Eskom Youth Employment Service (YES) (X9 Posts) 2026 for Matric Applicants

Who can apply

• The academic requirement is deliberately accessible.
• You do not need a university degree or diploma for this particular opportunity.
• The advertised qualification is: Grade 12 or equivalent.
• Applicants must also satisfy Eskom’s YES eligibility conditions.
• be South African citizens;
• be between 18 and 34 years old;
• have Grade 12 or an equivalent qualification;
• not have been permanently employed by one employer continuously for more than one year;
• not be studying full-time during the year of employment; and
• not have participated in or registered on the YES initiative previously.
• Applicants will undergo Eskom’s recruitment process, and successful candidates will be placed according to the applicable operational requirements.
• No university degree or diploma is listed as a minimum requirement for this intake. Grade 12 or equivalent is the advertised qualification.
• Can I apply if I have participated in YES before?

How to apply

Applications are submitted directly to Eskom Youth Employment Service - we do not collect applications. Read the eligibility criteria, prepare your supporting documents, then complete your application on the official page.

Full details

Eskom is inviting unemployed young South Africans with Grade 12 to apply for nine Youth Employment Service (YES) opportunities at Kendal Power Station in Mpumalanga.

The Eskom Youth Employment Service (YES) X9 Posts 2026 provide successful applicants with an opportunity to enter the workplace and gain valuable experience within South Africa’s electricity and energy industry.

This opportunity is particularly important for young people who have completed Matric but have struggled to secure their first meaningful workplace experience.

Successful candidates will be appointed on a 12-month temporary contract.

Applicants must be South African citizens aged 18 to 34, have Grade 12 or an equivalent qualification, and meet the additional YES eligibility requirements explained below.

Applications close on 16 September 2026.

Quick Overview: Eskom YES Programme 2026

Programme: Eskom Youth Employment Service (YES) Number of Posts: X9 Listing Reference: eskom_006965 Position/Task Grade: YY1 Employer: Eskom Business Unit: Kendal Power Station Department: Human Resources Location: Mpumalanga Industry: Electricity, Energy & Water Supply Job Category: Administration Minimum Qualification: Grade 12 or equivalent Age Requirement: 18 - 34 years Contract: Temporary Duration: 12 months Remuneration: Market Related Closing Date: 16 September 2026 Application Method: Online through the official Eskom recruitment platform

Young people who are uncertain whether they generally meet youth employment programme requirements can also use the Edupstairs Youth Employment Eligibility Checker before applying.

What Is the Eskom Youth Employment Service Programme?

The Youth Employment Service, commonly known as YES, is a public-private initiative established to help address South Africa’s youth unemployment challenge by creating workplace opportunities for young people.

Through this intake, Eskom is giving unemployed young South Africans an opportunity to gain their first meaningful workplace exposure within the energy sector.

The programme is aimed particularly at young people who are trying to move from:

Matric → workplace experience → stronger CV → further training or employment opportunities.

This distinction is important.

The Eskom YES programme should not automatically be treated as a learnership, apprenticeship or permanent job. It is advertised as a 12-month workplace opportunity intended to provide successful candidates with valuable work experience.

For someone who has completed Grade 12 but has little or no formal work experience, those 12 months can be important when applying for future entry-level positions.

Where Are the X9 Eskom YES Posts Based?

The advertised X9 positions are associated with:

Business Unit: Kendal Power Station Department: Human Resources Province: Mpumalanga

Applicants should therefore consider the location carefully before applying.

Although Eskom explains that successful YES candidates may be placed within its operations across different divisions, this specific listing identifies Kendal Power Station in Mpumalanga as the business unit and location for the advertised X9 positions.

Do not apply on the assumption that you will automatically be placed in your home province.

Who Can Apply for the Eskom YES X9 Posts?

The academic requirement is deliberately accessible.

You do not need a university degree or diploma for this particular opportunity.

The advertised qualification is: Grade 12 or equivalent.

Applicants must also satisfy Eskom’s YES eligibility conditions.

