DHL Graduate Programme 2026: 12-Month Opportunity for Unemployed Youth in Johannesburg
DHL Global Forwarding is offering a 12-month Graduate Programme in Johannesburg for unemployed South African youth with qualifications in logistics, supply chain management, business, marketing, finance or related fields.
The opportunity is offered by DHL Global Forwarding, Freight (DGFF), the DHL Group business specialising in air, ocean and road freight services.
Successful candidates will be appointed on a 12-month contract and will gain practical exposure to operational and administrative processes within the logistics and freight environment.
The programme is aimed at young graduates who want to gain workplace experience and build a career in the logistics and supply chain industry.
DHL Graduate Programme 2026 at a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Company | DHL Global Forwarding, Freight |
| Position | Graduate |
| Job reference | AV-367919 |
| Location | Johannesburg, Gauteng |
| Division | Global Forwarding, Freight |
| Contract | 12 months |
| Employment type | Temporary / Fixed-term |
| Target group | Unemployed youth |
| Age requirement | 20–30 years |
| Citizenship | South African citizen |
| Current employment | Applicants must not be currently employed |
| Current studies | Applicants must not be currently studying |
| Qualification areas | Logistics, Supply Chain, Business, Marketing, Finance and related fields |
| Salary | Not specified in the supplied vacancy |
| Closing date | Not specified in the supplied vacancy |
About the DHL Graduate Programme
The programme provides unemployed graduates with an opportunity to gain practical experience inside a global logistics organisation.
Participants will work under supervision and support company processes and activities aimed at improving service delivery and operational performance.
The role is particularly suited to graduates who want to develop experience in logistics, freight forwarding, supply chain management, business operations or related fields.
DHL Global Forwarding is part of DHL Group and specialises in international air, ocean and road freight services.
Who Can Apply?
The vacancy is specifically aimed at unemployed youth.
Applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Be between 20 and 30 years old.
- Be a South African citizen.
- Be currently unemployed.
- Not be currently studying.
- Hold a relevant qualification.
- Have an interest in logistics, transportation, business, marketing, supply chain or related areas.
The vacancy also states that MS Office knowledge will be an advantage.
Qualifications Accepted
DHL lists several qualification areas that may be considered for the programme.
These include:
- Sales and Marketing
- Logistics and Transportation Management
- Supply Chain Management
- Business Management
- Mechanical Engineering
- Finance
The broader requirement refers to a relevant qualification in Transportation and Logistics, Business or Marketing.
Graduates should ensure that their qualification is relevant to the position before submitting an application.
What Will the Graduate Do?
The graduate will support the company’s processes and activities under direct supervision.
The role involves a mixture of operational support and administrative responsibilities.
Supporting Company Processes
The successful candidate will assist with activities intended to support service delivery and operational performance.
This provides graduates with exposure to how a large logistics organisation manages its day-to-day processes.
Documentation
The role includes documentation-related tasks such as:
- Receiving documents.
- Reconciling information.
- Consolidating documents.
- Summarising information.
- Maintaining records.
Accuracy is important because logistics operations rely heavily on correct documentation and information.
Operational Systems
Graduates will support and maintain operational systems according to established instructions.
This can provide exposure to the systems and processes used within a logistics and freight environment.
Administrative Duties
The role also includes back-office responsibilities such as:
- Scanning
- Filing
- Reporting
- Document handling
- Administrative support
These duties can help graduates develop practical workplace and administrative skills.
Working With Established Processes
The graduate will be expected to follow defined processes, systems and methods when completing assigned tasks.
This is particularly important in logistics because freight operations involve structured procedures and documentation.
Graduates will therefore need to demonstrate attention to detail and the ability to follow instructions accurately.
Communication and Teamwork
The position involves interacting primarily with colleagues within the graduate’s team.
The successful candidate should be able to communicate information clearly and appropriately.
The role may also require graduates to address task-related issues while maintaining professional working relationships.
Skills That Can Help You Succeed
Although the vacancy focuses heavily on qualifications and eligibility, several practical skills can help graduates perform well.
Computer Skills
Knowledge of Microsoft Office is listed as an advantage.
Basic skills in applications such as Word, Excel and Outlook can be useful in administrative and logistics environments.
Organisation
Graduates may work with documents, reports and operational information, making organisation important.
Attention to Detail
Errors in logistics documentation can affect operations, so careful checking is important.
Communication
Graduates need to communicate effectively with colleagues and provide information clearly.
Teamwork
The position involves supporting colleagues and working within established teams.
Willingness to Learn
A graduate programme is designed to provide practical development, so candidates should be willing to learn new systems and processes.
Career Opportunities
The DHL Graduate Programme can provide valuable experience for graduates interested in careers such as:
- Logistics coordination
- Freight forwarding
- Supply chain management
- Transportation
- Operations
- Customer service
- Documentation
- Business administration
- Sales and marketing
- Finance
- Warehouse and distribution
- International trade and logistics
The vacancy states that there may be further career development opportunities after the programme.
However, permanent employment should not be treated as guaranteed.
Salary and Financial Overview
The supplied vacancy does not provide a salary or monthly stipend.
| Financial information | Details |
|---|---|
| Salary | Not specified |
| Monthly earnings | Not specified |
| Stipend | Not specified |
| Contract duration | 12 months |
| Employment type | Temporary / Fixed-term |
| Permanent employment | Not guaranteed |
Applicants should not rely on salary figures published by unrelated websites unless DHL confirms the amount.
