NTT DATA Young Talent Graduate Programme 2027: Applications Open for South African Graduates

Who can apply

• NTT DATA states that the programme is ideally suited to recent graduates aged 26 and younger who want to launch careers in the technology industry.
• Information Technology;
• Commerce;
• Engineering; or
• a related field.
• Applicants should assess their qualification against the wording of the official vacancy rather than assuming that every Diploma or Degree automatically qualifies.
• Graduates who want to investigate where their qualifications could potentially lead can use the Edupstairs Career & Qualification Explorer.
• The Explorer brings South African OFO occupations and SAQA qualification records together, allowing graduates to investigate careers, qualifications, NQF levels and career-to-qualification connections.
• Applicants should have completed, or be due to complete by December 2026, a three-year Diploma or Degree in Information Technology, Commerce, Engineering or a related field.
• Can Information Technology graduates apply?
• Use the Edupstairs Career & Qualification Explorer to investigate South African careers, OFO occupations, SAQA qualifications, NQF levels and career-to-qualification connections.
• Which SETA is relevant to ICT careers?

How to apply

Applications are submitted directly to NTT DATA Young Talent - we do not collect applications. Read the eligibility criteria, prepare your supporting documents, then complete your application on the official page.

Full details

South African graduates who want to start their careers in technology, engineering, business and related professional fields have an important graduate opportunity to investigate through the NTT DATA Young Talent Graduate Programme 2027.

The programme is based in Johannesburg, Gauteng and is designed to give recent graduates practical workplace experience while combining structured learning, mentorship, industry-recognised certifications and exposure to real business projects.

NTT DATA is looking particularly for graduates who have completed - or will complete by December 2026 - a three-year Diploma or Degree in Information Technology, Commerce, Engineering or a related field.

Successful candidates join the organisation as Associate Graduates and work alongside experienced professionals while developing technical, professional and leadership capabilities.

NTT DATA Young Talent Graduate Programme 2027: Quick Overview

What Is the NTT DATA Young Talent Graduate Programme?

The NTT DATA Graduate Programme is intended to help graduates make the transition from tertiary education into a professional technology and business environment.

This is not simply an opportunity to observe experienced employees.

Graduate participants are expected to contribute to real business initiatives, participate in operational and project activities and apply knowledge gained during their studies to workplace challenges.

The programme combines several forms of development, including:

• hands-on workplace experience;
• structured learning;
• industry-recognised certifications;
• mentorship;
• practical business projects;
• technical development;
• professional development;
• leadership development; and
• exposure to technology and business solutions.

For a graduate who has spent several years completing a Diploma or Degree but has limited professional experience, this type of programme can help bridge the gap between academic learning and workplace capability.

Who Can Apply for the NTT DATA Graduate Programme 2027?

NTT DATA states that the programme is ideally suited to recent graduates aged 26 and younger who want to launch careers in the technology industry.

Applicants should have completed, or be due to complete by December 2026, a three-year Diploma or Degree in:

Applicants should assess their qualification against the wording of the official vacancy rather than assuming that every Diploma or Degree automatically qualifies.

Graduates who want to investigate where their qualifications could potentially lead can use the Edupstairs Career & Qualification Explorer.

The Explorer brings South African OFO occupations and SAQA qualification records together, allowing graduates to investigate careers, qualifications, NQF levels and career-to-qualification connections.

Information Technology Graduates

The NTT DATA programme is particularly relevant to graduates interested in entering South Africa’s technology industry.

Depending on the graduate’s qualification, skills and eventual placement, broader technology career pathways can include areas such as:

• Software Development;
• Information Technology;
• Information Systems;
• Business Analysis;
• Cloud Computing;
• Cybersecurity;
• Data;
• Networking;
• IT Support;
• Infrastructure;
• Systems Administration;
• Digital Transformation;
• Technology Consulting; and
• related ICT careers.

Graduates should not assume that the programme guarantees placement into one specific technical occupation. NTT DATA describes the opportunity broadly across business units and functions.

Use the Career & Qualification Explorer to research occupations such as Software Developer and other ICT-related careers before applying.

Commerce Graduates

The programme is not restricted to graduates who studied computer science or IT.

NTT DATA specifically includes Commerce among the qualifying study areas.

Commerce is broad and can potentially include graduates whose studies connect with business, management, finance, information systems and other commercially oriented disciplines.

Applicants should nevertheless compare their exact qualification with the official recruitment requirements before applying.

Technology companies need more than developers and engineers.

Large technology organisations can include professional functions involving:

business operations → finance → project management → consulting → sales → commercial management → human resources → procurement → customer operations → technology.

That is why Commerce graduates interested in working within the technology sector should not automatically dismiss technology-company graduate programmes.