Official Minimum Requirements

Applicants must:

Applicants will undergo Eskom’s recruitment process, and successful candidates will be placed according to the applicable operational requirements.

You Must Not Have Participated in YES Before

This is one of the most important eligibility rules.

The advertisement states that applicants should not have participated in or registered on the YES initiative before.

If you previously completed a YES placement with another employer, do not assume that you can participate again simply because this opportunity is being offered by Eskom.

The purpose of YES is to expand first-work-experience opportunities to eligible young people.

What If You Have Worked Before?

Having some work experience does not automatically mean that you cannot apply.

However, Eskom specifically states that applicants:

should not have been employed permanently with a single employer continuously for more than one year.

Read that requirement carefully.

Do not automatically disqualify yourself simply because you previously completed a short-term contract, temporary job, internship or another form of work experience. At the same time, do not hide previous permanent employment.

Provide truthful information throughout the recruitment process.

Can Full-Time Students Apply?

Eskom states that applicants should not be studying full-time in the year of employment.

This programme is therefore intended for young people who are available to participate in the workplace opportunity.

If you are currently studying, pay particular attention to this condition before applying.

Skills and Competencies Eskom Is Looking For

Although Grade 12 is the minimum academic requirement, applicants should not assume that their Matric certificate is the only thing that matters.

Eskom identifies several behavioural and workplace competencies.

Leadership

Applicants should demonstrate the ability to be a:

• Team player

Behavioural Competencies

The advertisement identifies:

• Integrity
• Professionalism
• Customer focus

Knowledge

Candidates may need to develop and demonstrate:

• Knowledge of Eskom policies and procedures

New entrants should not interpret this as meaning that they are expected to know every Eskom policy before their first day. Workplace policies and procedures form part of the organisational environment successful candidates will need to understand and follow.

Skills

The advertised skills include:

• Communication skills
• Sound interpersonal skills
• Negotiation skills
• Liaising skills

Personal Attributes

Eskom identifies the following attributes:

• Politeness
• Promptness
• Energetic attitude
• Self-starter
• Assertiveness

These competencies are useful far beyond Eskom.

Communication, professionalism, teamwork, interpersonal skills and reliability are transferable employability skills that can help young workers across many industries.

Why This Opportunity Matters for Matric Applicants

One of the biggest difficulties facing young job seekers is the experience requirement.

A person finishes Grade 12 and starts looking for employment, only to discover that many vacancies ask for previous workplace experience.

That creates a difficult cycle:

You need experience to get a job, but you need a job to gain experience.

Programmes such as YES are designed to help bridge this gap.

A 12-month placement can potentially give a young person practical evidence of:

• workplace attendance;
• professional communication;
• teamwork;
• time management;
• organisational procedures;
• customer service;
• administration;
• workplace conduct; and
• responsibility.

That experience can strengthen future applications, although participation in YES does not guarantee permanent employment with Eskom.

Interested in Building a Career in the Energy Sector?

Applicants should think beyond this individual 12-month opportunity.

Eskom operates in an industry containing many different career pathways, including administration, engineering, electrical trades, mechanical trades, human resources, finance, ICT, procurement, environmental management, project management and technical operations.

If you are unsure what career you eventually want to pursue, use the Edupstairs Career & Qualification Explorer.

The Explorer allows young people to investigate South African careers, OFO occupations, recognised SAQA qualifications, NQF levels and career-to-qualification connections. Edupstairs currently provides searchable information covering 1,511 OFO careers and more than 22,000 SAQA qualification records.

For example, someone who enters Eskom through a YES opportunity and becomes interested in electrical work could research electrical career pathways and qualifications.

Someone interested in administration could investigate administrative, human resources or business career pathways.

The important principle is:

Do not allow the end of a 12-month programme to become the end of your career planning.

Use the workplace exposure to identify where you want to go next.

Explore SETA Opportunities in Energy and Other Industries

Young people should also understand the role of Sector Education and Training Authorities in South Africa.

