About
About
Transnet is South Africa’s state-owned freight logistics company, custodian of ports, rail and pipelines. Founded 1990; head office 96 Rissik Street, Braamfontein, Johannesburg. Sector: Transport & Logistics. Size: see Transnet annual report for current headcount. Divisions: Freight Rail, Port Terminals, National Ports Authority, Pipelines, Engineering, Property, Transnet Academy.
Entry routes
- Apprenticeship/artisan (electrical, fitting, welding): Grade 12/technical; SA citizen; medical fitness. Annual intakes via Academy.
- Bursary (full-time): awarded yearly per company needs; selection on academics + interview + medical fitness; workback of one service year per funded year; failed subjects repeated at own cost. Seasonal.
- Young Professional-in-Training (24 months): SA citizen, 18-35, unemployed, completed DHET-registered qualification, no prior field experience. Seasonal per advert (2026 examples closed June/September).
- Operational/corporate: per vacancy – check careers page. Ongoing.
Programmes
- Graduate (YPT): 24 months with six-monthly assessments; streams from LLB and BCom to data science, HR and environmental.
- Learnership/apprenticeship: via Academy structures.
- Bursary: renewed yearly on satisfactory results; interviews in Johannesburg, Bloemfontein, Cape Town, Durban.
- Internship: per business unit advert.
What to expect
Locations: Johannesburg HQ, ports (Durban, Cape Town, Ngqura), rail corridors nationwide. Common roles: train assistants, port operatives, technicians, engineers, safety, finance/supply chain. Note: each advert lists its own reference, requirements and closing date – match them exactly. Progression: trainee to artisan/technician to engineer; ops assistant to controller to terminal manager.
How to apply
See A Career with Transnet. Apply only via official adverts. Never pay for placement – report whistleblowing to 0800 003 056.
FAQs
How long is the Transnet Young Professional-in-Training programme?
24 months of institutional learning plus on-the-job training, with progress assessed every six months (typical structure – confirm per advert).
What does the Transnet bursary cover?
Typically tuition, accommodation and meals, book allowance and experiential training – renewed yearly on satisfactory results.
Is there a workback obligation?
Yes, typically one year of service for every year of funding – check your bursary agreement.
Where do bursary interviews take place?
Johannesburg, Bloemfontein, Cape Town and Durban according to the youth development pages.
Last verified: 18 September 2026. Sources: transnet.net careers and Youth Development pages (bursary terms, YPT examples June/Sept 2026).
