Learn everything about FNB internships in South Africa – types of programmes, eligibility criteria, stipend details, application tips, and what working at FNB as an intern involves.
Introduction
If you’re looking for hands-on experience in banking, finance, tech, or customer service in South Africa, the First National Bank (FNB) internship, learnership and graduate programmes are great paths. FNB is part of the FirstRand Group, which places emphasis on developing young talent. This post breaks down what FNB offers, who qualifies, how to apply, benefits, challenges, and tips to succeed.
What Internship / Graduate / Learnership Programmes Does FNB Offer?
FNB runs several programmes aimed at different groups:
- Graduate Internship / Graduate Programme
This is for students in their final year at university or recent graduates. Roles include working in retail/commercial banking, credit analytics, product development, risk & fraud analysis, technology and more. - FirstJob Internship Programme
Designed to give unemployed graduates their first meaningful work experience. These roles are developmental and usually come with mentoring and training. - Learnership Programmes
Focused on young people who may not have university degrees but have matric and want to develop in areas like customer service, administration, sales & service. These are often 12-month learnerships. - Special Programmes like Engineering & Technology Graduate Internship
For those studying or qualified in STEM fields: computer science, IT, engineering etc. These roles often include more technical work, innovation projects and require stronger academic / technical skills.
Key Features & What Internship Life Looks Like at FNB
Here are some of the things you can expect if you’re selected for an FNB internship or graduate programme:
- Duration: Most programmes are for ~12 months.
- Training & Mentorship: Monthly training sessions, action learning projects, mentoring from experienced staff.
- Diverse Exposure: Interns rotate (or are assigned) to business units like risk/fraud, product development, customer experience, credit analytics, etc. You’ll get exposure to both technical & soft skills.
- Permanent Role Potential: Some of the graduate programmes are “permanent positions” after the internship period, depending on performance.
- Geographical Spread: Programmes are located in major centre’s (e.g. Johannesburg, Cape Town, etc.) but learnerships or First Job roles may cover more provinces.
Eligibility / Requirements
Here are commonly asked requirements and eligibility criteria for FNB internships/learnerships:
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Citizenship | Must be a South African citizen for most roles. |
| Qualification | Varies by role. For graduate/engineering/tech roles, degree or final year status in relevant fields (e.g. BCom, Engineering, IT, Computer Science). For learnerships, matric / NQF 4-6, sometimes NQF 5-6 for certain roles. |
| Age / Unemployment | Some learnerships require you to be unemployed for a certain period, and age ranges like 18-34. |
| Academic Performance | Strong academic transcripts help, especially for technical or graduate roles. |
| Skills | Good communication skills, problem solving, willingness to learn, sometimes technical skills (especially for tech/engineering internships) are required. |
| Other | Clean criminal record, not blacklisted, able to commit full-time for the period, etc. |
Stipend / Pay / Benefits
What you get out of FNB internships: financial and non-financial.
- Some learnerships have stipends around R5,600 per month.
- For more senior/graduate-tech roles, the stipend or compensation is likely higher, though exact figures vary and aren’t always disclosed. (Note: always check the specific role posting.)
- Non-financial perks: mentorship, training workshops, exposure to real banking/finance projects; potential path to permanent employment.
- Qualification / certification: in some learnerships, you may get a recognised qualification at the end.
How to Apply
Here’s a step-by-step of how to prepare and apply:
- Monitor announcements — FNB publishes internship/graduate/learnership opportunities on its Careers portal, FirstRand Group site, and in job boards.
- Prepare your documents:
- CV (up to date)
- Academic transcript / certified copies
- IDs / proof of citizenship
- Any certificates relevant to the field (tech, maths, etc.)
- Check deadlines — Many programmes have strict closing dates. For example, the FNB Graduate Internship Programme 2025 had deadlines around August 29, 2025.
- Tailor your application — Emphasize skills relevant to the business unit you’re applying to (tech, risk, customer service, etc.), show your problem-solving ability, adaptability, and eagerness to learn.
- Use the official application portals — Use the FNB/FirstRand Careers site or official job boards to avoid scams.
- Follow up / network — Connect with people who already work there (on LinkedIn), attend relevant webinars or info sessions, ask questions; this can help you stand out.
Pros & Cons of Doing an Internship at FNB
Here’s a balanced look:
| Pros | Cons / Challenges |
|---|---|
| Good reputation, strong training and exposure. | Competition is stiff, many applicants. |
| Possibility of permanent employment after the programme. | Some stipends / pay may be modest, especially for entry/learnership levels. |
| Exposure to real business problems, tech, risk, finance, etc. | Work can be demanding, deadlines and expectations high. |
| Networking + mentorship. | In some roles, less glamorous work may be required (routine tasks, admin). |
| Opportunity to build skills relevant across banking & finance. | Maybe relocation or commuting required depending on where you live. |
Success Stories / What Employers Look For
To improve your chances:
- Strong academic results especially in relevant fields (finance, tech, maths). Studies show FNB considers transcripts.
- Relevant skills or small projects: If you can show any experience (school, volunteer, coding, leadership), even if informal, that’s good.
- Soft skills: Communication, teamwork, adaptability; many roles at FNB require dealing with people, understanding customer needs, improving processes.
- Attitude and mindset: FNB values shared values like “I get better and better” — showing growth, initiative, willingness to learn.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1. Is FNB internship/stipend enough to support living costs?
It depends on your location, lifestyle, and the specific stipend. Some learnerships pay modest amounts (e.g. ~R5,600/month), which might cover basic transport, meals, but perhaps not luxuries. Graduate/tech roles often better. Always compare stipend vs cost of living in your area.
Q2. Can I apply if I’m still in university (final year)?
Yes — many graduate internship programmes accept final-year students or those completing their studies soon. Just ensure you will have completed by the start or are able to commit as needed.
Q3. Will doing an internship guarantee a job afterward?
No guarantee, but there is strong potential. FNB does absorb some interns/learners permanently depending on performance. Doing well, showing initiative, and fitting in the business area helps.
Q4. What is the difference between an internship, a learnership, and a graduate programme?
- Learnership: Often for those who may not have degrees and includes both on-job training and formal education/training; often sector-skills or banking skills oriented.
- Internship / Graduate Programme: Typically for degree holders or final-year students; more exposure to business units, projects; these may lead more directly to permanent roles.
- FirstJob Internship: Often entry level to get unemployed graduates into work, develop competencies, bridge gap between study and full employment.
Q5. When should I start preparing if I want to apply?
Start early. Monitor FNB’s website and job boards, work on your CV, perhaps do small projects or courses relevant to your field (e.g. tech / finance), build a portfolio if applicable. Also ensure your transcripts, ID, qualification documents are ready.
Conclusion
If you’re seeking a way to launch your career in finance, banking, or tech, FNB’s internship, graduate, and learnership programs are strong options in South Africa. They offer valuable experience, exposure, possible routes to full-time employment, and opportunities to build both technical and soft skills.
To succeed, be prepared, be proactive, and apply to roles aligned with your skills and interests. Keep an eye on deadlines and stay informed via FNB’s careers portal.
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