Engineering Graduates

Engineering is another field specifically identified by NTT DATA.

Depending on the qualification and business requirements, engineering graduates can bring valuable capabilities involving:

• analytical thinking;
• systems thinking;
• mathematical problem solving;
• technical design;
• project work;
• process improvement;
• data analysis;
• technology;
• infrastructure; and
• structured problem solving.

Again, the official advert does not promise every engineering graduate a particular engineering role.

Applicants should apply on the basis of the programme requirements and the opportunities made available through NTT DATA.

What Will NTT DATA Graduates Do?

NTT DATA describes the programme as a practical workplace-development opportunity.

Associate Graduates can expect to work alongside experienced professionals and subject-matter experts.

1. Gain Practical Workplace Experience

Graduates will immerse themselves in a professional working environment.

This can help participants understand workplace expectations, professional communication, organisational structures and how large business and technology projects operate.

1. Contribute to Real Business Projects

Participants are expected to contribute to actual business initiatives rather than learning entirely through classroom-based training.

Working alongside experienced professionals gives graduates an opportunity to understand how theoretical concepts are applied to real organisational challenges.

1. Complete Structured Learning and Certifications

One particularly useful feature of the programme is its combination of workplace experience with structured development.

NTT DATA states that graduates can develop their technical and professional capabilities through:

• structured learning pathways;
• certifications; and
• on-the-job experience.

Industry-recognised certifications can potentially strengthen a graduate’s professional profile alongside their Diploma or Degree.

1. Participate in Operational and Project Activities

Graduates may participate in operational and project work relevant to the business unit or function in which they are placed.

This means the precise experience of one graduate may differ from another depending on placement.

1. Apply Academic Knowledge

Graduates will be expected to use theoretical knowledge to address business challenges and support solutions.

This transition is important.

University and college education may teach concepts, methodologies and technical principles.

The workplace then requires graduates to apply those concepts under real deadlines, business requirements, client expectations and organisational processes.

1. Work With Colleagues, Clients and Stakeholders

NTT DATA expects graduates to collaborate effectively across the organisation.

Communication and relationship-building therefore matter alongside technical competence.

1. Participate in Community Initiatives

Graduate participants may also become involved in corporate social responsibility and volunteer initiatives.

Skills NTT DATA Is Looking For

Qualifications matter, but NTT DATA also highlights several behavioural capabilities.

Applicants should demonstrate:

• curiosity;
• willingness to learn;
• a growth mindset;
• adaptability;
• strong problem-solving ability;
• initiative;
• accountability; and
• the ability to build positive working relationships.

Graduates preparing their CVs should think about genuine examples from university, college, projects, volunteering, student organisations or previous work that demonstrate these capabilities.

Do not simply write: “I am a problem solver.”

Where possible, show evidence through projects, responsibilities, achievements and practical experience.

Applicants Outside Johannesburg Must Consider Relocation

The programme is based in Johannesburg, South Africa.

NTT DATA specifically states that applicants who are not based in Johannesburg must be willing to relocate at their own cost.

This should be taken seriously.

Before applying, candidates outside Gauteng should consider potential costs involving:

• relocation;
• accommodation;
• deposits;
• transportation;
• daily commuting; and
• general living expenses.

Do not assume that NTT DATA will automatically cover these costs unless the employer explicitly confirms otherwise.

Explore ICT Careers Through the Edupstairs SETA Platform

Graduates interested in technology should also understand the role of MICT SETA in South Africa’s skills-development system.

MICT SETA covers sectors associated with media, information and communication technologies.

The Edupstairs SETA Platform brings together South Africa’s 21 SETAs and workplace-development pathways including internships, graduate placements, Work Integrated Learning, learnerships, skills programmes, apprenticeships and occupational qualifications.

Technology graduates can use the platform to investigate pathways involving areas such as:

• software development;
• IT support;
• cloud computing;
• cybersecurity;
• data science;
• Internet of Things;
• digital technologies;
• graduate internships;
• Work Integrated Learning; and
• other ICT-related development programmes.

You can also explore graduate-placement opportunities through the Edupstairs SETA Platform.

This is important because graduates should not depend on one employer.

A stronger strategy is:

Career → Qualification → Skills → Graduate Programme → Workplace Experience → Certifications → Professional Career

University Students Planning for Technology Careers

Students who have not yet graduated but want to eventually enter programmes such as NTT DATA’s graduate intake should start planning before their final year.

Use the Edupstairs University Explorer to research university programmes, admission requirements and study pathways.

Prospective students interested in technology and related careers can investigate qualifications in areas such as:

• Information Technology;
• Computer Science;
• Information Systems;
• Software Engineering;
• Computer Engineering;
• Electronic Engineering;
• Data Science;
• Business Information Systems;
• Commerce; and
• related fields.

