For many National Diploma students, the biggest step between studying and qualifying is finding the right P1 or P2 workplace placement. AECOM’s Civil Engineering and Quantity Surveying internships give students practical exposure on live infrastructure projects, with supervision, structured learning and a monthly stipend.
AECOM SA is inviting applications from currently enrolled National Diploma students who need P1 and/or P2 practical training as part of their qualification requirements. The opportunities are available for students in Civil Engineering and Quantity Surveying, with exposure to live infrastructure work under qualified supervisors.
The internships are offered on a contract basis and follow a hybrid work model through AECOM’s Enterprise Capabilities environment in South Africa.
What Are the AECOM Internship Opportunities for 2026?
AECOM is offering internship opportunities for students who need workplace-based practical training to complete their National Diploma requirements.
The available opportunities include:
- Civil Engineering Intern
- Quantity Surveying Intern
These placements are designed for students who need P1 and/or P2 practical training as a formal part of their studies.
This is not aimed at graduates looking for ordinary employment. It is mainly for National Diploma students who still need approved workplace exposure to complete their qualification pathway.
Who Is AECOM Looking For?
AECOM is looking for students who are currently enrolled at a recognised University of Technology.
Applicants must be in good academic standing and must need practical training as part of their qualification requirements.
The company has stated that no prior work experience is required. Tertiary-level knowledge and coursework are considered sufficient for these intern roles.
What Is the AECOM Civil Engineering Internship?
The Civil Engineering Internship is aimed at students currently enrolled in a National Diploma in Civil Engineering.
Applicants must need P1 and/or P2 practical training as a formal requirement for their qualification.
Successful interns will be exposed to a live and complex infrastructure project while working under the supervision of a qualified Civil Engineer.
What Will Civil Engineering Interns Be Exposed To?
Civil Engineering interns may assist with several technical and project-related activities.
These may include:
- Project familiarisation
- Design documentation
- AECOM quality management systems
- Earthworks exposure
- Materials and structural principles
- Dam and associated infrastructure design
- Basic engineering drawings
- Engineering schedules
- Technical reports
- Data capture
- Document management
- Health, safety and environmental requirements
Where applicable, interns may also gain site exposure to help them understand how construction activities connect with design decisions.
This can help students connect classroom theory with real infrastructure work.
What Are the Civil Engineering Internship Requirements?
Applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Be currently enrolled in a National Diploma in Civil Engineering
- Be studying at a recognised University of Technology
- Require P1 and/or P2 practical training
- Be in good academic standing
- Submit recent academic transcripts
- Have basic Microsoft Office skills
- Communicate well in English
- Be available for the full 6 or 12-month placement period confirmed by the university
Exposure to AutoCAD or Civil 3D will be advantageous.
What Is the AECOM Quantity Surveying Internship?
The Quantity Surveying Internship is aimed at students currently enrolled in a National Diploma in Quantity Surveying.
Applicants must need P1 and/or P2 practical training as part of their qualification requirements.
Successful candidates will be exposed to a live infrastructure project and supported by a qualified Quantity Surveyor throughout the placement.
What Will Quantity Surveying Interns Be Exposed To?
Quantity Surveying interns may assist with commercial, measurement and contract-related activities.
These may include:
- Project familiarisation
- Contract documentation
- Bills of Quantities
- AECOM quality management systems
- Measurement and quantification of works
- Civil and structural works measurement
- Cost planning
- Cost control
- Cost reports
- Payment certificates
- Variation orders
- Contractor claims
- Procurement documentation
- Tender adjudication processes
- Subcontractor management
- QS reports
- Data capture
- Document management
- Health, safety and environmental requirements
Interns may also gain exposure to NEC or FIDIC contract frameworks where applicable to the project.
What Are the Quantity Surveying Internship Requirements?
Applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Be currently enrolled in a National Diploma in Quantity Surveying
- Be studying at a recognised University of Technology
- Require P1 and/or P2 practical training
- Be in good academic standing
- Submit recent academic transcripts
- Have basic Microsoft Office skills
- Communicate well in English
- Be available for the full 6 or 12-month placement period confirmed by the university
Exposure to CCS Candy, ASAQS-compliant software or quantity surveying measurement software will be advantageous.
How Long Is the Placement?
The placement may run for 6 or 12 months, depending on the practical training duration confirmed by the student’s University of Technology.
Applicants must be available for the full period required by their institution.
This is important because P1 and P2 training must usually meet specific institutional requirements before it can count toward qualification completion.
Is There a Monthly Stipend?
Yes. AECOM states that a monthly stipend will be provided in accordance with the CIDB Standard for Developing Skills Through Infrastructure Contracts, April 2026.
