First National Bank (FNB), part of FirstRand Bank Limited, is offering a 12-month First Job Learnership Programme for young South Africans with little or no formal work experience.
The programme combines workplace exposure with a selected learnership and is designed to help participants develop practical skills that can improve their future employability.
Successful participants will receive an advertised R5,933 monthly stipend.
Opportunities are available across all nine provinces in South Africa, making this a nationwide opportunity for eligible first-time job seekers.
The application closing date is 16 September 2026.
FNB First Job Learnership 2026 at a Glance
| Programme Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Programme | FNB First Job 12-month Learnership |
| Company | FirstRand Bank Limited |
| Industry | Banking and Financial Services |
| Job Type | Fixed-term |
| Duration | 12 months |
| Locations | All 9 provinces |
| Monthly Stipend | R5,933 |
| Posted | 9 September 2026 |
| Closing Date | 16 September 2026 |
R5,933 Monthly Stipend
The FNB First Job Learnership offers an advertised R5,933 per month for the duration of the 12-month programme.
Applicants should understand that this is a learnership stipend, rather than a permanent salary.
Over 12 months, the advertised monthly amount would total approximately R71,196 before considering any applicable programme conditions or deductions.
The stipend is therefore one part of the opportunity. The other major benefit is the opportunity to gain actual workplace experience with exposure to banking and financial-services operations.
A First Step Into Banking and Financial Services
One of the most valuable aspects of this programme is its connection to the banking and financial-services industry.
FNB provides financial products and services to consumers and businesses, meaning participants may gain exposure to professional environments where customer service, administration, sales, financial products and business processes are important.
Depending on placement, participants may work in areas including:
- Marketing.
- Finance.
- Collections.
- FNB Cards.
- Private and Wealth Investments.
- Sales.
- Customer Service.
- Administration and Support.
- Catering.
The experience can therefore vary considerably depending on the business unit.
Finance and Career Development Opportunities
For applicants interested in building a career around finance, banking, wealth management, sales or customer service, the programme can provide useful exposure to a major financial-services environment.
The different business areas can introduce participants to professional concepts such as:
- Customer relationships.
- Financial products.
- Sales processes.
- Collections.
- Administration.
- Banking operations.
- Financial services.
- Business communication.
- Professional workplace procedures.
The experience may help participants understand which areas of financial services they would like to pursue after completing the programme.
Non High-Paying Remote Careers and Financial Career Choices
The employment market now includes both workplace-based positions and Non High-Paying Remote Careers, but applicants should compare opportunities based on their complete financial and career value.
The FNB First Job programme is a workplace-based learnership, not a remote-work opportunity.
However, its connection to banking and financial services makes it particularly relevant to people thinking about longer-term careers involving income management, banking, financial products, investments, sales and professional services.
When comparing employment opportunities, job seekers can consider:
- Monthly income or stipend.
- Career development.
- Industry experience.
- Qualifications gained.
- Transport expenses.
- Working arrangements.
- Future earning potential.
- Transferable professional skills.
A first job is not necessarily about finding the highest immediate income. For someone with limited experience, gaining relevant industry exposure can potentially improve access to future opportunities.
Who Qualifies for the FNB First Job Programme?
Applicants must meet the programme’s eligibility requirements.
Candidates must:
- Be a South African citizen.
- Have at least a Matric Certificate.
- Have been unemployed for at least six months.
- Not currently be studying.
- Have little or no previous formal work experience.
- Have less than 12 months of total work experience and/or only part-time or casual experience.
- Have this programme as their first job experience.
- Not previously have participated in the FirstJob programme at any FirstRand franchise.
- Not previously have worked for FirstRand.
- Have a good command of English.
- Not have a criminal record.
- Not be blacklisted.
- Be willing to complete the learnership while gaining workplace experience.
Further studies, including relevant certificates and diplomas at NQF Levels 5 and 6, are also accepted according to the supplied requirements.
This Programme Is Designed for First-Time Job Seekers
The FNB First Job initiative addresses one of the biggest challenges facing young job seekers: the requirement for previous work experience.
Many entry-level vacancies ask candidates to demonstrate workplace experience before they have had an opportunity to obtain it.
This programme provides an alternative route by combining:
Learnership + workplace exposure + practical skills + first-job experience
For an eligible applicant, completing 12 months in a professional environment can add meaningful experience to a CV.
What FNB Is Looking For
FNB is looking for young people who are ready to enter a professional workplace and learn.
Successful applicants should demonstrate qualities such as:
Self-Motivation
Participants should be able to take responsibility for their work and look for ways to contribute.
Proactivity
Being proactive can be particularly important in customer-facing and business environments.
Energy and Enthusiasm
Participants should be prepared to learn and participate actively throughout the programme.
Resilience
A banking environment can involve deadlines, customers, targets and changing business requirements. Resilience can help participants manage these challenges.
