@home Willowbridge (TFG) YES Programme 2026

This opportunity is a Youth Employment Service (YES) placement at @home Willowbridge, run by TFG. It’s designed as a 12-month, on-site contract for young South Africans who want a first meaningful retail experience. If you’re aged 18–28, ready to learn the ropes of a busy homeware store and want to build practical, on-the-job skills, this role could be a useful launchpad.

Quick overview — verified facts

Employer: TFG Limited (brand: @home)
Location: Willowbridge, Western Cape, South Africa
Role type: YES (Youth Opportunity) — 12-month fixed-term contract
Employment type: Contractor; work arrangement: on-site
Age eligibility: 18 to 28 years old
Education: Matric preferable
Key eligibility rules: should not have been permanently employed continuously by a single employer for more than one year; should not be studying full-time in the year of employment (listed as April 26 – March 27); should not have participated in or been registered on the YES programme before
Applicants are responsible for their own accommodation and transport if applicable
Preference given to candidates from designated groups in terms of the Employment Equity Act
Apply online

What this opportunity really offers

This is an entry-level, time-bound retail placement that provides structured workplace exposure in a branded homeware store. The key offer is practical experience: learning retail operations, customer service, stock handling, visual merchandising and in-store teamwork. For many young people a 12-month YES placement is a way to get paid work experience and employer references that can strengthen future job applications.

Who should consider applying

Young people aged 18–28 who meet the YES eligibility points above.
School-leavers (matric preferred) who want hands-on retail experience rather than classroom study for the year.
Candidates who are available for a fixed-term, on-site role and can manage their own transport/accommodation if needed.
People who enjoy customer-facing work, are comfortable with physical tasks (stock handling, store setup) and like working in teams.
Applicants from designated groups covered by Employment Equity who want an employer that states preference for those groups.

Is it worth applying?

Yes, if you meet the eligibility and want a solid first job in retail. The role gives day-to-day store experience with a well-known retail group, exposure to retail processes and the chance to build workplace habits employers value: reliability, customer service, punctuality and teamwork. If your goal is to start a career in retail, visual merchandising, store operations or customer service, this placement is worth considering.

How competitive could it be?

Expect strong interest from local youth seeking entry-level retail experience. Factors that will increase competitiveness include:

Living close to Willowbridge or reliable transport options.
Having matric or any retail/customer-service experience (even short or informal).
Demonstrating availability for the full 12-month contract and flexible hours.
Clear evidence that you meet YES eligibility (age, not enrolled full-time, not previously registered on YES, limited prior permanent employment).

Standout candidates will combine a positive attitude with basic retail readiness rather than long experience.

What a strong application should show

Clear confirmation of eligibility: your age, availability for the contract period and statement that you are not studying full-time for that period.
Practical examples of customer service, teamwork or reliability — volunteer experience, school shop duties, weekend work or community projects all count.
Willingness to work on-site and manage your own transport/accommodation where needed.
Short, measurable achievements: improved sales at a school market, managed stock for an event, or positive feedback from a supervisor.
A professional, tidy CV and a concise cover letter that addresses why you want retail experience and why you’re suitable for a 12-month placement.

CV and cover letter advice (tailored)

Keep documents clear and tightly focused — recruiters for YES roles scan for eligibility and attitude. Use these practical tips:

CV structure: 1 page if you have little work history, max 2 pages otherwise. Top line: name, contact details (phone + email), location (suburb), age or year of birth (optional) and ability to start/availability.
Education: list Matric and any subjects or results you’re proud of. If you don’t have Matric, highlight equivalent learning or courses you completed.
Experience: include informal work — babysitting, market sales, school events — and describe what you did in terms of customer contact, handling money, stock, or teamwork.
Skills: practical retail and people skills — communication, timekeeping, basic numeracy (till work), problem-solving, ability to lift and move stock.
Cover letter: 3 short paragraphs: 1) why you’re applying and confirm eligibility; 2) two quick examples showing you’re reliable and customer-focused; 3) availability and gratitude. Keep it under 250 words.
References: list a teacher, former supervisor, or community leader who can vouch for your reliability. Provide contact details and a short note on your relationship.

