The Mpumalanga Department of Public Works, Roads and Transport, in collaboration with the Department of Employment and Labour, has announced the 2026 National Youth Service (NYS) Building Maintenance Programme. This initiative offers 350 temporary positions across four districts to unemployed young people seeking practical experience and skill development in building maintenance trades.
About the Opportunity
The NYS Building Maintenance Programme is an 18-month contract opportunity designed to give unemployed youth aged 18 to 35 years hands-on exposure in building maintenance tasks. Successful participants receive a monthly stipend of R5,000. Tasks include activities related to landscaping, painting, bricklaying, plastering, tiling, carpentry, fitting doors and windows, plumbing, and electrical work. Besides practical skills, the programme focuses on instilling workplace values and productivity awareness.
Who Can Apply?
This programme targets unemployed South African youth residing in Mpumalanga between the ages of 18 and 35. The 350 available posts are spread among the following districts:
- Ehlanzeni District: 87 posts
- Bohlabela District: 87 posts
- Nkangala District: 88 posts
- Gert Sibande District: 88 posts
Requirements
Applicants must meet at least one of the following educational criteria:
- Grade 12 with Mathematics and Physical Science
- N3 qualification with Mathematics and Engineering Science
- National Certificate Vocational (NCV) Level 3 in Engineering
Additionally, applicants must be South African citizens with a valid ID document.
Programme Locations
The positions are deployed across numerous government facilities within the four districts, including hospitals, cost centres, and district offices. Some sites include Mbombela Cost Centre, Barberton Hospital, Rob Ferreira Hospital (Ehlanzeni), Acornhoek Cost Centre, Sabie Hospital (Bohlabela), eMalahleni General Hospital, Belfast Hospital (Nkangala), and Carolina Hospital, Ermelo Hospital (Gert Sibande).
Additional Trade Test Opportunities
Alongside the NYS programme, there are Trade Test openings for experienced candidates in plumbing, electrical, welding, bricklaying/plastering, and carpentry. These require technical qualifications such as N2 or equivalent and relevant workplace experience ranging from 18 months to 3 years, depending on the trade. These Trade Test opportunities are separate and require candidates to have progressed further in their respective artisan pathways.
Application Period and Important Dates
Applications open on 23 September 2026 and close promptly on 7 October 2026 at 10:00. Applicants must also attend a compulsory one-day briefing on 19 October 2026.
How to Apply
All applications must be submitted via the Department of Employment and Labour’s Employment Services of South Africa (ESSA) system. Applicants should register or update their profiles on the ESSA online portal, carefully using the relevant reference numbers for the specific district or site where they wish to apply.
It is important not to apply by simply searching “NYS” but to use the exact ESSA Opportunity Reference number associated with each post to ensure proper processing.
Visit the ESSA Online portal to register and apply.
What Applicants Should Know Before Applying
This National Youth Service programme is aimed at entry-level youth seeking to gain practical experience that can lead to longer career pathways in building maintenance trades. The programme is not a guaranteed employment offer beyond the 18 months but serves as a valuable foundation for trades such as electrician, plumber, welder, and carpenter.
Applicants with only Grade 12 or equivalent should focus on the NYS programme. Those with relevant technical qualifications and experience should consider applying for the Trade Test opportunities, which have higher requirements and target those further on their artisan development path.
Prospective applicants are encouraged to explore career options, technical colleges, and apprenticeship pathways to understand how this opportunity fits into broader career growth.
