Standard Bank Group, Africa’s largest bank, is opening applications for its Data Science Learnership, a 24-month structured programme designed to build a pipeline of future-ready data talent while addressing youth unemployment across South Africa. Successful candidates will work from the bank’s Johannesburg offices at 5 Simmonds Street and/or 30 Baker Street, Rosebank, combining formal training with hands-on workplace experience.

The programme leads to an Occupational Certificate: Data Science Practitioner, giving learners a nationally recognised qualification alongside real audit-related data experience. Over the course of the learnership, participants will support senior team members in scoping data analysis tasks tied to audit objectives, run analytical procedures to test controls and identify anomalies within datasets, and flag control gaps, inefficiencies, and opportunities for improved performance. Learners will also build the ability to communicate clear, evidence-based recommendations, keep datasets, code, and visual outputs organised and reproducible, and work within the bank’s data governance and group standards throughout.

This is an opportunity to gain practical exposure to data science within a large financial services environment, developing both technical and professional skills that carry well beyond the programme itself.

Who Should Apply

Standard Bank is looking for candidates with an undergraduate qualification in one of the following, or a closely related field:

• Information Technology or Computer Science
• Data Science
• Statistics or Mathematics
• Econometrics or Quantitative Analysis
• Engineering

Minimum Requirements

• South African citizen
• Under 30 years of age
• Able to speak, read and write English
• Not currently registered on any other learnership or internship programme
• Not currently studying at any other institution

Key Skills and Attributes

• Strong analytical thinking and problem-solving ability
• Genuine interest in technology, data, and financial decision-making
• Ability to work collaboratively in cross-functional teams
• Curiosity and willingness to learn new tools and concepts
• Good attention to detail and structured, logical thinking
• Resilience and adaptability in a fast-changing environment
• Professional confidence, accountability, and a proactive mindset
• Foundational business and commercial awareness

Programme Details

• Start Date: 1 October 2026
• Duration: 24 months
• Type of Employment: Contract
• Learner Stipend: R15 000 per month, plus student medical aid
• Qualification on completion: Occupational Certificate: Data Science Practitioner

Standard Bank’s Learnership Programmes are built to give young South Africans structured, practical work experience paired with formal training, opening a genuine pathway into a career in data science within one of the continent’s leading financial institutions. For a motivated graduate looking to break into the data field, this programme offers rare access to real audit and analytics work at scale.

Apply Now