Young South Africans looking for an opportunity to gain workplace experience have a new Eskom opportunity to consider. Eskom is advertising 25 Youth Employment Service (YES) opportunities for 2026, with the vacancy listing associated with Sunninghill and additional locations identified in the vacancy information.
The opportunity is particularly relevant to young people who have completed Grade 12 or an equivalent qualification and are looking for their first meaningful workplace experience.
The vacancy is listed under Eskom’s Youth Employment Service (YES) X25 opportunity, with listing reference eskom_006424. The advertised closing date is 24 August 2026.
This article explains what the opportunity involves, who may qualify, what applicants should prepare, where the positions are located and how to approach the application process carefully.
Related Opportunities 2026
- Funding Bursaries
- Youth Opportunities
- Internship Programme
- Learnership Programme
- Online Courses
- Government Education Updates
Important: Applicants should always verify the vacancy and application status through Eskom’s recruitment platform before submitting personal information. Vacancy information can change, and Eskom’s main careers page currently displays a notice about temporary recruitment-site availability. (Eskom)
Eskom YES X25 Programme 2026 at a Glance
| Opportunity | Details |
| Organisation | Eskom |
| Programme | Youth Employment Service (YES) |
| Positions | 25 |
| Listing reference | eskom_006424 |
| Contract | 12 months |
| Job category | Matriculants / Graduate / No Experience |
| Location listed | Sunninghill, with Midrand and Rosherville also identified |
| Industry | Electricity, Energy & Water Supply |
| Remuneration | Market related |
| Minimum education | Grade 12 or equivalent |
| Age | 18 to 34 |
| Closing date | 24 August 2026 |
The vacancy information places the opportunity within Eskom’s employment and workplace-experience environment. Eskom’s official careers information describes the organisation as providing opportunities for career growth and development, while its YES vacancy information explains that successful candidates can receive a 12-month contract and may be placed within Eskom Operations. (Eskom)
What Is the Eskom YES Programme?
The Youth Employment Service, commonly known as YES, is designed to help young people gain practical workplace experience.
For many unemployed young people, obtaining the first opportunity can be one of the biggest barriers to entering the labour market. Employers frequently look for experience even when advertising entry-level positions, creating a difficult situation for people who have recently completed school or tertiary studies.
A structured workplace-experience programme can help address that gap.
The Eskom vacancy describes YES as part of a public-private initiative associated with addressing youth unemployment in South Africa. The advertised opportunity is therefore not presented as an ordinary permanent Eskom position. Instead, successful candidates are offered a fixed-term opportunity designed around workplace exposure. (Eskom)
For someone starting a career, the experience gained during the contract could help develop practical workplace skills such as communication, teamwork, professionalism, customer interaction and understanding organisational procedures.
However, applicants should not assume that completing the programme automatically results in permanent employment. The vacancy is advertised as a 12-month contract, and applicants should treat it as a workplace-experience opportunity rather than a guaranteed permanent Eskom appointment.
Who Can Apply for the Eskom YES X25 Programme?
The advertised requirements make this opportunity particularly relevant to young South Africans.
Applicants must meet the basic eligibility conditions specified for the opportunity.
1. South African citizenship
Applicants must be South African citizens.
Citizenship requirements should be checked carefully before submitting an application because failing to meet a mandatory requirement can result in an application being excluded from further consideration. (Eskom)
2. Age requirement
Applicants must be between 18 and 34 years old.
This age requirement is an important part of the YES eligibility criteria and should be checked before applying. (Eskom)
3. Grade 12 or equivalent
The minimum educational requirement is Grade 12 or an equivalent qualification.
This makes the opportunity relevant to Matriculants as well as applicants who have completed equivalent schooling qualifications.
The vacancy is also categorised under Matriculants/Graduate/No Experience, which indicates that the opportunity is aimed at people entering or developing their position in the labour market rather than requiring extensive previous experience. (Eskom)
4. Previous employment
The YES criteria also state that applicants should not have been permanently employed with a single employer continuously for more than one year. (Eskom)
This requirement is important because applicants should consider their previous employment history rather than assuming that simply being unemployed at the time of application makes them eligible.
