DHL Global Forwarding South Africa is inviting unemployed young people to join its 2026/2027 Learnership Programme in Johannesburg. Successful candidates will complete a 12-month Clearing and Forwarding Agent NQF Level 5 programme while gaining practical experience in international freight operations.
Candidates must be South African citizens between 18 and 30 years old and may not be employed or studying when they enter the programme. DHL requires Grade 12 or a relevant transport, logistics or business qualification, while matric applicants must have achieved at least 65% for English.
The temporary learner placement forms part of DHL Global Forwarding, Freight, the division responsible for air, ocean and road freight services. The official vacancy carries reference number AV-366612.
DHL has not stated a closing date or stipend amount in the advertisement. Therefore, eligible candidates should prepare their documents and submit their applications promptly.
How will the DHL learnership prepare participants for freight forwarding?
The programme gives unemployed learners an opportunity to combine theoretical knowledge with supervised workplace exposure.
During the 12 months, participants will learn how logistics teams coordinate the movement of goods across local and international borders. They will also gain experience with the documents, systems and administrative processes that support import and export operations.
Consequently, the programme could suit candidates who want to build careers in freight forwarding, customs operations, transport administration, international trade or supply chain support.
What responsibilities will DHL learners handle?
Learners will work under direct supervision while supporting DHL’s import and export processes.
Although the position begins with structured duties, these tasks will help participants understand how freight documentation, operational systems and back-office processes connect.
Participants will support the team by:
- Receiving and organising freight-related documents.
- Checking and reconciling information.
- Consolidating and summarising operational records.
- Maintaining systems according to instructions.
- Scanning and filing documents.
- Preparing basic reports.
- Following established processes and working methods.
- Communicating routine information to team members.
- Resolving straightforward task-related issues.
- Supporting service delivery and operational performance.
Learners will mainly interact with colleagues in their immediate teams. However, the experience should also strengthen their ability to communicate professionally and maintain productive workplace relationships.
Who qualifies for the DHL learner intake?
DHL has set clear academic, age and employment requirements for the 2026/2027 intake.
Candidates need:
- Grade 12 or a relevant transport, logistics or business qualification.
- At least 65% for English on their matric certificate.
- South African citizenship.
- To be between 18 and 30 years old.
- To be unemployed.
- To not be registered for another course or qualification.
- Availability for the full 12-month programme.
Computer knowledge, particularly experience using Microsoft Office applications, will provide an advantage.
DHL will also conduct its selection process in line with the company’s Employment Equity Policy.
Why does the English requirement matter?
Freight forwarding involves detailed documents, instructions and communication between different teams, customers and service providers.
Therefore, learners must read information accurately, capture correct details and communicate clearly. A strong English result may show that a candidate can understand written procedures and complete documentation with fewer errors.
Applicants should highlight examples that demonstrate:
- Clear written communication.
- Confident verbal communication.
- Accurate information capture.
- Careful reading and interpretation.
- Professional email writing.
- Attention to detail.
School assignments, volunteer activities and community responsibilities can provide useful examples when a candidate has no previous formal workplace experience.
Which computer skills could strengthen an application?
DHL lists Microsoft Office knowledge as an advantage because learners will support operational systems, documentation and reporting activities.
Candidates should mention any experience with:
- Microsoft Word.
- Microsoft Excel.
- Microsoft Outlook.
- Email communication.
- Electronic filing.
- Data capturing.
- Document scanning.
- Basic report preparation.
Applicants do not necessarily need advanced technical skills. However, they should feel comfortable working on a computer, opening documents, entering information and following digital instructions.
What could participants gain from the programme?
The learnership offers more than a formal qualification. It also introduces participants to the pace, standards and responsibilities of an international logistics environment.
Successful learners could gain:
- A Clearing and Forwarding Agent qualification at National Qualifications Framework Level 5.
- Practical import and export exposure.
- Freight documentation experience.
- Administrative and reporting skills.
- Knowledge of operational systems.
- Professional workplace experience.
- Greater confidence when working in a team.
- Improved future employability.
- Exposure to possible career development opportunities.
DHL states that participants will also have opportunities to contribute their ideas and skills while working towards shared business goals.
Permanent employment does not form part of the advertised guarantee. Nevertheless, completing the programme could help learners strengthen their curriculum vitae and compete for future logistics opportunities.
Which documents should candidates prepare?
Applicants should prepare their supporting documents before starting the online application.
The application may require:
- An updated curriculum vitae.
- A clear copy of a South African identity document.
- A copy of the matric certificate.
- Academic records showing the English result.
- Copies of transport, logistics or business qualifications where applicable.
- Relevant computer training certificates.
- Any additional documents requested through the recruitment portal.
Candidates should ensure that their academic results clearly show the required 65% English mark.
They should also check that the telephone number and email address on their curriculum vitae remain active. DHL may use these details to communicate assessment, interview or selection information.
Itumeleng’s Insider Tip: Place your 65% English result, computer knowledge and interest in logistics near the top of your curriculum vitae. Recruiters should not have to search through several pages to confirm that you meet the programme’s most important requirements.
How should candidates tailor their curriculum vitae?
A generic curriculum vitae may not clearly show why a candidate suits freight forwarding.
Instead, applicants should use a brief professional profile that connects their education and strengths to the programme.
Candidates can mention that they are:
- Interested in transport and international logistics.
- Comfortable working with documents and computer systems.
- Able to follow detailed instructions.
- Organised and dependable.
- Confident working with numbers and written information.
- Willing to learn import and export processes.
- Available for the full programme.
Candidates should keep the document professional, accurate and easy to scan. They should also remove unrelated personal information that does not strengthen the application.
Why could DHL provide valuable logistics exposure?
DHL Group operates across more than 220 countries and territories, making it one of the world’s largest logistics organisations.
DHL Global Forwarding specialises in moving freight by air, ocean and road. Therefore, learners could gain exposure to systems and procedures used within a complex international transport network.
The company also promotes professional development and long-term career growth across its global operations.
For young people entering the sector, this environment may provide a strong foundation in workplace discipline, logistics administration and international freight processes.
How can eligible candidates submit their applications?
Applications must be completed online using the DHL recruitment system.
Candidates should create or update their profile, complete every required field and attach clear supporting documents before submitting.
Applications must be submitted through the official DHL online recruitment portal.
The vacancy reference is AV-366612.
Since the advertisement does not provide a closing date, candidates should avoid unnecessary delays. However, they should still review every section carefully before making the final submission.
What should applicants check before submitting?
Before completing the application, candidates should confirm that:
- Their matric English result meets the 65% requirement.
- They fall within the required age range.
- They are not currently employed.
- They are not currently studying.
- Their contact details remain correct.
- All uploaded documents open clearly.
- Their curriculum vitae reflects relevant computer skills.
- They can attend the programme in Johannesburg.
- They can commit to the full 12-month period.
Candidates should also save confirmation of their submission for their records.
DHL does not require candidates to pay someone to submit an application or secure an interview. Applicants should remain cautious of individuals who request money or promise guaranteed placement.
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Final Thoughts
The DHL Global Forwarding Learnership Programme 2026/2027 gives unemployed South African youth a valuable opportunity to enter the freight and logistics sector through structured learning and practical workplace exposure.
Successful candidates will spend 12 months completing a Clearing and Forwarding Agent qualification at National Qualifications Framework Level 5 while supporting real import, export, documentation and operational processes.
The programme is particularly suitable for candidates aged 18 to 30 who have achieved at least 65% for English and want to build experience with a major international logistics company.
Because DHL has not specified a closing date, eligible candidates should prepare their documents and submit their applications promptly.
