Youth encouraged to apply for National Youth Service (NYS) job programme

The National Youth Development Agency (NYDA), working under the banner of the Presidential Youth Employment Intervention, has announced the opening for applications for 20 000 paid service opportunities through the second phase of the National Youth Service (NYS).

To date, the NYS has delivered 47 234 service opportunities to South African youth in the 2022/23 financial year, and 7 546 young hopefuls exited the programme to go on to long-term prospects. This is the largest-scale youth service programme implemented in South Africa’s democratic history and is one of the largest service programmes globally.

Asanda Luwaca, the Executive Chairperson of the NYDA, commented on the significance of the programme. “The National Youth Service is a brilliant initiative set out by the Presidential Youth Employment Intervention. Our youth are struggling to find sustainable jobs and often find themselves going down the wrong path. With the NYS, we’re asking youth to come as they are, and let us work together to build their future.”

The primary aim of the NYS is to mobilise the youth to become active citizens of the country while earning a monthly stipend and increasing their employability. Unfortunately, those who were enrolled in the first phase of the NYS will not be eligible to apply for this 2023/24 cohort.

The programme follows a systematic process of placing youth who are struggling to find work organically with local businesses, known as implementing partners in this process, within their communities for 16 hours a week for a duration of 6 months.

Here, they will be engaged in service activities, which sharpen their skills, increase their employability status, and uplift their communities through the following sectors:

• Sports, Recreation, Arts and Entertainment
• Learner Support Programmes
• Social Support and Care Services
• Surveys and Digital Mapping
• Food Security and Child Nutrition
• Community Works and Greening Programmes
• Early Childhood Development

Through the NYS, alumni have gained access to a network of mentorship opportunities, employer matching services, work readiness programmes, and economic activity networks.

For those who are interested in applying, the following criteria need to be met:

• Must be between the ages of 18 and 35 years.
• Be able to complete a minimum of 16 hours per week of active community service.
• Make a meaningful benefit to the community in which the programme takes place.

The highlight of this programme is that applicants do not need to have previous work experience, a qualification, or a matric certificate.

Applying to the NYS programme has been made as seamless as possible. Those looking to apply can visit the SAYouthmobi site on https://sayouth.mobi/Home/Index/EN, and once registered, they can search for ‘NYS’ and follow the instructions on the opportunity card.

SAYouthmobi is a platform that is zero-rated, so it does not consume or require data. Alternatively, those interested can visit their nearest NYDA office to apply.

Applicants who have been shortlisted will be contacted by the implementing partner via SMS, email, or telephone. It is imperative for those who apply to choose a position that is close to home, as travel costs are not covered by the NYS.

The National Youth Service was designed to help South Africa empower the youth of today to become the success of tomorrow.