PEP invites ambitious and motivated young South Africans to apply for a range of Graduate and TVET Internship Programmes available in the Northern Suburbs of Cape Town. These fixed-term internship opportunities are designed to provide valuable hands-on workplace experience across various business functions, including Finance, Marketing, Human Resources, Merchandise, Supply Chain, and Commercial Operations. The programmes offer an excellent platform for graduates and TVET learners to develop practical skills, gain exposure to the retail industry, and build a strong foundation for long-term career growth within a dynamic and professional working environment.
PEP continues to be recognised as one of South Africa’s most successful retail brands, operating thousands of stores across Southern Africa and serving millions of customers. The organisation is known for its strong workplace culture, commitment to employee development, and focus on creating opportunities for young talent entering the job market.
Finance Graduate Internship
Position: Finance Graduate Internship
Duration: 9 – 12 Months
Stipend: Market Related
Location: Northern Suburbs, Cape Town
Merchandise Graduate Internship
Position: Merchandise Graduate Internship
Duration: 9 – 12 Months
Stipend: Market Related
Location: Northern Suburbs, Cape Town
Marketing Customer Commerce (Brand, Retail & Customer Data) Graduate Internship
Position: Marketing Customer Commerce (Brand, Retail & Customer Data) Graduate Internship
Duration: 9 – 12 Months
Stipend: Market Related
Location: Northern Suburbs, Cape Town
Commercial Graduate Internship
Position: Commercial Graduate Internship
Duration: 9 – 12 Months
Stipend: Market Related
Location: Northern Suburbs, Cape Town
Human Resources TVET Internship
Position: Human Resources TVET Internship
Duration: 18 Months
Stipend: Market Related
Location: Northern Suburbs, Cape Town
Supply Chain Graduate Internship
Position: Supply Chain Graduate Internship
Duration: 9 – 12 Months
Stipend: Market Related
Location: Northern Suburbs, Cape Town
HR Graduate Internship
Position: HR Graduate Internship
Duration: 9 – 12 Months
Stipend: Market Related
Location: Northern Suburbs, Cape Town
The internship programmes provide graduates with an opportunity to gain practical experience in their chosen fields while working alongside experienced professionals in a dynamic retail environment. Successful candidates will be exposed to real business operations, professional development opportunities, and workplace mentorship designed to enhance employability and future career prospects.
Several internship streams are currently available, including Finance, Merchandise, Marketing, Commercial Operations, Human Resources, and Supply Chain Management.
Available Internship Positions
- Finance Graduate Internship
- Merchandise Graduate Internship
- Marketing Customer Commerce (Brand, Retail & Customer Data) Graduate Internship
- Commercial Graduate Internship
- Human Resources TVET Internship
- Supply Chain Graduate Internship
- HR Graduate Internship
Finance Graduate Internship (12-Month Fixed-Term Contract)
The Finance Graduate Internship is aimed at graduates who have completed qualifications in finance-related disciplines and are eager to develop practical experience within a large retail organisation.
This internship provides exposure to financial processes, accounting functions, reporting procedures, taxation-related activities, and other key finance operations. Graduates will have the opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge in a practical business setting while gaining insight into how finance departments support retail operations.
Minimum Requirements
Applicants must possess:
- N4 or N5 Certificate in Finance, Accounting, or Taxation
- Diploma in Finance, Accounting, or Taxation
- Degree in Finance, Accounting, or Taxation
- South African citizenship
- Age between 18 and 32 years
- Computer literacy including Microsoft Office and Google Suite
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to work independently
- Strong willingness to learn
- Self-motivation and professional attitude
Key Competencies
Successful candidates should demonstrate:
- Dutifulness
- Planning abilities
- Cooperation
- Listening skills
- Flexibility
- Integrity
- Personal development orientation
- Drive and initiative
- High energy levels
Internship Duration
- 9 to 12 months
- Fixed-term contract
- Market-related stipend
Merchandise Graduate Internship (9 to 12 Months)
The Merchandise Graduate Internship is designed for individuals who have studied fashion-related qualifications and wish to gain experience within retail merchandising and product environments.
The internship provides exposure to merchandise planning, fashion trends, product management, clothing production processes, and retail product development. Graduates can develop an understanding of how merchandise decisions influence customer satisfaction and business performance.
