Eskom is offering unemployed young South Africans an opportunity to gain practical workplace experience through the Youth Employment Service (YES) Programme 2026. The opportunity is aimed at young people who are looking to enter the job market and gain their first meaningful work experience in the electricity, energy and water supply industry.
Successful candidates will receive a 12-month contract and may be placed in Eskom Operations across different divisions and provinces. The programme is particularly relevant for matriculants and young people with post-matric certificates or programmes who are looking to strengthen their CVs and develop workplace skills.
The advertised position is based within the Eskom Real Estate business unit, with locations including Sunninghill, Midrand and Rosherville. However, the selection information states that successful candidates may be placed in Eskom Operations across South African provinces.
The closing date is 24 August 2026, making it important for eligible applicants to submit their applications before the deadline.
Eskom YES Programme 2026 Job Details
| Job Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Company | Eskom |
| Programme | Youth Employment Service (YES) |
| Position/Task Grade | YY1 |
| Business Unit | Eskom Real Estate |
| Department | Eskom Real Estate |
| Reference Number | 50904987LM |
| Industry | Electricity, Energy & Water Supply |
| Job Category | Matriculants / Graduate / No Experience |
| Contract | 12-month internship |
| Location | Sunninghill, Midrand and Rosherville |
| Placement | Eskom Operations across South African provinces |
| Remuneration | Market Related |
| Employment Equity Position | No |
| Closing Date | 24 August 2026 |
What Is the Eskom YES Programme?
The Youth Employment Service (YES) is designed to provide unemployed young people with opportunities to gain workplace experience.
For many young South Africans, entering the employment market can be difficult because employers often ask candidates to have previous experience. A structured work-experience programme can help bridge this gap by giving participants an opportunity to develop professional skills while working in a real organisation.
According to the vacancy information, Eskom is participating in the initiative to create work opportunities for unemployed youth and provide them with their first work experience in the energy industry.
Successful applicants will receive a 12-month contract.
Who Can Apply for the Eskom YES Opportunity?
The opportunity is aimed at young South Africans who meet the specified eligibility requirements.
Applicants must:
- Be a South African citizen.
- Be between 18 and 34 years old.
- Have Grade 12 or an equivalent qualification.
- Have post-matric certificates or programmes where applicable.
- Be available for the 12-month work opportunity.
- Meet the YES participation requirements.
The vacancy is listed under the Matriculants/Graduate/No Experience category, making it potentially suitable for young people who are still building their professional experience.
Eskom YES Selection Criteria
Applicants must also satisfy several additional conditions.
According to the vacancy information, candidates:
- Should not have been permanently employed by a single employer continuously for more than one year.
- Should not be studying full-time in the year of employment.
- Should not have participated in or registered for the YES initiative previously.
- Must successfully complete Eskom’s recruitment process.
These requirements are important because meeting the Grade 12 requirement alone does not automatically guarantee eligibility.
Before applying, candidates should carefully consider their previous employment, current study status and any previous participation in the YES initiative.
What Work Will Successful Candidates Do?
The advert states that successful applicants will be recruited and, following the selection process, placed in Eskom Operations across the divisions.
The exact duties may therefore depend on the division and operational area where a candidate is placed.
Because the position is associated with Eskom Real Estate and the wider Eskom Operations structure, participants can expect to gain exposure to a professional organisational environment.
The programme is primarily valuable for developing workplace readiness and gaining practical experience that can strengthen a young person’s CV.
Skills and Workplace Behaviour Eskom Looks For
Eskom identifies several behavioural qualities that candidates should demonstrate.
Integrity
Integrity is important when working in a large organisation responsible for critical infrastructure and services.
Applicants should demonstrate honesty, accountability and responsible professional behaviour.
Professionalism
Participants will be expected to conduct themselves professionally in the workplace.
This includes communicating appropriately, following workplace procedures and taking responsibility for assigned tasks.
Customer Focus
The vacancy also identifies customer focus as an important behavioural requirement.
Candidates should therefore be able to interact professionally with colleagues, customers and other stakeholders where required.
Why Eskom Work Experience Can Help Your Career
A 12-month work opportunity can provide young people with more than an additional line on their CV.
Workplace exposure can help develop transferable skills such as:
- Professional communication.
- Teamwork.
- Time management.
- Customer service.
- Workplace discipline.
- Administrative skills.
- Problem-solving.
- Understanding organisational procedures.
- Professional conduct.
- Working with experienced employees.
