Mpumalanga National Youth Service 2026: R5,000 Stipend – Apply by 7 October

Department of Public Works Roads Transport

The Mpumalanga Department of Public Works, Roads and Transport, in partnership with the Department of Employment and Labour, invites suitably qualified unemployed youth to apply for opportunities under the National Youth Service, Building Maintenance Programme and Trade Test categories.

The opportunities are aimed at unemployed South African youth who want to gain practical workplace experience, develop technical skills and participate in programmes linked to the construction and building maintenance environment.

Applicants should carefully review the requirements for the opportunity they wish to apply for before submitting an application.

Position Details:

Position: National Youth Service / Building Maintenance Programme
Duration: 18 Months
Stipend: R5,000 per month
Location: Mpumalanga, South Africa
Closing Date: 07 October 2026 at 10:00

National Youth Service and Building Maintenance Programme

The National Youth Service opportunity is offered on an 18-month contract and provides a stipend of R5,000 per month.

A total of 350 opportunities are available across four districts:

EHLANZENI DISTRICT

Site: Malekutu Cost Centre
Reference Number: NYS/MAL/09
ESSA Opportunity Ref: MPU-NELS-21852626-20260909-4

Site: Mbombela Cost Centre
Reference Number: NYS/MBO/08
ESSA Opportunity Ref: MPU-NELS-21852626-20260909-3

Site: Barberton Hospital
Reference Number: NYS/BH/09
ESSA Opportunity Ref: MPU-BARB-26308789-20260909-1

Site: Rob Ferreira Hospital
Reference Number: NYS/RH/08
ESSA Opportunity Ref: MPU-NELS-19021291-20260908-1

Site: Themba Hospital
Reference Number: NYS/TH/09
ESSA Opportunity Ref: MPU-NELS-19021291-20260908-2

Site: Tonga Cost Centre
Reference Number: NYS/TC/15
ESSA Opportunity Ref: MPU-KWAL-26308789-20260909-1

Site: Tonga Hospital
Reference Number: NYS/TOH/165
ESSA Opportunity Ref: MPU-KWAL-26308789-20260909-2

Site: Shongwe Hospital
Reference Number: NYS/SH/14
ESSA Opportunity Ref: MPU-SHON-26308789-20260909-1

BOHLABELA DISTRICT

Site: Acornhoek Cost Centre
Reference Number: NYS/ACN/16
ESSA Opportunity Ref: MPU-ACOR-21895848-20260908-1

Site: Malamule Cost Centre
Reference Number: NYS/MLM/15
ESSA Opportunity Ref: MPU-THUL-21895848-20260908-1

Site: Pilgrims Rest
Reference Number: NYS/PIL/14
ESSA Opportunity Ref: MPU-SABI-23383348-20260908-1

Site: Mashishing Cost Centre
Reference Number: NYS/MAS/14
ESSA Opportunity Ref: MPU-LYDE-23383348-20260908-1

Site: Sabie Hospital
Reference Number: NYS/SAB/14
ESSA Opportunity Ref: MPU-SABI-21895848-20260908-1

Site: Mapulaneng Hospital
Reference Number: NYS/MAT/14
ESSA Opportunity Ref: MPU-GRAS-23383348-20260908-1

NKANGALA DISTRICT

Site: Emalahleni General Hospital
Reference Number: NYS/EML/14
ESSA Opportunity Ref: MPU-EMAL-31173641-20260909-1

Site: Middelburg Cost Centre
Reference Number: NYS/MDL/14
ESSA Opportunity Ref: MPU-MBOM-32213051-20260909-1

Site: Delmas Cost Centre
Reference Number: NYS/DLM/09
ESSA Opportunity Ref: MPU-MBOM-13573241-20260909-1

Site: Belfast Hospital
Reference Number: NYS/BLF/04
ESSA Opportunity Ref: MPU-MBOM-32213051-20260909-2

Site: Machadodorp Hospital
Reference Number: NYS/MCD/05
ESSA Opportunity Ref: MPU-MBOM-32213051-20260909-3

