The Mpumalanga Department of Public Works, Roads and Transport, in partnership with the Department of Employment and Labour, has opened applications for unemployed young people aged 18 to 35 years under the National Youth Service (NYS) Building Maintenance Programme and related Trade Test opportunities.
The programme provides participants with practical workplace exposure, technical training and youth development opportunities in areas linked to building maintenance and construction. Successful applicants will be engaged on an 18-month contract and receive a monthly stipend of R5,000.
Mpumalanga National Youth Service Programme 2026
The National Youth Service Building Maintenance Programme is available across the following districts:
- Ehlanzeni District
- Bohlabela District
- Nkangala District
- Gert Sibande District
Applicants are encouraged to apply for opportunities located within or close to their communities, as preference will be given to candidates residing in the vicinity of the relevant project.
National Youth Service Requirements
Applicants must meet the following basic requirements:
- Be between 18 and 35 years old.
- Be unemployed youth.
- Hold a valid South African ID book.
- Have Grade 12 with Mathematics and Physical Science, or an N3 qualification in Mathematics and Engineering Science, or NCV Level 3 in Engineering.
- Have an interest in the construction and building maintenance sector.
- Demonstrate basic literacy and communication skills.
- Be willing to enter into an 18-month National Youth Service contract.
- Be willing to participate in youth development activities and technical, practical and on-the-job training.
The programme is intended to provide participants with practical exposure while developing workplace values such as productivity, citizenship, responsibility and an understanding of the value of work.
National Youth Service Trade Areas and Locations
The advertised opportunities cover various building maintenance trades, including plumbing, electrical work, welding, bricklaying and plastering, and carpentry.
Plumbing
Trade: Plumbing
Minimum academic requirement: N2, relevant NCV Level 3/4, Technical Grade 11/12, or an equivalent QCTO qualification in plumbing.
Workplace experience: Three years’ plumbing experience, or 18 months with higher qualifications.
Trade Test Reference: MPU-MBOM-2881800-20260922-5
Electrical
Trade: Electrical
Minimum academic requirement: N2 Electrical Engineering or an equivalent occupational qualification.
Workplace experience: Apprenticeship or approved three years’ workplace experience.
Trade Test Reference: MPU-MBOM-28818008-20260922-2
Welding
Trade: Welding
Minimum academic requirement: Relevant engineering qualification or occupational certificate.
Workplace experience: Apprenticeship or ARPL (Recognition of Prior Learning) together with three years’ workplace experience.
Trade Test Reference: MPU-MBOM-28818008-20260922-4
Bricklaying and Plastering
Applicants in this area require the relevant trade-related qualifications and three years’ workplace experience in bricklaying and plastering works.
Trade Test Reference: MPU-MBOM-288818008-20260922-3
Carpentry
Applicants for carpentry opportunities require three years’ work experience in carpentry works.
Trade Test Reference: MPU-MBOM-28818008-20260922-1
For the relevant trade opportunities, acceptable qualifications include an N2 Certificate containing Mathematics, Engineering Science and the relevant fourth trade subject; a SETA quality-assured technical trade module equivalent to NQF Level 3; a relevant NC(V) certificate with seven subjects at NQF Level 3; Technical Grade 11 with Mathematics, Science, Language and the relevant trade theory subject; or a relevant N6 certificate/National Diploma, as specified in the advert.
National Youth Service Work Locations
The advertised NYS opportunities are linked to various cost centres, hospitals and departmental offices across Mpumalanga.
