New Phase HubYouth Employment Programmes in South Africa: Where to Apply in 2026
A practical list of the government and private youth employment programmes accepting applications, what each offers, and how to register.
Why programmes matter more in a tight market
With youth unemployment at 47.4% in Q2 2026, the NYDA and Parliament's Portfolio Committee on Employment and Labour have both called for coordinated structural action. For an individual job seeker, the practical takeaway is simpler: subsidised placements, learnerships and public employment programmes are often the fastest route to a first payslip and a verifiable work record.
SA Youth / Presidential Youth Employment Intervention
SA Youth is the national network platform for young people aged 18 to 34 looking for work and learning opportunities. Registration is free and data-free on sayouth.mobi, and it is used to distribute opportunities including the Basic Education Employment Initiative and other public employment placements.
NYDA programmes
The National Youth Development Agency runs grant funding for young entrepreneurs, the National Youth Service, job preparedness training and CV and career support through its branches. Its grant programme blends small non-repayable funding with mentorship — a strong first credential for a young founder.
YES (Youth Employment Service)
YES places young people into 12-month paid work experiences with participating employers. You apply through the YES platform and partner companies; the reference and CV that come out of a completed placement carry real weight with the next employer.
SETA learnerships and internships
Each Sector Education and Training Authority funds learnerships in its sector — from services and banking to manufacturing and construction. Learnerships combine a stipend, structured training and a recognised qualification. Check the SETA covering your target sector and follow their opportunity listings directly.
Government internships and EPWP
National and provincial departments advertise internships and graduate programmes in the DPSA Public Service Vacancy Circular, and the Expanded Public Works Programme provides short-term work in infrastructure, environment and social sectors through municipalities.
How to apply without wasting weeks
Register once on SA Youth, keep a single up-to-date CV plus certified copies of your ID and qualifications ready as PDFs, and track every application with its closing date. Apply to programmes and ordinary vacancies in parallel — the two pipelines move at different speeds.
Where to go next on New Phase Hub
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