Last updated on February 22nd, 2024 at 05:43 pm
One of the easiest ways to secure a job locally would be by going through the various graduate trainee programs in Kenya.
I will introduce you to some of the finest graduate trainee programs in Kenya to help you identify an ideal graduate trainee program to join.
Let’s look at what a graduate trainee program is before we proceed.
What is a graduate trainee program?
A Graduate Trainee program is simply a program designed to help prepare you for your future job role by exposing you to a hands-on learning environment.
Here you learn what you may not have learned at campus by being assigned challenging responsibilities in the areas you studied at the university.
In addition, you’re mentored to grow into your passion and/or assume leadership positions in the future.
In short, a graduate trainee program is one of the best ways to position yourself for unparalleled career success.
How to identify a good graduate trainee program
It’s always advisable that you spend some time and effort researching the available graduate trainee programs in Kenya.
That’s because you don’t want to waste time in graduate schemes that do not offer growth opportunities or those that fail to match your qualifications.
The big companies will often pop up first if you Google for various graduate trainee programs in Kenya and it’s everyone’s dream to work with big hitters like Safaricom and Centum.
But what many fail to realize is that there are tons of SMEs offering potentially lucrative openings for fresh graduate jobs in Kenya.
These, to me, could present a better chance for you because they don’t attract as many applications as the big boys.
Importantly, they’re just as valuable as those run by companies like Unilever and sometimes even offer better career development opportunities.
When searching for suitable roles, be on the lookout for clues that the advertising organization values its workforce and genuinely delivers the support that you need to succeed in a graduate trainee programme.
Common Minimum requirements to join Graduate trainee programs in Kenya
But where expressly stated, you must have the following qualifications:
- A Bachelor’s Degree (Second class Upper) from an accredited University. First Class honors considered an added advantage.
- Must have graduated in the last 1 year counting from the date the advert is published.
- Possess superb communication skills
- Be an exceptional achiever in various extracurricular activities (added advantage).
- Not more than one year of work experience.
- Computer proficiency
Available fields under various graduate trainee programs in Kenya (including graduate management trainee jobs in Kenya )
- Sales & Marketing
- Finance/accounting
- Procurement/Supply Chain Management
- Business Development
- Human Resource/Operations
- Public Relations/Communications
- Recruitment
- Economics/Statistics
- ICT
- Training
- Quality Management
- Engineering
- Law
Graduate trainee programs in Kenya -Best Graduate Trainee Programs in Kenya (where to get graduate trainee jobs in Kenya )
I don’t want to keep here longer so allow me to bring you a list of the companies offering Graduate trainee programs in Kenya this year.
CDL (Careers Directions Limited) Graduate trainee Program
CDL’s Graduate Trainee Program seeks to hire, train, and develop fresh graduates and further groom them to take up international careers.
How long does the program take?
This is three-month long and begins every February to August each year.
How is the program structured?
Successful graduates are rotated across departments in CDL’s accelerated learning environment to enable them start their careers at either CDL or at any of CDL’s partnering clients.
The most promising young graduates get an opportunity to gain further expertise in their chosen areas of specialization.
How to apply
More details and information about how to apply available here.
Unilever Kenya Management Trainees Graduate Program
The Unilever graduate trainee programme in Kenya intends to help self-motivated, enthusiastic, and goal-oriented management graduates kick to start their careers by learning from top management honchos at the company.
How long does the program take?
This is 3-years long and begins at diverse dates each year.
How is the program structured?
The Unilever graduate trainee and Future Leaders Programme admits graduates in myriad fields including marketing, customer development, human resources, supply chain management, and research and development.
How to apply
More information and specific details are available here.
KRA graduate trainee program
KRA graduate trainee program was introduced to back up the Government of Kenya Youth Initiative under which the state seeks to build a pool of talented young graduates for the local Labour Market.
The program admits both fresh Diploma and Bachelor’s Degree graduates including in fields such as Library and Information Sciences, Records Management, Hospitality, Project Management, Security/Criminology, Chemistry/Analytical Chemistry, and Electrical Engineering.
How long does the program take?
This is 12-months long and the first cohort started work in January 2020.
