Sanlam has opened applications for its Data, AI and Engineering Academy 2027, a 13-month Accelerated Development Programme aimed at young South African graduates who want to launch careers in data science, artificial intelligence, analytics, technology and engineering. Successful candidates are placed on permanent employment contracts from day one, with market-related salary, benefits and structured mentorship. Applications close on 27 September 2026, so graduates finishing their qualifications in 2026 should get their documents in early to avoid missing this fully paid corporate entry route.
About the Sanlam Data, AI and Engineering Academy
Sanlam is one of Africa’s largest non-banking financial services groups, with roots going back to 1918 and operations in insurance, investment management, wealth planning and retirement. In South Africa it employs tens of thousands of people and serves millions of policyholders across every province. The Data, AI and Engineering Academy is Sanlam’s flagship 13-month Accelerated Development Programme, designed to fast-track early-career professionals into permanent technical roles inside the group.
Participants join a structured learning journey that combines classroom training, on-the-job project work, mentorship, and rotations across teams that build machine-learning models, automate underwriting, engineer data pipelines and modernise Sanlam’s cloud platforms. The programme sits at the centre of Sanlam’s response to South Africa’s shortage of data and AI skills, and it is one of the few graduate schemes in the local market that guarantees a permanent job before the training even begins.
What You Get on the Programme
- A permanent employment contract with Sanlam from day one
- Market-related salary and full company benefits including medical aid and retirement fund
- 13 months of structured learning in data science, AI, analytics and engineering
- Rotations across real business teams working on production systems
- One-on-one mentorship from senior technologists and business leaders
- Exposure to Sanlam’s cloud, data and modelling stack used by millions of customers
- Ongoing career development and internal mobility after the academy
Who Can Apply
- South African citizens between the ages of 22 and 30
- Recent graduates or students completing their qualification by the end of 2026
- No more than one year of full-time work experience
- Qualifications in Computer Science, Data Science, Information Systems, Software Engineering, Mathematical Statistics, Actuarial Science, Applied Mathematics, or related quantitative or engineering fields
- Strong academic record with proven analytical and problem-solving ability
- Willingness to relocate to a Sanlam office (typically Bellville in Cape Town or Sandton in Johannesburg)
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Documents You Will Need
- Certified copy of your South African ID
- Certified copy of your Matric certificate
- Full academic transcripts for every year of tertiary study
- A degree or diploma certificate, or a letter from your university confirming your expected completion date
- An updated CV of no more than two pages
- A short cover letter that explains why you want to build a career in data, AI or engineering at Sanlam
How to Apply
- Visit the official Sanlam Careers portal and create a candidate profile.
- Search for the “Data, AI and Engineering Academy 2027” or “Accelerated Development Programme” role in the current openings.
- Complete every section of the online application form carefully, including your academic record and any technical projects, internships or research.
- Upload your ID, Matric, transcripts, CV and cover letter in PDF format.
- Submit the application and save the reference number so you can track it.
- Apply at Sanlam Careers.
Closing Date
The closing date for the Sanlam Data, AI and Engineering Academy 2027 is 27 September 2026. No late applications will be accepted.
Why This Opportunity Matters
South Africa’s youth unemployment rate is stubbornly above 40 percent, and the data-and-AI skills shortage is one of the widest wage-earning gaps in the country. Junior data scientists and engineers at major financial services firms typically enter on packages of R400,000 to R550,000 in their first year, well above the average graduate starting salary.
The Sanlam academy shortens the usual “graduate to permanent hire” path by handing selected candidates a permanent contract on day one, so there is no probation limbo and no six-month internship gate. It also plugs you into one of the largest financial services groups in Africa, which means the internal job market, once you finish the academy, is enormous. For a young South African graduate with technical ability but no professional network, this is one of the fastest legitimate on-ramps to a well-paid, high-growth career.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need previous data science or AI work experience to apply?
No. The academy is aimed at recent graduates with no more than one year of full-time work experience. Coursework, capstone projects, personal portfolios and internships all count in your favour.
Is the programme paid, and is it permanent?
Yes. Sanlam confirms that selected candidates receive permanent employment from day one, together with market-related salary and full benefits. This is not an unpaid internship.
Do I have to have graduated already?
No. Graduates completing their qualification during 2026 can apply, as long as they finish by the end of the year and can start with the 2027 intake.
What if my degree is in engineering rather than pure computer science?
You are still eligible. Sanlam recruits into the academy from Computer Science, Data Science, Information Systems, Software Engineering, Mathematical Statistics, Actuarial Science, Applied Mathematics and related quantitative or engineering fields.
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