5. Full-time study
Applicants should not be studying full-time in the year of employment.
Candidates who are currently registered for full-time studies should therefore carefully assess their situation against the vacancy requirements before applying. (Eskom)
6. Previous YES participation
The vacancy states that applicants should not previously have participated in or registered for the YES initiative. (Eskom)
This means applicants who have previously participated in a YES programme should check the eligibility conditions carefully before submitting another application.
Where Are the Eskom YES Opportunities Located?
The opportunity is associated with Sunninghill, while the vacancy information circulating for listing reference eskom_006424 also identifies Midrand and Rosherville.
Applicants should therefore read the actual vacancy carefully rather than assuming that all 25 opportunities will be based at one office.
Another important point is that Eskom’s YES vacancy information states that successful candidates may be placed within Eskom Operations across different divisions and South African provinces. (Eskom)
This means applicants should consider the possibility that the final operational placement may depend on Eskom’s recruitment and operational requirements.
What Could Successful Candidates Gain?
The main value of a YES opportunity is workplace exposure.
For a young person with limited employment history, 12 months of experience can provide an opportunity to develop practical skills that are difficult to demonstrate using a CV alone.
Depending on the eventual work environment, participants may gain exposure to areas such as:
- Professional workplace communication
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Customer-focused service
- Workplace procedures and policies
- Time management
- Professional conduct
- Organisational systems
- Problem-solving
- Interpersonal communication
- Working within a large organisation
The vacancy information specifically highlights qualities such as integrity, professionalism, customer focus and teamwork, together with communication and interpersonal skills. (Eskom)
These are useful qualities for young people entering almost any professional environment.
What Is the Remuneration?
The vacancy lists the remuneration as market related.
Importantly, applicants should be cautious about relying on salary or stipend figures posted on social media unless those figures can be confirmed in the actual Eskom vacancy.
The available vacancy information does not establish a specific monthly amount for this opportunity. Therefore, this article does not present an unverified salary figure as fact.
Applicants should rely on the official recruitment information for remuneration details.
Application Tips for the Eskom YES X25 Programme
A strong application begins with accuracy.
Applicants should prepare their information before starting the recruitment process so they do not rush through the form.
Keep your CV accurate
Your CV should contain information that matches your actual qualifications and experience.
For an entry-level opportunity, applicants do not need to create an unnecessarily complicated CV. A clear document containing your education, relevant skills, contact details and any legitimate experience can be more useful.
Do not add qualifications, employment history or skills that you cannot support.
Check your contact details
Make sure your mobile number and email address are correct.
Recruiters may need to contact shortlisted applicants during the recruitment process. A spelling error in an email address or an incorrect phone number can make communication difficult.
Highlight relevant strengths
If you have limited employment experience, consider highlighting legitimate strengths such as:
- Communication
- Teamwork
- Computer literacy
- Customer service
- Problem-solving
- Reliability
- Organisation
- Willingness to learn
Only include skills that you genuinely possess.
Check your eligibility before submitting
Before completing the application, compare your circumstances with the stated requirements.
Pay particular attention to:
- Age
- Citizenship
- Grade 12 or equivalent qualification
- Previous permanent employment
- Current full-time study status
- Previous YES participation
This simple check can prevent applicants from spending time on applications for which they do not meet the basic requirements.
Apply before the deadline
The advertised closing date is 24 August 2026.
Applicants should avoid leaving the submission until the final hours. Technical problems, incomplete information or difficulties accessing the recruitment platform can create unnecessary pressure.
Submitting earlier gives you more time to correct an error if the recruitment system allows changes before the deadline.
How to Apply for the Eskom YES X25 Programme
Applicants interested in the opportunity should use the Eskom recruitment platform and search for the relevant vacancy using the listing reference:
eskom_006424
The official Eskom vacancy information uses Eskom’s recruitment system for applications. Applicants may need to create or use a candidate profile and provide personal, educational and CV information as part of the recruitment process. (Eskom)
Application reference: eskom_006424
Programme: Youth Employment Service (YES) X25
Number of opportunities: 25
Closing date: 24 August 2026
Because Eskom’s main careers page currently displays a temporary recruitment-site availability notice, applicants should verify the status of the vacancy before submitting personal information. (Eskom)
Documents and Information to Prepare
Applicants should have their relevant information available before beginning the application.
