South Africa’s financial services sector continues to offer some of the most stable, professional, and growth-oriented career paths for young graduates. One of the most powerful entry points into this space is through FAIS-aligned learnerships, which combine regulated training, workplace exposure, and nationally recognised qualifications.
Absa Bank, one of Africa’s leading financial institutions, has opened applications for the Face-to-Face Financial Adviser (FAIS) Unemployed Learnership Programme 2026. This opportunity is designed specifically for unemployed graduates who want to turn their academic qualifications into real-world financial advisory careers.
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If you hold a degree in Finance, Accounting, or Law, and you are passionate about helping people make better financial decisions, this learnership could be the bridge between where you are now and a long-term professional career in banking and financial services.
Quick Overview
| Programme Name | ABSA Face-to-Face Financial Adviser (FAIS) Unemployed Learnership |
| Duration | 12 Months |
| Type | Unemployed Learnership |
| Industry | Banking & Financial Services |
| Role | Trainee Financial Adviser |
| Locations | Eastern Cape, Polokwane, Bloemfontein, Mpumalanga, KwaZulu-Natal, Western Cape, Gauteng |
| Minimum Education | Bachelor’s Degree / Advanced Diploma (Finance, Accounting, Law) |
| FAIS Compliance | Yes |
| Ideal For | Graduates seeking a regulated finance career |
| Employer | Absa Group Limited |
About Absa Group Limited
Absa Group Limited is one of South Africa’s largest and most trusted financial institutions, with a strong presence across the African continent. The bank offers a wide range of services including retail banking, corporate and investment banking, wealth management, insurance, and advisory services.
What sets Absa apart is its strong investment in people development, especially young talent. Through structured learnerships and graduate programmes, Absa plays a critical role in building South Africa’s future financial professionals while ensuring compliance with national regulatory frameworks such as the FAIS Act.
By joining this learnership, you are not just gaining work experience—you are entering a regulated profession backed by one of Africa’s most established banks.
Understanding the Opportunity
South Africa’s financial advisory space is strictly regulated under the Financial Advisory and Intermediary Services (FAIS) Act. This means you cannot simply “become” a financial adviser without meeting very specific educational, regulatory, and ethical requirements.
This learnership exists to solve that problem.
The ABSA FAIS Learnership provides:
- Structured workplace experience
- FAIS-aligned training
- Exposure to real customers
- Sales and advisory practice
- Compliance-driven financial services training
In short, it allows graduates to legally and professionally enter the financial advisory profession, while earning experience and meeting regulatory standards.
What You Will Learn and Do During the Programme
As a Trainee Financial Adviser, you will be fully immersed in Absa’s face-to-face banking environment.
- Learning & Development
You will participate in structured training programmes that cover:
- Financial products and services
- Customer financial needs analysis
- FAIS compliance and ethics
- Sales methodologies and lead management
- Customer engagement and relationship building
- Workplace Experience
You will gain hands-on exposure by:
- Supporting financial advisers in branch environments
- Engaging with customers face-to-face
- Assisting with financial solutions aligned to customer goals
- Applying theory learned during training in real situations
- Customer Support & Service Excellence
You will:
- Assist customers with financial queries
- Ensure a high-quality customer experience
- Uphold Absa’s service standards
- Build trust through ethical and compliant conduct
- Sales & Performance Targets
Financial advisory roles are performance-driven. During the learnership, you will:
- Work with sales leads
- Learn how to convert leads responsibly
- Achieve productivity and strike-rate targets
- Balance sales performance with ethical compliance
- Administration & Compliance
You will also be responsible for:
- Completing required reports and documentation
- Maintaining accurate records
- Protecting confidential customer information
- Following approved scripts and SOPs
Key Accountabilities
This programme expects learners to:
- Show commitment to learning and self-development
- Attend all training sessions without exception
- Act professionally in customer interactions
- Meet performance expectations
- Operate within FAIS compliance rules
This is not a passive programme—you are expected to show discipline, consistency, and integrity.
