South Africa’s financial sector remains one of the most reliable and opportunity-rich industries for young people who want to build long-term professional careers. For graduates who want to enter the advisory space, FAIS-regulated learnerships have become one of the most respected entry points into financial services. These programmes offer structured training, proper workplace exposure, and qualifications recognised across the industry.
Absa, one of Africa’s leading financial institutions, has opened applications for its Face-to-Face Financial Adviser (FAIS) Unemployed Learnership Programme for 2026. This opportunity is aimed at unemployed graduates who want to convert their academic knowledge into a real, regulated financial advisory career.
If you have a background in Finance, Accounting, or Law and you’re passionate about helping clients make better financial decisions, this learnership could be the start of a stable and transformative career in banking.
Quick Overview
Programme Name: ABSA Face-to-Face Financial Adviser (FAIS) Unemployed Learnership
Duration: 12 Months
Type: Unemployed Learnership
Industry: Banking & Financial Services
Role: Trainee Financial Adviser
Locations: Eastern Cape, Polokwane, Bloemfontein, Mpumalanga, KwaZulu-Natal, Western Cape, Gauteng
Minimum Education: Bachelor’s Degree / Advanced Diploma in Finance, Accounting, or Law
FAIS Compliance: Yes
Ideal For: Graduates pursuing a regulated career in finance
Employer: Absa Group Limited
About Absa Group Limited
Absa Group Limited is one of South Africa’s most established and trusted banking institutions, with a strong footprint across the continent. The organisation offers a wide variety of financial services, including retail and business banking, investment banking, insurance, and wealth advisory.
What makes Absa stand out is its investment in developing young talent. Through learnerships and graduate programmes, the bank ensures that the next generation of financial professionals are trained, regulated, and prepared to operate ethically within the financial advisory landscape.
By participating in this learnership, you step into a regulated profession and gain experience backed by a major financial institution that values growth, learning, and compliance.
Understanding the Opportunity
The financial advisory space in South Africa is governed by the Financial Advisory and Intermediary Services (FAIS) Act. This means anyone offering advice or intermediary services must meet specific educational, ethical, and regulatory requirements.
This learnership is designed to help graduates meet those requirements.
Through this programme, Absa offers:
- Structured, accredited training
- FAIS-aligned learning and compliance development
- Face-to-face customer engagement exposure
- Practical advisory practice in real branch environments
- Ethical and regulatory training required by the industry
In essence, this learnership transforms academic knowledge into a fully recognised advisory pathway.
What You Will Learn and Experience
As a Trainee Financial Adviser within Absa’s face-to-face banking environment, you will gain an in-depth understanding of financial advisory processes and customer service excellence.
Learning and Development
You will participate in structured learning that covers topics such as:
- Financial products and services
- Ethical and compliant advisory practices
- Customer needs analysis
- Sales methodologies
- Relationship building and customer engagement
- FAIS compliance and regulatory ethics
Workplace Experience
You will gain real-world exposure by:
- Supporting qualified financial advisers
- Assisting in branch environments
- Working directly with customers
- Applying your classroom learning in live advisory situations
Customer Engagement and Support
Your daily activities will include:
- Helping clients with financial queries
- Providing support during advisory discussions
- Upholding Absa’s service culture
- Acting with professionalism and integrity
Sales and Performance Learning
Advisory roles involve performance targets. During the learnership, you will:
- Handle leads responsibly
- Learn sales conversion techniques
- Work within compliance boundaries
- Meet advisory-related performance expectations
Administrative and Compliance Tasks
You will also be responsible for:
- Completing documentation accurately
- Maintaining correct client records
- Protecting confidential information
- Following Absa-approved processes and scripts
Key Accountabilities
As a learner, you are expected to:
- Commit fully to training
- Attend all learning sessions
- Display professionalism in all interactions
- Meet performance standards
- Operate strictly within FAIS compliance
- Demonstrate ethical conduct consistently
This programme requires focus, discipline, and a genuine commitment to personal and professional growth.
Minimum Requirements
To apply, candidates must meet all the following criteria:
Educational Requirements
- Bachelor’s Degree or Advanced Diploma in:
- Finance
- Accounting
- Law
- Grade 12 / Matric certificate
Employment Status
- Applicants must be unemployed at the time of applying
Regulatory Preferences (Advantageous)
These are not always required but will be beneficial:
- FSCA-approved qualification
- RE5 Regulatory Exam
- Willingness to complete Class-of-Business and product-specific training
Personal Attributes
- Honest and ethical behaviour
- Clear communication skills
- Customer-focused mindset
- Willingness to meet sales targets
- Professional appearance and conduct
How to Apply
To apply, click on the preferred province below:
EASTERN CAPE UNEMPLOYED LEARNERSHIP FACE TO FACE FINANCIAL ADVISER (FAIS)
POLOKWANE UNEMPLOYED LEARNERSHIP FACE TO FACE FINANCIAL ADVISER (FAIS)
BLOEMFONTEIN UNEMPLOYED LEARNERSHIP FACE TO FACE FINANCIAL ADVISER (FAIS)
MPUMALANGA UNEMPLOYED LEARNERSHIP FACE TO FACE FINANCIAL ADVISER (FAIS)
KZN REGION UNEMPLOYED LEARNERSHIP FACE TO FACE FINANCIAL ADVISER (FAIS)
WESTERN CAPE UNEMPLOYED LEARNERSHIP FACE TO FACE FINANCIAL ADVISER (FAIS)
GAUTENG UNEMPLOYED LEARNERSHIP FACE TO FACE FINANCIAL ADVISER (FAIS)
Conclusion
The ABSA Financial Advisor (FAIS) Unemployed Learnership Programme 2026 offers a structured and respected entry into South Africa’s financial advisory profession. With a combination of academic training, compliance development, and customer-facing experience, this learnership gives graduates the foundation they need to build a strong and regulated career in the financial services industry. If you meet the requirements and are ready for a challenging yet rewarding path, this programme can open the door to a long-term future in finance.
