If you are an unemployed graduate or TVET student struggling to gain workplace experience, the Pepkor Lifestyle Graduate Programme 2026 could help you bridge the gap between studying and employment.
Based in Sandton, Gauteng, this W&R SETA-funded programme offers practical workplace learning, mentorship, and exposure to real business operations inside one of South Africa’s largest retail groups.
What Is the Pepkor Lifestyle Graduate Programme?
Pepkor Lifestyle is inviting unemployed South African graduates and TVET learners to apply for its:
- 12-month Graduate Programme
- 18-month TVET Work Integrated Learning (WIL) Programme
The initiative is funded through the Wholesale and Retail SETA (W&R SETA) and is designed to help young people gain structured workplace exposure in retail, business operations, administration, IT, supply chain, finance, HR, and related fields.
Participants will receive practical experience, mentorship, and opportunities to develop workplace-ready skills in a corporate retail environment.
Application Closing Date: 30 June 2026
Programme Location: Sandton, Gauteng, South Africa
Programme Duration:
- 12 months (Graduate Programme)
- 18 months (TVET Work Integrated Learning Programme)
Stipend/Allowance: No stipend or allowance has been publicly specified in the programme information. Applicants are encouraged to confirm remuneration details during recruitment.
Qualifications Accepted
Pepkor Lifestyle is recruiting graduates from a wide range of disciplines.
Applications are open to candidates with qualifications in:
- Business Management
- Business Administration
- Human Resource Management
- Industrial Psychology
- Law (LLB / BCom Law)
- Risk Management
- Financial Management
- Software Engineering
- Logistics and Supply Chain Management N6
- IT Project Administration
- Project Management
- Information Systems
- Business Information Technology N6
TVET College learners and Higher Education and Training (HET) graduates needing workplace exposure are encouraged to apply.
What Practical Experience Will You Gain?
A major challenge for graduates in South Africa is that employers often ask for experience before offering entry-level jobs.
This programme helps address that challenge through practical workplace learning.
Participants may gain exposure to:
- Business operations
- Human resources and administration
- Retail management functions
- Risk and financial support functions
- IT systems and project support
- Supply chain and logistics environments
Professional Mentorship and Workplace Learning
Graduates will receive structured workplace exposure and professional mentorship.
This means learning from experienced professionals while gaining insight into how business environments operate in practice.
Business Exposure Beyond the Office
Participants may also:
- Visit stores and company locations
- Conduct research projects
- Attend induction programmes
- Deliver presentations
- Work across different business functions
These activities help build confidence, communication skills, professionalism, and practical business awareness.
Minimum Requirements
Applicants must:
- Be South African citizens with a valid SA ID
- Be currently unemployed
- Be under the age of 32
- Hold qualifications from accredited institutions
Candidates living with disabilities are also encouraged to apply.
Skills and Competencies Pepkor Lifestyle Is Looking For
Successful applicants should demonstrate:
- Ability to learn quickly
- Adaptability and resilience
- Initiative and problem-solving ability
- Teamwork and communication skills
- Strong work ethic
- Customer service orientation
Retail and corporate employers often value attitude, reliability, and willingness to learn just as much as qualifications.
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Why This Programme Matters for Future Employability
For many graduates and TVET learners, workplace experience is often the missing piece between education and employment.
A programme like this can help candidates build:
- Workplace confidence
- Communication and teamwork skills
- Business process understanding
- Corporate professionalism
- Industry exposure
Depending on your qualification, this experience could support future opportunities such as:
- HR Administrator
- Retail Operations Assistant
- Business Administrator
- IT Support Assistant
- Project Administrator
- Logistics Coordinator
- Risk and Compliance Assistant
- Financial Administration Officer
Exposure inside a major retail group such as Pepkor Lifestyle can also improve long-term employability in wholesale, retail, business operations, administration, and corporate support functions.
Documents Required
Applicants must submit:
- Updated CV
- Certified copy of South African ID
- Certified qualifications and certificates
- Academic transcripts or results
Important Document Rule
Certified documents must not be older than three months.
Submitting expired certified copies is one of the easiest ways to weaken an application, so check dates carefully before uploading.
How to Apply for the Pepkor Lifestyle Graduate Programme 2026
Interested applicants should apply online before the 30 June 2026 closing date.
Before submitting your application:
- Double-check document certification dates
- Ensure your CV is updated and professionally formatted
- Upload academic transcripts and qualification documents clearly
- Verify that all requested documents are included
Apply for the Pepkor Lifestyle Graduate Programme 2026
Applying early may help avoid last-minute technical or document issues.
Martine Smith’s Expert Insight
Many graduates lose opportunities because of avoidable mistakes. Here are four ways to improve your chances:
1. Match Your CV to Your Qualification
Do not submit a generic CV.
If you studied HR, highlight HR-related coursework, projects, and skills. If you studied software engineering or logistics, make sure those technical skills stand out.
2. Don’t Ignore Academic Transcripts
Many employers use transcripts to assess performance and consistency.
Upload clean, readable, professional copies.
3. Show Workplace Readiness
Pepkor is looking for motivated graduates.
Highlight teamwork, leadership, presentations, customer-facing experience, volunteer work, or practical projects completed during studies.
4. Check Certified Documents Carefully
One common mistake is submitting documents older than three months.
Double-check certification dates before uploading because incomplete or outdated documentation can slow down or weaken an application.
Grow Your Career with MySetaPortal
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Whether you are a matriculant, unemployed graduate, or someone looking to upskill, this platform helps you stay ahead with opportunities that matter.
What you can access:
- Career Guides
- SETA Guides
- SETAs
- Bursaries
- Learnerships
- Internships
- TVET Opportunities
- Apprenticeships
- Graduate Programme
- Government Services
- SASSA News & Updates
Final Thoughts
For unemployed graduates and TVET learners looking for structured workplace exposure, the Pepkor Lifestyle Graduate Programme 2026 offers a practical opportunity to gain experience, mentorship, and career development in a professional retail environment.
Apply before 30 June 2026, prepare your documents carefully, and use the programme as a stepping stone toward long-term employability. You can also monitor verified graduate opportunities and updates via Mysetaportal.co.za.
Disclaimer: Mysetaportal.co.za is an independent information publisher and is not an official government entity, SETA, employer, recruitment agency, or Pepkor representative. Applicants should always verify programme information through official recruitment channels.
Martine Smith is the Founder and Managing Editor of MY SETA portal, he writes about SETA learnerships, internships, bursaries and youth employment opportunities in South Africa. His goal is to help young people access trusted career information and skills development programmes. Email: info@mysetaportal.co.za