Minimum Requirements
To qualify, you must meet all of the following:
Education
- Bachelor’s Degree or Advanced Diploma in:
- Finance
- Accounting
- Law
- Grade 12 / Matric certificate
Employment Status
- Must be unemployed at the time of application
Regulatory Preferences (Advantageous but not always required)
- FSCA-approved qualification
- Regulatory Exam for Representatives (RE5)
- Willingness to complete product-specific and class-of-business training
Personal Attributes
- Honest and ethical
- Strong communication skills
- Customer-focused mindset
- Willingness to work towards sales targets
- Professional conduct and integrity
How to Apply
To apply, click on the preferred province below:
EASTERN CAPE UNEMPLOYED LEARNERSHIP FACE TO FACE FINANCIAL ADVISER (FAIS)
POLOKWANE UNEMPLOYED LEARNERSHIP FACE TO FACE FINANCIAL ADVISER (FAIS)
BLOEMFONTEIN UNEMPLOYED LEARNERSHIP FACE TO FACE FINANCIAL ADVISER (FAIS)
MPUMALANGA UNEMPLOYED LEARNERSHIP FACE TO FACE FINANCIAL ADVISER (FAIS)
KZN REGION UNEMPLOYED LEARNERSHIP FACE TO FACE FINANCIAL ADVISER (FAIS)
WESTERN CAPE UNEMPLOYED LEARNERSHIP FACE TO FACE FINANCIAL ADVISER (FAIS)
GAUTENG UNEMPLOYED LEARNERSHIP FACE TO FACE FINANCIAL ADVISER (FAIS)
Before you Apply, Check the Edupstairs Youth Tools Hub below that can be helpful in your application
- Edupstairs Financial Literacy Mini-School
- Grow your Confidence – 30-day Challenge
- SA Bursary Probability Checker
- Edupstairs Simple CV Builder Tool
- Edupstairs AI Cover Letter Generator Tool
- Edupstairs Learnership Application Checklist Tool
- Edupstairs Internship Application Checklist Tool
- Edupstairs Interview Q & A Coach Tool
- SA Youth Apprenticeship Readiness Quiz
- Edupstairs Learnership Stipend Calculator Tool
- NSFAS Funding Eligibility Checker Tool
- Edupstairs Qualification-to-Career Pathways Tool
- South African Salary Explorer Tool
- TVET College Enrolment Eligibility Checker Tool
- Edupstairs Career Personality Tool
- Daily Career Score Tracker
- Learnership and Internship Readiness Quiz
Edupstairs Advice for Applicants
At Edupstairs, we strongly recommend that applicants:
- Prepare a finance-focused CV
- Highlight customer service, sales, or financial exposure
- Be honest about FAIS compliance readiness
- Start preparing early for the RE5 exam
- Use the Edupstairs CV Builder and Cover Letter Generator to stand out
Career Growth Path After This Learnership
This programme opens multiple long-term career doors, including:
- Qualified Financial Adviser
- Relationship Banker
- Personal Banker
- Wealth Management Consultant
- Insurance Adviser
- Business Banker
- Investment Consultant
- Financial Planning Specialist
Many professionals currently working in senior financial advisory roles started through FAIS learnerships just like this one.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is this a paid learnership?
Yes. FAIS learnerships typically include a monthly stipend, although amounts may vary.
Can I apply without RE5?
Yes. RE5 is an added advantage, not always mandatory at entry.
Is this programme permanent employment?
No, it is a 12-month learnership, but high performers may access future opportunities.
Can I apply if I studied something else?
Only Finance, Accounting, or Law-related qualifications are eligible.
Is this opportunity available nationwide?
Yes. Multiple provinces are included.
CLOSING DATE: 16 DECEMBER 2025
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Disclaimer
Edupstairs is not the employer and does not influence selection decisions. Always apply through official Absa recruitment channels. Never pay anyone to apply on your behalf.
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