South Africa faces significant youth unemployment challenges, with millions of young people struggling to gain meaningful work experience.
To address this, the Youth Employment Service (YES) Programme was introduced as a collaborative effort between the government, businesses, and civil society to combat unemployment in South Africa.
This guide explores the YES Programme in detail, covering its objectives, benefits, application process, and how both employers and job seekers can participate.
What is the Youth Employment Service (YES) Programme?
The Youth Employment Service (YES) Programme is a business-led initiative launched in 2018 to tackle youth unemployment by creating one-year paid work opportunities for unemployed South Africans aged 18–34. The programme is supported by:
- The South African Government, under the Department of Trade, Industry, and Competition (DTIC)
- The Private Sector, with companies incentivized to create jobs
- YES as a Non-Profit Organisation (NPO) facilitating placements
The programme aligns with Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) policies, allowing businesses to improve their B-BBEE score by participating in YES.
What is the YES Programme?
The Youth Employment Service (YES) Programme is a business-led initiative launched in 2018 to tackle youth unemployment by creating one-year paid work opportunities for unemployed South Africans aged 18–34. The programme is supported by:
- The South African Government, under the Department of Trade, Industry, and Competition (DTIC)
- The Private Sector, with companies incentivized to create jobs
- YES as a Non-Profit Organisation (NPO) facilitating placements
The programme aligns with Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) policies, allowing businesses to improve their B-BBEE score by participating in YES.
Objectives of the YES Programme
The main goals of YES are:
- Reduce Youth Unemployment – Providing first-time work opportunities for young South Africans.
- Enhance Skills Development – Helping youth gain practical skills that improve employability.
- Bridge the Experience Gap – Addressing the challenge of “no experience, no job” that many young job seekers face.
- Encourage Business Participation – Encouraging companies to invest in youth employment while improving their B-BBEE status.
By integrating youth into the workforce, the programme aims to stimulate economic growth and reduce long-term unemployment.
Benefits of the YES Programme
For Job Seekers (Youth Participants)
- Gain Work Experience – One year of paid work experience to improve CVs.
- Earn a Stipend – Participants receive a monthly salary to support themselves.
- Enhance Career Prospects – Increases chances of securing permanent employment.
- Skill Development – Training in various industries, from retail and finance to IT and manufacturing.
For Employers (Businesses)
- B-BBEE Level Boost – Companies can improve their B-BBEE score by up to two levels.
- Government Recognition – Support from DTIC makes it a credible initiative.
- Talent Pipeline – Businesses can train and retain skilled young employees.
- Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) – Demonstrates a commitment to reducing unemployment.
How to Apply for the YES Programme
For Youth (Job Seekers)
To qualify, applicants must:
- Be a South African citizen
- Be between 18 and 34 years old
- Have no formal work experience
- Hold a valid South African ID
- Not be studying full-time
Application Process
- Register Online – Visit the official YES website: www.yes4youth.co.za
- Create a Profile – Fill in personal and educational details.
- Upload Required Documents – Provide ID and relevant qualifications.
- Wait for Placement – Companies review profiles and select candidates.
- Start Work – If selected, participants work for 12 months in various industries.
Tip: Keep your profile updated and apply early to increase your chances of selection.
For Employers (Businesses)
Companies interested in participating must:
- Be B-BBEE compliant
- Commit to hiring YES youth for 12 months
- Register on the YES platform and pay a facilitation fee
- Provide youth with meaningful work experience
Businesses can place YES youth internally (within their company) or externally (through YES-approved placement partners).
Industries and Sectors in YES
YES participants work across various sectors, including:
- Retail & Sales – Customer service, cashier, merchandising
- Finance & Banking – Admin, accounting support, data capturing
- IT & Digital – Software support, digital marketing, call centers
- Manufacturing & Engineering – Machine operators, logistics
- Healthcare – Clinic assistants, community health workers
- Education & Training – Tutoring, early childhood development
Since 2018, over 100,000+ jobs have been created through YES in multiple industries.