The Edupstairs SETA Platform brings together pathways across South Africa’s 21 SETAs, including opportunities connected with:

• learnerships;
• apprenticeships;
• occupational qualifications;
• internships;
• Work Integrated Learning;
• skills programmes;
• graduate programmes;
• bursaries; and
• workplace experience.

You can explore these pathways through the Edupstairs SETA Platform.

For applicants interested specifically in electricity, energy and water careers, EWSETA - the Energy and Water Sector Education and Training Authority - is particularly relevant. Edupstairs also provides information on EWSETA-related pathways, including occupational and artisan development opportunities in the energy and water sectors.

Consider TVET College Training After Your YES Experience

Some Matric applicants may eventually decide that they want to move into a technical or artisan career.

Public TVET Colleges can provide important vocational pathways in fields such as electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, fitting, welding and other technical disciplines.

Use the Edupstairs TVET Colleges Explorer to investigate South Africa’s public TVET Colleges, campuses, programmes and study pathways.

This can be particularly useful if your experience around an Eskom operation makes you interested in becoming an artisan or technician.

Remember, however, that enrolling for future studies does not change the requirements for this current YES intake. You must meet Eskom’s requirements when applying.

How to Apply for the Eskom YES X9 Posts 2026

Applications must be completed online through Eskom’s official recruitment platform.

Apply for the Eskom Youth Employment Service (YES) X9 Posts 2026 here

The listing reference is: eskom_006965

Before submitting your application, verify that you are applying for the correct Youth Employment Service (YES) listing and that the information displayed corresponds with the opportunity you intend to apply for.

Do not pay anyone to apply on your behalf.

Before You Apply: Check These 7 Things

Before submitting the Eskom application, confirm that:

1. You are a South African citizen.
2. You are between 18 and 34 years old.
3. You have Grade 12 or an equivalent qualification.
4. You have not previously participated in or registered on YES.
5. You are not studying full-time during the year of employment.
6. You satisfy the previous-employment condition stated by Eskom.
7. You are prepared to participate in a 12-month workplace opportunity.

You can also use the Edupstairs Youth Employment Eligibility Checker as an additional self-assessment tool.

Remember that the Edupstairs checker is a guidance tool. Eskom’s official recruitment process determines whether you qualify for this particular intake.

Latest Learnership and Youth Opportunities on Edupstairs

Do not apply for the Eskom YES programme and then stop searching.

At the time of publication, Edupstairs has published several new learnership, training and youth workplace opportunities during the last four days. The current Edupstairs Learnerships feed includes the following recent programmes.

MAZIV Learnership Programme 2026

Gauteng Matric applicants can investigate the MAZIV Learnership Programme 2026 for unemployed Gauteng Matric youth.

The programme provides 12 months of theory, practical workplace experience, coaching and mentorship, making it particularly relevant to young people looking for structured entry into the workplace.

Metropolitan Human Capital Learnership Programme 2026

Another opportunity for unemployed Matric youth is the Metropolitan Human Capital Learnership Programme 2026.

The 12-month programme is based in Hatfield, Gauteng, and gives successful learners an opportunity to work towards a Wealth Management NQF Level 4 qualification.

Ekurhuleni West TVET College & CHIETA Data Lab Project 2026

Technology-focused TVET students can read about the Ekurhuleni West TVET College & CHIETA Data Lab Project 2026.

This six-month programme focuses on Data Science, Artificial Intelligence and practical data projects and targets eligible Ekurhuleni West TVET College students who have completed the required Information Technology studies.

Buffalo City Sekunjalo Culinary Programme 2026

Young people interested in cooking, hospitality, catering, farming and food entrepreneurship can investigate the Buffalo City Sekunjalo Culinary Programme 2026.

The programme runs for 12 months and targets eligible residents of Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality with at least Grade 12.

Ntabankulu Local Municipality Learnership Programme 2026 - X49 Opportunities

Eastern Cape youth can also investigate the Ntabankulu Local Municipality Learnership Programme 2026, which is currently among the newest opportunities listed in the Edupstairs Learnerships section.