That means you’ll be waiting for 2021/2022 applications if you’re interested in this program.
Note that Law degree holders currently pursuing the mandatory Advocates Training program at the Kenya School of Law are engaged for just six (6) months in the KRA graduate trainee program.
How is the program structured?
The graduates are deployed to the many KRA support services departments as per their areas of study in specific KRA offices across the nation and at Times Tower (KRA headquarters).
How to apply
Keep checking for the graduate trainee KRA advert and other details here or on the PSC website here.
Maersk Graduate Trainee
Logistics firm Maersk runs one of the highly-rated various graduate trainee programs in Kenya and you can choose them as you start your career journey.
You access world-class training and gain high-impact skills on the job.
Plus, you’ll benefit from the mentorship from Maersk’s senior leaders.
How to apply
Check Maersk’s careers page here for the announcement about the next recruitment by the company. They also place Ads in the local dailies so you should keep an eye on them too.
Centum graduate trainee program
Centum is Kenya’s leading investment company.
The company has emerged as one of the best employers in Kenya and is an attractive employer for many Kenyan degree holders.
You could try your luck in their graduate trainee program and take advantage of the platform to get invaluable industry exposure.
Who should apply?
Centum mainly looks for graduates with a background in accounting, finance, or mathematics.
Then, besides having an upper second honors qualification, you should have scored at least an A- Grade (mean) in your O-levels.
Additionally, you must hold high-value professional certifications like CPA-K, CFA, ACCA, and more to stand a chance.
How to apply
Applications are made via Centum’s career portal.
As you would expect, it’s a highly competitive process and all applicants undergo thorough evaluation and vetting before being recruited.
You will undergo aptitude tests, one-on-one interviews, written analytical assessments, a Psychometric assessment, Exco interviews, etc before being hired into one of Centum’s graduate management trainee jobs in Kenya.
KWS management trainee program for graduates
KWS management trainee program has earned a reputation as one of the most complete graduate trainee programs in Kenya for students taking wildlife-related degrees.
Sadly, there are years they haven’t recruited but it’s good to contact them and find out when they will be conducting the selection for graduate management trainees next.
How is the program structured?
It’s worth to note that you will be required to undergo a super-intensive paramilitary training for a period of about nine (9) months.
You’re later on deployed to the relevant department as per your course where you’ll work under assigned heads.
Who should apply?
As mentioned above, this program is traditionally for those with a Bachelor’s degree in areas like Anthropology, Natural Resource Management, and Social Sciences.
You must also be in great physical shape to be accepted.
How to apply
The advert is posted on recruitment websites such as Career Connections and on the KWS portal.
Safaricom Graduate Trainee
Safaricom graduate trainee jobs program runs for 18 (eighteen) months and admits all recently graduated individuals (should not have spent more than one since graduating at the time of applying).
Who should apply?
Safaricom requires a first degree and vacancies exist in various departments and sectors.
How to apply
Applications are done online through the Safaricom careers portal here.
BAT graduate trainee program
This is a fast track program for ambitious graduates who want to scale the heights of their careers in a global organization.
Specifically, BAT’s Graduate Programme is a foundational platform from where you can enhance your functional and managerial skills and boost your business acumen.
How long does the program take?
This is a one-year trainee programme.
How is the program structured?
Successful applicants are expected to form the core of the next generation leaders at BAT.
For this reason, you’re involved in real business projects from day one.
Other segments of the program are designed to challenge you and unlock your potential.
Who should apply?
In most cases, BAT demands 2nd class honours (upper division) or a GPA (Grade Point Average) of 3.0 from prospects.
Being a management training program, BAT will as well ask for professional qualifications like an ACCA, CFA, CPA, or ACA.
How to apply
When due, applicants are supposed to submit applications from BAT’s career website careers.bat.com
Toyota Graduate Trainee program
Toyota graduate program is also considered to be among the best graduate trainee programs in Kenya.
The program is annual and mostly targets young graduates in areas like marketing, Mechatronic engineering, ICT, and more.
How long does the program take?
This is an 18-month long Graduate Development Programme (GDP).
How is the program structured?
