{"id":28,"date":"2026-03-10T15:48:07","date_gmt":"2026-03-10T15:48:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bursariesafrica.co.za\/learnerships\/?page_id=28"},"modified":"2026-09-18T01:46:12","modified_gmt":"2026-09-18T01:46:12","slug":"yes-learnerships","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.bursariesafrica.co.za\/learnerships\/yes-learnerships\/","title":{"rendered":"YES Learnerships: Youth Employment Service Opportunities"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Status checked 16 September 2026:<\/strong> The YES placements listed below closed during 2026. YES partners advertise new placements through the year, so search the YES and employer sites for what is open now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Youth Employment Service (YES) is a national initiative in South Africa that aims to reduce youth unemployment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

YES provides 12\u2011month structured work experience opportunities for young people who have not yet had formal workplace exposure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These opportunities <\/a>help learners gain real skills, practical experience and a stronger CV that can lead to future jobs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many companies across sectors participate in the YES programme to train and mentor young South Africans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

About the YES Learnership Programme<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Youth Employment Service (YES) is part of a government\u2011endorsed strategy to address youth unemployment by offering structured workplace learning for unemployed youth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

YES is designed to give young people practical workplace experience, not just short\u2011term work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most YES placements last for 12 months and include structured guidance, mentoring and skill development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

YES learners receive real responsibility in participating companies and perform workplace tasks relevant to their placement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The programme operates across South Africa and covers many sectors including retail, corporate offices, logistics, food service and banking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A YES placement is ordinary employment, so the national minimum wage applies rather than the learnership allowance table. From 1 March 2026 that is at least R5 241 a month for a 40-hour week, up from R4 992. See what a learnership must pay you<\/a> for how that differs from a learnership.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

YES learners also get a certificate of completion that can enhance their future job prospects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

YES Learnership Requirements<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

To apply for a YES learnership, you must meet specific eligibility criteria.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These criteria ensure that opportunities go to youth who will benefit most from the programme.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The requirements include the following.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  1. You must be a South African citizen with a valid ID.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. You must be between 18 and 35 years old (the age range may differ slightly by employer but mostly stays within this range).<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. You must be unemployed at the time of application.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. You must have completed Matric (Grade 12).<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. You must never have participated in any YES learnership or YES programme before.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  6. You must be willing to commit to the full 12 months of the programme.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  7. You must be able to travel or relocate if your placement is not near your home.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Some YES placements may include additional requirements specific to the host company or role.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    YES Learnership Skills You Can Gain<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    The YES learnership gives you skills that help you become work\u2011ready.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    During the 12\u2011month programme, learners gain hands\u2011on experience and learn skills that are valuable to employers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Skills you may gain include the following.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \n
    1. Workplace communication and professionalism.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    2. Teamwork and collaboration.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    3. Time management and task prioritisation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    4. Computer and digital literacy.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    5. Customer service experience (in retail or service placements).<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    6. Administrative and operational skills (in office placements).<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    7. Problem solving and critical thinking.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

      These skills make your CV stronger and prepare you for future employment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      YES learners receive mentoring throughout the programme to help with personal growth and workplace confidence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Required Documents for YES Learnerships<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

      Before applying to any YES learnership, prepare the following documents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      These help verify your eligibility and qualifications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \n
      1. Updated Curriculum Vitae (CV).<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      2. Certified copy of your South African ID document.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      3. Certified copy of your Matric certificate or results showing you passed.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      4. Contact details such as phone number and email address.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

        Ensure all copies are clear and readable before uploading them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        How to Apply for a YES Learnership<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

        YES learnerships are applied for online or through employer\u2011specific platforms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Follow these general steps to apply.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          \n
        1. Register on SAYouth.mobi<\/a>, which is where YES partner companies advertise their placements. YES itself does not recruit, and its youth page<\/a> sends you to the same place.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        2. Create a profile with your contact details and education information.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        3. Search for YES placements that match your interests and location.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        4. Read the requirements and job description carefully.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        5. Complete the online application form with your details.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        6. Upload your CV, ID copy, and certified Matric certificate.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        7. Submit your application before the closing date.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

          Employer placements, such as the Clicks YES programme, give you a reference or code to use when you apply.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          Some host companies may require additional steps such as assessments or interviews once your application is shortlisted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          YES Learnership Opportunities<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
            \n
          1. Clicks Youth Employment Service (YES) Programme<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

            This programme offers a 12\u2011month retail placement with training and in\u2011store experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            Learners gain an NQF Level 2 Checkout Operator qualification while working in a Clicks store in Gauteng.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            Minimum requirements include Matric, citizenship, being unemployed, and good communication skills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            Applications for the Clicks intake close on 5 March 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

              \n
            1. Hungry Lion YES Learnership<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

              This opportunity provides office or warehouse experience in Stellenbosch or Kraaifontein.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

              Learners must be 18\u201335, South African citizens, have Matric, and never participated in YES before.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

              Applications for this intake closed on 1 January 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                \n
              1. Bidfood SA YES Learnership Programme<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

                This programme places youth in a wholesale and retail foodservice environment in Bloemfontein, Free State.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                Applicants must be unemployed, have Matric, and be willing to commit to the programme.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                Applications for this intake closed on 19 December 2025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                YES Learnership Closing Dates<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

                YES learnership closing dates vary by host company and placement. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

                Many YES opportunities close months before the programme start date.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                Closing dates from the 2026 YES intake, as a guide to timing:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n