The Youth Employment Service (YES) X18 programme at Eskom offers unemployed South African youth an opportunity to gain valuable workplace experience in the country’s electricity and energy sector. If you are between the ages of 18 and 34, have a Grade 12 (Matric) qualification, and are looking for your first meaningful work experience, this 12-month opportunity could help launch your career.
Unlike permanent employment, the YES programme is designed to provide practical workplace exposure, helping young people develop essential employability skills while improving their chances of securing long-term employment across South Africa.
Whether your long-term goal is to build a career in Human Resources, Business Administration, Engineering, Project Management, Logistics, Supply Chain, Government jobs, Graduate Programmes, Internships or Learnerships, this opportunity provides an excellent starting point.
Youth Employment Service (YES) X18 Vacancy Overview
| Job Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Employer | Eskom |
| Programme | Youth Employment Service (YES) X18 |
| Listing Reference | eskom_005893 |
| Department | Human Resources |
| Business Unit | Kendal Power Station |
| Industry | Electricity, Energy & Water Supply |
| Category | Administration |
| Location | Mpumalanga |
| Contract Type | 12-Month Fixed-Term Contract |
| Closing Date | 29 July 2026 |
| Salary | Market Related |
| Employment Equity | No |
About Eskom
Eskom remains South Africa’s largest electricity public utility and plays a critical role in powering homes, businesses, hospitals, schools, manufacturing industries and public infrastructure across the country.
Apart from generating electricity, Eskom continues to invest in developing young talent through graduate programmes, internships, apprenticeships, artisan development and the nationally recognised Youth Employment Service (YES) initiative.
Working at Eskom exposes young professionals to structured work environments where they gain valuable experience under experienced mentors.
What is the Youth Employment Service (YES) Programme?
The Youth Employment Service (YES) is a partnership between the South African Government and the private sector aimed at reducing youth unemployment.
Through YES, unemployed youth receive:
- Real workplace exposure
- Industry experience
- Professional mentoring
- Skills development
- Workplace readiness
- Improved employability
Rather than replacing permanent jobs, the programme creates additional opportunities for unemployed youth who have little or no work experience.
Job Description
Successful applicants will receive a 12-month employment contract within Eskom Operations.
Although the vacancy does not list daily duties, participants may assist departments with administrative support while learning how one of South Africa’s largest state-owned enterprises operates.
Typical responsibilities may include:
- Administrative support
- Filing and document management
- Data capturing
- Assisting Human Resources staff
- Organising employee records
- Communication with departments
- Office coordination
- General administrative duties
- Learning Eskom policies and procedures
The emphasis is on workplace learning rather than production targets.
Minimum Requirements
Applicants must meet all of the following requirements:
- South African citizen
- Aged between 18 and 34 years
- Grade 12 (Matric) or equivalent
- Unemployed
- Not studying full-time during the programme
- Must not have worked permanently for one employer for longer than one year
- Must never have participated in the YES Programme before
Skills and Competencies
Eskom is looking for applicants who demonstrate:
Leadership
- Team player
- Positive attitude
Behavioural Competencies
- Integrity
- Professionalism
- Customer focus
Communication Skills
- Strong communication
- Interpersonal skills
- Negotiation
- Liaising skills
Personal Attributes
- Energetic
- Self-starter
- Assertive
- Polite
- Prompt
These are highly transferable skills valued across both government jobs and private sector jobs.
Estimated Salary and Benefits
Eskom has advertised the remuneration as Market Related, meaning the exact amount has not been published.
Estimated Monthly Earnings
Based on similar YES programmes offered by large South African employers, participants may earn approximately:
| Estimated Income | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly Stipend | R4,500 – R7,500 |
| Annual Earnings | Approximately R54,000 – R90,000 |
Please note: This is an estimate based on comparable South African YES opportunities. Eskom has not officially confirmed the salary.
