VerifiedStatus checked 16 September 2026: 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.
The Youth Employment Service (YES) is a national initiative in South Africa that aims to reduce youth unemployment.
YES provides 12‑month structured work experience opportunities for young people who have not yet had formal workplace exposure.
These opportunities help learners gain real skills, practical experience and a stronger CV that can lead to future jobs.
Many companies across sectors participate in the YES programme to train and mentor young South Africans.
About the YES Learnership Programme
The Youth Employment Service (YES) is part of a government‑endorsed strategy to address youth unemployment by offering structured workplace learning for unemployed youth.
YES is designed to give young people practical workplace experience, not just short‑term work.
Most YES placements last for 12 months and include structured guidance, mentoring and skill development.
YES learners receive real responsibility in participating companies and perform workplace tasks relevant to their placement.
The programme operates across South Africa and covers many sectors including retail, corporate offices, logistics, food service and banking.
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 for how that differs from a learnership.
YES learners also get a certificate of completion that can enhance their future job prospects.
YES Learnership Requirements
To apply for a YES learnership, you must meet specific eligibility criteria.
These criteria ensure that opportunities go to youth who will benefit most from the programme.
The requirements include the following.
- You must be a South African citizen with a valid ID.
- You must be between 18 and 35 years old (the age range may differ slightly by employer but mostly stays within this range).
- You must be unemployed at the time of application.
- You must have completed Matric (Grade 12).
- You must never have participated in any YES learnership or YES programme before.
- You must be willing to commit to the full 12 months of the programme.
- You must be able to travel or relocate if your placement is not near your home.
Some YES placements may include additional requirements specific to the host company or role.
YES Learnership Skills You Can Gain
The YES learnership gives you skills that help you become work‑ready.
During the 12‑month programme, learners gain hands‑on experience and learn skills that are valuable to employers.
Skills you may gain include the following.
- Workplace communication and professionalism.
- Teamwork and collaboration.
- Time management and task prioritisation.
- Computer and digital literacy.
- Customer service experience (in retail or service placements).
- Administrative and operational skills (in office placements).
- Problem solving and critical thinking.
These skills make your CV stronger and prepare you for future employment.
YES learners receive mentoring throughout the programme to help with personal growth and workplace confidence.
Required Documents for YES Learnerships
Before applying to any YES learnership, prepare the following documents.
These help verify your eligibility and qualifications.
- Updated Curriculum Vitae (CV).
- Certified copy of your South African ID document.
- Certified copy of your Matric certificate or results showing you passed.
- Contact details such as phone number and email address.
Ensure all copies are clear and readable before uploading them.
How to Apply for a YES Learnership
YES learnerships are applied for online or through employer‑specific platforms.
Follow these general steps to apply.
- Register on SAYouth.mobi, which is where YES partner companies advertise their placements. YES itself does not recruit, and its youth page sends you to the same place.
- Create a profile with your contact details and education information.
- Search for YES placements that match your interests and location.
- Read the requirements and job description carefully.
- Complete the online application form with your details.
- Upload your CV, ID copy, and certified Matric certificate.
- Submit your application before the closing date.
Employer placements, such as the Clicks YES programme, give you a reference or code to use when you apply.
Some host companies may require additional steps such as assessments or interviews once your application is shortlisted.
YES Learnership Opportunities
- Clicks Youth Employment Service (YES) Programme
This programme offers a 12‑month retail placement with training and in‑store experience.
Learners gain an NQF Level 2 Checkout Operator qualification while working in a Clicks store in Gauteng.
Minimum requirements include Matric, citizenship, being unemployed, and good communication skills.
Applications for the Clicks intake close on 5 March 2026.
- Hungry Lion YES Learnership
This opportunity provides office or warehouse experience in Stellenbosch or Kraaifontein.
Learners must be 18–35, South African citizens, have Matric, and never participated in YES before.
Applications for this intake closed on 1 January 2026.
- Bidfood SA YES Learnership Programme
This programme places youth in a wholesale and retail foodservice environment in Bloemfontein, Free State.
Applicants must be unemployed, have Matric, and be willing to commit to the programme.
Applications for this intake closed on 19 December 2025.
YES Learnership Closing Dates
YES learnership closing dates vary by host company and placement.
Many YES opportunities close months before the programme start date.
Closing dates from the 2026 YES intake, as a guide to timing:
- Bosch Rexroth Africa (Engineering): Closes 06 March 2026.
- Clicks (Retail): Closes 05 March 2026.
- Motus (Automotive): Closes 13 March 2026.
- Eskom (Energy): Applications for 2026 were accepted, with some listings closing as early as 02 January 2026.Â
How to Contact YES Support
If you need support while applying, you can reach out to the official YES platform.
Visit the YES Youth FAQs page. If you have trouble registering or applying on the portal, contact SA Youth support.
You can call them toll free at 0800 727272 for assistance with your profile and applications.
Registering on the official portal and checking it frequently ensures you do not miss new opportunities.
Young people who engage early and prepare strong applications often improve their chances of being selected.
Frequently asked questions
What is the YES programme?
The Youth Employment Service is a privately funded initiative that places unemployed young South Africans into 12-month, full-time work experiences with private employers. It is not a learnership: you are employed and paid a wage, and you leave with a reference and a YES certificate rather than a new NQF qualification.
How much does a YES placement pay?
From 1 March 2026 the minimum is R5 241 a month for a 40-hour week, because a YES placement is ordinary employment and the national minimum wage of R30,23 an hour applies. The previous minimum was R4 992 a month.
Who qualifies for YES?
For the placements created under B-BBEE commitments, which are most of them, YES states that candidates must be South African citizens between 18 and 34 years old and Black as defined in the B-BBEE codes. Placements that are not linked to B-BBEE are open to all ages and all races.
Where do I apply for a YES placement?
On SAYouth.mobi. YES does not recruit directly and its own youth pages send applicants to the same platform, where its partner companies advertise their placements. Registering and applying there costs no data.
Can I do the YES programme twice?
No. Host employers require that you have not taken part in a YES placement before, because the programme exists to give first work experience to people who have none.
