Stipend: R9,000 per month
Contract: 12 months
Closing date: 24 August 2026
Location: Sunninghill, Midrand and Rosherville, with placements across South Africa
Reference: 50904987LM / eskom_006424
Eskom has opened a Youth Employment Service (YES) opportunity for 25 unemployed young South Africans, offering participants the chance to gain 12 months of workplace experience within the energy industry.
The programme is aimed at young people who are looking to enter the job market, gain practical experience and strengthen their employability without requiring extensive previous work experience.
The opportunity is particularly relevant for matriculants and graduates who are unemployed and looking for structured workplace exposure.
Eskom YES 2026 Opportunity at a Glance
| DetailInformation | |
|---|---|
| Employer | Eskom |
| Programme | Youth Employment Service (YES) |
| Positions | X25 |
| Stipend | R9,000 per month |
| Duration | 12 months |
| Contract | Internship |
| Industry | Electricity, Energy & Water Supply |
| Location | Sunninghill, Midrand and Rosherville |
| Possible placement | Eskom Operations across South African provinces |
| Reference | 50904987LM |
| Listing reference | eskom_006424 |
| Closing date | 24 August 2026 |
What Is the Eskom YES Programme?
The Youth Employment Service (YES) is a public-private initiative aimed at addressing youth unemployment by creating opportunities for young people to gain practical workplace experience.
Through this opportunity, Eskom is providing unemployed youth with the chance to enter the workplace and gain exposure to the energy sector.
Successful applicants will receive a 12-month contract and may be placed within Eskom Operations across different divisions and South African provinces.
Why This Opportunity Matters Financially
For unemployed young people, a R9,000 monthly stipend can provide a meaningful source of income while gaining experience that may improve future employment prospects.
Over a full 12-month period, the stated monthly stipend would amount to R108,000 before considering any applicable deductions or personal expenses.
However, applicants should understand that the programme is a fixed-term work opportunity and the stipend should not be viewed as a permanent Eskom salary.
The financial value of the opportunity also extends beyond the monthly payment. Participants can gain workplace experience, build professional networks and strengthen their CVs during the 12-month placement.
Who Can Apply?
Applicants must meet the programme’s stated eligibility requirements.
You must:
- Be a South African citizen
- Be between 18 and 34 years old
- Have Grade 12 or an equivalent qualification
- Have a post-matric certificate/programme where applicable
- Be eligible to participate in the YES initiative
Applicants should also meet the programme’s employment and study conditions.
Important YES Eligibility Conditions
Eskom states that applicants:
- Should not have been permanently employed by a single employer continuously for more than one year
- Should not be studying full-time during the year of employment
- Should not have previously participated in or registered for the YES initiative
These conditions are important because meeting the basic age and qualification requirements alone does not necessarily mean an applicant qualifies for the programme.
What Will Successful Candidates Do?
The position falls under Eskom Real Estate, with the listed locations including Sunninghill, Midrand and Rosherville.
Successful applicants will go through a recruitment process. Those selected may subsequently be placed within Eskom Operations across different divisions.
This means applicants should be prepared for the possibility of placement in different operational environments rather than assuming that their final work location will necessarily be the same as the location displayed on the vacancy listing.
Skills and Personal Qualities
Eskom highlights several behavioural qualities for the opportunity.
Integrity
Participants are expected to conduct themselves honestly and responsibly in the workplace.
Professionalism
A professional approach is important when interacting with colleagues, managers, customers and other stakeholders.
Customer Focus
Applicants should understand the importance of providing a positive and service-oriented experience when dealing with customers and stakeholders.
What Makes This Opportunity Valuable for Graduates and Matriculants?
One of the biggest challenges facing young job seekers is the experience barrier. Many entry-level vacancies require previous workplace experience even when applicants have recently completed their studies.
The Eskom YES programme provides an opportunity to gain actual workplace exposure over a 12-month period.
Participants can potentially use this experience to strengthen future applications for:
- Entry-level jobs
- Internships
- Learnerships
- Graduate programmes
- Industry-specific opportunities
- Other employment programmes
The experience gained during the placement should be accurately reflected on future CVs and job applications.
Important Financial Consideration
Although the opportunity offers a R9,000 monthly stipend, applicants should budget carefully.
Transport costs, meals, mobile data and other work-related expenses may reduce the amount of money available for personal use.
A practical approach is to create a monthly budget before accepting the opportunity, particularly if the placement requires travelling to an Eskom site.
For someone currently unemployed, the stipend can potentially help cover essential expenses while the participant gains valuable work experience.
Application Deadline
The stated closing date for the Eskom YES opportunity is:
24 August 2026
Applicants should avoid waiting until the final day to submit their applications. Recruitment processes can require applicants to provide accurate personal, educational and employment information.
How to Apply
Search for the Eskom vacancy using:
Listing reference: eskom_006424
Position reference: 50904987LM
Applicants should apply through the official Eskom careers/recruitment platform and verify that the vacancy details match the information above before submitting an application.
Be cautious of anyone asking for payment in exchange for an Eskom job or YES placement. Legitimate recruitment processes should not require applicants to pay someone to secure employment.
Final Takeaway
The Eskom YES 2026 opportunity gives 25 unemployed young South Africans a chance to gain 12 months of workplace experience while receiving a stated R9,000 monthly stipend.
With applications closing on 24 August 2026, eligible South Africans aged 18 to 34 with Grade 12 or equivalent qualifications should review the requirements carefully before applying.
For young people trying to move from unemployment into the formal economy, the combination of monthly income, workplace exposure and experience in the energy industry could make this a valuable stepping stone towards longer-term employment.
