Eskom Youth Employment Service (YES) Learnership X9 2026 – Grade 12 Opportunity for Young South Africans

Eskom is inviting young South Africans to apply for its Youth Employment Service (YES) X9 opportunity, offering unemployed youth the chance to gain valuable workplace experience within South Africa’s electricity and energy sector.

The opportunity is a 12-month temporary work experience programme aimed at young people who are looking to enter the job market and build their first meaningful workplace experience. Eskom currently lists the YES X9 opportunity on its official careers website, with an application deadline of 16 September 2026.

Eskom YES X9 Opportunity 2026

Position: Youth Employment Service (YES) X9
Listing Reference: eskom_006965
Position/Task Grade: YY1
Department: Human Resources
Business Unit: Kendal Power Station
Industry: Electricity, Energy & Water Supply
Employment Type: Temporary
Contract Duration: 12 months
Remuneration: Market-related
Location: Various Eskom Operations across South Africa
Closing Date: 16 September 2026

According to Eskom, successful candidates will receive an opportunity to gain first work experience and may be placed within Eskom Operations across South African provinces.

Eskom has previously used the YES programme to provide fixed-term work experience to unemployed young people in entry-level and non-professional roles.

Who Can Apply for Eskom YES?

The Eskom YES opportunity is aimed at young South Africans who meet the programme’s eligibility requirements.

Applicants must:

• Be a South African citizen.
• 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.
• Not have previously participated in or registered for the YES initiative.

Candidates who successfully progress through the recruitment process may be placed in Eskom Operations across different divisions.

This makes the opportunity particularly relevant to unemployed young people who are looking for workplace exposure and want to strengthen their CV with experience from a major organisation.

Skills and Competencies

Although no specific previous work experience is listed as a requirement, Eskom highlights several personal and workplace competencies that applicants should demonstrate.

These include:

• Leadership.
• Teamwork.
• Integrity.
• Professionalism.
• Customer focus.
• Good communication.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Negotiation skills.
• Liaising skills.
• Politeness.
• Promptness.
• Energy and enthusiasm.
• Being a self-starter.
• Assertiveness.

Applicants should therefore be prepared to work professionally with colleagues and customers, communicate effectively and follow workplace procedures.

What Will Successful Candidates Gain?

The Eskom YES programme provides young people with an opportunity to gain practical workplace exposure in the energy industry.

For many unemployed applicants, gaining formal work experience can be an important step towards becoming more competitive when applying for future permanent jobs.

Eskom also highlights development, upskilling, mentorship, job rotation and career advancement as part of its broader employee development environment.

The organisation has continued to invest in its learner pipeline, including YES opportunities, as part of its skills development and youth employment initiatives.

Important Information for Applicants

Applicants should carefully check the eligibility requirements before submitting an application. The YES opportunity is intended for candidates who meet the programme’s conditions, including the requirement not to be studying full-time during the year of employment.

The position is temporary and provides a 12-month work experience opportunity rather than a permanent appointment.

Eskom also encourages candidates with disabilities to apply and states that it is committed to equality, employment equity and diversity.

Applicants who are not contacted within 28 days after the closing date should accept that their application was unsuccessful.

Final Thoughts

The Eskom Youth Employment Service (YES) X9 2026 opportunity is worth considering for unemployed South African youth with Grade 12 who are looking for valuable workplace experience.

With a 12-month contract and opportunities within Eskom Operations across South Africa, the programme can provide young people with exposure to a major organisation and help them develop professional workplace skills.

How to Apply