Coca-Cola Expands Youth Training With New Graduate and Learnership Programmes

Coca-Cola Beverages South Africa has opened applications for a wide range of graduate, learnership, and in-service training programmes, offering unemployed youth and students practical workplace exposure across sales, engineering, processing, and manufacturing operations.

The opportunities form part of Coca-Cola Africa’s 2026 intake and are spread across multiple provinces and towns nationwide, reflecting the company’s continued investment in skills development and early-career talent.

Visual Merchandising Learnership Targets Unemployed Youth

One of the programmes currently open is an Unemployed Learner: Visual Merchandiser learnership, aimed at young people interested in commercial sales and in-store execution. The 12-month programme focuses on developing merchandising skills, customer engagement, and commercial awareness within Coca-Cola’s sales environment.

Learners will work under the guidance of Account Developers and support daily store visits, product visibility, stock rotation, promotional execution, and order-taking processes using Coca-Cola’s digital platforms. The programme is available across several towns, including Kuruman, Upington, Phuthaditjhaba, Aliwal North, Botshabelo, Thaba Nchu, Barberton, Nelspruit CBD, Witbank, and Ermelo.

To qualify, applicants must have completed Grade 12, be unemployed at the time of appointment, and fall within the 18 to 35 age group. A driver’s licence and post-matric qualification in Sales or Marketing will be advantageous. Applications for this programme close on 31 March 2026.

Engineering In-Service Training Offered in Gauteng

Coca-Cola Beverages South Africa has also opened applications for a 12-month Engineering In-Service Training programme based in Nigel and Heidelberg in Gauteng. This opportunity is targeted at Electrical and Mechanical Engineering students who have completed their theoretical studies and require workplace exposure to complete their qualifications.

The programme places trainees within manufacturing operations, where they will assist with equipment inspections, preventative maintenance, fault diagnosis, and data analysis under the supervision of experienced engineers. Trainees will gain hands-on exposure to high-speed production environments while contributing to equipment reliability and operational efficiency.

Only students currently registered for a National Diploma in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering and requiring in-service training are eligible. Applications close on 27 February 2026.

Processing and Manufacturing Stores Traineeships Announced

Additional in-service training opportunities have been announced within Processing and Manufacturing Stores functions. These programmes are aimed at students studying Chemical Engineering, Logistics, Supply Chain Management, Operations Management, Industrial Engineering, and related fields.

The Processing in-service programme focuses on syrup preparation, quality analysis, process control, and compliance with Coca-Cola’s global standards. Trainees will work in syrup rooms and laboratories, supporting production teams and continuous improvement initiatives.

Meanwhile, the Manufacturing Stores programme offers exposure to warehousing, inventory control, and operational planning across sites in Polokwane, Pretoria, Heidelberg, and Nigel. Successful candidates will support stores teams while gaining practical experience in an industrial environment.

Both programmes require applicants to be unemployed South African citizens between the ages of 18 and 35, with confirmation from their tertiary institution that workplace experience is required to complete their qualification. Applications for these roles also close on 27 February 2026.

Focus on Structured Workplace Training

Coca-Cola says all advertised programmes are structured to combine practical experience with formal learning outcomes, supporting young people who are transitioning from education into the workplace. While the adverts outline minimum requirements, the company has noted that additional criteria may be applied during shortlisting.

Eligible candidates are encouraged to apply online through Coca-Cola Beverages South Africa’s official recruitment platforms.