These skills can be useful when applying for future internships, graduate programmes, learnerships and entry-level jobs.
For candidates interested in industries such as engineering, energy, administration, project management, operations, logistics, finance, information technology and business administration, experience within a large organisation can also provide useful exposure to professional working environments.
Career Development After the Programme
The YES opportunity should not be viewed as an automatic permanent employment pathway.
The information provided describes the opportunity as a 12-month contract. Applicants should therefore approach the programme as an opportunity to gain workplace experience, develop skills and improve their future employability.
During the 12 months, participants can use the experience to strengthen their CV and prepare for other career opportunities.
For example, participants can continue developing skills in areas such as:
- Administration.
- Business administration.
- Human resources.
- Finance and accounting.
- Information technology.
- Data analytics.
- Engineering.
- Operations management.
- Supply chain and logistics.
- Project management.
- Customer service.
The exact career opportunities available after the programme will depend on an individual’s qualifications, skills and vacancies available at the time.
Who Should Consider Applying?
This Eskom YES opportunity may be particularly suitable for unemployed young South Africans who:
- Have Grade 12.
- Are between 18 and 34.
- Have little or no workplace experience.
- Are not studying full-time during the year of employment.
- Have not previously participated in the YES initiative.
- Want to gain experience within a large South African organisation.
- Are willing to work in an operational environment.
- Want to improve their employability before pursuing permanent employment.
Young people with post-matric certificates or programmes can also consider the opportunity, provided they meet all the stated requirements.
Important Things to Check Before Applying
Before submitting an application, make sure that you carefully check the eligibility criteria.
In particular, confirm that:
- Your age falls within the 18–34 requirement.
- You are a South African citizen.
- You have Grade 12 or an equivalent qualification.
- You are not studying full-time during the year of employment.
- You have not previously participated in or registered for the YES initiative.
- You have not been permanently employed by one employer continuously for more than one year.
- Your application information is accurate.
Providing incorrect information can affect your application during the recruitment process.
How to Prepare Your Application
Your CV should be clear, professional and easy to read.
For a YES opportunity aimed at young people with limited experience, do not worry if you do not have a long employment history. Instead, highlight relevant information such as:
- Grade 12 subjects and results where appropriate.
- Post-matric qualifications or certificates.
- Computer skills.
- Previous short-term work experience.
- Voluntary activities.
- Projects.
- Leadership experience.
- Communication skills.
- Customer service experience.
- Relevant technical skills.
Keep your contact information up to date so that recruiters can reach you if you progress to the next stage.
Eskom YES Programme 2026 Closing Date
The closing date for the advertised Eskom YES opportunity is:
24 August 2026
Applications should be submitted before the deadline.
Because the closing date is approaching, eligible candidates should avoid waiting until the final day to prepare their applications.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Eskom YES opportunity require Grade 12?
Yes. The minimum requirements state that applicants must have Grade 12 or an equivalent qualification. Post-matric certificates or programmes may also be applicable.
What is the age requirement?
Applicants must be between 18 and 34 years old.
Is previous work experience required?
The vacancy is listed under the Matriculants/Graduate/No Experience category, and the programme is specifically intended to provide unemployed youth with work experience.
How long is the Eskom YES contract?
Successful candidates will receive a 12-month contract.
Can full-time students apply?
The selection criteria state that applicants should not be studying full-time in the year of employment.
Can someone who participated in YES before apply?
The selection criteria state that applicants should not have previously participated in or registered for the YES initiative.
Where will successful applicants work?
The advertised position is associated with Sunninghill, Midrand and Rosherville, while the vacancy information states that successful candidates may be placed in Eskom Operations across South African provinces.
What is the salary?
The vacancy lists the remuneration as Market Related. The information provided does not specify an exact monthly salary.
Final Thoughts
The Eskom YES Programme provides unemployed young South Africans with an opportunity to gain valuable workplace experience through a 12-month contract. With Grade 12 or an equivalent qualification required and the position listed under the matriculant, graduate and no-experience categories, it may be worth considering for young people trying to establish themselves in the employment market.
The programme can help participants develop professional behaviour, customer-focused skills, workplace discipline and practical experience. These skills can strengthen future applications for internships, learnerships, graduate programmes and permanent entry-level positions.
If you meet the requirements, prepare your CV and supporting information carefully and apply before the 24 August 2026 closing date. Do not wait until the final day, particularly if you need to update your CV or obtain supporting documents.