Site: KwaMhlanga Cost Centre
Reference Number: NYS/KMH/14
ESSA Opportunity Ref: MPU-KWA-19366019-20260909-1

Site: Siyabuswa Cost Centre
Reference Number: NYS/SBS/14
ESSA Opportunity Ref: MPU-SIYA-19366019-20260909-1

Site: Vaalbank Cost Centre
Reference Number: NYS/VB/10
ESSA Opportunity Ref: MPU-VAAL-19366019-20260909-1

Site: Mammetlhake Hospital
Reference Number: NYS/MMT/04
ESSA Opportunity Ref: MPU-MMAM-19366019-20260909-1

GERT SIBANDE DISTRICT

Site: Elukwatini District Office
Reference Number: NYS/ELK/07
ESSA Opportunity Ref: MPU-NELS-21853339-20260909-3

Site: Embhuleni Hospital
Reference Number: NYS/EMBH/06
ESSA Opportunity Ref: MPU-NELS-21853339-20260909-2

Site: Mayflower Cost Centre
Reference Number: NYS/MAYC/04
ESSA Opportunity Ref: MPU-NELS-21853339-20260909-1

Site: Carolina Hospital
Reference Number: NYS/CARH/04
ESSA Opportunity Ref: MPU-MBOM-83505024-20260909-1

Site: Piet Retief Hospital
Reference Number: NYS/PRH/08
ESSA Opportunity Ref: MPU-NELS-21851964-20260908-1

Site: Msukaligwa District Office/Ermelo
Reference Number: NYS/MSDE/08
ESSA Opportunity Ref: MPU-NELS-32220146-20260909-1

Site: Ermelo Hospital
Reference Number: NYS/ERMH/04
ESSA Opportunity Ref: MPU-NELS-32220146-20260909-2

Site: Amajuba Hospital/Volksrust
Reference Number: NYS/AMH/08
ESSA Opportunity Ref: MPU-NELS-21851964-20260908-2

Site: Elsie Ballot Hospital/Amersfoort
Reference Number: NYS/EBH/04
ESSA Opportunity Ref: MPU-NELS-21851964-20260908-3

Site: Lekwa District Office/Standerton
Reference Number: NYS/LKD/06
ESSA Opportunity Ref: MPU-STAN-23461691-20260908-1

Site: Standerton Hospital
Reference Number: NYS/STNH/06
ESSA Opportunity Ref: MPU-STAN-23461691-20260908-2

Site: Greylingstad Cost Centre
Reference Number: NYS/GRC/06
ESSA Opportunity Ref: MPU-GREY-23461691-20260908-1

Site: Evander Hospital
Reference Number: NYS/EVH/06
ESSA Opportunity Ref: MPU-NELS-82713308-20260908-1

Site: Bethal Hospital
Reference Number: NYS/BTH/06
ESSA Opportunity Ref: MPU-BETH-82865191-20260908-1

National Youth Service Requirements

Applicants for the National Youth Service and Building Maintenance Programme must meet the specified minimum requirements.

Applicants must have one of the following:

  • Grade 12 with Mathematics and Physical Science; or
  • N3 in Mathematics and Engineering Science Certificate; or
  • National Certificate Vocational (NCV) Level 3 in Engineering.

Applicants must also:

  • Have a valid South African ID book.
  • Be between 18 and 35 years old.
  • Be unemployed and meet the programme requirements.
  • Be willing to participate in an 18-month National Youth Service contract.
  • Be prepared to participate in youth development activities and technical and on-the-job practical training.

Preference will be given to applicants who reside in the vicinity of the relevant project or work site.

