The Youth Employment Programme offered by Clicks Group gives unemployed young people in Gauteng an opportunity to combine classroom learning with practical experience in a health and beauty retail store. Applications for the fixed-term opportunity are due by 9 September 2026, according to the official vacancy notice.
For young people searching for Gauteng youth jobs after matric, the programme offers more than short-term exposure to the workplace. Participants who successfully complete it will receive an NQF Level 2 Checkout Operator occupational qualification. This can provide a useful foundation for someone interested in retail, customer service, FMCG or supply-chain work. See section 5 below to apply.
Table of Contents
1. The Youth Employment Programme Overview
The Clicks Youth Employment Programme 2026 is listed in the FMCG and supply-management industry, under retail, wholesale and supply-chain work. It is based in Gauteng and is advertised as a fixed-term Employment Equity position.
| Vacancy detail | Confirmed information |
| Employer | Clicks Group |
| Programme | Youth Employment Programme (Gauteng) |
| Listing reference | click_026471 |
| Location | Gauteng |
| Contract type | Fixed-term contract |
| Employment Equity position | Yes |
| Closing date | 9 September 2026 |
| Application channel | Official career portal: see section 5 below to apply |
Because the listing is marked as an Employment Equity position, Clicks may apply its employment-equity objectives during recruitment. Applicants should answer demographic and eligibility questions accurately rather than trying to predict how the policy will be applied.
2. What the Youth Employment Programme offers
The programme blends structured classroom learning with practical, on-the-job training in a retail store. This combination allows participants to learn the principles of checkout operations and customer service, then practise workplace behaviour in a real retail environment.
In day-to-day terms, health and beauty retail training may expose a participant to customer interaction, teamwork, store routines and the standards expected in a major retail group. The official advert does not provide a detailed module list, so applicants should not assume that every store function will form part of the training.
- Build workplace confidence: Practical exposure can help a first-time worker become familiar with professional expectations and customer-facing communication.
- Gain retail experience: Entry-level roles often ask for workplace exposure, which unemployed matriculants may not yet have.
- Earn a recognised occupational qualification: Successful completion leads to the stated NQF Level 2 Checkout Operator qualification.
- Explore the FMCG sector: The experience may help participants assess retail operations, customer service and related supply-chain careers.
3. Who qualifies to apply?
Clicks has published a clear set of minimum requirements. An applicant must:
- Be a South African citizen.
- Be between 18 and 29 years old.
- Have passed matric.
- Be unemployed.
- Have strong communication and interpersonal skills.
- Be able to work well in a team and be willing to learn.
- Not currently registered on a learnership or skills programme.
Meeting these conditions makes a person eligible to apply; it does not guarantee selection. Recruitment may include screening and further assessments that are not described in the public advert.
The opportunity is particularly relevant to searches for jobs for unemployed youth and matric jobs in Gauteng, but applicants should treat it as a structured training programme rather than an ordinary permanent vacancy.
4. Why the NQF Level 2 qualification matters
Successful participants will receive an NQF Level 2 Checkout Operator occupational qualification when they complete the programme. A formal qualification can give future employers clearer evidence that a candidate has completed assessed occupational training.
It should not be presented as a guarantee of a permanent Clicks job or immediate employment elsewhere. Its practical value will depend on successful completion, the participant’s performance and the requirements of later vacancies. Even so, combining a qualification with real store exposure can strengthen a young jobseeker’s CV compared with having no work-based training.
5. How to apply safely
Candidates should apply through the official Clicks Group careers website under listing reference click_026471.
Official Application Portal: Apply Here
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The registration form requests an email address, mobile number, personal details and a CV. It accepts CV files in PDF, DOC, DOCX or TXT format, with a maximum size of 10 MB.
- Match the vacancy: Confirm reference click_026471 and the title Youth Employment Programme (Gauteng).
- Never pay to apply: A legitimate application should not require payment to secure an interview or placement.
- Protect private information: Do not share passwords, banking PINs or one-time passwords with a supposed recruiter.
The Clicks portal lists registration support on 010 140 3099 and clickssupport@pnet.co.za. These contacts are for help with registration, not for bypassing the application or guaranteeing placement.
6. How to prepare a stronger application
A short, accurate CV is more useful than a long document filled with unrelated information. Applicants with little or no formal experience can still show evidence of reliability, communication and teamwork.
- Check contact details: Use an active phone number and email address, and monitor both after applying.
- State matric clearly: Include the school, year completed and highest qualification accurately.
- Show relevant strengths: School projects, volunteering, sports teams, community work or informal responsibilities can demonstrate teamwork.
- Tailor the profile paragraph: Briefly explain an interest in customer service, retail learning and working with people.
- Proofread the CV: Correct names, dates and spelling help create a professional first impression.
- Answer honestly: Incorrect eligibility information can lead to disqualification later.
Applicants should submit before the stated deadline where possible. Internet interruptions, forgotten passwords or an incomplete profile can make a last-minute application difficult.
7. Important details the advert does not confirm
The official vacancy notice does not specify:
- The stipend or salary, if any
- The exact length of the programme
- Which Gauteng stores will host participants
- The number of available positions
- Transport or accommodation support
- A guaranteed permanent job after completion
Candidates can ask about these points if they reach the interview or offer stage. Until Clicks confirms them directly, publishers and applicants should not repeat amounts, dates or benefits drawn from older learnership advertisements.
8. Frequently asked questions
1. What is the closing date for the Clicks Youth Employment Programme?
The official listing says applications close on 9 September 2026. Applicants should also check that the vacancy remains marked ‘Online’ on the Clicks careers portal.
2. Can someone apply without matric?
No. Passing matric is one of the stated minimum requirements.
3. Is previous retail experience required?
The advert does not list previous work or retail experience as a minimum requirement. It does require communication and interpersonal skills, teamwork and a willingness to learn.
4. Can a person already on a learnership apply?
No. Applicants must not currently be registered on a learnership or skills programme.
5. Does the programme guarantee a permanent Clicks job?
No permanent placement guarantee appears in the official advert. This is a fixed-term training opportunity, and successful completion leads to the stated occupational qualification.
Official source: Clicks Group Careers – Youth Employment Programme (Gauteng)
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