National Bioproducts Institute (NBI) Youth Employment Service (Y.E.S) Learnership x20 (Durban)

Employer: National Bioproducts Institute (NBI)

Reference Code: NBI261014-1

Department: Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) Manufacturing

Industry: Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology, Life Sciences & Healthcare Manufacturing

Location: Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa (On-Site Operations)

Position Type: 12-Month Fixed-Term Contract (20 Positions Available)

Job Grade: Ungraded Youth Employment Service (Y.E.S) Internship

Target Candidates: Unemployed South African Youth (Aged 18–34)

Compensation: Market-Related Monthly Y.E.S Stipend

Posted Date: 14 October 2026

Closing Date: 27 October 2026

About NBI & The Y.E.S Programme

The National Bioproducts Institute (NBI) is a leading African biopharmaceutical manufacturer committed to producing life-saving therapeutic proteins, blood plasma derivatives, and diagnostic products for patients.

NBI is inviting applications for 20 Youth Employment Service (Y.E.S) Internships based at their manufacturing facility in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal. Designed to empower unemployed youth, this 12-month workplace initiative offers practical hands-on experience in pharmaceutical manufacturing, bulk liquid pooling, biopharmaceutical fractionation, refining processing, and strict Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) compliance.

Key Responsibilities & Operational Duties

Under supervision within the API Manufacturing department, the Y.E.S interns will execute five core functional focus areas:

1. Pharmaceutical Production Assistance

• Intermediate Processing: Assist in producing plasma-derived bulk intermediates and final formulated bulk liquids in Pooling, Fractionation, or Refining process areas.
• Equipment Operations: Prepare, operate, clean, and sanitize production equipment strictly in line with approved Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

2. Quality Control & Sampling

• QA/QC Support: Collect in-process production samples for Quality Assurance (QA) and Quality Control (QC) laboratory testing.

3. Batch Records & Documentation Compliance

• Logbook Maintenance: Accurately complete batch manufacturing records, operational logbooks, and processing checklists following GMP protocols.

4. Maintenance & Equipment Calibration

• First-Line Maintenance: Monitor production equipment performance, assist with instrument calibrations, and report operational faults promptly.

5. SHE, OHS Act & GMP Audit Readiness

• GMP Compliance: Keep manufacturing suites clean, organized, and audit-ready at all times.
• Health & Safety: Follow Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Act regulations, wear specialized Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), and handle biologically active substances safely.

Candidate Profile & Minimum Entry Requirements

To qualify for consideration for Reference NBI261014-1, applicants must meet the following mandatory criteria:

• Demographic & Age Criteria:
  • Must be a South African Citizen aged 18 to 34 years (Mandatory).
  • Must be currently unemployed and NOT studying full-time (Mandatory).
  • Must have no more than 2 years of work experience (Mandatory).
  • Must NOT have previously participated in a Y.E.S Programme (Mandatory).

• Educational Qualifications:
  • Completed Grade 12 / Matric Certificate with a minimum D Symbol (or Level 3 / 40%+) in:
    • English
    • Mathematics (or Mathematical Literacy)
    • Physical Science
    • Biology / Life Sciences (Mandatory).
• Advantageous Qualifications & Experience (Not Mandatory):
  • Pharmacist Assistant Training (PAT) Basic or PAT Post-Basic credentials.
  • Tertiary qualifications (Diploma / Degree) in Engineering or Life Sciences (Biotechnology, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Microbiology).
  • Prior workplace exposure to a laboratory, chemical, or manufacturing environment.
• Operational & Medical Requirements:
  • Must complete compulsory pre-employment, routine, and exit medical examinations (working with active biological substances).
  • Must be willing and able to work 12-hour shifts (06:00–18:00 / 18:00–06:00) or 8-hour shifts, including weekends, public holidays, and night shifts on a 24/7 rotational schedule (Mandatory).

Programme Benefits

• Biopharmaceutical Enterprise Exposure: Gain 12 months of valuable workplace experience inside a regulated South African biomanufacturing plant.
• GMP Certification & Skills: Build practical knowledge in cleanroom protocols, SOP compliance, batch record documentation, and quality assurance.
• Youth Employment Pathway: Enhance your CV with specialized pharmaceutical manufacturing skills to launch a long-term career in health sciences.

Career Advice for Applicants

1. Highlight Science Subjects: Feature your Grade 12 marks in English, Math, Physical Science, and Biology clearly on page 1 of your CV.
2. Detail Life Science / PAT Qualifications: If you hold a Life Sciences degree/diploma or Pharmacist Assistant certificate, state it prominently in your cover header.
3. Confirm Shift Readiness: Explicitly state in your application that you are prepared to work 12-hour rotational day/night shifts and weekends in Durban.

Sample Selection & Interview Questions

Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) & Health Safety

• Question (Documentation Accuracy): “Why is strict accuracy and immediate recording critical when filling out batch records in a pharmaceutical manufacturing environment?”
• Question (Hygiene & Cleanrooms): “How do you ensure cross-contamination is prevented when preparing and cleaning equipment used for biopharmaceutical bulk liquids?”

How to Apply

Apply online directly via the official National Bioproducts Institute (NBI) Careers Portal using Ref Code: NBI261014-1:

• Employer: National Bioproducts Institute (NBI)
• Reference Code: NBI261014-1
• Location: Durban, KwaZulu-Natal
• Position: NBI Youth Employment Service (Y.E.S) x20
• Closing Date: 27 October 2026
• https://nbisa.erecruit.co/candidateapp/Jobs/View/NBI261014-1?source=Indeed

Apply here