Drive to Succeed
The programme is intended to help young people establish a foundation for future employment, making motivation and commitment important.
Potential Career Skills
During the 12-month programme, participants can potentially develop skills in:
- Customer service.
- Communication.
- Administration.
- Sales.
- Financial-services operations.
- Teamwork.
- Professional conduct.
- Problem-solving.
- Business processes.
- Customer relationship management.
- Workplace technology.
The exact experience will depend on the business unit and placement.
Why Banking Experience Can Be Valuable
Banking is a broad industry with opportunities extending beyond traditional bank branches.
Career paths can include areas such as:
- Retail banking.
- Customer service.
- Financial administration.
- Credit and collections.
- Sales.
- Wealth management.
- Investments.
- Marketing.
- Financial operations.
- Business support.
A first-job experience in a large financial-services organisation can therefore help an applicant understand the different types of roles available within the industry.
Financial Planning for Your First Income
Receiving a monthly stipend can also provide a first opportunity for young people to develop practical money-management habits.
Participants can use the 12-month period to learn the difference between:
- Gross income.
- Take-home income.
- Fixed expenses.
- Variable expenses.
- Transport costs.
- Savings.
- Emergency funds.
- Discretionary spending.
For someone entering the workplace for the first time, creating a realistic monthly budget can help prevent the entire stipend from being consumed by unnecessary expenses.
The advertised R5,933 monthly stipend should therefore be viewed within the context of the participant’s actual cost of travelling to work and other essential expenses.
Building a Financial Career
The FNB programme is particularly interesting for applicants who want to explore careers connected to financial services.
A participant placed in areas such as Finance, Collections, FNB Cards or Private and Wealth Investments could gain exposure to different aspects of the financial-services industry.
Applicants interested in finance should use the opportunity to learn as much as possible about:
- Financial products.
- Customer needs.
- Banking processes.
- Professional communication.
- Sales and service.
- Financial administration.
- Compliance and workplace procedures.
The programme itself should not be viewed as a guarantee of permanent employment, but the experience gained may strengthen future applications.
Important Voice Note Requirement
Applicants should pay careful attention to the application process.
The vacancy specifically requires candidates to record a voice note as part of the screening process.
Applicants should therefore make sure they have access to a suitable device and are prepared to provide the required information clearly.
All information submitted should be accurate and consistent with the applicant’s qualifications and employment history.
Application Preparation
Before applying, candidates should check that they meet all the eligibility conditions.
It is particularly important to confirm that:
- You have been unemployed for at least six months.
- You are not currently studying.
- You have little or no formal work experience.
- You have not previously worked for FirstRand.
- You have not previously participated in the FirstJob programme.
- You meet the citizenship and qualification requirements.
Because this is specifically a First Job programme, applicants with substantial previous employment experience may not qualify.
FNB First Job Learnership 2026 Closing Date
The programme was posted on 9 September 2026 and applications close on:
16 September 2026
This provides a relatively short application window, so eligible candidates should complete the application as early as possible.
How to Apply for the FNB First Job Learnership
Applications are submitted through the SA Youth platform.
Apply for the FNB First Job Learnership 2026
Applicants should ensure that their information is accurate and that they complete the required screening process, including the voice-note requirement.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the FNB First Job stipend?
The advertised stipend is R5,933 per month.
How long is the programme?
The FNB First Job Learnership runs for 12 months.
Who can apply?
The programme is aimed at South African citizens with Matric who have little or no formal work experience and meet the other eligibility requirements.
Can people who are currently studying apply?
No. Applicants must not currently be studying.
How long must applicants have been unemployed?
Applicants must have been unemployed for at least six months.
Can someone who previously worked for FirstRand apply?
No. The supplied requirements state that applicants must not have previously worked for FirstRand.
Is this a permanent job?
No. It is advertised as a 12-month fixed-term learnership programme.
Which provinces have opportunities?
The programme is available across all nine provinces in South Africa.
What areas can participants work in?
Business areas include Marketing, Finance, Collections, FNB Cards, Private and Wealth Investments, Sales, Customer Service, Administration and Support, and Catering.
Is there a voice-note requirement?
Yes. Candidates are specifically required to record a voice note as part of the screening process.
When is the closing date?
Applications close on 16 September 2026.
Final Takeaway
The FNB First Job 12-Month Learnership 2026 offers eligible young South Africans an opportunity to gain their first meaningful workplace experience while receiving an advertised R5,933 monthly stipend.
The programme is particularly relevant to applicants interested in banking, finance, sales, customer service, wealth and investment-related services and administration.
For someone comparing a first-job opportunity with Non High-Paying Remote Careers, the most important consideration is not simply whether the work is remote. Applicants should assess the complete opportunity, including income, transport costs, skills development, industry exposure, qualifications and potential future career progression.
The application deadline is 16 September 2026, and eligible candidates should complete the application and required voice-note screening before the closing date.
