NSF’s found legislation, the Skills Development Act, encourages employers to use the workplace as an active learning environment. Hence, NSF continues to provide funding for workplace-based learning opportunities towards obtaining full qualifications through apprenticeships, learnerships, cadetships, candidacy, and internships for students and graduate interns. 

NSF has a Work Integrated Learning (WIL) Programme aimed to provide students in various fields of studies with work experience. It is primarily intended to:

• Provide opportunities for students requiring a period of workplace learning to complete their academic qualifications. 
• Provide opportunities for graduates who require a period of workplace learning to complete their professional careers.
• Provide opportunities for graduates to access practical workplace experience that will help them in future employment.
• Build and support partnerships for workplace-based learning with employers.

The WIL programme targets beneficiaries in the following categories:

• Unemployed graduates from TVET colleges, university of technologies and universities who completed their studies in various fields for a period of 24 months.
• TVET students who completed N6 studies in business and engineering studies and require 18 months and 24 months to obtain their N- diplomas.
• Students in various fields who require in-service training as required by their completed undergraduate studies to obtain their diplomas or degrees.
• Students in professional studies that require for instance to serve articles to complete their studies (up to 36 months).

The programme seeks to facilitate the transition from tertiary education into the labour market. It is focused on the youth and also geared to reaching the most vulnerable youth in South African communities, improving access to work experience and workplace-based, allowing young people to be competitive and employable.