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How to Get a Paid Internship Through the YES Program in South Africa

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About the YES Program

The YES program is an initiative to reduce youth unemployment across private and public sectors in South Africa. The Youth Employment Service (YES) program gives young people a chance to gain experience and boost their employability for 12 months, and they get paid for it. This program extends to various industries and is supported by the government, private sector, and non-profit organisations.

Qualifications Needed To Register for the YES Program

Any South African youth aged between 18-34 can register for the YES program as long as they have the following requirements:

  • You need to have a valid South African ID
  • A matric certificate, some roles may require additional qualifications like a diploma
  • You can only register if you are currently unemployed
  • New to the program, you can’t register again if you have participated in the program before

There are certain roles that may need specific qualifications, like:

  • A diploma in sectors like IT,HR, Administration and Marketing
  • NQF Level 4-5 certifications

How Much Does the YES Program Pay?

The YES program stipend depends on the company you are interning in, the role you are assigned to and the location. The monthly stipend usually ranges from R3,500 to R6,000 to cover basics like travel and food.

When Is the Best Time to Apply for the YES Program?

  • January to March: when companies recruit for new financial year
  • June to August: Intakes are advertised around this time
  • September to November: when companies are planning for the coming year

Pro Tip: This is an all-year-round program. Be on the lookout for recruitment websites, company career pages, and Yes-affiliated platforms to stay updated.

How to Apply for the YES Program

  1. Visit the YES website and register:
    • Follow the easy steps to create a profile and be ready to upload your Matric certificate, ID, and CV.
  2. Check out companies like Vodacom, Coca-Cola Beverages SA, MTN, and others to search for YES vacancies regularly.
    • Search for other YES program opportunities in LinkedIn, Indeed, and company career portals for openings.
  3. Write a tailored CV highlighting your skills, Matric results, and any volunteer experience.
    • Write a cover letter showing your eagerness  to participate  in the YES Program and  how you will add value to the company.
  4. Interview preparation is important, practice common questions asked on your role and learn about the company work ethic
  5. After a week of being interviewed, follow up a polite email to  show your enthusiasm for the role.

Benefits of the YES Program

  • Gain on the job experience while getting paid for it
  • Boosts your CV and your chances of getting employed
  • Gives you an opportunity to make meaningful connections that may lead to permanent employment
  • Get a taste and experience on how major companies operate in South Africa

Tips to Increase Your Chances of Success

  1. Your CV must be clear, precise, and professional while highlighting your relevant skills and matric results including any part-time time you have done or volunteer work.
  2. Polish your soft skills especially professional communication, problem-solving skills and ability to work effortlessly with a team
  3. Consider browsing platforms like Cousera, Udemy and Alison to find a relevant free online course you can study to boost your CV and improve your skills.
  4. Do not give up, apply for various YES program roles to increase your chances of being accepted
  5. Practice common interview questions under your role, research about the company and prepare your posture and communication for the interview.

25 Top Companies Offering YES Program Internships, Their Locations, Industry and Available Jobs.

1. ABSA (Nationwide)

  • Industries To Apply In: Banking and Finance
  • Possible Available Roles: Customer service, finance, and administration roles

2. Anglo American (Various Mining Locations)

  • Industries To Apply In: Mining and Natural Resources
  • Possible Available Roles: Engineering, administration, and operational roles

3. Coca-Cola Beverages South Africa (CCBSA, Nationwide)

  • Industries To Apply In: Beverage Manufacturing
  • Possible Available Roles: Sales, logistics, and production roles

4. Vodacom (Nationwide)

  • Industries To Apply In: Telecommunications
  • Possible  Available Roles: IT support, customer service, and retail sales

5. Sasol (Mpumalanga and Gauteng)

  • Industries To Apply In: Energy and Chemicals
  • Possible Available Roles: Engineering, research, and technical roles

6. Nestlé South Africa(Gauteng and Kwazulu Natal)

  • Industries To Apply In: Food and Beverages
  • Possible Available Roles: Sales, marketing, and operations roles

7. BMW South Africa (Gauteng)

  • Industries To Apply In: Automotive Manufacturing
  • Possible Available Roles: Engineering, manufacturing, and administration roles

8. Standard Bank(Nationwide)

  • Industries To Apply For: Banking
  • Possible Available Roles: Financial services, customer care, and administration

9. Unilever (Kwazulu-Natal and Gauteng)

  • Industries To Apply In: Consumer Goods
  • Possible Available Roles: Sales, marketing, and supply chain roles

10. MTN South Africa (Nationwide)

  • Industries To Apply In: Telecommunications
  • Possible Available Roles: IT support, customer service, and sales roles

11. Shoprite Group (Nationwide)

  • Industries To Apply In: Retail
  • Possible Available Roles: Cashier, sales assistant, and logistics roles

12. Clicks Group (Nationwide)

  • Industries To Apply In: Retail and Pharmaceuticals
  • Possible Available Roles: Store assistant, pharmacy assistant, and sales roles

13. Discovery (Gauteng)

  • Industries To Apply In: Insurance and Healthcare
  • Possible Available Roles: Administrative, customer care, and IT support roles

14. Pick n Pay (Nationwide)

  • Industries To Apply In: Retail
  • Possible Available Roles: Sales, cashier, and merchandising roles

15. Bidvest (Nationwide)

  • Industries To Apply In: Logistics and Services
  • Possible Available Roles: Administration, logistics, and customer service roles

16. FNB (First National Bank), (Nationwide)

  • Industries To Apply In: Banking
  • Possible Available Roles: Call centre, administration, and teller roles

17. Mercedes-Benz South Africa (Eastern Cape and Gauteng)

  • Industries To Apply In: Automotive Manufacturing
  • Possible Available Roles: Production, engineering, and administration

18. Sanlam (Nationwide)

  • Industries To Apply In: Financial Services
  • Possible Available Roles: Sales, finance, and administration roles

19. Old Mutual (Nationwide)

  • Industries To Apply In: Financial Services
  • Possible Available Roles: Client services, insurance sales, and admin roles

20. Engen Petroleum (Nationwide)

  • Industries To Apply In: Energy
  • Possible Available Roles: Logistics, customer service, and administration

21. Tiger Brands (Gauteng and Western Cape)

  • Industries To Apply In: Food Manufacturing
  • Possible Available Roles: Production, sales, and logistics roles

22. Momentum Metropolitan (Nationwide)

  • Industries To Apply In: Insurance and Financial Services
  • Possible Available Roles: Call center, client services, and administrative roles

23. Nando’s South Africa (Nationwide)

  • Industries To Apply In: Food and Hospitality
  • Possible Available Roles: Customer service, restaurant management, and logistics roles

24. Aspen Pharmacare (Eastern Cape And Gauteng)

  • Industries To Apply In: Pharmaceuticals
  • Possible Available Roles: Production, quality assurance, and logistics

25. Woolworths (Nationwide)

  • Industries To Apply In: Retail
  • Possible Available Roles: Sales, cashier, and customer care roles

Conclusion

The YES program is a great opportunity for unemployed youth in South Africa to gain experience while on the job and getting paid. The program helps graduates boost their CV, increasing their chances of employability and gaining skills that may come in handy when looking for long-term employment. The monthly stipend between R3,500 and R6,000 can be useful for everyday expenses while working in industries like banking, telecommunications, and manufacturing.

To increase your chances of getting accepted into the program, apply for many roles, apply during peak hours, and tailor your CV for every application. The YES program can open doors for bigger opportunities, so thoroughly prepare for your interview and take the program like a serious full-time job once you are accepted.

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