The Youth Employment Service (YES) programme has opened opportunities for unemployed young people in South Africa to gain valuable workplace experience, develop professional skills, and build pathways into future careers.
YES is a private sector-led youth employment initiative focused on addressing youth unemployment by partnering with businesses to create 12-month quality work experience opportunities for young people.
What is the YES Programme?
The Youth Employment Service (YES) is a non-profit organisation that works with leading companies across different industries to create employment opportunities for unemployed youth.
Through the programme, young participants gain:
- Practical workplace experience
- Professional skills development
- Exposure to real business environments
- Opportunities to build career networks
- Experience that can support future employment opportunities
The programme aims to develop future:
- Managers
- Skilled professionals
- Entrepreneurs
YES Youth Opportunities
Young job seekers can access quality work experience placements created through YES partner companies.
The programme helps participants:
- Enter the workplace
- Develop employability skills
- Gain confidence in professional environments
- Improve their career prospects
YES opportunities are designed for young people seeking their first significant work experience.
How YES Works
YES partners with businesses across South Africa to create youth employment opportunities.
Businesses can participate by:
- Creating jobs for unemployed youth
- Supporting workplace learning
- Building future talent pipelines
Depending on the business model, youth recruitment can happen through:
- Companies using their own recruitment processes
- The SAYouth platform where young people can register and search for opportunities
- YES implementation partners who assist with recruitment
Benefits for Young People
Participants in the YES programme can gain:
12-Month Work Experience
Young people receive structured workplace experience that helps them understand professional environments and develop practical skills.
Career Development
The programme supports young people in building skills needed for future employment.
Digital Skills Development
YES uses technology-driven solutions, including digitally delivered training and evaluation tools, to support youth development.
Professional Networks
Participants can connect with employers, colleagues, and industry professionals.
YES AI Skills Programme
YES also promotes digital skills development through initiatives focused on preparing young people for the digital economy.
The programme encourages youth to build future-ready skills, including artificial intelligence and technology-related capabilities.
Who Can Apply?
YES opportunities are suitable for:
- Unemployed young South Africans
- Youth seeking workplace experience
- Individuals looking to develop professional skills
- Young people interested in entering different industries
Applicants can register through available YES youth channels and explore opportunities created by partner companies.
Why Join the YES Programme?
The Youth Employment Service provides young people with an opportunity to gain meaningful workplace experience while developing skills that can improve their long-term career prospects.
By connecting businesses and young job seekers, YES helps create pathways into employment, entrepreneurship, and economic participation.
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