Ehlanzeni District
Locations include:
- Malekutu Cost Centre
- Mbombela Cost Centre
- Barberton Hospital
- Rob Ferreira Hospital
- Themba Hospital
- Tonga Cost Centre
- Tonga Hospital
- Shongwe Hospital
The corresponding ESSA opportunity references include:
- MPU-NELS-21852626-20260909-4
- MPU-NELS-21852626-20260909-3
- MPU-BARB-26308789-20260909-1
- MPU-NELS-19021291-20260908-1
- MPU-NELS-19021291-20260908-2
- MPU-KWAL-26308789-20260909-1
- MPU-KWAL-26308789-20260909-2
- MPU-SHON-26308789-20260909-1
Bohlabela District
Locations include:
- Acomhoek Cost Centre
- Malamule Cost Centre
- Pilgrims Rest
- Mashishing Cost Centre
- Sabie Hospital
- Matibidi Hospital
ESSA opportunity references include:
- MPU-ACOR-21895848-20260908-1
- MPU-THUL-21895848-20260908-1
- MPU-SABI-23383348-20260908-1
- MPU-LYDE-23383348-20260908-1
- MPU-SABI-21895848-20260908-1
- MPU-GRAS-23383348-20260908-1
Nkangala District
Locations include:
- Emalahleni General Hospital
- Middelburg Cost Centre
- Delmas Cost Centre
- Belfast Hospital
- Machadodorp Hospital
- KwaMhlanga Cost Centre
- Siyabuswa Cost Centre
- Vaalbank Cost Centre
- Mammethlake Hospital
The advert provides the following ESSA opportunity references:
- MPU-EMAL-31173641-20260909-1
- MPU-MBOM-32213051-20260909-1
- MPU-MBOM-13573241-20260909-1
- MPU-MBOM-32213051-20260909-2
- MPU-MBOM-32213051-20260909-3
- MPU-KWA-19366019-20260909-1
- MPU-SIYA-19366019-20260909-1
- MPU-VAAL-19366019-20260909-1
- MPU-MMAM-19365019-20260909-1
Gert Sibande District
Locations include:
- Elukwatini District Office
- Embhuleni Hospital
- Mayflower Cost Centre
- Carolina Hospital
- Piet Retief Hospital
- Msukaligwa District Office/Ermelo
- Ermelo Hospital
- Amajuba Hospital/Volksrust
- Elsie Ballot Hospital/Amersfoort
- Lekwa District Office/Standerton
- Standerton Hospital
- Greyiingstad Cost Centre
- Evander Hospital
- Bethal Hospital
The relevant ESSA opportunity references listed in the advert include:
- MPU-NELS-21853339-20260909-3
- MPU-NELS-21853339-20260909-2
- MPU-NELS-21853339-20260909-1
- MPU-MBOM-83505024-20260909-1
- MPU-NELS-21851964-20260908-1
- MPU-NELS-32220146-20260909-1
- MPU-NELS-32220146-20260909-2
- MPU-NELS-21851964-20260908-2
- MPU-NELS-21851964-20260908-3
- MPU-STAN-23451691-20260908-1
- MPU-STAN-23461691-20260908-2
- MPU-GREY-23461691-20260908-1
- MPU-NELS-82713308-20260908-1
- MPU-BETH-82865191-20260908-1
National Youth Service Responsibilities
Successful participants will receive practical exposure in their respective trades and may perform basic work involving:
- Landscaping and painting
- Bricklaying and plastering
- Tiling
- Carpentry
- Fitting doors, windows and glass
- Plumbing
- Electrical maintenance
- Other building maintenance activities within their respective areas of training
Participants will also be expected to understand workplace values, productivity, citizenship and the importance of quality work.
How to Apply for Mpumalanga National Youth Service Opportunities
Applicants must register their personal details, education, skills, qualifications and work experience on the Employment Services of South Africa (ESSA) platform or visit their nearest Labour Centre for assistance.
Applications are made through the Department of Employment and Labour’s ESSA system using the relevant ESSA Opportunity Reference provided for each location.
Applicants should ensure that their information on ESSA is complete and up to date, particularly their qualifications, skills and work experience.
Application Period
Applications are open from 23 September 2026 to 7 October 2026 at 10:00.
Applicants must also attend a compulsory one-day briefing session on 19 October 2026.
Enquiries
Enquiries are available between 08:00 and 16:00.
Head Office
- Ms S Bunting: 066 460 0543
- Ms NE Gumede: 013 766 8540 / 078 524 6227
Bohlabela District
- Ms TG Mokone: 013 773 8393 / 083 470 5989
- Ms ZL Sedibe: 013 766 8570 / 060 963 9403
Nkangala District
- Ms NI Phakula: 013 947 2311
- Ms LT Silinda: 013 766 8545 / 060 989 1042
Gert Sibande District
- Ms L Sibanyoni: 017 801 4084 / 063 692 9514
- Mr BP Malala: 013 766 8544 / 076 362 9198
Ehlanzeni District
- Mr WC Dlamini: 013 762 6044 / 079 311 7515
- Mr ST Thabethe: 076 8543 / 079 023 0921
ESSA Technical Support
For technical assistance between 08:00 and 16:00, applicants can contact:
- Paul Mathebula: 066 344 0777
- Tebogo Sebothoma: 082 884 3317
- Nokulunga Mkhwanazi: 082 528 5007
- Rahab Mashego: 071 384 3684
- Janita van Niekerk: 072 461 7664
Final Thoughts
The Mpumalanga National Youth Service and Trade Test Programme 2026 provides unemployed youth with an opportunity to gain structured workplace experience and practical exposure in building maintenance and technical trades. Eligible applicants should register on ESSA, select opportunities relevant to their qualifications and location, and complete their applications before the 7 October 2026 deadline.
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