Eskom invites unemployed South African youth to apply for three Youth Employment Service opportunities within the Water and Environmental Operations Department for 2026.
YES Programme Application Closing Date: 31 July 2026
YES Programme Location: Sunninghill, Gauteng, South Africa
Eskom Youth Employment Service Programme 2026
Eskom has opened applications for three Youth Employment Service positions within its Primary Energy Business Unit.
The successful candidates will be placed in the Water and Environmental Operations Department in Sunninghill, Gauteng.
The YES Programme provides unemployed young people with a 12-month workplace opportunity to gain practical experience in South Africa’s energy industry.
Applicants do not need previous work experience, but they must meet the programme’s age, education and employment-history requirements.
Programme Overview
Employer: Eskom
Programme: Youth Employment Service Programme
Department: Water and Environmental Operations
Business unit: Primary Energy
Number of positions: Three
Position or task grade: YY1
Listing reference: eskom_005982
Contract type: Internship
Contract duration: 12 months
Minimum qualification: Grade 12 or equivalent
Location: Sunninghill, Gauteng
Remuneration: Market-related
Closing date: 31 July 2026
Application method: Online
What Is the Eskom YES Programme?
The Youth Employment Service is a public-private initiative aimed at addressing youth unemployment in South Africa.
Through the programme, participating organisations provide young people with their first meaningful workplace experience.
Eskom uses the programme to create employment opportunities for unemployed youth who meet the applicable BBBEE and YES Programme requirements.
Successful applicants will receive a 12-month contract and gain exposure to Eskom’s working environment, policies, processes and professional standards.
Minimum Requirements
Applicants must:
- Be South African citizens.
- Be between 18 and 34 years old.
- Have Grade 12 or an equivalent qualification.
- Be unemployed.
- Not be studying full-time during the year of employment.
- Not have participated in or registered for the YES Programme previously.
- Not have been permanently employed by one employer continuously for more than one year.
- Be willing to complete Eskom’s recruitment and selection process.
- Be available for the full 12-month contract.
Qualification Required
Applicants must have:
Grade 12 or an equivalent qualification
No tertiary qualification is required for this opportunity.
Applicants should ensure that their Grade 12 certificate or equivalent qualification is available before submitting the application.
Employment History Requirement
Applicants must not have been permanently employed by a single employer for more than one continuous year.
This requirement is intended to ensure that the programme benefits young people who still need meaningful entry-level workplace exposure.
Applicants should provide accurate employment information during the application process.
Study Status Requirement
Applicants must not be studying full-time during the year in which they will be employed through the programme.
Candidates completing part-time or distance studies should ensure that their academic commitments will not interfere with the full-time workplace requirements.
Previous YES Participation
Applicants who have previously participated in or registered for the YES Programme may not qualify.
Candidates must answer all programme-related questions honestly because previous participation may be verified during the recruitment process.
Skills and Competencies
Applicants should demonstrate:
- Good communication skills.
- Sound interpersonal skills.
- Negotiation ability.
- Liaising skills.
- Teamwork.
- Professionalism.
- Integrity.
- Customer focus.
- Politeness.
- Promptness.
- Energy and enthusiasm.
- Initiative.
- Assertiveness.
- Willingness to learn.
Leadership Competency
Successful candidates should be team players who can work effectively with colleagues and contribute positively to group activities.
They should be willing to receive instructions, assist others and support the objectives of the department.
Behavioural Competencies
Eskom is looking for applicants who demonstrate:
- Integrity.
- Professional conduct.
- Customer-focused behaviour.
- Reliability.
- Responsibility.
- Respect for colleagues.
- Willingness to follow workplace procedures.
Communication and Interpersonal Skills
Candidates should be able to:
- Communicate clearly with colleagues.
- Listen to instructions.
- Ask questions when clarification is needed.
- Work with employees from different backgrounds.
- Maintain professional relationships.
