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Presidential Youth Employment Intervention (PYEI)

Launched in 2020 by President Cyril Ramaphosa, the PYEI is South Africa's most comprehensive government effort to move young people from learning to earning. It is not a single programme but a coordination layer that brings together multiple government departments, the private sector, and civil society to create pathways into employment, training, and self-employment for youth aged 18 to 35.

The PYEI is managed by a Project Management Office (PMO) in the Presidency and integrates with the Presidential Employment Stimulus (PES) and Operation Vulindlela. The entry point for young people is SAYouth.mobi, a free, zero-rated platform where you can register, build a profile, and get matched to opportunities without spending any mobile data.

Youth Registered
4.78 Million
on the pathway network
Opportunities Secured
1.67 Million
since 2020 inception
Age Range
18 to 35
SA citizens & refugees
Access
100% Free
zero-rated on all networks

Your Starting Point: SAYouth.mobi

Nearly every PYEI opportunity runs through SAYouth.mobi. This free platform matches you to jobs, learnerships, internships, and training based on where you live, your skills, and your interests. Registration takes about 4 minutes and you do not need data on MTN, Vodacom, Cell C, Telkom, or Rain.

Register on SAYouth.mobi

The Four Pillars of the PYEI

The PYEI is structured around four strategic pillars. Click each one to see how it works and what it offers.

Pillar 1

National Pathway Management Network

A single digital system that connects young people to earning opportunities across government and the private sector.

4.78M registered
Pillar 2

Demand-Led Training

"Pay for performance" model where training providers are paid when young people actually get placed in jobs.

Jobs Boost Outcomes Fund
Pillar 3

Revitalised National Youth Service

Community service placements that build skills, provide stipends, and create pathways into permanent employment.

82,378 youth placed
Pillar 4

Local Ecosystem Enablement

Stimulating township and rural economies by funding local enterprises and creating self-employment opportunities.

Local Ecosystem Fund

Key Programmes Under the PYEI

These are the main programmes you can access as a young person. Most are applied for through SAYouth.mobi.

BEEI School Placements

The Basic Education Employment Initiative places youth as Education Assistants and General School Assistants in public schools across all 9 provinces. Phase V (2025) targeted 200,000+ positions. Applications run through SAYouth.mobi.

Phase V: June to Nov 2025 | Ages 18-34

YES Programme

The Youth Employment Service partners with private companies to provide 12-month paid workplace experiences. Companies get B-BBEE incentives for participating. Over 10,000 youth placed per quarter.

12-month placements | Private sector

National Youth Service (NYS)

Community service placements in health, education, safety, and environment. Phase 3 launched with 13,568 new recruits. Participants receive a stipend and skills training.

Stipend + training | Community-based

Jobs Boost Outcomes Fund

A R300 million fund that pays training providers only when young people actually get placed in jobs and sustain employment for 3+ months. Focuses on digital inclusion, enterprise development, and work-integrated learning.

R300M fund | Outcome-based

NYDA Enterprise Support

Over 14,600 young entrepreneurs supported with financial and non-financial enterprise development through the NYDA Grant Programme. Grants up to R250,000 for agri and tech projects.

Grants up to R250K | Non-repayable

How to Register on SAYouth.mobi

Registration is completely free and takes about 4 minutes. You do not need airtime or data.

Go to SAYouth.mobi

Open sayouth.mobi/Join on any phone browser. The site is zero-rated on MTN, Vodacom, Cell C, Telkom, and Rain, so it will not use your data. Click "I'm ready to join."

No data needed

Enter Your Details

Provide your SA ID number (or refugee ID), full name, cellphone number, email address, and postal code. Create a secure password. You will receive an OTP via SMS to verify your account.

OTP verification

Complete Your Profile

Answer questions about your education level, skills, work experience, and career interests. This information is used to match you with the most relevant opportunities near where you live. Be thorough because incomplete profiles get fewer matches.

Better profile = better matches

Browse and Apply

Once registered, log in regularly to check for new opportunities. You will see jobs, learnerships, internships, and training programmes tailored to your profile. Click "Apply" on anything that interests you. Keep your phone nearby because employers may contact you via SMS or call.

Check back daily for new listings

SAYouth.mobi Will Never Ask You for Money

Registration, applications, and all services on SAYouth.mobi are 100% free. If anyone asks you to pay for an application, a placement, or a "processing fee," it is a scam. Real notifications will come from the SAYouth platform or directly from employers. Never share your password, PIN, or banking details with anyone claiming to represent the programme. If in doubt, call the SAYouth toll-free line at 0800 72 72 72.

Who Should Register?

If you are between 18 and 35, currently unemployed, and not enrolled in any education or training programme, you are the target audience. It does not matter whether you have a Matric certificate or a degree. The platform lists opportunities across all levels, from entry-level school assistant positions to digital internships and trade apprenticeships. Even if nothing is available today, your profile stays active and you will be notified when something matching your skills opens up in your area.

Common Questions

No. The PYEI is not a single programme. It is a government coordination framework that brings together multiple initiatives: BEEI school placements, the YES programme, National Youth Service, NYDA enterprise support, and the Jobs Boost Outcomes Fund. You access these through SAYouth.mobi or the specific programme portals.
It depends on the specific programme. BEEI school assistants receive a stipend (disbursed by the IDC). YES programme participants receive a monthly salary from the host company. National Youth Service recruits receive a stipend plus training. The Jobs Boost Outcomes Fund focuses on job placement rather than direct stipends. Each opportunity on SAYouth.mobi will state whether it is paid and how much.
Yes, you can register on SAYouth.mobi while receiving the SRD grant. However, if you are placed in a paid position or receive a stipend that exceeds R624/month, your SRD grant will likely be declined during the next monthly means test. The BEEI programme specifically notes that participants should not be receiving other government grants, so check the specific eligibility criteria for each opportunity.
Yes. Many opportunities listed on SAYouth.mobi do not require Matric. Entry-level positions like General School Assistants, some trade apprenticeships, and community service placements may accept applicants with Grade 9 or 10. Your profile will be matched to opportunities that fit your education level. Having Matric obviously opens more doors, but it is not a blanket requirement.
Applications open on SAYouth.mobi during the advertised window (typically a 2 to 3 week period). You apply for a school near your home. Selected candidates are interviewed and contracted for a fixed period (usually 5 to 6 months). You are placed as an Education Assistant (helping in classrooms) or General School Assistant (maintenance, admin, safety). The stipend is paid through the IDC. No walk-in applications at schools are accepted.
The Youth Employment Service (YES) partners with private companies to offer 12-month paid workplace experiences. Companies volunteer to host young people and receive B-BBEE recognition in return. You apply through SAYouth.mobi or directly through the YES portal. Over 10,000 youth are placed per quarter across sectors including retail, tech, hospitality, finance, and manufacturing.

Important Links & Resources

Official portals, reports, and contact information for all PYEI-related programmes.

SAYouth.mobi Registration

sayouth.mobi/Join - Free, zero-rated

PYEI Dashboard & Reports

stateofthenation.gov.za - Official data

BEEI Programme Page

education.gov.za - School placements

YES Programme Portal

yes4youth.co.za - Workplace experiences

The Presidency - PYEI

thepresidency.gov.za - Official overview

Latest PYEI Quarterly Report

gov.za - Q3 2024/25 progress report

grantZA is an independent informational guide and is not affiliated with the Presidency, SAYouth, or any government department. For support, call the SAYouth toll-free line at 0800 72 72 72 (Mon to Fri, 9am to 5pm).