NTT DATA has opened applications for its Young Talent Graduate Programme 2027, aimed at South African graduates aged 26 and under with a diploma or degree in IT, Commerce or Engineering. The programme places Associate Graduates in real business projects alongside experienced professionals, with structured learning, mentorship and industry certifications built in. Based in Johannesburg, applications close 9 October 2026.
About the Programme
NTT DATA is one of the world’s largest IT services and technology consulting companies, part of the global NTT Group, operating across more than 50 countries including South Africa. The company works with major corporates and public sector clients on digital transformation, data, cloud and business technology projects, which means graduates joining its programmes are exposed to real, large-scale technology work from day one rather than shadowing on the sidelines.
The Young Talent Graduate Programme exists to build NTT DATA’s local pipeline of technology and business talent, at a time when South Africa’s IT sector is short of skilled young professionals even as youth unemployment remains high in almost every other part of the economy. For a recent graduate in IT, commerce or engineering struggling to find a company willing to invest in someone with no formal work experience yet, a structured graduate programme inside a company of NTT DATA’s scale is a rare and valuable entry point into a genuinely global career track.
What You Will Gain
- Hands-on experience contributing to real client and business projects
- Structured learning pathways and industry-recognised certifications
- Mentorship from experienced NTT DATA professionals
- Exposure to leading global technology and business solutions
- Professional network-building inside a multinational company
- Opportunities to participate in corporate social responsibility initiatives
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Who Can Apply
- South African citizen
- Aged 26 or younger
- Completed, or due to complete by December 2026, a three-year Diploma or Degree in Commerce, Engineering, Information Technology or a related field
- Based in Johannesburg, or willing to relocate at your own cost
- Strong problem-solving ability, curiosity and a growth mindset
Required Documents
- Updated CV
- Certified copies of academic transcripts and qualification certificate, or proof of expected completion by December 2026
- Certified copy of South African ID
- Proof of address, for relocation planning if applicable
How to Apply
- Confirm you meet the age, citizenship and qualification requirements
- Prepare an updated CV and academic records
- Go to the official NTT DATA Young Talent Graduate Programme application page
- Complete the online application form and upload your documents
- Submit before the closing date
- Monitor the email address you applied with for interview and assessment communication
The closing date for the NTT DATA Young Talent Graduate Programme 2027 is 9 October 2026. No late applications will be accepted.
Why It Matters
South Africa produces thousands of IT, commerce and engineering graduates every year, but far fewer structured graduate programmes exist to actually absorb them into real careers. Many young graduates spend a year or more applying for junior roles that all demand experience they haven’t had the chance to build yet.
A programme like NTT DATA’s Young Talent Graduate Programme closes that gap directly – it’s built specifically for people with no more than a few months of work experience, and it comes from a company large enough to offer genuine mentorship, certification and exposure to enterprise-scale technology work. For a 22 to 26-year-old graduate trying to break into South Africa’s tech sector, landing a place on a programme like this can be the difference between a year of rejected junior applications and a real career trajectory inside a global company.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need work experience to apply?
No prior professional experience is required. The programme is aimed at recent graduates just starting their careers.
Is this programme only for IT graduates?
No. NTT DATA accepts graduates from Commerce, Engineering and Information Technology, or related fields.
Do I have to live in Johannesburg to apply?
The programme is based in Johannesburg. If you’re not already based there, you’ll need to be willing to relocate at your own cost.
What happens after the graduate programme ends?
Confirmed during the application process – outcomes depend on performance and business need at the time.
