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 and related fields.
The opportunity is available through DHL Global Forwarding, Freight (DGFF) and is designed to give graduates practical workplace exposure within an international logistics and freight-forwarding environment.
Successful candidates will be appointed on a 12-month temporary contract at DHL Global Forwarding offices in Johannesburg.
The programme is aimed at graduates who want to build practical experience in logistics, transportation, supply chain management, business operations and related fields.
DHL Graduate Programme 2026
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Employer | DHL Global Forwarding, Freight |
| Position | Graduate |
| Vacancy reference | AV-367919 |
| Location | Johannesburg, Gauteng |
| Programme duration | 12 months |
| Contract | Temporary / Fixed-term |
| Target group | Unemployed youth |
| Age | 20–30 years |
| Citizenship | South African citizen |
| Employment status | Must not be currently employed |
| Study status | Must not be currently studying |
| Qualification fields | Logistics, Transportation, Supply Chain, Business, Marketing, Finance, Engineering |
| Computer skills | MS Office is an advantage |
| Salary | Not specified in the vacancy |
| Closing date | Not specified in the vacancy |
About the DHL Graduate Programme
The DHL Graduate Programme provides young graduates with an opportunity to gain practical experience within DHL Global Forwarding, the DHL Group division specialising in air, ocean and road freight.
The programme is designed to expose participants to the company’s operational and administrative processes.
Graduates will work under direct supervision while supporting activities intended to improve service delivery and operational performance.
This can give participants a better understanding of how a large logistics organisation manages information, documentation, systems and day-to-day operations.
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Who Can Apply?
The vacancy is specifically aimed at unemployed youth who meet the stated eligibility requirements.
Applicants must:
- Be between 20 and 30 years old.
- Be a South African citizen.
- Be currently unemployed.
- Not be currently studying.
- Have a relevant qualification.
- Be willing to work in Johannesburg.
- Meet the requirements of the specific vacancy.
The advert also states that MS Office knowledge will be an advantage.
Qualifications Accepted
DHL lists several areas of study that can be considered for the Graduate Programme.
These include:
- Sales and Marketing
- Logistics and Transportation Management
- Supply Chain Management
- Business Management
- Mechanical Engineering
- Finance
The vacancy also refers more broadly to relevant qualifications in transportation and logistics, business or marketing.
Graduates should ensure that their qualification is relevant to the advertised position.
What Will the Graduate Do?
The successful candidate will work under supervision and support the delivery of company processes and activities.
The duties include a combination of operational and administrative work.
Documentation
The graduate will perform tasks involving company documentation and information, including:
- Receiving documents.
- Reconciling information.
- Consolidating documents.
- Summarising information.
- Supporting document administration.
Accuracy and organisation are important when working with operational records.
Operational Systems
The graduate will support and maintain operational systems according to established instructions.
This can provide practical exposure to the systems and processes used in freight-forwarding operations.
Back-Office Administration
The position includes administrative duties such as:
- Scanning
- Filing
- Reporting
- Document handling
- General back-office support
These responsibilities can help graduates develop practical office and business administration skills.
Following Company Processes
The graduate will be expected to follow established processes, systems and methods when completing assigned tasks.
This is particularly important within logistics and freight forwarding, where accurate information and consistent processes can affect service delivery.
Graduates should therefore be comfortable working with instructions and established procedures.
Communication and Teamwork
The position involves interacting primarily with colleagues within the graduate’s team.
The successful applicant should be able to communicate information clearly and professionally.
The role also requires graduates to address task-related issues appropriately while maintaining positive working relationships.
Skills That Can Help You Succeed
In addition to the formal requirements, several skills can help graduates perform effectively.
Computer Literacy
MS Office knowledge is specifically listed as an advantage.
Familiarity with applications such as Microsoft Word and Excel can be useful when working with documents, reports and business information.
Organisation
The role includes filing, scanning, documentation and reporting, making good organisational skills valuable.
Attention to Detail
Accurate information is important in logistics operations.
Graduates should be comfortable checking documents and identifying discrepancies.
Communication
The graduate will interact with colleagues and communicate information as part of the role.
Teamwork
The position involves supporting colleagues and working within an established team.
Willingness to Learn
Graduate programmes are designed to provide practical development, so applicants should be willing to learn new processes and systems.
Career Opportunities
The programme can provide a foundation for graduates interested in careers across the logistics and business sectors.
Possible career areas include:
- Logistics coordination
- Freight forwarding
- Supply chain management
- Transportation
- Operations
- Customer service
- Business administration
- Documentation
- Finance
- Sales and marketing
- Warehouse and distribution
- International logistics
DHL states that the programme can provide opportunities for further career development.
However, completion of the programme does not automatically guarantee permanent employment.
Salary and Financial Overview
The supplied vacancy does not state a salary or monthly stipend.
| Financial information | Details |
|---|---|
| Monthly salary | Not specified |
| Annual salary | Not specified |
| Stipend | Not specified |
| Contract | 12-month temporary contract |
| Permanent employment | Not guaranteed |
Applicants should not rely on salary figures from unrelated websites when assessing this opportunity.
