Discover the Pepkor Lifestyle Graduate Programme & TVET Work Integrated Learning opportunities for 2025/2026. Gain practical experience.
Introduction: Building Your Future in Retail with Pepkor Lifestyle
Starting your career is one of the most exciting and sometimes challenging parts of life after graduation. You’ve worked hard for your qualification, you’re eager to prove yourself, and you want to take that first real step into the professional world. But like many young South Africans, you might be wondering: Where do I start?
If you’re looking for a practical, supportive, and hands-on opportunity to launch your career, the Pepkor Lifestyle Graduate Programme and TVET Work Integrated Learning (WIL) 2025/2026 could be exactly what you need.
Pepkor Lifestyle, part of the broader Pepkor Group, is a key player in South Africa’s retail space. Known for its strong customer focus and diverse portfolio of retail brands, Pepkor offers not just jobs, but long-term career paths. With funding support from the Wholesale & Retail SETA, Pepkor’s graduate and TVET programmes are designed to give young South Africans the chance to gain real-world experience in retail operations, marketing, IT, human resources, and more.
Whether you’re a graduate with a degree or diploma, or a TVET college student completing your 18-month practical training, this programme has been built to help you:
- Learn by doing – gain exposure to real retail environments.
- Develop workplace confidence – build soft and technical skills that employers value.
- Connect with mentors – work alongside professionals who want to see you succeed.
- Prepare for the future – whether that’s climbing the career ladder or starting your own business.
Most importantly, Pepkor has created this initiative to support youth empowerment, inclusivity, and diversity—encouraging applications from graduates across South Africa, including those with disabilities.
This isn’t just an internship. It’s a launchpad for your career.
Why Retail Careers Matter in Today’s Job Market
Retail is more than just shops, shelves, and sales. It’s one of the largest industries in South Africa, providing jobs to millions of people every year. But beyond numbers, retail is a field that teaches essential life and business skills:
- Customer service skills – learning how to communicate, solve problems, and build relationships.
- Adaptability – the retail environment changes quickly, helping you develop resilience.
- Business management exposure – you see first-hand how operations, HR, marketing, and IT come together to keep a company running.
- Innovation and technology – modern retail is powered by digital platforms, e-commerce, and IT systems, creating opportunities for tech-savvy graduates.
For young graduates, starting in retail is a smart career move. Not only does it open doors within the industry itself, but it also gives you transferable skills that can take you into other sectors like marketing, HR, digital services, supply chain, or even entrepreneurship.
And with Pepkor Lifestyle’s structured graduate programme, you won’t just be “learning on the job”—you’ll have a clear roadmap for growth.
What is the Pepkor Lifestyle Graduate Programme?
The Pepkor Lifestyle Graduate Programme is a 12-month structured training programme designed for graduates from universities and other higher education institutions. It focuses on building both your professional knowledge and your practical workplace experience.
Meanwhile, the TVET Work Integrated Learning (WIL) opportunity is an 18-month practical training programme aimed at TVET college students who need workplace exposure to complete their qualifications.
Together, these programmes create opportunities for a wide range of young people:
- Graduates with degrees or diplomas → 12-month Graduate Programme.
- TVET students needing practical exposure → 18-month WIL programme.
Both streams are funded by the Wholesale & Retail SETA, ensuring the programmes meet national skills development goals and empower South Africa’s youth for long-term success.
đź’ˇ Quick Facts About the Programme
- Duration: 12 months (Graduate Programme) / 18 months (TVET WIL).
- Location: Across Pepkor Lifestyle’s retail operations in South Africa.
- Funding: Supported by Wholesale & Retail SETA.
- Eligibility: South African citizens under 32, unemployed, with a relevant qualification.
- Focus Areas: Marketing, Business Management, HR, IT, Digital/E-commerce, and more.
Benefits, Career Growth, and How to Apply
Why Join the Pepkor Lifestyle Graduate Programme?
When deciding whether to apply for a graduate programme, one of the first questions most candidates ask is: “What’s in it for me?”
The Pepkor Lifestyle Graduate Programme and TVET WIL offer far more than just work experience—they’re launchpads for long-term success in retail and beyond.
Here are the biggest benefits you can look forward to:
1. Hands-On Work Experience
This isn’t a theory-only programme. From day one, you’ll be actively involved in daily operations, projects, and real-world problem-solving. By the end, you’ll have practical, marketable experience that will boost your CV.