- Share information accurately.
- Participate in workplace discussions.
Personal Attributes
Applicants should be:
- Polite.
- Punctual.
- Energetic.
- Self-motivated.
- Proactive.
- Assertive.
- Willing to learn.
- Able to adapt to a professional environment.
Knowledge of Eskom Policies
Successful candidates will be expected to learn and follow Eskom’s policies and procedures.
This may include requirements relating to:
- Workplace conduct.
- Health and safety.
- Information security.
- Attendance.
- Environmental responsibility.
- Customer service.
- Ethics and integrity.
- Reporting procedures.
Previous knowledge of Eskom policies is not listed as a compulsory entry requirement, but candidates must be willing to learn and comply with them.
Water and Environmental Operations Placement
The successful candidates will be placed within the Water and Environmental Operations Department in Eskom’s Primary Energy Business Unit.
The opportunity may provide exposure to administrative, operational and environmental-support activities associated with the department.
Specific day-to-day duties were not detailed in the advertisement and may be allocated according to operational needs.
Contract Duration
Successful candidates will receive a:
12-month YES contract
The programme provides temporary workplace experience and does not automatically guarantee permanent employment after completion.
Participants should use the opportunity to build practical experience, professional references and transferable workplace skills.
Remuneration
The advertisement describes the remuneration as:
Market-related
The exact monthly amount was not provided.
Successful candidates will receive further information about remuneration and contract conditions during the recruitment or appointment process.
Who Should Apply?
The programme is suitable for:
- Unemployed South African youth.
- Applicants aged between 18 and 34.
- Grade 12 graduates seeking their first workplace opportunity.
- Young people interested in the energy industry.
- Applicants who have not participated in YES before.
- Candidates who are not studying full-time.
- Applicants with good communication and teamwork skills.
- Young people seeking 12 months of work experience.
Documents Applicants Should Prepare
Applicants should prepare:
- An updated CV.
- A copy of their South African identity document.
- A copy of their Grade 12 certificate or equivalent qualification.
- Proof of address, where requested.
- Any employment-history information required.
- Any additional documents requested through the Eskom recruitment portal.
Applicants should ensure that their contact details are correct and that all uploaded documents are clear and readable.
Recruitment Process
Applicants will undergo Eskom’s recruitment process.
The process may include:
- Application screening.
- Verification of age and citizenship.
- Qualification verification.
- Employment-history verification.
- Confirmation of previous YES participation.
- Interviews or assessments.
- Additional checks required by Eskom.
Only candidates who meet all programme requirements will be considered for placement.
How to Apply for the Eskom YES Programme 2026
Applications must be submitted online through the official Eskom careers portal.
Click here to apply for the Eskom YES Programme 2026: Water and Environmental Operations X3
Use the following reference when applying:
Listing reference: eskom_005982
Applicants should:
- Open the official Eskom vacancy page.
- Create or sign in to an applicant profile.
- Complete all compulsory application sections.
- Upload an updated CV.
- Upload the required qualifications and supporting documents.
- Review the information provided.
- Submit the application before the closing date.
YES Programme Application Closing Date
Applications close on 31 July 2026.
Interested applicants should apply early to avoid technical difficulties or incomplete submissions on the final day.
Important Application Advice
Before submitting an application, confirm that:
- You are a South African citizen.
- You are between 18 and 34 years old.
- You have Grade 12 or an equivalent qualification.
- You are not studying full-time.
- You have not participated in the YES Programme before.
- You have not worked permanently for one employer for more than one continuous year.
- Your CV and supporting documents are ready.
- You used the correct listing reference.
- Your application is submitted by 31 July 2026.
About Eskom
Eskom is South Africa’s public electricity utility and operates across electricity generation, transmission, distribution and related energy activities.
Through the Youth Employment Service Programme, Eskom provides unemployed young people with workplace exposure and an opportunity to develop practical skills in the energy sector.