South Africa GIBS Youth Employment Service (YES) Programme 2026

 Join the GIBS Youth Employment Service (YES) Programme 2026 to gain valuable skills, real-world experience, and a strong foundation for your career.

South Africa continues to face a high youth unemployment rate of 45.5% among individuals aged 15–34, compared to the national average of 32.9% in the first quarter of 2024. The GIBS YES Programme aims to help bridge this gap by offering graduates practical work experience and professional development opportunities.

If you are a young graduate eager to start your career, this one-year programme is your opportunity to gain exposure in a professional and innovative environment.

Overview

South Africa, like many countries globally, grapples with the challenge of youth unemployment. This is supported by statistics indicating a 45,5% unemployment rate among young individuals (aged 15-34 years), in contrast to the national average of 32,9% in the first quarter of 2024.

Are you a young, ambitious graduate eager to gain hands-on experience and boost your career? The GIBS Youth Employment Service (YES) Programme is your gateway to real-world opportunities in a dynamic and innovative environment.

For one full year (Jan 2026 – Jan 2027), you'll get hands-on experience, work in an exciting environment, and build a solid foundation for your future.

Why Join the GIBS YES Programme?

Successful candidates will join GIBS on a one-year, fixed-term contract from January 2026 to January 2027—gaining invaluable skills, exposure, and a stepping stone to future career success.

Real Work Experience

• Get exposure to a professional setting and grow your skills

A Foot in the Door

• Boost your career with a recognized institution

Network & Connect

• Work with top professionals and like-minded peers

Earn While You Learn

• Gain valuable work experience on a paid one-year contract

 

Eligibility

Who Should Apply?
To qualify for this exciting opportunity, you must:

• Be currently unemployed.
• Be between the ages of 18 and 35 years (i.e. will not have turned 35 by 31 December 2025).
• Be a South African citizen by birth or naturalisation (a) before 27 April 1994 (being the date of the commencement of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa Act of 1993) or (b) on or after 27 April 1994 for anyone who would have been entitled to acquire citizenship by naturalisation before that date.
• Live in Gauteng.

Additional Requirements:

• Have not participated in the YES programme of any other company.
• A minimum university degree or equivalent qualification (NQF 7), with a major in
• Quantitative skills, is advantageous.
• Good English language skills.
• Be available and prepared to work a 40-hour week over seven days (i.e., Monday to Sunday with two consecutive days off), including evening work from Monday to Friday (16:30 to 21:30).
• Be available to start in January 2026.

Key Dates

Programme Duration: January 2026 – January 2027.

Application Deadline: 15 November 2025.

How to Apply

Eligible applicants are encouraged to apply before the deadline. Prepare all necessary documents, including your CV and qualification details, and visit the website for GIBS Youth Employment Service (YES) Programme 2026