Young South Africans who are struggling to enter the job market finally have another powerful opportunity to gain real workplace experience in 2026. The Foschini Group (TFG) YES Programme is now calling on unemployed youth aged 18–28 across all provinces to apply for a 12-month fixed-term retail placement opportunity.
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If you’ve been asking yourself:
“Where do I get my first job experience if nobody hires me without experience?”
This programme was created for exactly that situation.
Through the Youth Employment Service (YES) initiative, TFG is opening doors for thousands of young people to step into South Africa’s retail sector and build the foundation of a long-term career.
Quick Overview
Programme Name: The Foschini Group YES Programme
Duration: 12 months
Location: All provinces in South Africa
Target Group: Unemployed youth aged 18–28
Minimum Qualification: Matric preferred
Start Period: April 2026 – March 2027
Employment Type: Fixed-term work experience placement
Sector: Retail
Programme Partner: Youth Employment Service (YES Initiative)
Transport & Accommodation: For applicant’s own account
Equity Consideration: Preference given to designated groups
Purpose of the TFG YES Programme 2026
The main goal of this programme is simple:
Help unemployed youth gain 12 months of practical retail work exposure.
Participants will:
- learn how retail stores operate daily
- assist customers professionally
- understand workplace expectations
- develop communication skills
- gain teamwork experience
- build reliability and responsibility habits
This programme does not guarantee permanent employment, but many YES participants across South Africa secure permanent roles after completing placements.
Who Should Apply for the TFG YES Programme 2026
You should strongly consider applying if:
- you recently completed Matric
- you have never worked before
- you struggle to get interviews due to lack of experience
- you want retail industry exposure
- you want to strengthen your CV
- you are serious about entering the job market in 2026
This opportunity is especially suitable for young people planning careers in:
- retail
- customer service
- sales
- store management
- merchandising
- logistics support
Minimum Requirements
To qualify, applicants must meet the following conditions:
You must:
- be aged between 18 and 28 years
- preferably have Matric
- be available for a 12-month fixed-term contract
- not have been permanently employed by one employer for more than 12 consecutive months
- not be studying full-time between April 2026 and March 2027
- not have participated in a YES Programme before
- be responsible for your own transport and accommodation
- be willing to work in a retail store environment
Preference will be given to applicants from designated groups in line with the Employment Equity Act.
Where the Programme Is Available
The TFG YES Programme is available nationwide.
This includes:
- Gauteng
- KwaZulu-Natal
- Western Cape
- Eastern Cape
- Free State
- Limpopo
- Mpumalanga
- North West
- Northern Cape
Placement depends on store availability near your location.
What You Will Learn During the Programme
Participants will gain hands-on experience in real retail environments.
Typical learning exposure includes:
Customer Service Skills
You will learn how to:
- greet customers professionally
- assist shoppers confidently
- respond to questions
- resolve basic customer concerns
These are transferable skills used in almost every industry.
Retail Operations Knowledge
Participants gain exposure to:
- store layout understanding
- stock receiving processes
- merchandising displays
- price tagging
- shelf replenishment
Workplace Behaviour Training
You will learn:
- punctuality expectations
- teamwork etiquette
- communication skills
- professional conduct
- workplace responsibility
These soft skills are often the biggest difference between unemployed youth and employed youth.
Benefits of Joining the TFG YES Programme
Even though this is not permanent employment, the benefits are powerful.
Participants gain:
- 12 months workplace experience
- exposure to a major retail employer
- improved employability
- stronger CV credibility
- reference letters (in many cases)
- confidence working with customers
- understanding of workplace systems
Most importantly:
You gain your first job experience, which employers value highly.
How to Apply
To improve your chances of selection:
Prepare the following documents early:
- Updated CV
- Certified ID copy
- Matric certificate (if available)
- Proof of residence (sometimes requested)
Make sure your CV includes:
- correct contact details
- highest qualification
- any volunteering experience
- any short courses completed
Even informal experience counts.
APPLY FOR THE FOSCHINI GROUP (TFG) YES PROGRAMME 2026 HERE
How Edupstairs Helps You Prepare
At Edupstairs, we don’t just post opportunities—we help you win them.
Recommended Tools:
- SASSA Grant Eligibility Checker
- Edupstairs Job Preparedness Checker
- Youth Employment Eligibility Checker
- SAPS / Metro / Traffic / DCS Eligibility Checker
- Edupstairs Internship / Learnership Eligibility Checker
- NSFAS Funding Eligibility Checker Tool
- SA Bursary Probability Checker
- TVET College Enrolment Eligibility Checker Tool
- Edupstairs Financial Literacy Mini-School
- Grow your Confidence – 30-day Challenge
- Edupstairs Simple CV Builder Tool
- Edupstairs AI Cover Letter Generator Tool
- Edupstairs Learnership Application Checklist Tool
- Edupstairs Internship Application Checklist Tool
- Edupstairs Interview Q & A Coach Tool
- SA Youth Apprenticeship Readiness Quiz
- Edupstairs Learnership Stipend Calculator Tool
- Edupstairs Qualification-to-Career Pathways Tool
- South African Salary Explorer Tool
- Edupstairs Career Personality Tool
- Daily Career Score Tracker
- Learnership and Internship Readiness Quiz
Edupstairs Advice for Applicants
Here is the most important truth about entry-level opportunities:
Employers don’t expect experience from youth — they expect readiness.
To improve your chances:
Apply early.
- Prepare your documents.
- Check your phone daily after applying.
- Answer unknown numbers professionally.
- Follow instructions carefully during recruitment stages.
- Many applicants miss opportunities simply because they ignore recruiter calls.
- Treat this programme like a serious job application.
Career Growth Path After Completing the Programme
Many participants move into permanent retail roles after YES placements.
Possible career paths include:
Retail Pathway
- Shop Assistant
- Cashier
- Sales Associate
- Visual Merchandiser
- Supervisor
- Store Manager
Head Office Pathway
With experience and further study:
- Buyer assistant
- HR administrator
- logistics coordinator
- marketing assistant
Retail experience opens many doors beyond stores themselves.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Is this a permanent job?
No.
This is a 12-month work experience opportunity.
However, strong performers are sometimes considered for future roles.
- Will I receive a stipend?
YES placements typically include a monthly stipend aligned with programme guidelines.
Exact amounts may differ by placement structure.
- Can TVET students apply?
Only if you are not studying full-time during April 2026 – March 2027.
- Can I apply without Matric?
Matric is preferred but not always mandatory.
- Can I apply if I already did YES before?
No.
Previous YES participants are not eligible.
- Do I choose my store placement?
Placement depends on availability near your area.
CLOSING DATE: NOT SPECIFIED
You can also:
- View latest Internships
- View latest Learnerships
- View Latest Bursaries
- View latest Government jobs
- View latest Company Vacancies
- View latest Municipality vacancies
- Visit the Edupstairs blog for daily updates
Application Outcome Tracker (anonymous)
No names collected. This helps future applicants understand real-world timelines.
Have you applied for this opportunity?
Disclaimers
The TFG YES Programme:
- does not guarantee permanent employment after completion
- placement depends on store availability
- transport and accommodation remain the applicant’s responsibility
- selection follows Employment Equity guidelines
- applicants may only participate once in the YES Programme
Always apply using official recruitment platforms.
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