The National Empowerment Fund (NEF) Graduate Programme 2026 offers unemployed graduates a valuable opportunity to gain real work experience in South Africa’s retail and wholesale sector.
This 12-month internship is designed to help you build practical skills, grow professionally, and learn directly from industry experts.
Programme Overview
- Reference: nef_000162
- Contract: 12-month internship
- Location: South Africa (multiple provinces)
- Closing Date: 17 April 2026
- Remuneration: Market-related
- EE Position: Yes
The programme is run in partnership with the Wholesale and Retail Sector Education and Training Authority (W&RSETA).
What the Programme Offers
- Real workplace experience
- Exposure to the retail and wholesale industry
- Skills development and training
- Opportunity to work with industry professionals
Available Locations
Successful applicants will be placed in the following provinces:
- KwaZulu-Natal
- Mpumalanga
- Free State (QwaQwa and Bloemfontein)
- Gauteng
- Limpopo
- Western Cape
Minimum Requirements
Qualifications (Diploma or Degree in):
- Business Management
- Marketing Management
- Financial Management
- Human Resource Management
- Supply Chain Management / Logistics
- Retail Business Management
- Wholesale and Retail Operations
- Public Management / Public Administration
- Office Administration
- Entrepreneurship
- Or any related qualification
Additional Requirements
- Must be unemployed
- Not currently in a learnership or graduate programme
- No prior work experience required
- Must be a South African citizen
- Computer literate
Personal Attributes
- Willingness to learn and grow
- Strong communication skills
- Attention to detail
- Ability to work in a team
- Professional and positive attitude
How to Apply
Apply online using the official listing reference: nef_000162 before 17 April 2026.
Final Thoughts
The NEF Graduate Programme is a strong entry point into the retail and wholesale industry.
It gives you the chance to move from:
- Graduate → Experienced professional
- No experience → Workplace-ready