Nedbank YES Youth Programme 2026: Apply Now

Nedbank YES Programme 2026

The Nedbank YES Programme is a major initiative. Supported by a leading bank and part of a national effort to help young South Africans find employment, it offers one of the best ways to get your career going.

This is a committed 12-month work contract that provides you with valuable business experience and includes a stipend. The focus is on gaining the essential skills you need to secure a good job.

What the Nedbank YES Programme Actually Is

The Youth Employment Service (YES) Programme isn’t a learnership, internship, or apprenticeship — it’s a fixed-term employment experience that lasts 12 months. 

As part of it, you’re placed into a role at Nedbank where you work alongside teams, gain workplace skills, and improve your chances of landing work after the year ends.

Who Can Apply — The Eligibility Rules

Here’s where it gets specific — and it matters because you have to hit all these criteria:

• You must be between 18 and 29 years old.

• You need at least a Matric/Grade 12 certificate.

• You must be unemployed at the time you apply.

• You cannot be studying — part-time or full-time — while in the programme.

• You must be a South African citizen classified as African, Coloured, or Indian under the BBBEE Act definition of “black people.” That’s a legal requirement for this version of YES.

• You must not have participated in a YES Programme with another organisation before.
  
  

These criteria are stricter than a general sign-up form — they’re designed to make sure the programme targets the youth it’s meant to serve. 

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Where You Could Be Working

Successful applicants are placed into various Nedbank sites, branches, and offices across South Africa. That means you’re not just stuck in one city — placements happen nationally, and depending on the role, some might allow for hybrid or remote work arrangements (meaning part remote, part on-site).

The work isn’t limited to one type of task either — in previous years, YES placements at Nedbank have included roles across:

• Administration

• Customer service and contact centre support

• Finance and banking operations

• Digital and IT support

• Risk and compliance functions

• Retail banking service roles

• Marketing and HR support
  
  

These aren’t exact guaranteed placements, but they show the range of functions YES youth have experienced in the past at Nedbank.

One thing to plan for: some roles may require travel to and from the workplace normally, and depending on your function, shift work (including weekends or public holidays) could be part of what you’re asked to do.

How Long It Runs and What It Pays

Duration: 12 months of employment — you’re on a fixed-term contract for one full year.

Stipend: You receive a monthly stipend — this isn’t the same as a full salary, but it’s money meant to help with living costs, food, and transport.

There’s no publicised official number from Nedbank on exactly how much the stipend is for 2026. In many YES partner programmes, stipends are designed to cover basic needs, not long-term financial goals. 

After the 12 months, you don’t automatically move into a permanent role, but what you gain — real work experience and skills — can make you far more employable in job applications than if you had no workplace experience at all.

In fact, Nedbank’s own reports show that past YES participants have gone on to secure work or continued engagement in the broader job market after completion, which speaks to how employers regard the experience.

When You Can Apply for Nedbank YES Programme in 2026

For the 2026 intake, applications for the Nedbank YES Programme are open from 2 February until 9 February 2026. That’s a short window, so if you’re reading this late, get your documents ready fast.

Nedbank posts these details on their careers portal, and clicking through is the officially supported way to apply.

How to Apply for Nedbank YES Progamme— Simple Steps

Applying is mostly done online through Nedbank’s careers site:

1. Visit the Nedbank careers portal and find the YES Programme listing.

Apply here: Nedbank Yes Programme Application

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