Qualification Requirements
Candidates must possess:
- N4 to N6 Certificate in Fashion Design
- Diploma in Fashion Design
- Degree in Fashion Design
- Qualification in Clothing and Production Management
Additional requirements include:
- South African citizenship
- Age between 18 and 32 years
- Computer literacy
- Excellent communication skills
- Ability to work independently
- Positive attitude and willingness to learn
Desired Competencies
Applicants should display:
- Strong organisational skills
- Planning abilities
- Integrity
- Teamwork
- Initiative
- Professionalism
- Adaptability
- Personal growth mindset
Benefits of the Internship
Participants gain exposure to:
- Fashion retail operations
- Product lifecycle management
- Merchandise planning processes
- Retail trend analysis
- Industry best practices
Marketing Customer Commerce Graduate Internship (12-Month Fixed-Term Contract)
The Marketing Customer Commerce Internship offers graduates practical exposure to modern retail marketing, customer engagement strategies, branding, communication, and data-driven decision-making.
The programme is suitable for candidates interested in marketing within sectors such as:
- Clothing
- Footwear
- Home products
- FMCG
- Cellular products
- Financial services
Graduates will work within a fast-paced retail marketing environment where customer insights, advertising, content creation, and brand development play important roles.
Areas of Interest
Applicants with a passion for the following fields are encouraged to apply:
Brand Strategy and Development
This area focuses on:
- Brand positioning
- Brand communication
- Corporate identity
- Public relations
- Customer engagement
Fashion and Content Marketing
This includes:
- Trend analysis
- Advertising campaigns
- Social media content
- Creative communication
- Digital marketing
Research and Customer Analytics
Exposure may include:
- Customer behaviour analysis
- Market research
- Direct marketing
- Customer insights
- Data analytics
Qualification Requirements
Candidates must possess:
- Diploma in Marketing Management
- Degree in Marketing Management
- Related marketing qualification
Additional requirements include:
- South African citizenship
- Age between 18 and 32 years
- Computer literacy
- Strong communication and presentation skills
- Teamwork abilities
- Organisational skills
- Problem-solving abilities
- Time management skills
Additional Skills
The ideal candidate should have:
- Knowledge of social media platforms
- Interest in advertising
- Resourcefulness
- Detail orientation
- Ability to meet deadlines
- Emotional maturity
- Resilience under pressure
Why This Internship Matters
Marketing professionals continue to be in high demand across industries. Exposure to customer analytics, brand management, and digital marketing provides graduates with practical skills that are highly valued in the modern workplace.
Commercial Graduate Internship (12-Month Fixed-Term Contract)
The Commercial Graduate Internship offers a unique opportunity within the Cellular Department, allowing graduates to gain practical experience in digital commerce, online retail administration, product management, and cellular operations.
As technology and e-commerce continue to expand, organisations require professionals capable of managing digital retail environments and customer-facing online platforms.
Qualification Requirements
Applicants must possess a:
- Diploma in Digital Marketing
- Degree in Digital Marketing
- Diploma in Business Management
- Degree in Business Management
- Retail Business Management qualification
- Entrepreneurship qualification
Additional Requirements
Candidates must:
- Be South African citizens
- Be between 18 and 32 years old
- Possess strong computer skills
- Demonstrate excellent communication abilities
- Have strong attention to detail
- Manage time effectively
- Work independently
- Show initiative and willingness to learn
Advantageous Skills
Additional consideration may be given to applicants with knowledge of:
- Microsoft Excel
- Google Sheets
- VLOOKUP functions
- Data management tools
Personal Attributes
Successful interns should be:
- Reliable
- Dutiful
- Team-oriented
- Flexible
- Energetic
- Proactive
- Eager to learn
Areas of Exposure
The internship may provide experience in:
- Online product management
- Digital retail operations
- E-commerce administration
- Cellular product support
- Customer-focused retail processes
Career Benefits
Graduates gain exposure to rapidly growing sectors where digital retail and technology continue to shape customer shopping experiences.
Human Resources TVET Internship (18-Month Fixed-Term Contract)
The Human Resources TVET Internship provides an extended opportunity for graduates and TVET learners seeking practical workplace experience within human resource management.
Human Resources remains one of the most important functions in any organisation, supporting recruitment, employee development, workforce planning, performance management, and organisational effectiveness.
Qualification Requirements
Candidates must possess:
- N4 Certificate in Human Resource Management
- N5 Certificate in Human Resource Management
- N6 Certificate in Human Resource Management
- Diploma in Human Resource Management
- Degree in Human Resource Management
Additional Requirements
Applicants must:
- Be South African citizens
- Be between 18 and 32 years old
- Have computer literacy skills
- Demonstrate strong written and verbal communication
- Work independently
- Show willingness to learn
- Be self-motivated
Additional Advantages
The following will strengthen an application:
- Reliable transportation
- Valid driver’s licence
Key Competencies
Candidates should demonstrate:
- Integrity
- Cooperation
- Flexibility
- Initiative
- Energy
- Personal development focus
- Professional communication skills
Internship Duration
- 18 months
- Fixed-term contract
- Market-related remuneration
Learning Opportunities
Participants may gain experience in:
- Recruitment administration
- Employee relations
- HR systems
- Training coordination
- Personnel records management
- Organisational support functions
Supply Chain Graduate Internship (12-Month Fixed-Term Contract)
The Supply Chain Graduate Internship is ideal for graduates interested in logistics, inventory management, procurement, distribution, and operational efficiency.