Possible Employee Benefits
Although YES contracts generally provide fewer benefits than permanent employees, participants may receive:
- Workplace training
- Practical work experience
- Mentorship
- Skills development
- Professional networking
- Exposure to large-scale business operations
Permanent employee benefits such as:
- Medical Aid
- Pension Fund
- Life Insurance
- Disability Cover
- Performance Bonuses
are generally not guaranteed for YES participants unless specifically stated by the employer.
Why This Opportunity Matters
Many South African employers require previous work experience.
Unfortunately, thousands of matriculants struggle because they have never had formal employment.
The YES Programme helps bridge this gap by giving participants their first professional work experience.
This experience significantly strengthens a CV when applying for:
- Government jobs
- Administrative vacancies
- Human Resources positions
- Graduate programmes
- Learnerships
- Internships
- Permanent jobs
Career Growth Opportunities
Although this is a temporary contract, the experience gained can open doors to higher-paying careers.
Possible future roles include:
- HR Administrator
- Recruitment Officer
- Payroll Administrator
- Office Administrator
- Human Resources Officer
- Employee Relations Officer
- Training Coordinator
- Project Administrator
- Procurement Administrator
- Logistics Coordinator
- Business Administrator
- Operations Coordinator
With additional qualifications, salaries can increase substantially over time.
Transferable Skills You’ll Gain
Working at Eskom helps participants develop valuable workplace competencies, including:
- Office administration
- Professional communication
- Time management
- Customer service
- Team collaboration
- Computer literacy
- Record management
- Problem-solving
- Workplace ethics
- Organisational skills
These skills are in demand across sectors such as:
- Human Resources
- Business Administration
- Government departments
- Banking support services
- Insurance administration
- Logistics management
- Supply chain administration
- Retail management
- Healthcare administration
Industry Outlook in South Africa
South Africa continues to invest in improving energy infrastructure, making the electricity and utilities sector an important employer.
While engineering roles remain central to Eskom’s operations, there is also ongoing demand for skilled administrative professionals, HR practitioners, finance staff, project coordinators, procurement officers, and business support personnel.
Young people who gain experience through structured employment programmes are generally more competitive when applying for future vacancies in both the public and private sectors.
Professional Development
After completing the YES programme, consider furthering your education with qualifications such as:
Certificates
- Human Resources Management
- Office Administration
- Business Administration
- Project Management
- Occupational Health and Safety
- Labour Relations
Diplomas
- Human Resource Management
- Public Management
- Business Management
- Supply Chain Management
- Logistics Management
Degrees
- Bachelor of Commerce (Human Resources)
- Business Administration
- Industrial Psychology
- Public Administration
- Operations Management
Many South African TVET Colleges and universities also offer short courses that can improve employability and support progression into graduate programmes or permanent employment.
Why Employers Value YES Experience
Employers often favour candidates who have demonstrated:
- Workplace discipline
- Professional behaviour
- Teamwork
- Communication skills
- Administrative competence
- Adaptability
Having Eskom listed on your CV can strengthen future job applications because it reflects experience gained within one of South Africa’s largest employers.
Documents You May Need
Applicants should prepare:
- Updated CV
- Certified ID copy
- Certified Grade 12 certificate
- Supporting qualifications (if applicable)
- Proof of residence (if requested)
Always ensure documents are clear and up to date before applying online.
Application Deadline
Closing Date: 29 July 2026
Late applications are generally not considered.
Apply Eskom Youth Employment Service (YES) X18
Final Thoughts
The Youth Employment Service (YES) X18 programme at Eskom Kendal Power Station is an excellent opportunity for unemployed South African youth to gain meaningful workplace experience within the country’s energy sector. Even though the contract is temporary, the skills, professional exposure, and experience you gain can significantly improve your chances of securing future employment.
If you meet the requirements, submit your application before 29 July 2026. Continue exploring related South Africa jobs, latest vacancies, government jobs, private sector jobs, learnerships, internships, and career opportunities to build your career and increase your employability.