2. Structured Learning Environment
You won’t just be thrown into the deep end. Pepkor has designed a structured programme that blends formal training, mentorship, and workplace exposure. This ensures you learn at the right pace.
3. Exposure to Multiple Functions
Depending on your qualification, you’ll rotate across departments such as HR, Marketing, IT, and Store Operations. This gives you a holistic understanding of retail, making you a versatile professional.
4. Mentorship and Support
You’ll be guided by experienced professionals who are leaders in their fields. This mentorship is invaluable—your mentors can give you career advice, industry insights, and professional feedback.
5. Professional Growth Opportunities
By the end of the programme, you’ll have sharpened critical soft skills like communication, leadership, problem-solving, and teamwork. These skills are transferable to any future career path.
6. Networking Opportunities
During your programme, you’ll meet and work with professionals across the Pepkor Lifestyle division and even the broader Pepkor group. Building this network early on will help you throughout your career.
7. Inclusivity and Diversity
Pepkor actively encourages applications from candidates with disabilities, showing a commitment to building an inclusive workplace. If you value diversity, you’ll feel at home in this environment.
8. SETAs Backed Programme
Because the programme is funded by the Wholesale & Retail SETA, it complies with strict quality and training standards. This means your experience will be recognized and credible across South Africa.
Career Growth After the Programme
So, what happens once you complete the 12-month Graduate Programme or 18-month TVET WIL?
This is where things get exciting.
🔹 For Graduates:
- You’ll leave the programme with work-ready experience in a large, respected retail group.
- You may qualify for entry-level roles in Pepkor Lifestyle or elsewhere in retail, including:
- Marketing Assistant
- HR Officer / Talent Coordinator
- Junior Business Analyst
- IT Support Specialist
- Digital Marketing Associate
- If you perform exceptionally well, Pepkor may consider you for permanent employment opportunities.
🔹 For TVET WIL Participants:
- You’ll complete the mandatory workplace component of your qualification.
- You’ll graduate with both a diploma and work experience, which makes you more competitive in the job market.
- Some participants are often absorbed into Pepkor or other retail companies once their WIL ends.
🔹 Long-Term Career Paths in Retail
The retail industry is one of South Africa’s largest employers, offering endless career opportunities. With a foundation from Pepkor Lifestyle, you could grow into roles such as:
- Retail Manager
- HR Business Partner
- IT Project Manager
- E-commerce Manager
- Marketing Strategist
Your career journey could take you from store-level operations to executive leadership—and this programme is the first step.
How to Apply for the Pepkor Lifestyle Graduate Programme & TVET WIL
Now that you know the benefits and career growth potential, let’s look at the application process.
Step 1: Prepare Your Documents
Make sure you have the following ready:
- Updated CV (highlight your studies, achievements, and skills)
- Certified copy of your ID (not older than 3 months)
- Certified copies of your qualification(s) or academic transcript
- For TVET students → proof of completion of your theoretical component
Step 2: Meet the Requirements
Before applying, double-check that you meet these requirements:
- South African citizen
- Under 32 years old
- Unemployed at the time of application
- Degree/Diploma (for graduates) OR TVET qualification (for WIL)
- Willing to commit to the full 12–18 months
Step 3: Submit Your Application Online
Pepkor typically posts applications on:
- Their official careers website
- Platforms like LinkedIn, Indeed, and CareerJunction
- SETA-related portals
- APPLICATION PROCESS
Once the job advert is live, apply directly through the portal and attach all required documents.
Step 4: Shortlisting
If your application meets the requirements, you’ll be shortlisted and contacted for the next stage, which may include:
- A virtual or in-person interview
- Assessments (e.g., numerical reasoning, problem-solving)
- Group discussions
Step 5: Final Selection
Successful candidates will be notified and given an offer letter to sign, confirming their participation.
Step 6: Start the Programme
Once you accept, you’ll join the onboarding and induction process and begin your exciting journey in the Pepkor Lifestyle Graduate Programme or TVET WIL.
Pro Tips for Applicants
- Tailor your CV → Highlight skills and achievements relevant to retail.
- Be professional in communication → Whether in email or interviews, professionalism stands out.
- Show enthusiasm → Pepkor values candidates who are passionate about retail and eager to learn.
- Apply early → Applications often close quickly once quotas are filled.
- Follow up → If you don’t hear back within the stated timeframe, politely follow up to show interest.