The Shoprite Youth Employment Services (YES) Programme 2026 offers unemployed South African youth the opportunity to gain 12 months of valuable retail work experience within one of Africa’s largest supermarket groups.
This programme is part of the national Youth Employment Service (YES) initiative aimed at reducing youth unemployment and equipping young people with practical workplace skills.
SHOPRITE YES PROGRAMME 2026 – NOW OPEN
Company: Shoprite Holdings
Programme: YES Youth Work Experience
Duration: 12 Months
Location: Nationwide – South Africa
Stipend: Monthly allowance provided
Closing Date: Rolling applications (2026 intake)
Shoprite invites unemployed youth to apply for placement opportunities in stores and distribution centres across the country.
What is the YES Programme?
The Youth Employment Service (YES) is a public-private partnership created to provide unemployed South African youth with paid work experience for 12 months.
Through YES, companies like Shoprite provide structured workplace exposure to help young people gain:
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Retail experience
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Customer service skills
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Workplace discipline
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CV-building experience
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Professional references
About Shoprite
Shoprite Holdings is Africa’s largest supermarket retailer, operating brands such as:
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Shoprite
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Checkers
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Usave
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OK Furniture
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Hungry Lion
With stores nationwide, Shoprite employs thousands of South Africans and actively supports youth employment development.
Available YES Placement Roles
Participants in the Shoprite YES Programme may be placed in roles such as:
Store Positions
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Shop Assistant
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Shelf Packer
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Cashier
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Customer Service Assistant
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General Worker
Distribution Centre Roles
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Picker / Packer
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Warehouse Assistant
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Stock Controller
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Loader
Placement depends on store needs and availability in your area.
What You Will Learn
During the 12-month YES placement, you will gain experience in:
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Customer service
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Stock replenishment
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Point-of-sale systems
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Teamwork
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Workplace communication
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Time management
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Retail operations
This experience improves employability in retail and other sectors.
Stipend & Benefits
YES participants receive:
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Monthly stipend (paid work experience)
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Workplace training
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Uniform (where applicable)
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Retail exposure
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CV reference after completion
This is not a permanent job but can lead to future employment opportunities.
Minimum Requirements
To qualify for Shoprite YES 2026, applicants must:
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Be South African citizen
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Be between 18–29 years old
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Have Grade 10–12 (varies by role)
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Be currently unemployed
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Not studying full-time
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Not previously participated in YES
Preference may be given to candidates from local communities.
Required Documents
Prepare the following:
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Updated CV
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Certified copy of ID
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Matric certificate (if available)
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Proof of residence
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Bank confirmation letter (if requested)
Locations
The Shoprite YES Programme is available nationwide, including:
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Gauteng
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Limpopo
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Mpumalanga
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KwaZulu-Natal
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Eastern Cape
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Western Cape
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North West
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Free State
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Northern Cape
Placements are made at participating Shoprite stores and facilities.