Create a Job Specific ATS CV and a Cover Letter Here

What the selection process may involve

General preparation note: the employer’s exact selection steps are not confirmed here. Typical employer practice for YES and entry-level retail roles includes:

Online application submission followed by eligibility screening.
Phone or SMS contact to confirm availability and logistics (transport/start date).
Short interview — often competency-based or conversational — focusing on attitude, availability and examples of teamwork/customer service.
Possible in-person assessment at the store or a group activity to assess how you work with others.
Final onboarding paperwork if selected (ID, bank details, confirmation of contract start).

Prepare by rehearsing short examples of how you solved a problem, worked with a team, or handled a customer situation. Practice clear, concise answers and confirm your transport and availability details up front.

Tools you may find useful:

View Other Employment Opportunities here

Need Help?

Career paths this experience may support

Time in-store can build foundational skills useful for several retail and customer-facing careers:

Retail sales assistant to senior sales roles
Visual merchandising and store layout roles
Supervisor and store management tracks
Stock control and logistics within retail supply chains
Customer service roles in other sectors, online retail operations or e‑commerce support

Many people use a 12-month placement to get references, understand the retail business and decide whether to pursue further retail qualifications or management routes.

Common application mistakes

Not checking or stating eligibility (age, study status for the contract year, prior YES participation).
Submitting a generic CV or cover letter that doesn’t mention availability for the 12-month contract or on-site requirement.
Failing to show basic reliability evidence — punctuality examples, attendance records, or references.
Overstating experience — honesty about limited experience plus willingness to learn is stronger.
Not confirming transport/logistics — if you need to arrange travel or accommodation, say so and show plans where possible.

Similar opportunities to consider

If this role isn’t right for you, look for related entry-level openings in these categories:

Other YES programme placements with retailers or hospitality employers
Entry-level sales assistant or cashier roles in malls and shopping centres
Seasonal retail contracts (e.g. holiday season temporary roles)
Customer service internships and workplace readiness programmes run by NGOs or sector training providers

How to apply

Apply online through the employer’s application portal

Edupstairs advice

Before you apply, gather these items so you can complete the application quickly: a simple CV (1 page), a short cover letter, ID document, and a contact for a referee. Think through a 30‑second answer that explains why you want the role and one short story about a time you helped someone or worked in a team — this is the kind of evidence interviewers love. If you’re worried about transport or accommodation, note what you’ve done to solve that challenge in your cover letter — it shows you’ve thought ahead.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need matric? Matric is preferable but the programme is targeted at young people seeking entry-level opportunities. If you don’t have matric, emphasise related experience, courses or practical skills.
Can I be studying part-time? The vacancy states applicants should not be studying full-time during the year of employment. If you are studying part-time, check carefully whether your course schedule will conflict with store hours before applying.
Will transport or accommodation be provided? Applicants are responsible for their own transport and accommodation where applicable.
What if I’ve done a short contract before? The rule references permanent employment of more than one year with a single employer; short or casual work typically won’t disqualify you — be prepared to explain your employment history clearly.
Can I apply if I previously participated in YES? No — prior participation or registration on the YES programme disqualifies applicants for this placement.

You can also:

Application Outcome Tracker (anonymous)

No names collected. This helps future applicants understand real-world timelines.

Have you applied for this opportunity?

Total responses: 0

Disclaimer

Confirm final eligibility, role details and application instructions on the employer’s official application page before submitting your application.

EDUPSTAIRS IS A REGISTERED NON-PROFIT ORGANISATION NPO No: 232 – 182, PUBLIC BENEFIT ORGANISATION (PBO): 930066984. EDUPSTAIRS DOES NOT, IN ANY WAY OR FORM, SOLICIT MONEY OR CV’S FROM PEOPLE FOR JOBS. PLEASE BE AWARE OF PHONY JOB POSTINGS AND RECRUITMENT FRAUD. USE THE EDUPSTAIRS SCAM DETECTOR TOOL TO SPOT A SCAM BEFORE YOU APPLY