Key Facts
- Status
- Applications Closed
- Provider
- Field of Study
- Study Level
- Academic Year
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2027
- Application Closes
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Eligibility Requirements
- South African citizen
- Aged 18 to 35
- A completed National Diploma (NQF Level 6) or degree in the advertised field
- A qualification from a DHET-registered institution
- Little or no work experience in your field, as each advert sets out
- Willing to complete Transnet's recruitment process
Documents Needed
- An updated CV
- Your qualification certificate and full academic record
- A copy of your ID
The adverts that we reviewed did not publish a full checklist, because the portal asks for documents as you apply. Prepare clear scans of these items so that you can upload them quickly.
About Transnet Graduate Programme
The Transnet Graduate Programme gives recent graduates 24 months of structured work experience. Transnet calls it Young Professional-in-Training. Transnet, the state-owned company that runs South Africa's freight rail, ports and pipelines, recruits for it through its own talent portal. The latest intakes closed in September 2026, and Transnet has not yet advertised a 2027 round.
Each operating division recruits for itself. In 2026, Transnet Freight Rail, Transnet Port Terminals and Transnet Engineering each placed separate adverts, with their own fields, locations and closing dates. So a new round can open at any point in the year, and you should watch the portal rather than wait for one fixed date.
- Stipend
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Not published; graduate grade
- Duration
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24 months
Funding Details
You gain two years of structured work experience inside one of the country's largest employers. Transnet says that the programme aims to develop graduates into competent Transnet professionals, and Freight Rail's advert described progress reviews every six months. The adverts placed these posts on a graduate grade, but none of them stated a stipend amount, so ask about pay at the interview stage.
This is a fixed-term programme rather than a permanent job. Transnet does not promise a post at the end, although the experience counts strongly when you apply for roles afterwards. Transnet also says that it gives preference to women and people with disabilities, in line with its employment equity goals.
The programme suits graduates who studied without a Transnet bursary. Transnet bursary holders follow their own path, such as the Engineer-in-Training programme for engineering graduates, and they owe a year of service for each year that Transnet funded. If you are still studying, read about the Transnet Bursary instead.
Where You Can Study
The adverts that we reviewed required qualifications from institutions registered with the Department of Higher Education and Training. Your placement then happens at a Transnet site, not at a university. In 2026, these sites included Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, Richards Bay, Ngqura, Germiston, Bloemfontein, Kilner Park, Koedoespoort and Ermelo. So be ready to work where the division needs you.
About Transnet
About Transnet Transnet is South Africa's state-owned freight and logistics company. It runs the national freight rail network, the major commercial ports and the country's fuel pipelines. Its head office is at the Carlt…
View full provider profile →- Address
- Carlton Centre, 150 Commissioner Street, Johannesburg, 2001
- Phone
- +27 11 308 3000
Fields of Study & Who Can Apply
Transnet describes the programme as being for people who have completed technical or non-technical qualifications at institutions of higher learning. In practice, the 2026 adverts asked for an NQF Level 6 National Diploma or a degree, and some fields needed a degree only.
The range of fields was wide. Transnet Port Terminals recruited in IT and computer science, logistics and supply chain, risk management, safety and environmental management, human resources, accounting, communication, finance, financial management and law. Transnet Engineering looked for graduates in human resources, finance, quality management, security and forensics, supply chain and business management.
Transnet Freight Rail added fields such as data science, environmental management and ESG, marketing and economics, and ergonomics at Honours or Master's level. Copies of the adverts also set common rules. You should be a South African citizen aged 18 to 35, and you should have little or no experience in your field. Freight Rail's advert asked for unemployed graduates with no prior work experience, while Engineering's allowed up to one year.
Application Procedure
Create a profile on the Transnet talent portal, then search for "Young Professional" and set an alert for new openings. Each field has its own requisition number, so apply separately for every post that matches your qualification. Transnet's genuine email addresses end in @transnet.net, and it does not charge fees to apply. For general questions, email enquiries@transnet.net or call 011 308 3000.
Applications for this cycle have closed. Check the provider's site for the next intake.
- Closes
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Last verified:
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Transnet Graduate Programme open now?
No. The 2026 intakes closed in September 2026, and the portal listed no new graduate posts in early November 2026.
How long does the programme last?
It runs for 24 months.
Do I need a Transnet bursary to apply?
No. The programme is open to graduates from any DHET-registered institution who meet the advert's rules.
Does Transnet pay a stipend?
The posts sit on a graduate grade, but the adverts did not publish an amount. Ask about pay during recruitment.
