Sanlam Data, AI and Engineering Academy Graduate Programme 2027 – Bellville, Western Cape | No Experience Required – Apply by 2 October 2026

October 1, 2026 Sanelisiwe Comments 0 Comment

Employer: Sanlam Group
Programme: Data, AI and Engineering Academy Graduate Programme
Location: Bellville, Western Cape, South Africa
Employment Type: Permanent Employment with a 13-Month Accelerated Development Programme
Programme Streams: Data & AI / Software Engineering & AI
Experience Required: No previous work experience required
Programme Duration: 13 Months
Closing Date: 2 October 2026

Overview

Sanlam Group is inviting soon-to-be and recent graduates to apply for its Data, AI and Engineering Academy Graduate Programme in Bellville, Western Cape.

The Academy is a 13-month accelerated development programme designed to launch graduate careers in either Data & AI or Software Engineering & AI.

Unlike many traditional graduate programmes, candidates selected for the Sanlam Data, AI and Engineering Academy will receive permanent employment from the start, together with market-related benefits and rewards.

The programme provides graduates with technical training, hands-on enterprise experience, mentorship, coaching and exposure to different technology and business teams across Sanlam. Participants will have opportunities to work with technologies and disciplines involving cloud computing, data engineering, artificial intelligence, software engineering and analytics.

Previous professional work experience is not a requirement. Applicants must already have a relevant degree or be due to complete their degree by the end of 2026.

Graduate Programme Streams

Sanlam is offering two development paths through the Academy.

1. Data & AI

This stream is suitable for graduates interested in working with data to identify patterns, generate insights, improve decision-making and create commercial value.

Participants will gain exposure to areas such as:

Data management.
Data engineering.
AI-ready data products.
Data analytics.
Artificial Intelligence.
Machine Learning.
Predictive analytics.
Agentic AI.
Data modelling.
Data-driven decision-making.

The programme can help graduates build foundations for careers such as:

Data Analyst.
Data Scientist.
Data Engineer.
AI/ML Engineer.

2. Software Engineering & AI

This stream is designed for graduates interested in engineering, technology and solving complex technical problems.

Participants may gain exposure to:

Software engineering.
Modern engineering practices.
Cloud-native architecture.
Distributed systems.
Application integration.
Agentic engineering.
Modern integration patterns.
Artificial Intelligence technologies.

This stream can help graduates develop towards careers such as:

Software Engineer.
DevOps Engineer.
Integration Specialist.
Solutions Architect.

What the 13-Month Programme Offers

Graduates selected for the Academy can expect:

Permanent employment from the start.
Market-related benefits and rewards.
Participation in a structured 13-month accelerated development programme.
Ongoing technical training.
Real-world enterprise-level experience.
Business acumen training.
Competency-based professional development.
Coaching and mentorship from experienced professionals.
Exposure to Sanlam Technology and Analytics teams.
Opportunities to work across different disciplines.
Rotations through different IT and business teams.
Exposure to multiple data and technology functions.
Opportunities to participate in innovation competitions.
Participation in technology learning days.
Opportunities to participate in hackathons.
Hands-on experience with IT and Business Intelligence tools and technologies.

Graduates will also have opportunities to work with experienced employees and technology practitioners from areas including FinTech, Financial Markets, Risk and Savings, Distribution, Investments and core platform teams.

Key Responsibilities and Learning Areas

Depending on the selected programme stream and rotation, graduates may be involved in:

– Solving real-world business and technology problems.

– Working with data and analytical information.

– Supporting data analysis and modelling.

– Developing technical and analytical solutions.

– Learning software engineering practices.

– Working with AI and Machine Learning technologies.

– Supporting data-driven decision-making.

– Working with different IT and business teams.

– Participating in technical projects.

– Developing enterprise-level technology experience.

– Learning from experienced engineers, data specialists and technology leaders.

– Participating in innovation and technical learning initiatives.

The exact responsibilities will depend on the graduate’s stream, placement and team rotation.

Minimum Qualification Requirements

Sanlam will consider applicants who already have a degree or will complete their degree by the end of 2026.

