Maersk Youth Employment Service (YES) Learnership Programme 2026/2027

Maersk invites motivated South African matriculants to apply for a 12‑month YES Learnership based in Cape Town. This entry‑level programme gives learners practical workplace exposure across business functions within a global logistics leader — ideal for school leavers who want hands‑on experience, workplace skills development and a stepping stone into the logistics and supply‑chain sector.

Quick overview

Role	YES Learnership 2026/2027
Employer	Maersk
Location	Cape Town, Western Cape
Employment type	Full‑time, on‑site
Duration	12 months (one‑year programme)
Posted	17 July 2026
Apply	Apply on Maersk careers page

About the organisation

Maersk is a global leader in integrated logistics and a long‑standing industry pioneer. With more than 100,000 employees across roughly 130 countries, the business focuses on innovation, sustainability and efficient global trade. The company aims to build diverse teams, continuous learning and customer‑centric operations — making it a strong environment for workplace learning and early career development.

What the role involves

The YES Learnership is a structured one‑year workplace programme that places learners in day‑to‑day operational and support roles across different business functions. Participants will gain practical, on‑the‑job experience while developing workplace capabilities, including customer focus, operational awareness and market driven thinking.

Duties and responsibilities

Provide administrative and operational support within allocated business teams.
Assist with routine tasks that keep the function running effectively.
Learn processes, systems and customer‑facing procedures under supervision.
Contribute to team activities and collaborate with colleagues to meet objectives.
Develop and apply basic workplace skills such as time management, communication and computer use.

Requirements explained clearly

To be eligible, applicants must meet the programme requirements below:

South African citizenship (must be a South African citizen).
Completed Grade 12 / Matric certificate.
Between 18 and 30 years of age.
Not permanently employed at the time of application.
No more than two years’ prior work experience.
Must be able to commit to the full 12‑month programme.
Must not have previously completed a YES Learnership.
Desirable: additional tertiary qualifications (advantageous but not mandatory).
Workplace skills expected: computer literacy, strong written and verbal communication, ability to learn quickly, good time management and a collaborative attitude.

Who should consider applying

This learnership is aimed at recent school leavers and other young South Africans seeking practical workplace experience in a corporate logistics environment. You should apply if you:

Have matric and want structured, on‑the‑job training rather than immediate full‑time employment.
Are between 18 and 30 and have limited formal work experience (no more than two years).
Want to develop transferable skills — communication, time management and computer use — within a global company.
Can commit to being on site in Cape Town for the 12‑month programme.

Application checklist

Before you apply, prepare these items so your application is complete and competitive:

Valid South African ID document (to confirm citizenship and age).
Certified copy or clear scan/photo of your Grade 12 / Matric certificate.
An up‑to‑date CV that highlights your education, any short work or volunteer experience, computer skills, and examples of teamwork or time management.
A brief cover note (optional but recommended) that explains why you want the learnership and how you meet the eligibility criteria.
If you have tertiary qualifications, include certified copies or transcripts (these are advantageous).
Be ready to declare that you are not permanently employed and that you have not previously completed a YES Learnership.

How to apply

Apply online through Maersk’s careers page

If you need adjustments during the application or hiring process, Maersk provides support — contact accommodationrequests@maersk.com for assistance.

Create a Job Specific ATS CV and a Cover Letter Here

Edupstairs advice: how to make your application stand out

Tailor your CV: Start with education and clearly list Matric subjects and marks if strong. Add any computer courses, short courses or volunteer work that show reliability and initiative.
Write a short cover note: One paragraph that states your eligibility (age, citizenship, matric) and why you want the learnership. Mention your readiness to be on site in Cape Town for 12 months.
Show workplace readiness: Use examples — school projects, part‑time work, sports team captaincy or volunteer duties — to demonstrate time management, teamwork and communication.
Demonstrate computer literacy: Note the systems or software you’ve used (MS Office, Google Workspace) and any online courses completed.
Prepare for interviews: Have concrete examples of how you solved a problem or worked in a team. Practice concise, confident answers and arrive with questions about the team and learning opportunities.
Proofread: Make sure your CV and cover note are clear, error‑free and easy to read. Use a professional file name and PDF format where possible.

Tools you may find useful:

View Other Employment Opportunities here

Need Help?

Frequently asked questions

1. Who can apply?

South African citizens aged 18–30 who have completed Grade 12 / Matric, are not permanently employed, have no more than two years’ work experience and have not previously completed a YES Learnership.

2. Where will the learnership be based?

The programme is on‑site in Cape Town, Western Cape.

3. How long is the programme?

The learnership runs for 12 months (one year).

4. Are tertiary qualifications required?

No. Additional tertiary qualifications are listed as advantageous but are not mandatory.

5. What kind of work will I do?

Learners will carry out support responsibilities across different business functions, providing practical administrative and operational assistance under supervision while developing workplace skills.

6. Is the role full‑time?

Yes — the programme is offered full‑time and on‑site.

7. What if I need an accommodation during the application or hiring process?

Contact Maersk at accommodationrequests@maersk.com for assistance with adjustments.

You can also:

Application Outcome Tracker (anonymous)

No names collected. This helps future applicants understand real-world timelines.

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Disclaimer

Please confirm final programme details, timelines and any remuneration information on Maersk’s official careers page before applying.

EDUPSTAIRS IS A REGISTERED NON-PROFIT ORGANISATION NPO No: 232 – 182, PUBLIC BENEFIT ORGANISATION (PBO): 930066984. EDUPSTAIRS DOES NOT, IN ANY WAY OR FORM, SOLICIT MONEY OR CV’S FROM PEOPLE FOR JOBS. PLEASE BE AWARE OF PHONY JOB POSTINGS AND RECRUITMENT FRAUD. USE THE EDUPSTAIRS SCAM DETECTOR TOOL TO SPOT A SCAM BEFORE YOU APPLY