The objective should not simply be to choose a qualification because it sounds employable.

Start with the career you want, understand the qualification pathway and then investigate institutions offering suitable programmes.

What About TVET College Graduates?

NTT DATA’s advertised minimum requirement is a three-year Diploma or Degree in Information Technology, Commerce, Engineering or a related field.

TVET students should therefore assess their qualifications carefully rather than assuming that an N6 certificate automatically satisfies the requirements.

However, TVET College students interested in technology, engineering and business should use the Edupstairs TVET College Explorer to investigate vocational study pathways across South Africa’s 50 public TVET Colleges.

TVET students requiring workplace experience should additionally investigate WIL and workplace-development opportunities through the SETA Platform.

How to Apply for the NTT DATA Young Talent Graduate Programme 2027

Applications are handled through NTT DATA’s official recruitment platform.

The programme reference is: R-149466

Closing date: 9 October 2026

Applicants should use the official NTT DATA Young Talent Graduate Programme 2027 recruitment page to verify the current status.

Documents to Prepare

Applicants must ultimately follow whatever documents NTT DATA requests through its recruitment system.

As general graduate-application preparation, however, it is useful to have the following available:

• updated CV;
• South African ID or relevant identification documentation;
• Matric certificate;
• Diploma or Degree certificate, if already completed;
• academic transcript;
• proof of current/final-year studies where applicable;
• relevant professional or technical certifications; and
• any additional documentation requested by NTT DATA.

Applicants completing their qualifications during 2026 should ensure that their CV clearly indicates their expected completion date.

How to Strengthen Your NTT DATA Application

Do not submit a completely generic graduate CV.

The programme focuses heavily on learning, technology, business exposure, problem solving and professional development.

Your CV should therefore make relevant capabilities easy to identify.

Depending on your qualification, consider highlighting genuine experience involving:

• programming;
• software projects;
• networking;
• databases;
• cloud technologies;
• cybersecurity;
• data analysis;
• engineering projects;
• business analysis;
• information systems;
• financial or commercial analysis;
• university group projects;
• leadership;
• presentations;
• problem solving;
• volunteering; and
• relevant certifications.

Academic projects matter when you do not yet have professional experience.

A graduate who built an application, designed a database, completed an engineering design project, analysed a business problem or participated in a major group project has evidence that can potentially help demonstrate practical capability.

Latest Internships and Graduate Opportunities on Edupstairs

Do not stop searching after applying for NTT DATA.

Several internships and graduate opportunities have been published recently on Edupstairs.

UNISA Finance Asset Management Internship Programme 2026 - X3 Opportunities for Accounting Graduates

UNISA is offering three Finance: Asset Management internship opportunities for qualifying Accounting graduates.

Office of the Chief Justice Graduate Internship Programme 2026 - X29 Opportunities

The Office of the Chief Justice is recruiting unemployed graduates across Finance, Accounting, Human Resources, Risk Management, Public Administration, Business Administration, Social Sciences, Law and related fields.

Gauteng Tourism Authority Internship Programme 2026

This opportunity targets graduates in Digital Media, Multimedia Design, Graphic Design, Digital Communications, Marketing, Journalism, Film and Television Production, Public Relations and related fields.

Shoprite Supply Chain Graduate Programme 2026

Shoprite’s programme provides nationwide opportunities for graduates in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Industrial Engineering, Operations Research and related disciplines.

Discovery HR Administrator WIL Programme 2026

Discovery is offering HR workplace-learning opportunities particularly relevant to TVET N6 Human Resources students requiring practical workplace experience.

Marsh Graduate Programme 2027

The Marsh Graduate Programme offers graduate-development opportunities across fields including risk, insurance, engineering, law, finance and technology.

iMasFinance Learning and Development Internship Programme 2026

This 12-month programme in Centurion targets unemployed graduates with a three-year Diploma or Degree in Human Resources Development or a related qualification.

Feltex Finance Graduate Training Programme 2026

Feltex is offering a Graduate Trainee Finance opportunity in Rosslyn for graduates in Finance, Accounting, Financial Management and related fields.

Graduates interested particularly in technology should also investigate the Microsoft Internship Programme 2026, which includes multiple South African graduate opportunities across technology and business functions.

Tools you may find useful:

View Other Employment Opportunities here

Need Help?

The NTT DATA programme is worth investigating particularly carefully if you are completing an Information Technology, Commerce, Engineering or related Diploma or Degree during 2026.

But the most important strategy is not:

NTT DATA application → wait.