Relevant qualifications include BCom, BSc, BTech and BEng degrees in areas such as:

Information Technology.
Computer Science.
Data Science.
Data Analytics.
Business Intelligence.
Statistics.
Mathematics.
Finance.
Actuarial Science.
Industrial Engineering.
Electrical Engineering.
Chemical Engineering.
Civil Engineering.
Mechanical Engineering.

Experience Requirements

Previous work experience is not a prerequisite.

However, applicants should not have more than 12 months of relevant post-university professional work experience.

Experience gained as part of a Work Integrated Learning programme will not be counted as professional working experience for this requirement.

This makes the programme particularly suitable for:

Final-year students completing their qualifications in 2026.
Recent university graduates.
Graduates with no formal work experience.
Graduates with limited relevant professional experience.

Knowledge and Skills

Sanlam does not expect graduates to enter the programme with extensive technical knowledge because the Academy’s curriculum is designed to provide the necessary training.

However, a basic understanding of the following will be beneficial:

Python.
Java.
.NET.
SQL.
Data analysis.
Data modelling.
Data visualisation.
Business analysis.
Process analysis.
Database concepts.
IT data analysis.
Reporting and administration.
Data security.
Risk management.

Applicants are not expected to know every technology listed.

Personal Attributes

Suitable candidates should demonstrate:

Strong analytical ability.
An innovative mindset.
Problem-solving skills.
Passion for data, technology and Artificial Intelligence.
Self-motivation.
Independence.
Ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines.
Client-focused thinking.
Collaboration and teamwork.
Willingness to receive feedback.
Commitment to continuous personal development.
Resilience.
Results orientation.

Why Consider the Sanlam Academy?

The programme provides an opportunity to begin a professional technology career while receiving structured development.

Successful graduates will have access to:

Permanent employment from the start.
13 months of structured development.
Practical enterprise-level experience.
Experienced mentors and coaches.
Different technology and business teams.
Modern data and technology environments.
Career-development opportunities across Sanlam’s different businesses and capabilities.

The programme is particularly relevant for graduates who want to develop careers at the intersection of technology, data, engineering and AI.

Possible Interview Questions

Candidates preparing for the Sanlam Data, AI and Engineering Academy selection process may consider questions such as:

Why do you want to join Sanlam’s Data, AI and Engineering Academy?
Are you more interested in Data & AI or Software Engineering & AI, and why?
Tell us about a technical or academic project you completed.
What programming languages have you worked with?
What experience do you have with Python, Java, .NET or SQL?
How would you approach solving a complex technical problem?
What interests you about Artificial Intelligence?
How can data help an organisation make better decisions?
Tell us about a time you worked as part of a team.
How do you manage several assignments with competing deadlines?
What is the difference between data analysis and data engineering?
What interests you about cloud technology?
How do you respond to constructive feedback?
What technology trends are you currently interested in?
What would you like to achieve during the 13-month programme?

These are suggested preparation questions and are not confirmed Sanlam interview questions.

CV Tips for Graduate Applicants

1. Put Your Degree Near the Top of Your CV

Clearly state:

Qualification: BSc / BCom / BTech / BEng
Field: [Your Field of Study]
University: [University Name]
Completion: [Completed / Expected 2026]

2. Highlight Your Technical Skills

Include technologies you genuinely know, such as:

Python.
Java.
.NET.
SQL.
Data analysis tools.
Data visualisation tools.
Databases.
Cloud technologies.

Do not list technologies you cannot comfortably discuss during an interview.

3. Include University Projects

Having no formal work experience does not mean your CV should be empty.

Include relevant projects involving:

Programming.
Software development.
Data analysis.
Machine Learning.
Artificial Intelligence.
Engineering.
Databases.
Business Intelligence.

Briefly explain what you built, which technologies you used and what problem the project addressed.

4. Include GitHub or a Technical Portfolio

If you have a GitHub profile or online portfolio containing relevant projects, consider including the link on your CV.

5. Do Not Worry About Having No Experience

Sanlam specifically states that previous work experience is not a prerequisite.

Your CV can instead focus on your qualification, university projects, technical abilities, academic achievements and interest in technology.

APPLICATION PROCESS

APPLY HERE

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