Eskom Youth Employment Service (YES) Programme
For thousands of young South Africans, getting that first job can be the biggest hurdle to building a successful career. Many employers require previous work experience, making it difficult for school leavers and unemployed youth to enter the labour market. The Youth Employment Service (YES) Programme was created to address this challenge by providing young people with meaningful workplace experience that improves their employability and opens doors to future career opportunities.
Eskom is inviting applications for its Youth Employment Service (YES) Programme 2026 at Medupi Power Stationin Lephalale, Limpopo. Successful applicants will receive a 12 month work opportunity, gaining valuable administrative experience within South Africa’s largest electricity utility while developing professional workplace skills.
About Eskom
Eskom is South Africa’s national electricity utility and one of the largest power producers on the African continent. The organisation generates, transmits and distributes electricity that powers homes, businesses and industries across the country.
As part of its commitment to youth development and economic transformation, Eskom participates in the Youth Employment Service (YES) initiative, providing unemployed young South Africans with structured workplace experience across various business units.
About the Eskom Youth Employment Service (YES) Programme
The Youth Employment Service (YES) is a public-private initiative led by the Presidency to help combat youth unemployment in South Africa.
Through the programme, unemployed young people receive valuable workplace exposure that helps them develop practical skills, workplace confidence and professional experience needed to secure long-term employment.
Successful candidates will be employed on a 12-month fixed-term contract and placed within Eskom operations.
Programme Overview
- Programme: Eskom Youth Employment Service (YES) Programme 2026
- Employer: Eskom
- Location: Medupi Power Station, Lephalale, Limpopo
- Duration: 12 Months
- Employment Type: Fixed-Term YES Contract
- Department: Administrative Support
What You Will Gain
Successful participants will benefit from:
- 12 months of workplace experience
- Administrative work exposure
- Professional workplace training
- Communication skills development
- Teamwork experience
- Exposure to South Africa’s energy sector
- Improved employability
- Professional networking opportunities
- Workplace readiness
The programme provides an excellent opportunity for young people entering the job market for the first time.
Minimum Requirements
Applicants must:
- Be South African citizens
- Be between 18 and 34 years old
- Have Grade 12 (Matric) or an equivalent qualification
Additional Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must also:
- Be unemployed
- Not have been permanently employed by one employer for more than one continuous year
- Not be studying full-time during the year of employment
- Not have previously participated in the YES Programme
- Successfully complete Eskom’s recruitment and selection process
Successful candidates may be placed at Eskom operations across South Africa, depending on business requirements.
Skills and Competencies
The ideal candidate should demonstrate:
Personal Attributes
- Professionalism
- Integrity
- Customer focus
- Positive attitude
- Self-motivation
- Energy and enthusiasm
- Politeness
- Reliability
- Assertiveness
Skills
- Good communication skills
- Strong interpersonal skills
- Teamwork
- Negotiation skills
- Relationship-building skills
Knowledge of Eskom policies and procedures will be advantageous.
Why Join the Eskom YES Programme?
The Youth Employment Service Programme gives young people an opportunity to gain meaningful workplace experience within one of South Africa’s largest state-owned enterprises.
Participants will develop:
- Professional workplace behaviour
- Office administration skills
- Communication skills
- Time management
- Team collaboration
- Business understanding
- Customer service skills
This experience can significantly strengthen future job applications.
Career Opportunities After Completion
The skills gained during the programme can prepare participants for careers such as:
- Administrative Assistant
- Office Administrator
- Customer Service Consultant
- Operations Support Officer
- Data Capturer
- Clerk
- Project Administrator
- Office Coordinator
The workplace experience is transferable across both the public and private sectors.
Why Choose Eskom?
Working at Eskom provides exposure to one of South Africa’s most important industries while allowing young professionals to learn from experienced teams in a structured working environment.
The programme helps participants:
- Build confidence
- Gain practical workplace experience
- Develop professional skills
- Improve long-term employability
- Expand professional networks
For many young South Africans, the YES Programme serves as a stepping stone into permanent employment.
Thabang Maimela’s Tip
The YES Programme is designed specifically for young people who need their first meaningful work experience. Before applying, make sure your CV is simple, professional and error-free. Even if you don’t have previous work experience, include leadership roles at school, volunteer work, community projects or any responsibilities that demonstrate reliability and a willingness to learn.
How to Apply
Interested applicants who meet the minimum requirements should submit their applications through the official Eskom Careers Portal before the advertised closing date.
Before applying, ensure you have prepared:
- Updated Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Certified copy of your South African ID
- Certified copy of your Grade 12 (Matric) certificate
- Any additional supporting documents requested during the application process
Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.
Start Your Career with Eskom
The Eskom Youth Employment Service (YES) Programme provides unemployed young South Africans with a valuable opportunity to gain practical workplace experience while developing the professional skills needed for long-term career success. If you’re ready to take your first step into the world of work, this programme could be the opportunity you’ve been waiting for.
Closing Date: 21 July 2026
Disclaimer
CareersPursuit shares publicly available opportunities for informational purposes only and is not affiliated with the companies or organisations mentioned unless explicitly stated otherwise. Do not send your personal information, CV, or applications directly to CareersPursuit. Always verify opportunity details through official channels before applying.
- About the Author
- Latest Posts
I am Thabang Maimela, Founder and Editor of CareersPursuit and YouthSETA, two South African platforms dedicated to helping individuals access employment opportunities, skills development programmes, and career growth resources. Through CareersPursuit, I focus on jobs, internships, apprenticeships, graduate programmes, learnerships, and career advice, while YouthSETA specialises in SETA learnerships, skills programmes, youth development initiatives, and workplace readiness resources. My mission is to make reliable, up to date information more accessible, helping South Africans build skills, improve employability, and navigate their career journeys with confidence. Read more about the author on the About Us page.