THE 200,000 JOBS JOURNEY
Youth Employment Service (YES) and more than 2000 corporate partners have been united by a single mission: to open doors of opportunity for South Africa’s youth. Together, we’ve created over 200,000 high‑quality work experiences, igniting careers, building skills, andstrengthening communities nationwide.
Reaching the 200,000 milestone in October 2025 stands as a moment of national pride — a powerful example of what public‑private partnership can achieve. With the unwavering support of businesses across industries, YES continues to deliver real impact, transforming young lives while driving meaningful change for the country’s future.
YES now serves as a national talent pipeline powering South Africa’s key growth sector, from digital technology and renewable energy to advanced manufacturing, agriculture, healthcare, and financial services. Through partnerships with SAYouth.mobi, TVET colleges, universities and community networks, YES ensures that young people from disadvantaged backgrounds gain the crucial first job experience that unlocks lifetime employability.
YES’s success is due entirely to the support it receives from leaders and innovators. It stands as a proven model of what coordinated public–private partnership can achieve. With sustained Presidential support and cross‑government alignment, YES, at its current jobs run‑rate, can expand substantially to 2030, powering growth, transformation and shared prosperity.
Event Highlight: 200,000 Jobs Celebration
On 4 December 2025,at the YES 200,000 Jobs Celebration Event at The Gordon Institute of Business Science in Illovo, President Cyril Ramaphosa recognised YES as one of the largest corporate‑funded youth jobs programmes globally and highlighted how participating companies are weaving YES into their human capital, transformation and sustainability strategies. He showcased YES as a best‑practice case study at the recent B20 Summit in Johannesburg under South Africa’s G20Presidency, illustrating how targeted business–government collaboration can unlock youth employment at scale.
You can read his full remarks here:
Remarks by President Cyril Ramaphosa at the YES 200,000 JobsCelebration
The fullPresidential YouTube video of the YES 200K event can be viewed here:
YES 200,000 Jobs Celebration – Full Event
Yes Top 35 Under 35: Impact Showcase For The200,000 Jobs Milestone
Our2025 Top 35 Under 35 alumni are testament to this impact. They exemplify the 200,000youth who have gone through the programme to grow their careers, shift needles in key sectors and start ventures to go from earning to owning. Their stories demonstrate impact multiplied, and futures unlocked. Through the media partnership with Daily Maverick, along with the support of YES clients and sponsors, the event serves as a celebration of our collective impact.
Top 35 Under 35 Event Highlights
Daily Maverick Online Hub
View the link HEREfor the youth stories and see how partners like TFG, Sanlam, Famous Brands andShoprite do YES. (Download the full digital supplement on the hub.)
Learn more about the Top 35 Under 35competition HERE
A World‑Class Model
YES is globally recognised as a leading employmentmodel:
- B20 Recognition
The YES model was acknowledged by the B20 for its ability to scale job creationand strengthen economic inclusion. Read more HERE. - G20 Alignment
YES aligns with global youth employment priorities, demonstrating that SouthAfrica is building solutions with worldwide relevance. Read more HERE.
The Next Phase: Join The YES Movement
Stand With YES. Shape the Next 200 000Opportunities.
Thank You for Standing for Job Creation with YES.
Celebrating 200 000Youth Futures Unlocked
Together with 2000+ corporate partners, YES has created over 200 000 quality work experiences, help us unlock the next 200 000 by 2030.
Accept the President’s Challenge: Partner with YES to Unlock 200,000 More Futures.
Click HERE to join the YES Movement.
Click HERE to Follow YES on LinkedIn.
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Amendment to the Gazette