5 YES Programme Opportunities South African Youth Should Apply for in 2026
South Africa’s unemployment rate remains one of the biggest challenges facing young people today. Many matriculants, graduates, and unemployed youth struggle to gain the work experience needed to secure permanent employment.
This is where the Youth Employment Service (YES) Programme comes in.
The YES Programme was created to provide unemployed South African youth with valuable workplace experience, helping them develop practical skills while earning a monthly stipend. Many participants use the programme as a stepping stone towards permanent employment opportunities.
If you’re currently looking for work experience, here are 5 YES Programme Opportunities South African Youth Should Apply for in 2026
- Momentum YES Programme 2026
Apply for the Momentum YES Programme 2026. Unemployed South African graduates aged 18-25 can gain valuable workplace experience, mentorship, and a monthly stipend through this 12-month opportunity.
Momentum Group is inviting unemployed South African graduates to apply for its highly sought-after YES (Youth Employment Services) Programme 2026. This exciting 12-month opportunity provides young graduates with valuable workplace experience, professional development, mentorship, and a monthly stipend while working within one of South Africa’s leading financial services organisations.
The programme forms part of Momentum Group’s commitment to reducing youth unemployment and creating meaningful career opportunities for young South Africans who are eager to enter the professional world.
Closing Date: 2026/06/06
Apply For The Momentum YES Learnership Programme
- 2. ALPLA YES Programme 2026: Millwright Opportunity in Lanseria for Unemployed Youth
South African youth interested in building a future in engineering and industrial maintenance now have an exciting opportunity to gain real workplace experience through the ALPLA YES Programme 2026.
ALPLA South Africa is currently recruiting unemployed young people for its 12-month Millwright YES Programme at the company’s Lanseria Plant. This programme is designed to equip participants with practical technical skills while exposing them to real manufacturing and engineering operations in a professional industrial environment.
The opportunity forms part of the Youth Employment Services (YES) initiative, which aims to create meaningful workplace opportunities for young South Africans who are eager to gain experience and improve their employability
Closing Date: Not Specified
Apply For The Alpla YES Programme
- 3. Site Assistant YES Learnership Programme (R6,500 Per Month) – No Experience Needed
South African job seekers searching for entry-level opportunities now have a promising chance to gain valuable workplace experience through the YES Learnership Programme in Gauteng. A company based in Isando, Johannesburg is currently recruiting Site Assistants for a 12-month fixed-term contract aimed at empowering unemployed youth with practical work exposure and essential career skills.
This opportunity is ideal for young people who have completed Matric and are looking to enter the working world for the very first time. No previous job experience is required, making it an excellent starting point for school leavers and unemployed youth eager to build a stable future.
Successful candidates will receive a monthly stipend of R6,500 while gaining hands-on workplace experience in a professional environment.
Closing Date: Not Specified
Apply For The Site Assistant YES Learnership Programme
- 4. Energi Solutions YES Learnership Opportunity 2026 | Stipend R5 500 Per Month
Young South Africans who are looking for practical work experience and an opportunity to enter the working world now have an exciting opportunity through the Energi Solutions Africa YES Learnership Programme 2026.
Energi Solutions Africa is currently looking to employ a learner within its Production Department at its Lansdowne office in Cape Town through the Youth Employment Service (YES) Programme.
This opportunity is specifically designed for unemployed youth who are eager to gain hands-on workplace experience, develop professional skills, and improve their future career opportunities within a dynamic manufacturing environment.
Closing Date: Not Specified
Apply For The Energi Solutions YES Learnership Opportunity
- 5. Daimler Truck YES Programme 2026 / 2027 – No Experience Needed (12-Month Opportunity for Youth)
Are you a young South African struggling to find your first job because you don’t have experience? You’re not alone — and that’s exactly why the YES Programme 2026 / 2027 by Daimler Truck Southern Africa exists.
This 12-month opportunity is designed to give unemployed youth real workplace experience, helping you build the skills, confidence, and exposure needed to succeed in today’s competitive job market.
If you are between 18 and 29 years old and ready to take your future seriously, this could be the opportunity that changes your life.
Closing Date: Not Specified
Apply For The Daimler Truck YES Programme 2026 / 2027
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I am Thabang Maimela, Founder and Editor of CareersPursuit, a platform dedicated to connecting job seekers with real opportunities across South Africa and beyond. With a strong focus on learnerships, apprenticeships, and entry-level jobs, my mission is to empower individuals by providing reliable, up-to-date career information that helps them take the next step toward employment and growth. Read more about the author on the About Us Page.