The Automotive Industry Development Centre Eastern Cape (AIDC-EC) invites applications for its 2026 Graduate Programme Intake, offering qualified graduates and eligible TVET candidates an opportunity to gain practical workplace experience in the automotive and related industries.
AIDC-EC is a wholly owned company of the Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC). The organisation serves as the province’s institutional mechanism for promoting and facilitating the growth and development of the automotive industry. Its work supports government’s industrial policy and strategic initiatives aimed at strengthening the provincial economy, developing skills and creating sustainable employment opportunities.
Positions Details
Programme: 2026 AIDC-EC Graduate Programme Intake
Duration: 12 months
Locations: Gqeberha and East London, Eastern Cape
Closing Date: 20-27 August 2026
2026 AIDC-EC Graduate Programme Intake
The Automotive Industry Development Centre Eastern Cape (AIDC-EC) invites applications for its 2026 Graduate Programme Intake.
The programme is designed to provide qualified graduates and eligible TVET candidates with practical workplace exposure while helping bridge the gap between academic studies and the workplace.
Purpose of the Programme
The graduate programme will provide work exposure to qualified graduates for a period of 12 months.
The programme aims to:
- Bridge the gap between the world of study and the workplace.
- Provide young professionals with practical workplace experience.
- Develop workplace knowledge and relevant professional skills.
- Give participants an opportunity to apply their academic knowledge in a practical environment.
Programme Mandate
The graduate programme will be based on a formalised and agreed programme of activities aimed at transferring knowledge and skills to participants.
Successful candidates will receive:
- Mentoring and coaching.
- Practical workplace exposure.
- Knowledge and skills development.
- Experience relevant to their field of study or trade qualification.
Available Opportunities
Graduate ICT
- Field: Software Engineering, Systems Engineering and related Digital Technology qualifications
- Qualification Level: Diploma (NQF Level 6), Degree (NQF Level 7) or Honours Degree (NQF Level 8)
TVET Engineering Trade Qualifications
- Fields: Automotive, Engineering and Manufacturing
- Target Candidates: TVET candidates with relevant engineering trade qualifications
N6 Candidates
- Requirement: Candidates who have completed their N6 studies and require workplace-based practical experience to fulfil the requirements of their trade qualifications.
- Fields: Automotive, Engineering and Manufacturing
Minimum Qualification Levels
- Diploma: NQF Level 6
- Degree: NQF Level 7
- Honours Degree: NQF Level 8
Candidates should ensure that their qualification is relevant to the specific graduate or TVET opportunity before applying.
Programme Duration
- Duration: 12 months
- Programme Type: Graduate and workplace-based practical training
- Development: Mentoring, coaching, knowledge transfer and practical workplace exposure
2026 AIDC-EC GRADUATE PROGRAMME INTAKE
Purpose of Position:
The purpose of the graduate programme is to provide work exposure to qualified graduates by bridging the gap between the world of study and the workplace for young professionals for a period of 12 months.
Mandate
This graduate programme will be based on a formalized and agreed programme of activities aimed at transferring knowledge and skills to the graduate. The graduate will be mentored and coached.
DESCRIPTION
Business Unit: Product Development and Testing
- Location: Gqeberha / East London
- Minimum Qualification: National Diploma in Industrial, Mechanical, Electrical or Chemical Engineering
Business Unit: Quality Management
- Location: Gqeberha / East London
- Minimum Qualification: National Diploma in Quality Management
Business Unit: Process Improvement and Industrial Engineering
- Location: Gqeberha / East London
- Minimum Qualification: National Diploma in Industrial, Mechanical, Electrical or Chemical Engineering
Business Unit: Maintenance Management
- Location: Gqeberha / East London
- Minimum Qualification: National Diploma in Industrial, Mechanical, Electrical or Chemical Engineering
Business Unit: Electrical Engineering
- Location: Gqeberha / East London
- Minimum Qualification: National Diploma in Electrical Engineering
Business Unit: Logistics Management
- Location: Gqeberha / East London
- Minimum Qualification: National Diploma in Supply Chain and Logistics Management
Business Unit: Chemical Engineering
- Location: Gqeberha / East London
- Minimum Qualification: National Diploma in Chemical Engineering
Business Unit: Human Resource
- Location: Gqeberha / East London
- Minimum Qualification: National Diploma in Human Resource Management, Human Resource Development or Industrial Psychology
Business Unit: Finance
- Location: Gqeberha / East London
- Minimum Qualification: National Diploma in Accounting, Financial Management or Auditing
Business Unit: Marketing
- Location: Gqeberha / East London
- Minimum Qualification: National Diploma in Marketing, Digital Communication or Public Relations
Applicants should ensure that their qualification matches the specific discipline or business unit for which they are applying.