Use a wider approach:

Identify your career → understand your qualification → build relevant technical skills → apply for suitable graduate programmes → continue applying → gain workplace experience → earn relevant certifications → build your professional career.

Use the Career & Qualification Explorer to understand where your qualification could take you.

Use the University Explorer if further study is part of your career plan.

Use the TVET College Explorer to investigate vocational and occupational study pathways.

And use the SETA Platform to investigate internships, WIL, graduate placements, learnerships, apprenticeships and skills-development programmes across South Africa’s 21 SETAs.

Most importantly, keep applying to opportunities that genuinely match your qualification.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the NTT DATA Young Talent Graduate Programme 2027?

It is a graduate-development programme designed to help recent graduates enter the professional workplace through practical experience, structured learning, mentorship, certifications and exposure to business and technology projects.

1. Where is the programme based?

The advertised programme is based in Johannesburg, South Africa.

1. What is the reference number?

The reference number is R-149466.

1. What qualifications are required?

Applicants should have completed, or be due to complete by December 2026, a three-year Diploma or Degree in Information Technology, Commerce, Engineering or a related field.

Yes. Information Technology is specifically listed among the qualifying study fields.

1. Can Commerce graduates apply?

Yes. Commerce is specifically included.

1. Can Engineering graduates apply?

Yes. Engineering is specifically listed among the qualifying fields.

1. Can final-year students apply?

The advertisement states that applicants may have completed their qualification already or be due to complete it by December 2026.

1. Is there an age requirement?

NTT DATA describes the opportunity as ideally suited to recent graduates aged 26 and younger.

Applicants should read the official wording carefully rather than interpreting this more broadly than the employer states.

1. What if I don’t live in Johannesburg?

NTT DATA states that applicants who are not based in Johannesburg must be willing to relocate at their own cost.

1. Does the programme include certifications?

Yes. NTT DATA states that graduate development includes structured learning and industry-recognised certifications.

1. Will graduates work on real projects?

Yes. Participants are expected to contribute to real business initiatives and participate in operational and project activities.

1. Can TVET College students apply?

Applicants need to compare their exact qualification against NTT DATA’s requirement for a three-year Diploma or Degree in IT, Commerce, Engineering or a related field. An N6 certificate should not automatically be assumed to meet the requirement.

TVET students can use the Edupstairs TVET College Explorer and SETA Platform to investigate additional workplace pathways.

1. Where can I research ICT careers and qualifications?

Use the Edupstairs Career & Qualification Explorer to investigate South African careers, OFO occupations, SAQA qualifications, NQF levels and career-to-qualification connections.

MICT SETA is particularly relevant to information, communications, media and technology-related skills pathways.

1. What is the advertised closing date?

The indexed NTT DATA vacancy lists 9 October 2026.

However, applicants should verify the current vacancy status immediately because NTT DATA’s main careers page currently indicates that the position has been filled.

1. Where do I apply?

Use the official NTT DATA Young Talent Graduate Programme 2027 page and confirm whether the application function remains available.

You can also:

Disclaimer

This article is an Edupstairs Opportunity Explainer based primarily on the NTT DATA Young Talent Graduate Programme 2027 recruitment information for reference R-149466, together with additional Edupstairs career and education research.

Vacancies can be updated, withdrawn or filled before an originally advertised deadline.

Edupstairs does not recruit candidates on behalf of NTT DATA, receive applications, determine eligibility or guarantee interviews, selection or employment.

Applicants should never pay anyone who claims that they can secure an NTT DATA graduate position, interview or application on their behalf.

Editorial Integrity

Official programme information in this article - including the Johannesburg location, reference number R-149466, full-time status, qualification fields, December 2026 qualification-completion requirement, preferred graduate age profile, relocation condition, programme responsibilities, development structure and advertised closing date - is based on NTT DATA’s recruitment information.

The application-status warning reflects the discrepancy identified between NTT DATA’s official recruitment surfaces at the time of publication.

References to the Edupstairs Career & Qualification Explorer, University Explorer, TVET College Explorer, SETA Platform, MICT SETA pathways, application preparation and recently published internships are additional Edupstairs guidance intended to help applicants investigate broader career, education and workplace-development opportunities.

EDUPSTAIRS IS A REGISTERED NON-PROFIT ORGANISATION NPO No: 232 - 182, PUBLIC BENEFIT ORGANISATION (PBO): 930066984. EDUPSTAIRS DOES NOT, IN ANY WAY OR FORM, SOLICIT MONEY OR CV’S FROM PEOPLE FOR JOBS. PLEASE BE AWARE OF PHONY JOB POSTINGS AND RECRUITMENT FRAUD. USE THE EDUPSTAIRS SCAM DETECTOR TOOL TO SPOT A SCAM BEFORE YOU APPLY

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