Depending on what the recruitment platform requests, this may include:
- Updated CV
- Grade 12 certificate or equivalent qualification
- Identification information
- Valid contact details
- Educational history
- Employment history, where applicable
- Other supporting information requested by the recruitment system
Do not submit documents containing false information.
Applicants should also be careful when dealing with third parties offering to “secure” an Eskom position for a fee. A legitimate employment opportunity should not require an applicant to pay someone in order to guarantee selection.
Why This Opportunity Could Matter for Young Job Seekers
The transition from school to employment can be challenging.
A young person may have the required qualification but still struggle to demonstrate workplace experience. Programmes such as YES can provide an opportunity to build that first layer of professional experience.
The Eskom opportunity is also potentially valuable because Eskom operates within South Africa’s electricity and energy sector. Exposure to a large organisation can help participants understand workplace structures, professional expectations and the importance of working effectively with other people.
At the same time, candidates should approach the opportunity realistically.
There are 25 advertised opportunities, meaning meeting the minimum requirements does not automatically mean an applicant will be selected. Candidates should therefore focus on submitting accurate, complete and professional applications.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Eskom YES X25 Programme open to people with no experience?
The vacancy is categorised under Matriculants/Graduate/No Experience, making it relevant to applicants entering the labour market. The stated minimum qualification is Grade 12 or equivalent. (Eskom)
How many opportunities are available?
The vacancy is advertised as YES X25, referring to 25 opportunities.
What is the age requirement?
Applicants must be 18 to 34 years old. (Eskom)
Do I need a university qualification?
The minimum educational requirement is Grade 12 or equivalent. Applicants should therefore not assume that a university degree is mandatory for this YES opportunity. (Eskom)
How long is the contract?
Successful candidates are offered a 12-month contract. (Eskom)
Is this a permanent Eskom job?
No permanent appointment is guaranteed. The advertised opportunity is a fixed-term 12-month YES contract.
Where can successful candidates be placed?
The vacancy information identifies Sunninghill and other locations associated with the opportunity, while Eskom’s YES information states that successful candidates may be placed in Eskom Operations across divisions and South African provinces. (Eskom)
What is the salary?
The remuneration is listed as market related. A specific monthly figure should not be assumed unless Eskom provides it in the official vacancy information.
Can someone who previously participated in YES apply?
The vacancy states that applicants should not previously have participated in or registered on the YES initiative. (Eskom)
Can full-time students apply?
The stated criteria say applicants should not be studying full-time in the year of employment. (Eskom)
When is the closing date?
The advertised closing date for the Eskom YES X25 opportunity is 24 August 2026.
Final Advice for Applicants
The Eskom YES X25 Programme provides an opportunity for eligible young South Africans to pursue practical workplace experience through a 12-month contract.
The most important step is to check the requirements carefully before applying. Applicants should make sure they meet the age, citizenship, education and YES participation requirements and should provide truthful information throughout the recruitment process.
A professional CV, accurate personal details and a careful application can help you present your qualifications clearly.
Applicants should also remember that a YES programme is intended to provide workplace experience and should not be treated as a guarantee of permanent employment.
For the latest application status, applicants should use Eskom’s official recruitment channels rather than relying exclusively on social media posts or third-party websites.
The Eskom YES X25 Programme 2026 closing date is 24 August 2026. If you meet the stated requirements, check the official vacancy and submit your application through the appropriate Eskom recruitment channel before the deadline.
Editorial and Update Note
Last updated: 20 August 2026.
This article was prepared using the available Eskom vacancy information and official Eskom careers information. Vacancy details, recruitment-system availability and closing dates can change, so applicants should verify the information on Eskom’s official recruitment channels before submitting an application.