The programme provides 49 opportunities across New Venture Creation, Ward Committee Governance and Building and Civil Construction, with educational requirements varying according to the programme.

You can continue checking the latest Edupstairs Learnership opportunities here because new programmes are added regularly.

Tools you may find useful:

View Other Employment Opportunities here

Need Help?

Edupstairs Advice

If you meet the requirements, do not underestimate this opportunity simply because the minimum qualification is Grade 12.

For someone without substantial workplace experience, 12 months inside a major South African energy organisation can help build the employment history that many entry-level job advertisements require.

But use the opportunity strategically.

If selected, learn how a professional workplace operates. Improve your communication, administration, teamwork, punctuality and interpersonal skills. Ask questions appropriately, understand workplace procedures and keep a record of the legitimate skills and responsibilities you develop.

Most importantly, start planning what comes after YES before the 12 months are over.

Use the Career & Qualification Explorer to identify a longer-term career, investigate training and workplace pathways through the SETA Platform, and explore vocational study options through the TVET Colleges Explorer.

Your objective should not simply be to complete 12 months.

It should be to leave those 12 months with a stronger CV, better workplace skills, clearer career direction and a realistic plan for your next opportunity.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How many Eskom YES opportunities are available?

There are nine positions (X9) under the advertised listing.

1. Where are the Eskom YES X9 posts based?

The listing identifies Kendal Power Station in Mpumalanga.

1. Can I apply with only Matric?

Yes. The minimum advertised qualification is Grade 12 or equivalent, provided you satisfy all the other eligibility requirements.

1. What is the age requirement?

Applicants must be between 18 and 34 years old.

1. How long is the programme?

Successful candidates will receive a 12-month contract.

1. Do I need a university qualification?

No university degree or diploma is listed as a minimum requirement for this intake. Grade 12 or equivalent is the advertised qualification.

No. Eskom states that applicants should not previously have participated in or registered on the YES initiative.

1. Can full-time students apply?

The requirements state that candidates should not be studying full-time in the year of employment.

1. Can I apply if I have previously worked?

Previous employment does not automatically disqualify everyone. However, Eskom states that applicants should not have been employed permanently with a single employer continuously for more than one year.

1. Is this a permanent Eskom job?

No. The opportunity is advertised as a temporary 12-month YES placement. Applicants should not assume that completing the programme guarantees permanent Eskom employment.

1. What is the reference number?

The listing reference is eskom_006965.

1. When do applications close?

Applications close on 16 September 2026.

1. How do I apply?

Applications are submitted online through the official Eskom YES X9 application page.

You can also:

Disclaimer

Edupstairs is an independent education and opportunities information platform and is not Eskom or the Youth Employment Service.

Programme information should always be verified against the official employer advertisement before an application is submitted. Requirements, recruitment processes and programme information may be amended by the employer.

Never pay an individual who promises to secure an Eskom job, YES placement, interview or appointment.

Editorial Integrity

This article separates the requirements stated in the Eskom vacancy information from Edupstairs career-planning guidance.

Where Edupstairs recommends career explorers, SETA programmes, TVET pathways or additional learnership opportunities, these recommendations are intended to help applicants research their options and should not be interpreted as additional requirements imposed by Eskom.

Applicants should rely on Eskom’s official recruitment platform for the final requirements and application process.

EDUPSTAIRS IS A REGISTERED NON-PROFIT ORGANISATION NPO No: 232 - 182, PUBLIC BENEFIT ORGANISATION (PBO): 930066984. EDUPSTAIRS DOES NOT, IN ANY WAY OR FORM, SOLICIT MONEY OR CV’S FROM PEOPLE FOR JOBS. PLEASE BE AWARE OF PHONY JOB POSTINGS AND RECRUITMENT FRAUD. USE THE EDUPSTAIRS SCAM DETECTOR TOOL TO SPOT A SCAM BEFORE YOU APPLY

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