Internships & attachments · 3 min read
Public Service Internship Programme in Kenya: what it is and how to apply
What the PSC internship is for, what interns get, where the call is published, and how to be ready before the next intake opens.
The Public Service Commission runs a paid internship that places graduates in government. It is one of the few public routes open to people with no work experience. Here is how the Commission itself describes it, and how to prepare so you can apply in minutes when the call opens.
What the programme is
The Public Service Commission describes the Public Service Internship Programme, PSIP, as a government initiative that gives college graduates a chance to build technical and professional skills while gaining work experience. The Commission first ran it in the 2019/2020 financial year, funded from the exchequer.
Its stated objectives include linking education and training to work, hands-on experience that builds on classroom learning, teaching public service values and ethics, building a database of skills for the public service, promoting inclusivity, and giving young people a stipend and exposure to entrepreneurship.
What interns get
- A stipend paid during the internship.
- Work experience in a public institution.
- Reference letters and certificates, which the Commission lists as benefits.
- Financial management training during induction, delivered with ABSA Bank Kenya under a partnership the Commission describes.
The Commission publishes lists of shortlisted and appointed interns for each cohort on its internship page.
Where the call is published
Each intake is advertised by the Public Service Commission, and applications are made online through its recruitment portal. Eligibility, such as the qualification level and the earliest graduation year, is set in each call, so read the current advert rather than an old one shared on social media.
Be ready before the call opens
- Create your account on the PSC recruitment portal and complete your profile now.
- Scan your certificates, transcripts and ID so you can upload them quickly.
- Write down the exact title of your qualification and your graduation date as they appear on the certificate.
- Check the PSC website and portal regularly, because calls close within weeks.
PSIP is free to apply for. Anyone offering a guaranteed internship for a payment is running a scam.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the Public Service Internship Programme?
A Public Service Commission programme, run since 2019/2020, that places graduates in public institutions to gain work experience, with a stipend.
Are PSC interns paid?
Yes. The Commission lists payment of a stipend among the programme's objectives.
Where do I apply for the PSC internship?
Online, through the Public Service Commission's recruitment portal, when a call is open. Read the eligibility in the current advert.