Clicks Youth Employment Programme 2026: Opportunities for Unemployed Young People
Young South Africans who are currently unemployed and looking for an opportunity to gain practical workplace experience can consider the Clicks Group Youth Employment Programme 2026. The programme is aimed at young people who want to enter the retail industry, develop workplace skills and gain valuable experience in the health and beauty retail environment.
The opportunity is available in Gauteng, Limpopo and Mpumalanga and is offered on a fixed-term contract. Applications are currently open, with the closing date set for 29 August 2026.
This programme can be particularly useful for young people who have completed Matric but have limited or no previous work experience. Participants will receive a combination of classroom-based learning and practical training inside a retail store.
Clicks Youth Employment Programme 2026
The programme is offered by Clicks Group, one of South Africa’s well-known retail groups operating in the health, beauty and pharmacy sectors.
The Youth Employment Programme is designed to give unemployed young people an opportunity to enter the workplace and develop practical skills. Instead of only focusing on theoretical learning, the programme combines structured classroom learning with hands-on workplace experience.
Participants will be exposed to the day-to-day operations of a retail environment. This can help them understand how a professional workplace operates while developing important skills such as communication, customer service, teamwork and general retail operations.
Successful participants will also work towards an NQF Level 2 Checkout Operator occupational qualification.
Who Can Apply?
The opportunity is aimed specifically at young people who meet the programme’s eligibility requirements.
Applicants must be:
- South African citizens.
- Between 18 and 29 years old.
- Matriculants who have successfully passed Grade 12.
- Currently unemployed.
- Strong communicators with good interpersonal skills.
- Able to work effectively as part of a team.
- Willing and eager to learn.
- Not currently registered for another learnership or skills programme.
Applicants should carefully check that they meet all the requirements before submitting an application.
Location
The Youth Employment Programme is available in the following provinces:
Gauteng, Limpopo and Mpumalanga.
The listing identifies the location as Gauteng, while the programme title specifies opportunities across Gauteng, Limpopo and Mpumalanga. Applicants should therefore check the specific location information provided during the application process and ensure that they apply for an opportunity they can reasonably attend.
Educational Requirements
One of the key requirements for this opportunity is that applicants must have passed Matric.
This makes the programme suitable for unemployed young people who have completed Grade 12 and are looking for their first opportunity to gain formal workplace experience.
Having Matric does not necessarily mean that a candidate already has retail experience. The programme is designed to provide participants with learning and practical exposure, making it potentially suitable for young people who are still building their CVs.
No Current Employment Required
Applicants must be unemployed at the time of applying.
The programme is intended to support young people who are looking for an opportunity to enter the labour market and gain experience.
If you are currently working, you may not meet this particular requirement. Applicants should provide accurate information about their employment status when completing the application.
Age Requirement
Candidates must be between 18 and 29 years old.
This age requirement is important because the programme is specifically structured as a youth employment initiative.
Applicants should make sure that they fall within the required age range before applying.
Classroom Learning and Practical Training
One of the main features of the programme is that participants will not only receive classroom-based training.
The programme consists of:
Classroom learning
Participants will receive structured learning designed to introduce them to the knowledge and skills required in a retail environment.
Practical workplace training
Participants will also receive on-the-job training in a retail store. This provides an opportunity to apply what they have learned in a real workplace environment.
Combining classroom learning with practical experience can help participants develop a better understanding of retail operations and workplace expectations.
NQF Level 2 Checkout Operator Qualification
Successful participants will receive an opportunity to complete an NQF Level 2 Checkout Operator occupational qualification.
This is an important part of the programme because participants can gain both practical workplace exposure and an occupational qualification.
A qualification can strengthen a young person’s CV and demonstrate that they have developed specific skills related to checkout operations and retail work.
Skills Participants Can Develop
Although the programme focuses on checkout operations, participants can potentially develop a range of transferable workplace skills.
These may include:
- Customer service.
- Communication.
- Teamwork.
- Professional workplace behaviour.
- Working with customers.
- Following workplace procedures.
- Retail operations.
- Checkout-related duties.
- Time management.
- Problem-solving.
- Working in a busy retail environment.
These skills can be useful beyond the programme and may help participants when applying for future retail, customer service, administration or other entry-level positions.
Strong Communication Skills
Clicks is looking for applicants who have strong communication and interpersonal skills.
Retail employees interact with customers and colleagues every day. Being able to communicate clearly, respectfully and professionally is therefore an important part of working successfully in a store environment.
