Published: 22 September 2026
NOA’s graduate programme is open for applications
A structured start to a career in South Africa’s energy transition for graduates
Applications close 31 October 2026
NOA has opened applications for its 2027 graduate programme, and we’re looking for the next intake of graduates that want their first year of work to really count. If you’re finishing a qualification in engineering, data, finance or a related field, and you want to help build one of South Africa’s fastest-growing energy companies from the inside, here’s what that looks like.
One programme, many places to start
NOA hires graduates across the business, in fields such as engineering and construction, trading and commercial, and technology and data. Wherever your degree points, the shape of the programme is the same: a structured 12-month graduate programme that puts you on real projects from day one, backed by a support system built specifically for people early in their careers.
Take NOA’s Graduate Energy Analyst role in the Trading team, one of the graduate opportunities open this year, as an example. Graduates in that role work with real energy datasets: applying Eskom’s tariff frameworks to calculate customer savings, helping determine the optimal energy mix for a customer, and supporting NOA’s forecasting, reporting and risk teams with analysis that gets used, not filed away. Other disciplines look different in the detail, but the principle holds across the business: real accountability, early.
Support that’s designed, not left to chance
Every new NOA employee, graduate or not, starts with the PowerKit: a day-long, in-person experience in Cape Town built to fast-track understanding of how NOA works and why. From there, you’ll have access to Spark, NOA’s early career development track: ten short, practical workshops on the business skills a degree doesn’t teach, like managing upwards, running a meeting with confidence and building a slide deck someone will actually read. Spark isn’t just for graduates. You’ll be learning alongside other NOA staff members in their first few years across the business.
NOA also treats AI fluency as a normal part of the job, not an afterthought. The business is rolling out company-wide advanced AI training, giving teams hands-on practice on real work. For a graduate, that means learning to work alongside AI from day one, instead of trying to catch up years into a career once everyone else already has.
In their own words
“What inspires me is the people at NOA helped me to turn my technical foundation from university into real-world problem solving. I thought I’d spend my first year observing. Instead, I was in the front line working with customers giving solutions to their energy problems. This is real experience, real opportunities and real growth!” – Carmen, Graduate Energy Analyst
“I didn’t expect to be given real ownership this early. In my first few months I was already sitting in on decisions that affect actual projects, not just watching from the side. That’s the fastest I’ve ever learned.” John, Graduate Energy Analyst
“Joining Spark alongside people from other teams gave me the vocabulary for things I was never taught at university, like how to run a meeting or read a room. It sounds small, but it’s changed how confident I feel walking into a room with people who’ve been doing this for twenty years.” Tarryn, Graduate Energy Analyst
How to apply
Applications for NOA’s 2027 graduate programme close on 31 October 2026. To apply, go to the careers page, find the graduate ad/s, submit your CV together with a short cover letter that tells us what makes you a fit for NOA and what draws you to the energy transition.
About the author
Erica Hannath is Head of People at NOA, where she works closely with the leadership team to shape a high-performing, purpose-driven organisation. She is responsible for the company’s people and culture strategy, ensuring the systems, structures and environment are in place for teams to grow, collaborate and deliver at a high standard. With experience spanning both large corporates and scaling start-ups, Erica brings a commercially grounded and strategic perspective to people leadership. She is passionate about creating environments where strong human connection and clear performance expectations work together to help individuals, and the business, thrive.