South Africa’s youth unemployment challenge remains one of the biggest economic and social issues facing the country. Many young people complete school but struggle to gain their first real work experience. Without experience, it becomes difficult to enter the job market — creating a frustrating cycle.
This is exactly why initiatives like the TFG Youth Employment Service (YES) Programme 2026 are so important.
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If you are a young South African looking for your first workplace opportunity, the YES Programme offered by TFG (The Foschini Group) may be the stepping stone you need. This programme provides 12 months of real work experience in a professional retail environment, helping youth gain practical skills, build confidence, and improve their employability.
For many participants, the YES Programme becomes the first chapter in a long-term career in retail, logistics, fashion, customer service, or business operations.
Quick Overview
Organisation: TFG (The Foschini Group)
Programme: Youth Employment Service (YES) Programme
Location: Gauteng, South Africa
Job Type: Fixed-term work opportunity
Contract Duration: 12 months (April 2026 – March 2027)
Job Schedule: Full-time
Job ID: 11892
Target Group: Unemployed South African youth
Minimum Qualification: Matric preferred
Purpose of the Programme:
- Provide young people with their first working experience
• Develop workplace skills and retail knowledge
• Improve youth employability in the South African job market
• Support the national YES initiative to reduce youth unemployment
What You Will Learn During the Programme
Participants in the TFG YES Programme receive hands-on training and workplace experience.
Depending on the store or department you are placed in, your duties may include:
Customer Service
• Assisting customers in stores
• Helping customers find products
• Providing product information
• Handling customer queries
Retail Operations
• Merchandising and product displays
• Stock management
• Price tagging
• Shelf organisation
Sales Support
• Assisting sales staff
• Learning how retail sales work
• Understanding promotions and campaigns
Workplace Skills
• Team collaboration
• Communication skills
• Professional behaviour
• Time management
These experiences help participants build a strong foundation for future employment.
Requirements for the TFG YES Programme 2026
To qualify for the programme, applicants must meet the following requirements.
Age Requirements
- Must be between 18 and 28 years old
Education
- Matric is preferred, but not always mandatory depending on placement
Employment Status
- Must not have been permanently employed with a single employer for more than one year
Study Status
- Must not be studying full-time during the programme period
Programme Participation
- Must not have participated in the YES Programme before
Contract Availability
- Must be willing to work a 12-month fixed-term contract
Other Conditions
- Applicants must arrange their own accommodation and transport if necessary
Employment Equity
- Preference may be given to candidates from designated groups in line with the Employment Equity Act.
Documents You Should Prepare
Preparing your documents early improves your chances of applying quickly.
Recommended documents include:
- Updated CV
• Certified copy of South African ID
• Matric certificate (if available)
• Proof of residence
• Contactable references
Make sure your CV clearly shows your skills and availability.
How to Apply
APPLY FOR THE TFG YOUTH EMPLOYMENT SERVICE (YES) PROGRAMME 2026 HERE
How Edupstairs Helps You Prepare
At Edupstairs, we don’t just post opportunities—we help you win them.
Recommended Tools:
- Youth Employment Eligibility Checker
- SAPS / Metro / Traffic / DCS Eligibility Checker
- Edupstairs Internship / Learnership Eligibility Checker
- Edupstairs Financial Literacy Mini-School
- Grow your Confidence – 30-day Challenge
- SA Bursary Probability Checker
- 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
- NSFAS Funding Eligibility Checker Tool
- Edupstairs Qualification-to-Career Pathways Tool
- South African Salary Explorer Tool
- TVET College Enrolment Eligibility Checker Tool
- Edupstairs Career Personality Tool
- Daily Career Score Tracker
- Learnership and Internship Readiness Quiz
Edupstairs Advice for Applicants
If you want to stand out during the selection process, consider the following tips.
Prepare a Professional CV
Even if you have no work experience, include:
- School achievements
• Volunteer work
• Community involvement
• Leadership roles
Show Enthusiasm
Retail employers look for candidates who are:
- Friendly
• Energetic
• Reliable
• Customer-focused
Be Flexible
Retail work may involve:
- Weekend shifts
• Public holidays
• Busy sales periods
Be Ready to Learn
The YES Programme is designed for learning and growth, so employers value candidates who are open to development.
Career Growth Path After Completing the Programme
Completing the YES Programme can open doors to several career opportunities.
Retail Career Path
- Sales Assistant
• Store Associate
• Cashier
• Visual Merchandiser
• Assistant Store Manager
• Store Manager
Corporate Career Path
Some participants later move into corporate roles such as:
- Retail operations
• Merchandising
• Buying
• Marketing
• Supply chain
• Customer experience
Entrepreneurship
Many participants also use the skills they learn to start:
- Small retail businesses
• Online fashion stores
• Clothing resale businesses
The experience gained during the programme builds a solid career foundation.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Is the YES Programme a permanent job?
No. The programme is a 12-month fixed-term work opportunity designed to provide experience.
- Will participants receive a salary?
Most YES Programme placements provide a monthly stipend or wage, although the exact amount may vary.
- Do I need Matric to apply?
Matric is preferred, but some placements may accept candidates without it.
- Can I apply if I have work experience?
Yes, but you must not have been permanently employed with the same employer for more than 12 months.
- Can I study while participating in the programme?
No. Participants cannot be studying full-time during the programme period.
- Can I apply if I already completed another YES Programme?
No. The YES Programme is only available once per participant.
CLOSING DATE: NOT SPECIFIED
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Application Outcome Tracker (anonymous)
No names collected. This helps future applicants understand real-world timelines.
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Disclaimers
- Edupstairs is not responsible for recruitment or selection decisions.
• All applications must be submitted through the official TFG recruitment portal.
• Programme availability and requirements may change based on company needs.
• Only shortlisted applicants may be contacted by the employer.
Always verify information through the official application platform before applying.
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