You will go through line training (mandatory) before participating in cross divisional placement (according to the function’s decision).
How to apply
Create a personal profile on Toyota Kenya careers page here then wait for alerts.
DTB graduate program
DTB graduate trainee program doesn’t run regularly but it’s nevertheless an opportunity whenever it runs.
How to apply
To check if it’s available at the moment and try your luck, send your application expressing an interest in joining the DTB graduate trainee to hr@dtbafrica.com
GT bank graduate trainee
If you’re an enterprising graduate, DTB offers you an opportunity to flourish in your career through their graduate trainee program.
You need to be creative and have topnotch critical thinking skills to qualify.
How to apply
Send your letter to jobske@gtbank.com (note that the program is not always open so it’s advisable to contact the bank before sending your documents).
KPLC graduate trainee
Like the KRA graduate trainee program, this is in line with the Kenya’s Government’s Youth Initiative to empower young Kenyans hoping to help them become competitive enough for the Kenyan Labour Market.
It’s a 3-month program and is expected to be annual.
The internship opportunities are scattered across various departments and the first batch went under Kenya power wings a few years back.
More enrollments are planned each year.
How to apply
The advert is normally published on the Kenya power website, the PSC website, and the national dailies.
KTDA management trainees program
KTDA publishes openings for graduates in Kenya (in various disciplines) although not regularly.
The advertisement is published in national media and online on KTDA social media handles like FaceBook.
Musoni Kenya
Musoni Microfinance Kenya is every 3-4 months recruiting competent and dynamic graduates in a couple of areas including credit and accounting.
How to apply
Send your application via Musoni’s website here.
KPMG graduate program Kenya
KPMG East Africa offers dozens of opportunities for fresh graduates every year in finance, accounting, statistics, and more.
You will get the required mentorship and support to help you reach your career goals.
How to apply
Keep your eyes on this page.
PwC graduate program Kenya
Each year, global consultant PwC hires graduates in functions like Assurance , Advisory, and Taxation.
PwC provides tailored learning & development programmes to help you build unmatched foundational skills in each of the above-mentioned lines.
How to apply
Keep your eyes on this page.
KENET graduate program Kenya
KENET (The Kenya Education Network) graduate trainee program is one of the graduate trainee programs in Kenya offering purely ICT oriented opportunities for recent graduates.
Apply if you have a degree in electrical engineering, computer science/information systems, network engineering, information/shared services, and related communication areas.
Only 5 lucky graduates walk away with this opportunity so it’s pretty competitive.
The program lasts 1 year.
How to apply
Visit this page.
Other Graduate trainee programs in Kenya
Here is a list of other firms that hire graduate trainees from time to time. You have to contact them to get the details of their next recruitment.
- Mater Misericordiae hospital (medical graduates)- write to hrrecruit@materkenya.com for enquiries.
- Aurum Consultants Ltd (target is graduates of nutrition, catering, accounting, hospitality, and more). Write to recruit@aurumconsultants.co.ke
- BASF East Africa. Keep visiting BASF Career Website here.
- Standard media group.
- Nation media group.
- Kenya Forest Service (Forest Management Trainees). Link.
- DT Dobie. Enquire from dtdobie@cfao.com
- The Optiven Group. Write to mentoryouth@optiven.co.ke
- KIPPRA (Kenya institute for public policy research and analysis). Admits 10-14 graduands annually. Link.
- Sheer Logic Ltd. Link.
- Isuzu East Africa. E-mail kenya@isuzu.co.ke
- AA Kenya.
- Amiran Kenya Limited.
- Hashi Energy.
- Tamarind group.
- KETRACO (Graduate Electrical Engineer Jobs).
- Avcon Contractors.
- Capital markets authority.
- Corporate Staffing Services (C.S.S)
- Kenya airways (Graduate Engineer Trainees)
- ABSA Graduate trainee program
- Huawei’s Kenya management training program
- Orange Tribe Graduate Trainee Program at Guaranty Trust Bank (Kenya)
- The Nairobi Women’s Hospital
- Gatsby Africa Graduate Trainee Programme
- Deloitte graduate program
- Kengen graduate trainee program
-The end-
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