The YES initiative, which is part of the national Youth Employment Programme, is aimed at addressing the pervasive challenge of youth unemployment in the country. It is spearheaded by partnerships of South Africa’s public and private sectors, as well as state-owned companies at the forefront of a range of industries. Eskom, the country’s premier energy utility, is one of the YES Learnerships 2025/2026 employers who help South Africa’s youth gain invaluable work exposure to lessen the education and employability gap pertaining to the youth of the country.
The collaborative framework of the YES Programme enables the business, government, and labor market to work in conjunction to solve the problem of youth unemployment for the target range of ages 18 to 34. By participating in this initiative, it is hoped that not only will the beneficiaries receive a wage, but they will acquire substantial skills necessary for the workplace which will then increase their employability rate and professional success. Initiatives like this, especially for the youth with no or little formal work experience, can positively impact immensely.
Yes program has likewise shown how Eskom is devoted to the transformation of the society and the economy. Every year, the company avails more than a hundred temporary positions across its divisions, which including generation, Human resources, finance, customer services, and technical. These positions give candidates first-hand experience of the inner workings of a large utility company, including maintenance, administration, customer support, and operations at power stations.
Programme Duration
12 months (Fixed Term Contract)
Minimum Requirements
Applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Be a South African Citizen
- Age: Between 18 – 34 years
- Hold Grade 12 or equivalent and/or a post-matric certificate/programme
- Must not have been permanently employed with a single employer for more than 1 year
- Must not be studying full-time during the programme year
- Must not have participated in the YES initiative before
Desired Behavioural Traits
- Integrity
- Professionalism
- Customer-focused
Important Notes
- If you have not been contacted within 28 days after the closing date, please consider your application unsuccessful.
- Eskom is committed to employment equity, diversity, and inclusion, with preference for under-represented designated groups.
- Disabled candidates are encouraged to apply.
- Eskom reserves the right not to make an appointment.
A learnership is a structured learning approach which is flexible enough to incorporate work experience, culminating in a qualification (South African Qualifications Authority, 2008). Participants undergo training for a period of 12 months, in which they are given a stipend and learn ‘on-the-job’ skills. The programme does not offer any assurance of a continued employment at Eskom, however, it does offer practical experience which will bolster a candidate’s ability to secure a job within the tertiary and quaternary sectors of the economy. Numerous former participants of the YES programme and in particular, the learnership, have managed to use it as a foundation for other Eskom related opportunities, as well as opportunities beyond Eskom.
How to Apply for Eskom YES Programme 2025 / 2026
Interested applicants must apply online via the Eskom careers portal:
Click here to apply for Eskom YES Programme 2025 / 2026
Xeskos’ official career portal, as well as other reputable job platforms, provides advertisements for these opportunities. As of now, the candidate is advised to have all required documents such as an ID, Certified copies of the CV, Matric Certificate, and proof of a Residential Address to utilize towards the application. Applications for the 2025/2026 intake is staggered over time and subject to the discretion of the relevant department and region.
The learnership not only provides work experience but hope for the youth of South Africa. It equips the young people with skills, and the necessary exposure required to build a workforce, instilling a sense of confidence and readiness to be of use to the economy.
