Welcome: Western Cape Internship Programme representatives (from left) Lizo Mati (resource manager), Julian Warbeck (environmental planning), Simon van Wat (environmental planning) and Ruth Richards (environmental planning).

A new cohort of interns, recent graduates in environmental management, sustainable development and nature conservation from institutions across the country, signed up for a year-long internship with UCT's Environmental Evaluation Unit (environmental and geographical science).

As part of the Western Cape Internship Programme, the interns have been placed throughout the city in departments that deal with environmental and sustainability issues, as well as with the provincial government's Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning.

Programme convenor Lynn O'Neill: "They are placed in real jobs, with a manager to oversee them, and during the year we monitor their progress, keeping in close contact."

Four times a year the interns visit UCT for a week-long training workshop, the first held in April when interns and staff gathered for a welcome function.

This is the second year that the EEU has been appointed to manage the Western Cape Internship Programme, underwritten by DANIDA, through the national Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism.

"Last year we had 15 interns, this year the funding increased and we have 25," O'Neill said.