Supply chain management plays a critical role in ensuring products reach customers efficiently and cost-effectively.
Qualification Requirements
Applicants must possess:
- Degree in Supply Chain Management
- Diploma in Supply Chain Management
- Degree in Logistics
- Diploma in Logistics
- Degree in Operations Management
- Diploma in Operations Management
Additional Requirements
Candidates must:
- Be South African citizens
- Be aged between 18 and 32 years
- Have computer literacy skills
- Demonstrate excellent communication abilities
- Work independently
- Show enthusiasm for learning
- Be self-motivated
Competencies Required
Successful applicants should display:
- Planning abilities
- Cooperation
- Integrity
- Listening skills
- Flexibility
- Initiative
- Drive
- Energy
Practical Experience Opportunities
The internship may include exposure to:
- Distribution operations
- Inventory management
- Logistics planning
- Retail supply chain processes
- Operational support activities
Career Development Benefits
Supply chain professionals remain essential across multiple industries, making this internship a valuable stepping stone for graduates entering the workforce.
HR Graduate Internship (9 to 12 Months)
The HR Graduate Internship is specifically aimed at graduates who have completed a degree in Human Resource Management and are looking to gain practical experience within a professional HR environment.
Minimum Requirements
Candidates must possess:
- Degree in Human Resource Management
- South African citizenship
- Age between 18 and 32 years
- Computer literacy
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
Additional requirements include:
- Ability to work independently
- Willingness to learn
- Self-motivation
- Reliable transportation
A driver’s licence will be advantageous.
Competencies Required
Applicants should demonstrate:
- Dutifulness
- Planning
- Cooperation
- Listening skills
- Flexibility
- Integrity
- Personal development
- Initiative
- Drive
- Energy
Benefits of Participation
Graduates gain valuable practical experience that can strengthen future employment opportunities in the human resources profession.
General Requirements Across Most Internship Programmes
While each internship has field-specific qualification requirements, several criteria apply across most opportunities.
Age Requirement
Applicants must generally be between:
- 18 and 32 years old
Citizenship Requirement
Applicants must be:
- South African citizens
Technical Skills
Most internships require:
- Microsoft Office proficiency
- Google Suite knowledge
- Basic computer literacy
Personal Qualities
Strong candidates typically demonstrate:
- Professionalism
- Reliability
- Positive attitude
- Willingness to learn
- Adaptability
- Teamwork
- Initiative
- Strong communication skills
Required Application Documents
Applicants should prepare the following documents before submitting an application:
- Updated Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Certified copy of South African ID
- Certified copy of Matric Certificate
- Certified copies of qualifications
- Latest academic transcript where applicable
Certified documents should not be older than three months.
Important Information for Applicants
All internships are offered on fixed-term contracts and provide valuable workplace exposure within one of South Africa’s largest retail organisations.
Only candidates who meet the minimum requirements should apply. Applications that do not include the required supporting documents may not be considered.
Due to the competitive nature of these programmes, only shortlisted candidates may be contacted for further assessments or interviews.
Applicants who do not receive feedback within four weeks after the closing date should consider their applications unsuccessful.
PEP supports equal employment opportunities and applies employment equity principles throughout its recruitment processes.
Summary
The 2026 PEP Graduate Internship Programme presents a significant opportunity for young South Africans seeking meaningful workplace experience. Whether pursuing a career in Finance, Human Resources, Marketing, Merchandise, Commercial Operations, or Supply Chain Management, these internships provide practical exposure, professional development, and industry experience within one of the country’s most recognised retail brands.
Graduates who are motivated, eager to learn, and committed to professional growth are encouraged to submit applications before the respective closing dates. These programmes offer an excellent foundation for building a successful long-term career in the retail and corporate sectors.
How to Apply
Important Notice: The closing dates listed for these internship opportunities have already passed. However, the vacancies remain visible on the PEP careers website at the time of publication. Interested candidates are encouraged to visit the PEP careers portal to check whether applications are still being accepted, whether the closing dates have been extended, or to explore similar internship opportunities that may be available.