Contract Duration
Successful applicants will be offered a 12-month contract at DHL Global Forwarding’s offices in Johannesburg.
The contract provides graduates with an opportunity to gain workplace experience during the programme.
The vacancy mentions possible further career development, but it does not guarantee that participants will automatically receive permanent employment after the 12-month period.
Location
The programme is based in:
Johannesburg, Gauteng
The position is within DHL Global Forwarding, Freight, the division of DHL Group responsible for air, ocean and road freight services.
Why DHL Global Forwarding?
DHL Group operates internationally and has a large global logistics network.
For graduates, working within a multinational logistics company can provide exposure to structured business processes and international freight operations.
The company describes DHL Global Forwarding as its specialist for air, ocean and road freight, providing transport solutions to customers across different industries.
DHL also highlights employee development and career opportunities as part of its employment offering.
Employment Equity
The vacancy states that selection will be done in terms of the Company’s Employment Equity Policy.
DHL Global Forwarding also describes itself as an equal opportunity employer.
Applicants should therefore be assessed according to the requirements and selection process applicable to the vacancy.
How to Apply
Applicants should use the official DHL careers platform when applying.
Before submitting an application, candidates should:
- Confirm that they are between 20 and 30 years old.
- Confirm that they are South African citizens.
- Confirm that they are currently unemployed.
- Confirm that they are not currently studying.
- Check that their qualification matches the advertised fields.
- Prepare an updated CV.
- Prepare relevant academic documents if requested.
- Search for job reference AV-367919.
- Complete the official online application.
- Keep confirmation of the application.
Where to Apply
Use the official DHL Group Careers website and search for job reference AV-367919.
The vacancy information supplied also references DHL Global Forwarding’s careers site.
DHL Global Forwarding Careers
Applicants should avoid paying third parties to submit applications or promising guaranteed placement.
Closing Date
The closing date is not specified in the vacancy information supplied.
Applicants should check the live official DHL vacancy for the current closing date before applying.
Because recruitment listings can be removed or updated, interested graduates should apply as soon as possible if the official vacancy remains open.
Is This a Learnership?
No.
The opportunity is a Graduate Programme rather than a learnership.
Successful applicants receive a 12-month contract and practical workplace exposure.
Graduates should not confuse this opportunity with DHL learnerships, internships or other training programmes, which may have different requirements and stipends.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the DHL Graduate Programme?
It is a 12-month graduate opportunity designed to provide unemployed young graduates with practical workplace experience at DHL Global Forwarding.
Where is the programme based?
The position is based in Johannesburg, Gauteng.
What is the job reference?
The vacancy reference is AV-367919.
How long is the contract?
The contract lasts 12 months.
Who can apply?
South African citizens between 20 and 30 years old who are unemployed, not currently studying and hold a relevant qualification can apply, subject to the full vacancy requirements.
Can employed graduates apply?
No. The vacancy specifically requires applicants to be unemployed.
Can students apply?
No. Applicants must not be currently studying.
What qualifications are accepted?
Relevant fields include Sales and Marketing, Logistics and Transportation Management, Supply Chain Management, Business Management, Mechanical Engineering and Finance.
Is computer literacy required?
MS Office knowledge is listed as an advantage.
What will I do as a graduate?
Duties include documentation, scanning, filing, reporting, operational-system support, information reconciliation and other assigned administrative and operational tasks.
How much does the DHL graduate earn?
The supplied vacancy does not specify a salary or monthly stipend.
Is the programme permanent?
No. The advertised programme is a 12-month temporary contract. Further career development may be possible, but permanent employment is not guaranteed.
When does the application close?
The closing date is not provided in the vacancy information supplied.
Is this a learnership?
No. It is a graduate programme.
Key Takeaways
- DHL Global Forwarding is offering a 12-month Graduate Programme in Johannesburg.
- The vacancy reference is AV-367919.
- The opportunity is aimed at unemployed South African youth.
- Applicants must be 20 to 30 years old.
- Candidates must not be currently employed or studying.
- Relevant qualifications include Logistics and Transportation, Supply Chain Management, Business Management, Sales and Marketing, Mechanical Engineering and Finance.
- MS Office knowledge is an advantage.
- Graduates will gain experience in documentation, operational systems, reporting and back-office processes.
- The programme is offered on a 12-month temporary contract.
- Salary information is not provided in the supplied vacancy.
- No closing date is provided in the supplied vacancy.
- Applications should be submitted through the official DHL careers platform.
- Further career development may be possible, but permanent employment is not guaranteed.
Editorial Policy
This article is based on the DHL Global Forwarding Graduate vacancy information supplied for publication, including job reference AV-367919.
We report the eligibility requirements, qualification fields, contract duration, location, duties and career information as stated in the vacancy.
Where the vacancy does not provide a salary, stipend or closing date, we do not invent these details. We also distinguish between possible career development and guaranteed permanent employment.
Applicants should verify the current status of the vacancy, closing date and application requirements through the official DHL careers platform before submitting personal information.
Official Sources and References
- DHL Group Careers — official DHL employment and vacancy platform.
- DHL Global Forwarding Careers — official DHL Global Forwarding careers information.
- DHL Global Forwarding Graduate vacancy AV-367919 — source information supplied for this article.
Tip for Applicants
Check your eligibility carefully before applying. You must be a South African citizen aged 20–30, unemployed and not currently studying. Make sure your qualification matches one of the listed fields and search for vacancy reference AV-367919 on the official DHL careers platform.
