Standard Bank: Learnership Programme 2026
Alex Reporter
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Benefits offered by this job
Job summary
Standard Bank invites unemployed South African graduates to join the Internal Auditing Learnership 2026. This 24-month programme blends on‑the‑job training with structured learning, offering mentorship and an Occupational Certificate: Internal Auditor upon completion.
Location focuses on Johannesburg, Gauteng, with a monthly stipend and student medical aid. The learnership equips participants with practical auditing skills, exposure to modern banking systems, governance, compliance and risk
Qualifications
- Undergraduate qualification required in one of the fields listed (IT, CS, business, auditing, finance, economics, ESG, insurance, compliance).
- Related qualifications may be considered.
- Unemployed graduates welcome to apply.
Responsibilities
- Support audit planning activities under supervision.
- Perform audit testing under supervision and review results.
- Review operational processes and governance controls.
- Gather information from different business units for audits.
- Prepare audit documentation and working papers.
- Maintain confidentiality of sensitive information.
- Communicate findings and contribute to reporting.
Skills
Education
Job description
The Standard Bank Internal Auditing Learnership 2026 offers South African graduates an opportunity to gain valuable workplace experience while completing an industry-recognized qualification. This 24-month learnership combines practical on-the-job training with structured learning, giving participants the knowledge and experience needed to begin a successful career in internal auditing.
Standard Bank is one of Africa’s leading financial institutions, recognized for developing talented young professionals through high-quality learning programmes. This learnership has been designed to help unemployed graduates gain practical workplace skills while earning a monthly stipend.
Successful applicants will receive professional training, workplace exposure, mentorship from experienced professionals, and an opportunity to complete the Occupational Certificate: Internal Auditor qualification.
If building a long-term career in banking, auditing, compliance, governance, or risk management is the goal, this programme provides an excellent starting point.
Programme: Internal Auditing Learnership
Business Segment: Group Functions
Location:
- 5 Simmonds Street, Johannesburg
- 30 Baker Street, Rosebank, Johannesburg
Province: Gauteng
Duration: 24 Months
Start Date: 1 October 2026
Monthly Stipend: R15,000 plus Student Medical Aid
Qualification Awarded:
Occupational Certificate: Internal Auditor
The Internal Auditing Learnership has been developed to provide unemployed graduates with practical work experience while completing formal occupational training.
Participants become part of a structured development programme that focuses on workplace learning, technical knowledge, professional development, and practical auditing experience.
The programme introduces learners to the internal audit profession while exposing them to modern banking systems, governance practices, compliance frameworks, financial controls, and operational risk management.
Throughout the programme, learners work alongside experienced audit professionals who provide coaching and mentorship while assisting with real business projects.
The combination of classroom learning and workplace experience allows participants to develop practical skills that employers actively seek across financial institutions and corporate organizations.
Internal auditing is an independent function that evaluates how effectively an organization manages risk, follows policies, protects assets, and achieves business objectives.
Internal auditors review business processes, identify weaknesses, recommend improvements, and help organizations operate more efficiently.
Instead of focusing only on financial information, internal auditors assess many areas of an organization, including:
- Operational processes
- Information technology
- Regulatory compliance
- Governance
- Cybersecurity controls
- Business continuity
Modern internal auditors combine business knowledge, technology, data analysis, communication skills, and critical thinking to improve organizational performance.
During the 24-month programme, learners gain practical exposure to professional auditing processes and business operations.
Learning opportunities include:
- Planning audit activities under supervision
- Conducting audit testing
- Reviewing business operations
- Identifying operational risks
- Understanding governance principles
- Evaluating internal controls
- Preparing audit working papers
- Recording audit findings
- Reviewing compliance with company policies
- Developing professional communication skills
- Building business awareness
- Applying ethical standards in auditing
Participants also learn how auditing supports business decision-making and contributes to stronger governance across organizations.
Successful learners may assist with a variety of daily activities throughout the programme.
Typical responsibilities include:
- Supporting audit planning activities
- Performing audit testing under supervision
- Reviewing operational processes
- Gathering information from different business units
- Preparing audit documentation
- Maintaining accurate working papers
- Identifying control weaknesses
- Reporting audit findings
- Following internal policies and standards
- Maintaining confidentiality of sensitive information
- Assisting with investigations
- Communicating professionally with stakeholders
- Participating in team discussions
These responsibilities help learners develop confidence while working within a professional corporate environment.
Applicants should hold an undergraduate qualification in one of the following fields or a closely related discipline:
- Information Technology
- Computer Science
- Business Management Sciences
- Auditing
- Finance
- Economics
- ESG
- Insurance
- Compliance Management
Related qualifications that provide similar knowledge may also be considered.
Applicants must meet all programme requirements before applying.
Requirements include:
- Must be a South African citizen.
- Must be younger than 30 years.
- Must be able to read, write, and speak English.
- Must not be registered on another learnership.
- Must not be participating in an internship programme.
- Must not be studying at another educational institution.
Meeting the minimum requirements does not automatically guarantee selection, as applications are assessed competitively.
Although technical qualifications are important, employers also look for personal qualities that contribute to workplace success.
Desired skills include:
- Strong analytical thinking
- Excellent problem-solving ability
- Teamwork
- Professional attitude
- Accountability
- Time management
- Organizational skills
- Logical thinking
- Willingness to learn
- Interest in financial systems
- Interest in technology
- Ability to manage multiple priorities
These qualities can help learners perform successfully during training and beyond.
The learnership offers far more than workplace experience.
Participants benefit from:
- Monthly stipend of R15,000
- Student Medical Aid
- Professional workplace exposure
- Structured learning programme
- Experienced mentors
- Corporate working environment
- Networking opportunities
- Improved employability
- Exposure to banking operations
- Hands-on experience with audit procedures
The experience gained during the programme can strengthen future employment opportunities within banking, finance, consulting, insurance, government, and private sector organizations.
Completing the Occupational Certificate: Internal Auditor can open doors to a variety of career paths.
Potential career opportunities include:
- Internal Auditor
- Junior Auditor
- Compliance Officer
- Governance Officer
- Internal Controls Analyst
- Audit Assistant
- Risk and Compliance Administrator
- Operations Risk Officer
- Corporate Governance Administrator
Experience gained through this programme may also support future professional development in auditing, accounting, risk management, or financial services.
Organizations increasingly rely on internal auditors to strengthen governance, improve operational efficiency, manage risks, and protect valuable assets.
Rapid technological advancements, evolving regulations, cybersecurity risks, and growing expectations around corporate governance have increased the demand for skilled auditing professionals.
Graduates with practical workplace experience and recognized occupational qualifications are often well positioned to compete for opportunities across multiple industries.
The profession also offers continuous learning opportunities as auditors gain experience across finance, operations, technology, compliance, and strategic risk management.
Before submitting an application, applicants should:
- Prepare an updated CV.
- Ensure all personal information is accurate.
- Verify that qualifications meet the programme requirements.
- Gather supporting documents.
- Check that contact details are current.
- Review the eligibility criteria carefully.
- Submit the application before the closing process.
Taking time to prepare a complete application can improve the overall quality of the submission.
The Standard Bank Internal Auditing Learnership 2026 presents an excellent opportunity for unemployed South African graduates who want to gain practical experience while earning a monthly stipend. Through structured training, workplace exposure, mentorship, and an accredited occupational qualification, participants can build a strong foundation for a long-term career in internal auditing, risk management, finance, compliance, and corporate governance. With two years of practical experience in one of Africa’s leading financial institutions, successful learners will be better prepared to pursue rewarding career opportunities across the banking and financial services sector.
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