Young Professional-in-Training – Legal Opportunity at Transnet Cape Town & Durban

Transnet Port Terminals is inviting dynamic and recently qualified graduates to apply for the Young Professional-in-Training – Legal opportunity in Cape Town and Durban, South Africa. This 24-month programme is designed to provide young professionals with valuable workplace experience through a structured learning programme and organisational support. The opportunity is particularly suited to candidates who have completed a degree in Legal Studies or an LLB and are looking to develop practical experience while gaining exposure to a professional corporate environment.

The successful candidates will join Transnet Port Terminals as trainees within the Youth Development programme and will report to the Specialist: YDD. During the programme, Young Professionals-in-Training will participate in workplace learning, staff shadowing, meetings and workshops while gaining exposure to various functions within the department. The programme is intended to help recent graduates transition from academic study into the workplace while strengthening their legal, administrative, communication, research and project-related capabilities.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver specific tasks and assignments within the relevant work-stream or department.
• Participate fully in the structured 24-month Young Professional-in-Training programme.
• Shadow various staff members to gain practical exposure to different workplace functions and responsibilities.
• Participate in learning experiences designed to develop professional and workplace competence.
• Attend relevant meetings, workshops and development activities.
• Gain practical exposure to legal and departmental functions within Transnet Port Terminals.
• Communicate with customers to gain a clear understanding of their needs and requirements.
• Establish the level of urgency associated with customer requirements and respond appropriately.
• Keep customers regularly updated on the progress of their requests and requirements.
• Serve as a central contact point for supplier and end-user queries.
• Ensure supplier and end-user queries are followed up and addressed in a satisfactory and timeous manner.
• Provide general administrative assistance to support departmental activities.
• Conduct research and provide research assistance when required.
• Assist with assigned legal, administrative and project-related activities under appropriate guidance.
• Execute project work tasks effectively and efficiently.
• Work independently when required while contributing positively to collaborative projects.
• Produce accurate, professional and quality work that can be used as input in developing appropriate project solutions for clients.
• Maintain organised records and supporting information relating to assigned responsibilities.
• Apply strong written and verbal communication skills when interacting with customers, suppliers, colleagues and other stakeholders.
• Support the department in achieving its operational and project deliverables.
• Participate in learning and development opportunities to strengthen legal and professional knowledge.
• Demonstrate willingness to learn and adapt to different workplace functions and responsibilities.
• Follow established instructions, procedures and workplace requirements.
• Contribute to a positive team environment and work effectively with colleagues.
• Identify and assist with resolving problems within the scope of assigned responsibilities.
• Complete assigned tasks accurately and within agreed timelines.

Requirements and Skills

• A Degree in Legal Studies, LLB or a related qualification is required.
• Applicants must be South African citizens.
• Candidates must be between 18 and 35 years of age.
• Applicants should have up to one year of work-related experience.
• The programme is aimed at recently qualified graduates seeking structured workplace exposure.
• Preference will be given to Persons With Disabilities.
• Good written communication skills are essential.
• Strong verbal communication skills are required.
• Candidates should have a good working knowledge of Microsoft Word.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel is required.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Outlook is required.
• Proficiency in Microsoft PowerPoint is required.
• Strong attention to detail is important when handling legal, administrative, research and project-related work.
• Problem-solving skills are required.
• Candidates must be able to work effectively as part of a team.
• The ability to follow instructions and established procedures is essential.
• Candidates should have good organisational skills and the ability to manage assigned responsibilities.
• Strong interpersonal skills are important when interacting with customers, suppliers, colleagues and stakeholders.
• Candidates should be able to communicate professionally and maintain positive working relationships.
• The ability to work independently when required will be advantageous.
• Applicants should demonstrate a willingness to learn and develop new professional skills.
• Candidates should be adaptable and comfortable working within a structured learning environment.
• Good judgement and the ability to identify and address workplace challenges are important.
• Candidates should be committed to delivering quality work and meeting customer expectations.

The Transnet Young Professional-in-Training – Legal programme offers an excellent opportunity for recent legal graduates to gain practical workplace experience while developing professional skills in a major South African organisation. The 24-month programme combines structured learning with practical exposure, allowing participants to work alongside experienced employees and gain insight into different departmental functions. This can provide a strong foundation for graduates who want to build careers in legal, administrative, corporate or related professional fields.

The programme will involve more than traditional legal exposure, as successful candidates will also gain experience in customer communication, supplier and end-user query management, research, administration and project work. These responsibilities can help graduates develop transferable skills such as problem-solving, organisation, stakeholder engagement, teamwork and professional communication. The opportunity also provides candidates with the chance to understand how legal knowledge and professional workplace practices can support the operations of a large organisation.

Candidates applying for the Young Professional-in-Training – Legal position should ensure that they meet the qualification, citizenship and age requirements before submitting their applications. Applicants should also be prepared to participate actively in learning experiences, workshops, meetings and staff-shadowing activities throughout the two-year programme. Strong written and verbal communication, attention to detail, teamwork and proficiency in Microsoft Office are important requirements for candidates seeking to succeed in this opportunity.

The positions are associated with Transnet Port Terminals and are advertised for Cape Town and Durban, with the listing showing various locations. Applicants should note that the closing date is 11 September 2026 and that it remains the responsibility of each applicant to ensure that Human Resources receives their application before the deadline. Candidates who are recently qualified and have up to one year of work-related experience are encouraged to consider this opportunity as a way to gain structured professional exposure.

Transnet states that preference will be given to suitably qualified applicants who are members of designated groups in line with the Employment Equity Plan and targets of the organisation or operating division. Preference will also be given to Persons With Disabilities for this programme. Eligible candidates who are interested in building practical experience through the Transnet Port Terminals Young Professional-in-Training programme should submit their applications before the closing date.

Apply here