Eskom has opened 25 positions under its Youth Employment Service (YES) Programme for 2026, based at Lethabo Power Station in Deneysville, Free State. If you are an unemployed South African youth looking for your first real taste of workplace experience, this is one of the more accessible entry points into the country’s energy sector, and it does not require a qualification beyond Matric.

The YES Programme itself is not unique to Eskom. It is a national public private partnership led by the Presidency, designed to place young people into paid work experience across major South African employers. Eskom’s version of the programme places successful candidates at operational sites like Lethabo for 12 months, giving them exposure to how a power station actually runs day to day.

About Lethabo Power Station

Lethabo is one of Eskom’s coal fired power stations, located just outside Deneysville on the banks of the Vaal Dam in the Free State. It is one of the larger stations in Eskom’s fleet and has historically been a significant contributor to the national grid. For a first time work seeker, being placed at a site of this scale means exposure to real operational departments rather than a small satellite office, which is part of why sites like this are popular among applicants chasing genuine, CV worthy experience.

Minimum Requirements

To qualify for this round of the YES Programme, you need to meet all of the following:

• South African citizenship
• Aged between 18 and 34
• Grade 12 (Matric) or an equivalent qualification
• Currently unemployed
• Not studying full time during the year of employment
• Have not participated in the YES Programme before
• Have not been permanently employed by a single employer continuously for more than one year

There is no minimum experience requirement, which is exactly what makes this programme worth applying for if you are still building your CV.

Skills and Attributes Eskom Is Looking For

Beyond the paperwork requirements, Eskom has flagged the softer qualities it wants to see in applicants. These include leadership potential, the ability to work well in a team, integrity, professionalism and a customer focused mindset. On the practical side, strong communication, interpersonal and negotiation skills will help you stand out, along with personal attributes like punctuality, energy and self motivation.

If you are unsure how to demonstrate these in an application or interview, think about moments from school, community work, sport or family responsibilities where you took initiative or worked well with others. You do not need formal job experience to show these qualities.

What You Will Gain From the Programme

Participants in the YES Programme receive a 12 month fixed term contract with market related remuneration. Over that year you can expect:

• Genuine exposure to South Africa’s energy industry
• Structured workplace skills training
• Improved employability once the contract ends
• Experience working inside a large state owned enterprise, which carries real weight on a CV

It is worth being upfront about one thing: completing the programme does not guarantee permanent employment at Eskom afterwards. Placement is based on operational requirements, and many participants use the experience as a stepping stone into other roles, whether within Eskom or elsewhere.

A Day in the Role

Because YES placements are described as “various” in terms of specialisation, your day to day tasks will depend on which department you are placed in at Lethabo. Broadly, though, most participants can expect a structured week that includes some form of induction and safety training early on (standard at any power station given the environment), followed by hands on rotation through administrative, technical support or operational support functions depending on business needs. Expect early starts, a workplace culture built around strict safety protocols, and regular check ins with a workplace mentor or supervisor who tracks your development against the programme’s goals.

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted through the official Eskom Careers Portal. Eskom does not accept CVs by email, and it does not use recruitment agencies outside of its own portal for this programme.

Before you apply, make sure you have:

1. An updated CV
2. Certified copies of your ID and qualifications ready, in case they are requested
3. Accurate, up to date contact details, since Eskom will only contact shortlisted candidates

Closing Date: 24 July 2026

Given how close this closing date is, do not leave your application until the last day. Portal traffic tends to spike in the final 48 hours before government and parastatal job closings, which can slow down submissions or profile creation.

Application Tips

A few practical pointers that apply specifically to this kind of programme:

• Double check your date of birth on your application matches your ID exactly. Age eligibility (18 to 34) is one of the first things that gets screened, and a mismatch can get an otherwise qualified application rejected on a technicality.
• If you have previously been part of any YES placement, whether at Eskom or another employer, do not apply. Eligibility is checked against the national YES database, and misrepresenting this will disqualify you later in the process even if you pass the initial screening.
• Keep your CV to the essentials. For a role like this, a clean one to two page CV listing your education, any short courses, volunteer work and contactable references will serve you far better than a lengthy document padded with irrelevant detail.

A Word on Scams

Eskom recruitment scams tend to spike whenever a well advertised opportunity like this one goes live. Be alert to the following warning signs:

• Anyone asking you to pay a fee to “secure” an interview or induction date
• Job offers that arrive before you have even submitted an application through the portal
• Communication from personal email addresses (Gmail, Yahoo and similar) claiming to represent Eskom HR
• Requests for your banking PIN or one time passwords under the guise of “salary verification”

Eskom will only ever contact shortlisted candidates through the official portal or channels linked to it. If in doubt, log into your applicant profile directly rather than clicking links sent to you, and verify anything unusual through Eskom’s official careers site.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Eskom YES Programme? It is a national initiative that gives unemployed South African youth workplace experience and structured skills development, in Eskom’s case through a 12 month placement.

How long is the contract? 12 months, fixed term.

Who can apply? South African citizens aged 18 to 34 who meet the minimum requirements listed above.

Do I need Matric to apply? Yes, Grade 12 or an equivalent qualification is required.

Can I apply if I am studying full time? No. You must not be studying full time during the year of employment.

Can I apply if I have done a YES placement before? No. Previous YES participants are not eligible for this round.

Is prior work experience required? No. This programme is specifically designed for young people with little or no prior work experience.

Will I be paid? Yes, successful candidates receive market related remuneration for the duration of the contract.

Where is this specific placement based? Lethabo Power Station, Deneysville, Free State.

When do applications close? 24 July 2026.