TVET candidates who have completed N6 studies and require workplace-based practical experience for their trade qualifications should also consider the available opportunities.
Candidates should carefully review the qualification requirements before submitting an application.
Locations
The graduate programme opportunities are based in the Eastern Cape, with positions listed for Gqeberha and East London.
Gqeberha is home to AIDC-EC’s head office and forms part of the Nelson Mandela Bay economic hub, which has a strong connection to the automotive and manufacturing sectors.
East London is also an important economic and industrial centre in the province and is home to AIDC-EC’s branch office.
Applicants should take the location of the opportunity into consideration before applying.
Documents Required
Applicants are required to submit supporting documentation with their applications.
The required documents include:
- A detailed and updated CV
- Certified copies of academic qualifications
- Contactable references
- A certified copy of South African ID
Candidates should ensure that the documents are clear, complete and relevant to the application.
The CV should clearly show the applicant’s qualifications, skills, contact details and any relevant experience. Graduates without formal employment experience should ensure that their academic background, projects, practical training, internships or other relevant exposure are properly presented.
Certified copies of qualifications and identification documents should also meet the requirements stated in the advertisement.
How to Apply
Applications can be submitted through the AIDC-EC vacancies page.
Applicants should visit the official AIDC-EC website and navigate to the vacancies section to access the relevant application process.
The organisation has also provided an email address for recruitment-related enquiries:
- Email: [email protected]
Candidates should carefully follow the application instructions provided by AIDC-EC and ensure that all required documents are submitted.
- The official vacancies page is: https://www.aidcec.co.za/vacancies
Applicants should avoid submitting incomplete applications and should check that the correct qualification and graduate opportunity have been selected before completing the application.
Employment Equity
AIDC-EC states that preference will be given to people with disabilities, women and previously disadvantaged individuals as part of its efforts to promote Employment Equity within the company.
Appointments will be made in accordance with the principles contained in the Employment Equity Act, as well as AIDC-EC’s relevant policies and plans.
Applicants who meet the requirements are encouraged to apply, regardless of whether they have previously worked in the automotive industry, provided that they meet the qualification and other requirements for the relevant opportunity.
Important Notice to Applicants
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted during the recruitment process.
If an applicant has not been contacted within eight weeks after the closing date of the advertisement, the application should be regarded as unsuccessful.
Candidates should therefore ensure that their contact information is accurate and up to date on their CVs and application forms.
Applicants should also keep copies of the documents submitted and retain proof of their application where possible.
Closing Date
The application deadline stated in the advertisement for the 2026 AIDC-EC Graduate Programme Intake is 20 August 2026.
Applicants should submit their applications before the closing date to avoid missing the opportunity.
It is important to note that the advertisement contains an earlier closing date of 27 July 2026 for the detailed graduate opportunities covering areas such as engineering, human resources, finance and marketing. The 20 August 2026 deadline appears in the broader 2026 AIDC-EC Graduate Programme Intake notice.
Candidates should therefore verify the applicable closing date on the official AIDC-EC vacancies page before submitting an application.
Final Information
The AIDC-EC Graduate Programme offers an opportunity for qualified young professionals and eligible TVET candidates to gain practical workplace exposure over a 12-month period.
Available fields include ICT and digital technology, automotive and engineering trades, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, chemical engineering, industrial engineering, quality management, supply chain and logistics, maintenance management, human resources, finance, accounting, auditing, marketing, digital communication and public relations.
The programme is particularly valuable for graduates who need practical experience to strengthen their professional profiles and improve their readiness for future employment opportunities.
Applicants should carefully check the requirements for their preferred field, prepare a detailed CV and gather all required certified documents before applying.