NTT DATA Young Talent Graduate Programme 2027: Apply for Associate Graduate Opportunities
South African graduates looking to start their careers in the technology, engineering, business and related professional fields can apply for the NTT DATA Young Talent Graduate Programme 2027.
The programme is based in Johannesburg, Gauteng and is designed to help recent graduates transition from tertiary education into a professional workplace.
Successful candidates join NTT DATA as Associate Graduates and gain practical workplace experience while working alongside experienced professionals.
The programme combines structured learning, mentorship, industry-recognised certifications, real business projects and professional development.
The advertised closing date is 9 October 2026.
However, applicants should verify the current status on the official NTT DATA recruitment portal before applying because the supplied source indicates that recruitment surfaces have shown conflicting status information.
NTT DATA Young Talent Graduate Programme 2027 Overview
| Programme Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Organisation | NTT DATA |
| Programme | Young Talent Graduate Programme 2027 |
| Position | Associate Graduate |
| Reference Number | R-149466 |
| Location | Johannesburg, South Africa |
| Employment Type | Full Time |
| Target Group | Recent graduates |
| Preferred Age Group | Ideally 26 years and younger |
| Minimum Qualification | Three-year Diploma or Degree |
| Fields | Information Technology, Commerce, Engineering or related field |
| Qualification Completion | Completed or due to be completed by December 2026 |
| Relocation | Applicants outside Johannesburg must be willing to relocate at their own cost |
| Advertised Closing Date | 9 October 2026 |
What Is the NTT DATA Young Talent Graduate Programme?
The NTT DATA Young Talent Graduate Programme is designed to help graduates move from academic study into a professional technology and business environment.
The programme provides more than classroom-based learning.
Associate Graduates are expected to contribute to real business initiatives, participate in operational and project activities and apply knowledge gained through their studies to workplace challenges.
The programme combines:
- Hands-on workplace experience
- Structured learning
- Industry-recognised certifications
- Mentorship
- Practical business projects
- Technical development
- Professional development
- Leadership development
- Exposure to technology and business solutions
For graduates with limited professional experience, the programme can provide an opportunity to develop workplace capability while gaining exposure to a large professional organisation.
Who Can Apply for the NTT DATA Graduate Programme?
The programme is aimed at recent graduates and is ideally suited to graduates aged 26 and younger, according to the supplied vacancy information.
Applicants should have completed, or be due to complete by December 2026, a three-year Diploma or Degree in one of the following areas:
- Information Technology
- Commerce
- Engineering
- A related field
Applicants should compare their exact qualification with the official vacancy requirements rather than assuming that every Diploma or Degree automatically qualifies.
Information Technology Graduates
The programme is particularly relevant to graduates interested in entering the technology industry.
Depending on their qualifications, skills and eventual placement, graduates may explore career areas such as:
- Software Development
- Information Technology
- Information Systems
- Business Analysis
- Cloud Computing
- Cybersecurity
- Data
- Networking
- IT Support
- Infrastructure
- Systems Administration
- Digital Transformation
- Technology Consulting
- Other ICT-related careers
The programme does not guarantee placement into one specific technical occupation.
The actual experience may depend on the graduate’s qualification, skills, business requirements and placement within NTT DATA.
Commerce Graduates
The NTT DATA Young Talent Graduate Programme is not limited to IT and computer science graduates.
Commerce is specifically listed among the qualifying study areas.
Commerce graduates may have backgrounds connected to areas such as business, management, finance, information systems and other commercially focused disciplines.
Technology organisations require professionals across many functions, including:
- Business operations
- Finance
- Project management
- Consulting
- Sales
- Commercial management
- Human resources
- Procurement
- Customer operations
- Technology
Commerce graduates should therefore compare their specific qualification with the official vacancy requirements before applying.
Engineering Graduates
Engineering is another field specifically identified by NTT DATA.
Depending on their qualification and placement, engineering graduates may bring skills in:
- Analytical thinking
- Systems thinking
- Mathematical problem-solving
- Technical design
- Project work
- Process improvement
- Data analysis
- Technology
- Infrastructure
- Structured problem-solving
The official programme information does not promise every engineering graduate a particular engineering position.
Applicants should therefore apply based on the published programme requirements and opportunities available through NTT DATA.
What Will NTT DATA Graduate Participants Do?
Associate Graduates will work alongside experienced professionals and subject-matter experts.
Their experience may include several areas of workplace development.
Gain Practical Workplace Experience
Graduates will enter a professional working environment where they can develop an understanding of workplace expectations and professional communication.
They can also gain exposure to organisational structures and how business and technology projects operate.
Contribute to Real Business Projects
Participants are expected to contribute to actual business initiatives.
This gives graduates an opportunity to apply concepts learned during their studies to real organisational challenges.
Complete Structured Learning and Certifications
The programme combines workplace experience with structured development.