TRADE TEST

Trade: Plumbing
Reference Number: MPU-MBOM-28818008-20260922-5
Workplace: 3 years’ work experience in plumbing works, or 18 months with higher qualifications
Minimum Academic Requirement: N2, relevant NCV Level 3/4, Technical Grade 11/12, or equivalent QCTO qualification in plumbing

Trade: Electrical
Reference Number: MPU-MBOM-28818008-20260922-2
Workplace: Apprenticeship, ARPL (Recognition of Prior Learning), or approved 3 years’ workplace experience
Minimum Academic Requirement: N2 Electrical Engineering or equivalent occupational qualification

Trade: Welding
Reference Number: MPU-MBOM-28818008-20260922-4
Workplace: Apprenticeship or ARPL (Recognition of Prior Learning) plus 3 years’ workplace experience
Minimum Academic Requirement: Relevant engineering qualification or occupational certificate

Trade: Bricklaying and Plastering Module
Reference Number: MPU-MBOM-28818008-20260922-3
Workplace: 3 years’ work experience in bricklaying and plastering works
Minimum Academic Requirement: N2 Certificate including Mathematics, Engineering Science and relevant fourth trade subject; or SETA quality-assured technical trade module equivalent to NQF Level 3; or relevant NC(V) certificate with seven subjects at NQF Level 3; or Technical Grade 11 with Mathematics, Science, Language and relevant trade-theory subject; or relevant N6 certificate/National Diploma

Trade: Carpentry Module
Reference Number: MPU-MBOM-28818008-20260922-1
Workplace: 3 years’ work experience in carpentry works
Minimum Academic Requirement: N2 Certificate including Mathematics, Engineering Science and relevant fourth trade subject; or SETA quality-assured technical trade module equivalent to NQF Level 3; or relevant NC(V) certificate with seven subjects at NQF Level 3; or Technical Grade 11 with Mathematics, Science, Language and relevant trade-theory subject; or relevant N6 certificate/National Diploma

Candidates require three years of workplace experience in carpentry works.

Skills and Competencies

Candidates should have an interest in the construction and building maintenance sector. Basic literacy and communication skills are required, together with an understanding of workplace procedures and departmental policies.

Successful candidates may gain exposure to practical activities such as:

  • Landscaping
  • Painting
  • Bricklaying and plastering
  • Tiling
  • Carpentry
  • Fitting doors and windows
  • Glass-related work
  • Plumbing
  • Electrical work

The programme also focuses on workplace values, productivity, citizenship and the value of work.

Participants must be willing to enter into the 18-month National Youth Service contract and participate in the required development activities and practical training.

Employment Services of South Africa Registration

Work seekers are required to register their personal information, educational qualifications, skills and work experience on the Employment Services of South Africa (ESSA) system or at their nearest Labour Centre.

Equal Opportunity

The Department of Public Works, Roads and Transport states that it is committed to equal opportunities and affirmative action in employment.

The recruitment process seeks to promote representativeness in terms of race, gender and disability when filling opportunities. Women and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Applicants should carefully check the eligibility requirements and ensure that the information submitted during the application process is accurate.

Application Period

Applications for these opportunities are scheduled to be accepted from: 23 September 2026 to 07 October 2026 at 10:00

Applicants are encouraged to complete the application process before the closing date and time. Late applications may not be considered.

A compulsory briefing session is scheduled for: 19 October 2026

Candidates should pay close attention to the official instructions concerning the briefing session and any additional requirements communicated by the Department.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should first ensure that they meet the requirements for the specific opportunity. Applicants should then register or update their details on the Employment Services of South Africa system.

The ESSA registration process requires information such as personal details, education, qualifications, skills and work experience. Candidates should ensure that all information corresponds with their supporting documents.

Applicants should use the appropriate ESSA Opportunity Reference for the site and district they are interested in. The opportunity reference numbers differ between sites, so candidates should carefully select the correct reference when applying.

The National Youth Service opportunities provide an opportunity for eligible unemployed youth to gain practical exposure in building maintenance and construction-related activities while receiving a monthly stipend of R5,000 over the 18-month contract period.

Candidates interested in trade test opportunities should carefully review the separate academic and workplace experience requirements for Plumbing, Electrical, Welding, Bricklaying and Plastering, or Carpentry before applying.

The application period runs until 07 October 2026 at 10:00, while the compulsory briefing session is scheduled for 19 October 2026. Candidates should complete the required registration and application steps well before the deadline and retain any relevant confirmation or reference information received during the process.