- Youth Employment Services
- Graduates
- Bursaries
Good things happen when you say YES
To date, Nedbank has been the largest contributing South African bank to the Youth Employment Service (YES) Initiative, supporting over 5,000 South African youth in gaining skills to enter the job market or become entrepreneurs.
What is the YES programme?
The Youth Employment Service is a business-led collaboration with the government, aimed at reducing unemployment by providing young people with opportunities to develop new skills and gain meaningful workplace experience that improves their chances of finding long-term employment.
As a bank, we have proudly supported this initiative since 2019, and remain committed to creating jobs for the country's unemployed youth and driving a more sustainable and inclusive future.
Who qualifies for the YES programme?
South African youth who:
- are between 18 and 29 years old
- have completed matric
- are currently unemployed
- are not studying full-time or part-time
- are African, Coloured or Indian citizens as set out in the BBBEE Act definition of ‘black people’
- have not participated in a YES programme at another organisation before.
If this is you, apply for your place on the programme today. Submissions will close on 21 March 2025.
Where does the Nedbank YES experience take place?
Successful applicants will be based at any of our various sites, branches and offices across the country, with some positions allowing for the possibility of working from home, or partly from our Nedbank premises.
Applications are now open. Don't miss out!
This year, the Nedbank YES programme is set to kick off on 1 June with applications closing on 21 March 2025.
Secure your place today. Apply now for your chance to be counted among tomorrow's future talent in the workplace.
Once enrolled into the programme, you will be employed for 12 months to gain quality work experience. During this period, we will provide you with a monthly stipend to cover your living, food, and transport expenses. The YES programme is not a learnership, internship or an apprenticeship programme.
Our graduate programmes
Every year Nedbank enrols over 200 young graduates and career starters from different communities into its various learnership programmes as a way of imparting skills and easing poverty and unemployment.
Purpose-driven people, for a purpose-driven business
Nedbank is looking for young difference makers who are intentional about using their expertise to create sustainable change that will drive a purpose-driven impact through analytical thinking and creative problem solving.
Join Nedbank and be part of an inclusive and dynamic team. We offer extensive training, mentorship, and opportunities to work on impactful projects that drive positive change in the financial sector and beyond.
Become a #YoungDifferenceMaker
Training our graduates
We continue to invest in the recruitment and development of graduates with a view of establishing a talent pipeline of young people who will become future leaders and fill scarce skill roles within Nedbank.
Find out more about our programmes below.



At Nedbank, we understand the importance of providing opportunities to the leaders and innovators of tomorrow. By investing in the development of the future leaders, we’re ensuring that positive differences can be created for our people, our business and society for generations to come.
The difference starts with youth
We believe in using our financial expertise to do good. Supporting academically deserving students with proven financial need to take their first steps towards achieving their dreams and obtaining their first undergraduate or honours degree is one sure way of setting up our leaders of tomorrow for success, today.
About our bursary programme
The Nedbank External Bursary Programme aims to provide financing for full-time study to those who are in need, and have the potential to acquire undergraduate or honours qualifications at any South African public university or university of technology.
The aim of the bursary programme is to address South Africa's scarce-skills shortages, with a specific focus on science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM) and green economy skills.
What is the green economy?
A green economy approach promotes economic, environmental and social well-being. Green economy skills are from areas of study that focus on improving human well-being and social equity, while also significantly reducing environmental risks and ecological scarcities.
Achieving a green economy involves reducing carbon emissions and pollution, increasing energy and materials efficiency, as well as enhancing our natural capital.
Think you have what it takes?
Join the winning team
Who can apply for a Nedbank bursary?
You may apply for the Nedbank External Bursary Programme if you are a South African citizen who intends to pursue an undergraduate or honours degree within the fields of science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM) or green economy development. Successful candidates must have a proven financial need as determined by household income.
Please note: Applicants who completed their grade 12 or senior certificate with Mathematics Literacy will not qualify.
To qualify for a bursary you'll need to have obtained the following
An average of 65% in the year that you are applying for the bursary, and for the subjects aligned to the degree you plan to study (applicable to grade 12 or university level students)
Admission to a South African public university or university of technology for the qualification you require. Your qualification must be within the specified fields of study
Consent from a legal parent or guardian, and proof of financial need as detailed in the application process that follows
Documents you’ll need to submit
You may download the financial check affidavit here, complete it and make sure that it is signed by all the parties above – then add it to your application.
Parents, legal guardians and all income-earning members of a shortlisted applicant's household must provide the following.
Supporting documents for your application
Important notes on the bursary application process
We will consider only bursary applications submitted online at the link that we have provided. Incomplete bursary applications will be disqualified.
Bursary applications will be screened and shortlisted according to the qualifying criteria.
Shortlisted applicants will be required to undergo psychometric and other assessments as well as attend a virtual interview.
Bursaries will be awarded at the sole discretion of the Nedbank Educational Trust.
All applicants will receive feedback about the outcome of their applications when the recruitment process is complete.
For assistance, contact the Nedbank Bursary Team at this email address Unlockyourambition@nedbank.co.za.
Join the workplace that delivers with impact. At Nedbank, we grow our people and our business to create the impact we want to see.
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