The exact stipend amount is not listed in the official vacancy pages.
A stipend is meant to support interns while they complete their practical training and gain workplace exposure.
Where Are the AECOM Internships Based?
The opportunities are linked to AECOM’s Enterprise Capabilities offices in South Africa, with the official listings referring to offices in Centurion, Bellville and Durban.
The roles follow a hybrid work arrangement, which may include both office-based and out-of-office work.
AECOM also notes that hybrid employees are expected to work from an AECOM office at least three days per week.
What Is AECOM Enterprise Capabilities?
AECOM’s Enterprise Capabilities environment supports workshare across regions and global project teams.
This means interns may gain exposure to work that supports both South African teams and global teams.
The company describes Enterprise Capabilities as a key part of its global delivery approach, helping technical teams provide specialist services across project sizes and locations.
For students, this can offer exposure to a professional infrastructure environment where local and global project support may connect.
What Documents Must Applicants Submit?
Applicants must prepare and submit a complete application pack.
Required documents include:
- Updated CV
- Certified copies of academic transcripts or results
- South African ID copy
- Letter from the University of Technology confirming the P1/P2 practical training requirement
- Letter confirming the required duration of the placement
Incomplete applications will not be considered.
How Can Applicants Submit Their Applications?
Applications must be submitted through the relevant official AECOM listing and required documents must be sent to SARecruitment@aecom.com.
Application links:
Quantity Surveying Intern: Applications must be submitted through the official online application portal.
Civil Engineering Intern: Applications may be submitted through the relevant official AECOM online application portals:
- Civil Engineering Intern application portal
- Civil Engineering Intern application portal
- Civil Engineering Intern application portal
Applicants should check that they are applying for the correct discipline and location before submitting.
What Are the Main Opportunity Details?
Company: AECOM SA
Opportunities: Civil Engineering Intern and Quantity Surveying Intern
Contract Type: Contract
Work Model: Hybrid
Placement Duration: 6 or 12 months, depending on university confirmation
Eligible Applicants: Currently enrolled National Diploma students
Training Type: P1 and/or P2 practical training
Stipend: Monthly stipend provided according to CIDB standard
Application Email: SARecruitment@aecom.com
Fields: Civil Engineering and Quantity Surveying
Why Is This Opportunity Valuable for Students?
Many National Diploma students cannot complete their qualification pathway without practical training.
This internship gives students the chance to gain supervised workplace exposure while working on real infrastructure-related tasks.
Civil Engineering students may gain experience in design documentation, technical reporting, site exposure and infrastructure fundamentals.
Quantity Surveying students may gain experience in measurements, cost reporting, contracts, procurement and payment-related processes.
That kind of practical exposure can make a student more confident, more employable and better prepared for the engineering and infrastructure environment.
Itumeleng’s Insider Tip: For P1/P2 applications, your university confirmation letter is just as important as your CV. Make sure it clearly states that practical training is required and shows the correct placement duration. Without that letter, your application may look incomplete even if your academic record is strong.
How Can Applicants Strengthen Their Applications?
Applicants should prepare a focused and professional application.
A strong CV should highlight:
- Current qualification
- University of Technology name
- Academic standing
- Relevant modules
- Technical skills
- Microsoft Office skills
- AutoCAD or Civil 3D exposure for Civil Engineering applicants
- CCS Candy or measurement software exposure for Quantity Surveying applicants
- Practical projects completed during studies
- Communication and teamwork skills
Applicants should also make sure their academic transcript is clear and up to date.
What Should Students Check Before Applying?
Before submitting, applicants should confirm:
- Their qualification matches the internship field
- Their university requires P1 and/or P2 training
- They have the required confirmation letter
- Their transcript is recent
- Their ID copy is included
- Their CV is updated
- All documents are readable
- The application is submitted through the correct listing
- Documents are sent to the correct email address
Small mistakes can delay screening or cause the application to be rejected.
Why Should Applicants Submit Early?
Internship opportunities at major companies can attract strong interest.
Students should avoid waiting until the last minute because they may still need to request a university letter, certify transcripts or update documents.
Submitting early gives applicants time to correct errors and avoid missing the opportunity because of incomplete paperwork.
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Final Thoughts
The AECOM Internships 2026 offer valuable P1 and P2 practical training opportunities for Civil Engineering and Quantity Surveying National Diploma students.
With live infrastructure project exposure, qualified supervision, hybrid work arrangements and a monthly stipend, these placements can help students move closer to completing their qualification requirements.
Applicants should prepare their documents carefully, confirm their practical training requirement with their University of Technology and submit through the correct AECOM application portal.