If remuneration is not visible on the live vacancy, applicants should confirm the employment terms directly through the official DHL recruitment process.
Contract Duration
The successful applicants will be offered a 12-month contract at DHL Global Forwarding offices in Johannesburg.
The temporary contract provides graduates with an opportunity to gain practical workplace experience.
The vacancy mentions possible further career development, but there is no guarantee that participants will automatically receive permanent employment after completing the programme.
Location
The programme is based in:
Johannesburg, Gauteng
The position falls under DHL Global Forwarding, Freight, which specialises in air, ocean and road freight services.
Why Join DHL Global Forwarding?
DHL Global Forwarding forms part of DHL Group, a global logistics organisation operating across international markets.
For graduates, this can provide exposure to a multinational business environment and logistics processes involving different industries and markets.
DHL Global Forwarding describes itself as the group’s specialist for air, ocean and road freight.
The company also highlights employee development and professional growth as part of its employment approach.
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 ensure that they meet the stated requirements and complete the official recruitment process.
How to Apply
Applicants should apply through the official DHL careers platform.
Before applying, candidates should:
- Confirm that they are between 20 and 30 years old.
- Confirm that they are South African citizens.
- Confirm that they are unemployed.
- Confirm that they are not currently studying.
- Check that their qualification matches the listed fields.
- Prepare an updated CV.
- Prepare academic documentation if requested.
- Search for job reference AV-367919.
- Complete the online application.
- Save proof of submission.
Where to Apply
Use the official DHL careers website:
The vacancy also provides the DHL Global Forwarding careers page:
Applicants should use official DHL recruitment channels and should never pay a third party for guaranteed employment.
Closing Date
The closing date is not provided in the vacancy information supplied.
Applicants should check the live official vacancy for the current closing date and application status.
Because recruitment vacancies can close when positions are filled, eligible graduates should avoid waiting until the last moment to apply.
Is This a Learnership?
No.
This is a Graduate Programme, not a learnership.
Successful applicants receive a temporary 12-month contract and practical workplace experience.
DHL may advertise separate learnerships, internships and other youth programmes, but those opportunities can have different eligibility criteria and financial arrangements.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the DHL Graduate Programme 2026?
It is a 12-month graduate opportunity at DHL Global Forwarding designed to provide unemployed young graduates with practical workplace experience.
What is the vacancy reference?
The job reference is AV-367919.
Where is the programme located?
The programme is based in Johannesburg, Gauteng.
How long is the programme?
The contract lasts 12 months.
Who can apply?
South African citizens aged 20 to 30 who are unemployed, not currently studying and hold a relevant qualification can apply, subject to the full vacancy requirements.
Can someone who is currently employed apply?
No. The vacancy requires applicants to be unemployed.
Can current students apply?
No. Applicants must not be currently studying.
Which qualifications are accepted?
The listed fields include Sales and Marketing, Logistics and Transportation Management, Supply Chain Management, Business Management, Mechanical Engineering and Finance.
Is MS Office experience required?
MS Office knowledge is listed as an advantage.
What duties are involved?
Duties include documentation, reconciliation, filing, scanning, reporting, operational-system support and other assigned administrative tasks.
How much does the DHL Graduate Programme pay?
The supplied vacancy does not specify a salary or monthly stipend.
Is the position permanent?
No. The advertised opportunity 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 stated 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 programme is aimed at unemployed South African youth.
- Applicants must be between 20 and 30 years old.
- Candidates must not be employed or currently studying.
- Qualifications in logistics, transportation, supply chain, business, marketing, mechanical engineering and finance are listed.
- MS Office knowledge is an advantage.
- Graduates will gain practical experience in documentation, reporting, systems and operational support.
- The programme is offered on a 12-month temporary contract.
- No salary or stipend is stated in the supplied vacancy.
- No closing date is stated in the supplied vacancy.
- Further career development may be available, but permanent employment is not guaranteed.
- Applications should be submitted through official DHL recruitment channels.
Editorial Policy
This article is based on the DHL Global Forwarding Graduate vacancy information supplied for publication, including reference AV-367919.
We report the programme’s eligibility requirements, qualification fields, duties, location and contract duration as stated in the vacancy.
Where the vacancy does not provide a salary, stipend or closing date, these details are not invented. We also distinguish between possible career development and guaranteed permanent employment.
Applicants should verify the current vacancy, application status, closing date and employment conditions on the official DHL careers platform before submitting personal information.
Official Sources and References
- DHL Group Careers — official DHL careers platform.
- DHL Global Forwarding Careers — official Global Forwarding careers information.
- DHL Global Forwarding Graduate vacancy AV-367919 — vacancy information supplied for this article.
Tip for Applicants
Before applying, check all eligibility requirements carefully. 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.