Applicants should demonstrate that they can communicate effectively and are comfortable interacting with different people.
Teamwork Is Important
The programme also requires applicants to be able to work well in a team environment.
Retail stores rely on employees working together to provide efficient service to customers and maintain smooth operations.
Candidates should therefore be willing to cooperate with colleagues, follow instructions, support team members and contribute positively to the workplace.
Willingness to Learn
Previous experience is not listed as a requirement in the information provided. However, candidates must be willing to learn.
This is particularly important for young people entering the workplace for the first time.
Participants should be prepared to learn new procedures, accept guidance from supervisors and trainers, and develop their skills throughout the programme.
You Must Not Be on Another Learnership
Another important requirement is that applicants must not currently be registered on a learnership or skills programme.
This means that young people who are already participating in another learnership or skills programme should carefully consider this requirement before applying.
The programme is intended for eligible unemployed youth who are available to participate in the learning and practical training provided.
Why This Opportunity Matters
Finding a first job can be difficult for young people, particularly when many entry-level vacancies request previous work experience.
Youth employment programmes can help address this challenge by giving participants an opportunity to gain workplace exposure while developing practical skills.
The Clicks programme can provide participants with experience in a professional retail environment and introduce them to the expectations of working with customers and colleagues.
For a young person who has recently completed Matric, this type of experience can be an important first step towards building a career.
Retail Experience Can Strengthen Your CV
A common challenge for unemployed youth is having limited information to include under the work-experience section of a CV.
Completing a structured workplace programme can help candidates build a stronger employment profile.
Participants can potentially add their practical training, occupational qualification and newly developed workplace skills to their CVs when applying for future positions.
This may be useful when applying for permanent retail positions or other entry-level opportunities.
Who Should Consider Applying?
This opportunity may be worth considering if you are:
- A South African citizen.
- Aged between 18 and 29.
- A Matriculant who has passed Grade 12.
- Currently unemployed.
- Interested in retail and customer service.
- Interested in working in the health and beauty retail sector.
- Comfortable working with people.
- A good communicator.
- A team player.
- Willing to learn new skills.
- Not currently participating in another learnership or skills programme.
If you meet these requirements, you may be eligible to apply.
Application Closing Date
The listed closing date for the Clicks Youth Employment Programme is:
21 August 2026
Applicants should avoid waiting until the final day to apply. Completing the application early gives you more time to check your information and make sure that the required details are correct.
Late applications may not be considered, so applicants should pay close attention to the stated deadline.
How to Prepare Before Applying
Before applying, candidates should make sure that their information is accurate and up to date.
It is advisable to have the following information readily available:
- Updated CV.
- Matric/Grade 12 information.
- South African citizenship information.
- Contact details.
- Residential/location information.
- Employment status.
- Details required by the online application form.
Applicants should also make sure that their contact number and email address are correct so that they can be reached if they are shortlisted.
Avoid False Information
Applicants should provide truthful and accurate information throughout the application process.
Do not claim qualifications, work experience or employment information that you do not have.
The programme has specific eligibility requirements, including age, citizenship, employment status and participation in other programmes. Candidates should ensure that their application reflects their actual circumstances.
Final Thoughts
The Clicks Youth Employment Programme 2026 provides an opportunity for unemployed young South Africans to gain practical experience in the retail environment while working towards an NQF Level 2 Checkout Operator occupational qualification.
The combination of classroom learning and practical on-the-job training can give participants valuable exposure to the workplace and help them develop skills that can support their future employment prospects.
The programme is available in Gauteng, Limpopo and Mpumalanga, and applicants must meet the stated requirements, including being a South African citizen, being aged 18–29, having passed Matric, being unemployed and not currently registered for another learnership or skills programme.
Opportunity Summary
Programme: Youth Employment Programme
Company: Clicks Group
Reference: click_026122
Industry: FMCG & Supply Management
Category: FMCG, Retail, Wholesale and Supply Chain
Locations: Gauteng, Limpopo and Mpumalanga
Contract: Fixed-Term Contract
Age: 18–29 years
Education: Matric/Grade 12
Employment status: Must be unemployed
Qualification: NQF Level 2 Checkout Operator occupational qualification
Experience: Opportunity designed for youth to gain workplace experience
Closing date: 29August 2026
Young people who meet all the requirements should make use of the opportunity before the application deadline. Remember to read the official listing carefully and follow the application instructions provided by Clicks Group.