Maersk, one of the world’s largest logistics companies, has opened its YES Learnership 2026/2027 in Johannesburg, and unemployed South African youth with a Grade 12 now have a real chance to gain paid workplace experience in a global business. The 12-month programme is aimed at young people aged 18 to 30 who have never completed a YES learnership and want to build skills in logistics, customer service, administration and business operations. Applications for the Maersk YES Learnership are open, so qualifying candidates should apply as soon as possible before the role is filled.
About the Programme
Maersk is a global leader in integrated logistics, operating across more than a hundred countries and playing a central role in world trade, shipping and supply chain solutions. The Youth Employment Service (YES) is a national initiative that connects unemployed young South Africans with real, paid work experience inside established companies.
Through the Maersk YES Learnership, selected candidates are placed in a professional workplace where they learn how different business functions operate day to day. For a young person who has finished matric but cannot find work because they lack experience, this programme bridges exactly that gap. It offers structured exposure to a respected international employer, the kind of experience that makes a CV stand out and opens doors to permanent roles in logistics and beyond. Youth unemployment in South Africa is severe, and programmes like this give first-time job seekers a genuine foot in the door.
What You Will Learn
- Practical workplace skills across real business functions
- An understanding of how logistics and supply chain operations work
- Customer service and professional communication in a corporate environment
- Administration and operational support tasks
- Teamwork, time management and a customer-focused mindset
- Workplace expectations and professional conduct that improve employability
Who Can Apply (Eligibility)
- Must be a South African citizen
- Must have completed Grade 12 or Matric
- Must be between the ages of 18 and 30
- Must not be permanently employed
- Must not have more than two years of work experience
- Must not have completed a YES learnership before
- Must be able to commit to the full 12-month programme
- Must have a strong academic record, strong computer literacy and good written and verbal communication skills
Additional tertiary qualifications are an advantage but are not compulsory.
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Required Documents
- Updated CV with correct contact details
- Certified copy of your South African ID
- Matric certificate
- Any additional qualifications, if available
- Proof of residence, if requested
Only submit the documents requested on the official application page, and make sure your CV is professional and free of spelling mistakes.
How to Apply
- Visit the official Maersk careers website.
- Search for “YES Learnership 2026/2027 Johannesburg” or use reference number R185769.
- Open the vacancy page and read the full description and requirements.
- Click Apply Now and create or log in to your applicant profile.
- Complete the online application form and upload your documents.
- Submit your application before the vacancy closes.
Closing Date
The Maersk YES Learnership 2026/2027 is open for applications now. A closing date has not been published on the official vacancy page, so you should apply as soon as possible before the role is removed.
Why It Matters
More than half of young South Africans are unemployed, and the most common barrier is not a lack of ability but a lack of experience. Employers want candidates who have worked before, yet young people cannot get that first job without experience in the first place.
A YES learnership breaks that cycle. It gives you twelve months of real, paid work inside a global company, a recognised reference, and proof that you can hold down a professional role. For many participants, a YES placement leads directly to permanent employment or to a confident next step into another job. Doing it at a company the size of Maersk, in the fast-growing logistics sector, is a strong start to any career. This is the kind of opportunity that can change the direction of a young person’s working life.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need work experience to apply?
No. The programme is designed for first-time job seekers. You must not have more than two years of work experience, and you must not have completed a YES learnership before.
Is the learnership paid?
Yes. YES learnerships are paid work-experience placements. The exact stipend is confirmed during the application process on the official Maersk careers page.
Where is the programme based?
The learnership is based in Johannesburg, South Africa, and is a full-time, site-based placement for 12 months.
What happens after the 12 months?
The experience and reference you gain improve your employability significantly. Many YES participants move into permanent roles or use the experience to secure work elsewhere.
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