NTT DATA states that graduates can develop their technical and professional capabilities through:
- Structured learning pathways
- Certifications
- On-the-job experience
Industry-recognised certifications can complement a graduate’s existing Diploma or Degree.
Participate in Operational and Project Activities
Graduates may participate in operational and project activities relevant to the business unit or function where they are placed.
The exact experience may therefore differ between participants.
Apply Academic Knowledge
Graduates will be expected to use their academic knowledge to address business challenges and support solutions.
This helps bridge the gap between academic theory and professional workplace requirements.
Work With Colleagues, Clients and Stakeholders
Communication and relationship-building are important parts of professional development.
Graduates are expected to collaborate effectively with colleagues and other stakeholders.
Participate in Community Initiatives
Graduate participants may also become involved in corporate social responsibility and volunteer initiatives.
Skills NTT DATA Is Looking For
Academic qualifications are important, but the programme also highlights several behavioural capabilities.
Applicants should demonstrate:
- Curiosity
- Willingness to learn
- A growth mindset
- Adaptability
- Strong problem-solving ability
- Initiative
- Accountability
- Ability to build positive working relationships
When preparing a CV, graduates should support these qualities with genuine examples.
For example, applicants can highlight relevant university or college projects, responsibilities, volunteering, student activities, achievements or previous work experience.
Rather than simply stating that you are a problem solver, show how you have used problem-solving skills in a real situation.
Johannesburg Location and Relocation Requirement
The NTT DATA Young Talent Graduate Programme is based in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Applicants who are not currently based in Johannesburg must be willing to relocate at their own cost.
Candidates outside Gauteng should consider the potential costs associated with:
- Relocation
- Accommodation
- Deposits
- Transportation
- Daily commuting
- General living expenses
Applicants should not assume that NTT DATA will cover relocation or accommodation costs unless this is specifically confirmed by the employer.
Can TVET College Graduates Apply?
The advertised minimum requirement is a three-year Diploma or Degree in Information Technology, Commerce, Engineering or a related field.
TVET College students and graduates should therefore assess their exact qualification carefully.
Applicants should not automatically assume that an N6 certificate satisfies the stated minimum qualification requirement.
Those who do not meet the graduate programme requirements can continue exploring other workplace-development opportunities that match their qualifications and level of study.
How to Apply for the NTT DATA Young Talent Graduate Programme 2027
Applicants should use the official NTT DATA Young Talent Graduate Programme 2027 recruitment page to verify the current status.
The programme reference number is:
R-149466
The advertised closing date is:
9 October 2026
Applicants should use the official NTT DATA recruitment page to verify the current vacancy status and application instructions before submitting an application.
Because the supplied source indicates that different NTT DATA recruitment surfaces have shown conflicting status information, applicants should confirm that the vacancy is still accepting applications at the time they apply.
NTT DATA Young Talent Graduate Programme 2027 Closing Date
The advertised closing date is:
9 October 2026
Applicants should avoid waiting until the final day to submit their applications.
The source also advises candidates to verify the vacancy status on the official NTT DATA recruitment portal because the recruitment information has reportedly shown conflicting status information.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the NTT DATA Young Talent Graduate Programme?
It is a graduate development programme that gives recent graduates workplace experience, structured learning, mentorship, certifications and exposure to real business projects.
What qualification do I need?
Applicants should have completed, or be due to complete by December 2026, a three-year Diploma or Degree in Information Technology, Commerce, Engineering or a related field.
What position will graduates hold?
Successful participants join the organisation as Associate Graduates.
Where is the programme based?
The programme is based in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Can applicants outside Johannesburg apply?
Yes. However, applicants outside Johannesburg must be willing to relocate at their own cost.
What is the NTT DATA programme reference number?
The reference number is R-149466.
Is there a specific age requirement?
The supplied information describes the programme as ideally suited to graduates aged 26 and younger.
When must my qualification be completed?
Applicants should have completed their qualification or be due to complete it by December 2026.
What fields of study are accepted?
The advertised fields include Information Technology, Commerce, Engineering and related fields.
What is the closing date?
The advertised closing date is 9 October 2026.
Applicants should verify the current recruitment status on the official NTT DATA portal before applying.
Final Thoughts
The NTT DATA Young Talent Graduate Programme 2027 provides recent graduates with an opportunity to move from tertiary education into a professional workplace environment.
The programme is aimed at graduates with a three-year Diploma or Degree in Information Technology, Commerce, Engineering or a related field. Participants join as Associate Graduates and receive exposure to workplace projects, structured learning, mentorship, certifications and professional development.
Applicants should carefully check that their qualification meets the published requirements. Those outside Johannesburg should also consider the requirement to relocate at their own cost.
The advertised closing date is 9 October 2026, with R-149466 listed as the programme reference number. Because the supplied source reports conflicting recruitment-status information, applicants should verify the vacancy on the official NTT DATA recruitment platform before submitting an application.
