Pepkor Lifestyle – Graduate Internship

Retail head office experience can be a strong starting point for graduates who want to understand how brands, systems and operations work behind the scenes. Pepkor Lifestyle is inviting unemployed South African graduates and TVET / HET candidates to apply for its W&R SETA-funded Graduate Internship and Work Integrated Learning opportunity at Head Office in Johannesburg.

At a glance

What this opportunity is

The Pepkor Lifestyle Graduate Internship and TVET Work Integrated Learning opportunity is designed to give young graduates practical workplace exposure in a retail head office environment. The programme allows successful candidates to gain experience across Pepkor Lifestyle brands, systems and operations while developing professional and workplace skills.

The programme includes a 12-month Graduate Programme for qualifying graduates and an 18-month practical Work Integrated Learning experience for eligible TVET and HET candidates. Pepkor Lifestyle also encourages candidates with disabilities to apply.

Fields of study considered

Pepkor Lifestyle is looking for graduates with degrees or diplomas in the following fields:

• Marketing Management.
• Business Management / Business Administration.
• Human Resource Management / Industrial Psychology.
• Digital / Marketing / Ecommerce.
• IT Project Administration / Project Management.
• IT Information Systems / Business Information Technology.
• TVET College and HET graduates who need to complete 18-month practical workplace exposure.

Who this opportunity may suit

This opportunity may suit unemployed graduates who want structured exposure to retail operations, head office systems, brand environments and professional workplace development.

• Unemployed South African graduates.
• Applicants under the age of 32.
• TVET / HET candidates who need 18 months of practical workplace exposure.
• Applicants with qualifications in business, marketing, HR, ecommerce, IT or project-related fields.
• People who are interested in the retail industry and customer-focused business operations.
• Applicants who are adaptable, resilient and able to learn quickly.
• Candidates with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

What you’ll do / learn

The programme gives successful candidates structured workplace exposure while allowing them to learn from experienced professionals across the business.

• Attend onboarding and induction programmes.
• Attend meetings that provide information about different company functions.
• Perform duties under the supervision of senior employees.
• Research and document trends within different business functions.
• Explore topics such as new technology, best practices and operational improvements.
• Visit different locations or stores to gain hands-on workplace experience.
• Prepare presentations that may be used for evaluation.
• Perform additional responsibilities needed to support business objectives.
• Gain exposure to Pepkor Lifestyle brands, systems and operations.
• Develop professional, leadership and workplace readiness skills.

Note: This is a Graduate Internship / Work Integrated Learning opportunity. The official listing does not state that permanent employment is guaranteed after completion.

Eligibility requirements

Applicant requirements

• Must be suitably qualified from an accredited university or tertiary institution.
• Must be unemployed.
• Must be a South African citizen.
• Must have a valid South African ID.
• Must be under the age of 32.
• Must have a relevant degree, diploma or TVET / HET qualification linked to the listed fields.

Abilities and competencies required

• Ability to learn quickly.
• Resilience and adaptability.
• Ability to take initiative.
• Ability to critically analyse information and use judgement to make decisions.
• Ability to work independently and in a team environment.
• Ability to build and maintain working relationships.
• High standard of work ethic.
• Good presentation skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Understanding and ability to improve customer service.

What retail head office exposure really involves

Retail head office work supports what customers eventually see in stores and online. Depending on the department, candidates may gain exposure to systems, operations, marketing, ecommerce, HR, IT projects, business administration, reporting, research, store support or customer service improvement.

For this application, your CV should clearly show your qualification, field of study, unemployment status, South African citizenship, age eligibility and any projects linked to retail, business, marketing, HR, ecommerce, IT, project administration, research or customer service. If you need TVET practical workplace exposure, make that clear in your CV or supporting documents.

Application checklist

Make sure your application is complete before submitting.

• Updated CV.
• Certified copy of your South African ID, not older than 3 months.
• Certified copies of certificates or qualifications, not older than 3 months.
• Certified copy of academic transcript / tertiary results, not older than 3 months.
• Proof of TVET / HET practical workplace exposure requirement, if applicable.
• Any certificates linked to your field, such as marketing, HR, IT, ecommerce, project management or business administration, if available.
• Clear contact details, including phone number and email address.
• Make sure your CV clearly shows the qualification stream you are applying under.

Important: The listing states that candidates who successfully submit their documents will receive first consideration.

Need help with CVs, certified copies, and application tips? Use our Resources & Guides Hub.

About the sponsor

Pepkor Lifestyle is part of the Pepkor retail environment and offers furniture, appliances, household goods and lifestyle products through a range of retail brands. The business serves value-conscious customers and supports product categories that cover home, leisure, family and small office needs. More information is available on the official Pepkor Lifestyle careers page and the Pepkor website.

Quick tips for applicants

• Apply before the closing date because SETA-funded opportunities can be competitive.
• Make your qualification and field of study easy to find on your CV.
• Clearly state that you are unemployed and under the age of 32.
• If you are applying for the 18-month TVET / HET practical component, state this clearly.
• Attach certified documents that are not older than 3 months.
• Highlight projects, assignments or short courses linked to retail, marketing, HR, ecommerce, IT, project administration or business management.
• Use your CV profile section to explain why you are interested in retail head office experience.

Common mistakes that get applicants rejected

• Submitting uncertified documents or documents older than 3 months.
• Applying without a relevant qualification.
• Not attaching your academic transcript or tertiary results.
• Not making your unemployment status clear.
• Not showing your South African citizenship or valid SA ID details where required.
• Using a generic CV that does not connect your studies to retail, business, marketing, HR, ecommerce or IT.
• Leaving out contact details or using an email address you do not check regularly.
• Applying late or waiting until the closing date.

Scam warning

Applicants should only apply through the official Pepkor Lifestyle Simplify HR application page. Do not pay anyone for an internship, work-integrated learning placement, interview, assessment, background check, training or document submission. If someone contacts you through WhatsApp, Facebook or another platform asking for money, treat it as suspicious and verify the vacancy through the official Pepkor Lifestyle careers platform.

How this opportunity was verified

This post was prepared using the official Pepkor Lifestyle Simplify HR vacancy page for the Graduate Internship – Degree, Diploma and TVET (W&R SETA funded) opportunity. The listing confirms the employer, job title, Sandton location, contract type, posted date, closing date, division, business unit, retail industry, operations functional area, programme description, qualifying fields, applicant requirements, competencies, responsibilities and document requirements.

The closing date was listed as 30 June 2026 at the time of verification. Applicants should apply before the deadline and check the official Simplify HR page for updates.

For more information about how our posts are verified, please visit our How we verify listings page.

How to apply

1. Open the official Pepkor Lifestyle Simplify HR application link below.
2. Read the full Graduate Internship – Degree, Diploma and TVET listing carefully.
3. Confirm that your qualification matches one of the listed fields.
4. Prepare your updated CV and certified supporting documents.
5. Make sure your certified ID, certificates and transcript / tertiary results are not older than 3 months.
6. Complete the online application through the official Simplify HR page.
7. Submit your application before the closing date.
8. Keep proof of submission or any confirmation email you receive.

Application Closing Date: 30 June 2026

Candidates who successfully submit their documents will receive first consideration.