Prepare for the Physical Assessment
Because the municipality has specifically listed physical activities as part of the selection process, applicants should take fitness preparation seriously.
The assessment includes running, push-ups, sit-ups, load carrying and ladder climbing.
Applicants who are currently inactive should avoid suddenly attempting extreme exercise. Fitness preparation should be gradual and appropriate to your current ability.
Residency Requirement
One of the important conditions is that applicants must reside within the Sundays River Valley municipal area.
The advertised areas include:
- Paterson
- Addo
- Nqweba
Applicants should provide accurate residential information when completing the application.
Being from the Eastern Cape generally should not automatically be assumed to satisfy the municipal residency requirement.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Firefighter Learner positions are available?
There are three Firefighter Learner positions.
Where are the opportunities located?
The opportunities are associated with Paterson, Addo and Nqweba in the Sundays River Valley municipal area.
What qualification is required?
The minimum educational requirement is Grade 12.
What is the stipend?
The advertised stipend is R5,000.
How long is the learnership?
The programme runs for 12 months.
Is a driver’s licence required?
Yes. Applicants must have a Code B (08) driver’s licence.
Is disaster management experience compulsory?
No. The municipality lists knowledge and experience in disaster management as an added advantage.
What age must applicants be?
Applicants must be between 18 and 35 years old.
Is physical fitness required?
Yes. Applicants must be physically fit and able to work in confined areas and at heights. A physical fitness evaluation is part of the selection process.
What physical tests are listed?
The municipality lists a 200-metre run, push-ups, sit-ups, dead-load carry, ladder climbing, claustrophobia assessment and acrophobia assessment.
When do applications close?
Applications close on 21 August 2026 at 12:00.
How do I apply?
Complete the official SRVM application form, attach your CV, certified ID, certified certificates and motivational letter, and hand deliver the application to the Office of the Skills Development Facilitator, 23 Middle Street, Nqweba, 6120.
Important Application Tips
Before submitting your application:
- Check that you meet all mandatory requirements.
- Complete every relevant section of the application form.
- Make sure your CV is updated.
- Include a focused motivational letter.
- Attach the required certified documents.
- Confirm that your driver’s licence is valid.
- Make sure your residential details are accurate.
- Prepare physically for the selection process.
- Submit your application before 12:00 on 21 August 2026.
- Keep a copy of everything you submit for your records.
Conclusion
The Sundays River Valley Municipality Firefighter Learnership Programme 2026/2027 offers three unemployed young people an opportunity to gain 12 months of practical experience in a municipal firefighting and community-safety environment.
The opportunity is particularly suited to applicants who have Grade 12, are aged 18–35, hold a Code B (08) driver’s licence and meet the physical and residency requirements.
With a stated R5,000 stipend, the programme can provide valuable workplace exposure for young people interested in firefighting, disaster management and emergency services.
If you meet the requirements, prepare your application form, CV, certified ID, certificates and motivational letter and submit your application well before the 21 August 2026 at 12:00 deadline.