The Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (PSIRA) has officially opened applications for its YES (Youth Employment Service) Programme 2026/2027, offering unemployed South African graduates a structured 12-month paid workplace experience across multiple provinces and career fields. This programme targets graduates with NQF Levels 6 to 8 qualifications and is designed to bridge the gap between academic study and real-world employment.
Rather than short-term exposure, the PSIRA YES Programme provides meaningful, government-linked experience that strengthens employability, builds practical skills, and helps young professionals gain confidence in their chosen career paths.
About the PSIRA YES Programme
The PSIRA YES Programme forms part of the national Youth Employment Service initiative, focusing on youth development within the regulatory and public administration space. Participants are placed in relevant departments where they gain hands-on experience, mentorship, and exposure to professional working environments linked to security regulation, administration, finance, IT, compliance, and law enforcement support.
This programme is ideal for graduates who are eager to apply their qualifications in a practical setting while earning a monthly stipend.
Programme Overview
- Programme Name: PSIRA YES Programme 2026/2027
- Programme Duration: 12 months
- Qualification Levels: NQF 6 to NQF 8
- Programme Locations:
Eastern Cape, Gauteng, Western Cape, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Free State, KwaZulu-Natal
Monthly Stipend Structure
The stipend is aligned to the qualification level of the participant:
- NQF Level 6: R5 000 per month
- NQF Level 7: R6 000 per month
- NQF Level 8: R7 000 per month
This ensures that participants are supported financially while gaining full-time workplace experience.
PSIRA YES Programme Fields and Locations
Registration YES Programme
Locations:
Port Elizabeth, Mthatha, Bellville, Polokwane, Nelspruit, Bloemfontein, Durban
Qualifications Required:
National Diploma or Degree in Business Administration, Business Management, Public Management or Office Management and Technology
This stream is best suited for administrative, clerical, municipal, and compliance-related career paths.
Security and Information YES Programme
Location: Centurion, Gauteng
Qualifications Required:
National Diploma or Degree in Security Management or a related field
Ideal for graduates interested in regulatory security, compliance, and risk management careers.
Research and Development YES Programme
Location: Centurion, Gauteng
Qualifications Required:
Bachelor’s Degree or Honours in Social Science or a related field
Suitable for careers in research, policy development, monitoring, and evaluation.
Records Management YES Programme
Location: Gauteng
Qualifications Required:
BCom Information Management, BA Information Science, Archival Science, or a Degree in Records Management
This stream supports careers in information governance, document control, and archives.
Finance YES Programme
Location: Centurion, Gauteng
Qualifications Required:
National Diploma or Degree in Accounting, Cost Accounting, or Management Accounting
Best for public-sector finance, junior accounting, and finance administration roles.
Business Information Technology YES Programme
Location: Centurion, Gauteng
Qualifications Required:
Information Technology, Information Systems, or Computer Science
Ideal for graduates interested in IT systems support and digital administration within government structures.
Supply Chain Management YES Programme
Location: Centurion, Gauteng
Qualifications Required:
Supply Chain Management, Logistics, or an equivalent qualification
This field supports careers in procurement, logistics, and compliance-related supply roles.
Communications YES Programme
Location: Centurion, Gauteng
Qualifications Required:
Media Studies, Marketing, or Communications
Suitable for government communications, stakeholder engagement, and content-related roles.
Occupational Health and Safety YES Programme
Location: Centurion, Gauteng
Qualifications Required:
Safety Management, Occupational Health and Safety, or Environmental Science
Best for OHS compliance, inspections, and safety coordination roles.
Call Centre YES Programme
Location: Centurion, Gauteng
Qualifications Required:
Office Administration or Customer Service qualifications
This stream supports client service, public enquiries, and contact centre careers.
Human Resource Management YES Programme
Location: Centurion, Gauteng
Qualifications Required:
Human Resource Management
Ideal for HR administration, recruitment support, and labour relations exposure.
Training YES Programme
Location: Gauteng
Qualifications Required:
Business Management, Education, Training, or Administration
Best suited for training coordination and skills development facilitation roles.
Special Operations YES Programme
Location: Gauteng
Qualifications Required:
Policing, Criminal Justice, or Forensic Investigations
This stream supports law enforcement administration and investigative support roles.
Law Enforcement Administration YES Programme
Location: Gauteng
Qualifications Required:
Business Administration, Public Management, or Office Management
Ideal for compliance administration, inspections coordination, and enforcement support.
Legal Administration YES Programme
Location: Gauteng
Qualifications Required:
LLB Degree or equivalent
Suitable for graduates seeking exposure to regulatory legal support and compliance law.
Who Should Apply
You are encouraged to apply if you meet the following criteria:
- You are currently unemployed
- You hold a National Diploma, Degree, or Honours qualification (NQF 6–8)
- You are seeking structured workplace experience
- You can commit to 12 months of full-time participation
- You want government-linked experience on your CV
How to Apply
Applications for the PSIRA YES Programme must be submitted through the official PSIRA application process for the 2026 intake
APPLY FOR THE PSIRA YES PROGRAMME IN VARIOUS FIELDS 2026 HERE
.Applicants are required to apply for the specific field that matches their qualification and career interests.
The closing date for applications is 16 January 2026.
Conclusion
The PSIRA YES Programme in Various Fields 2026 offers unemployed graduates a powerful opportunity to gain paid, structured workplace experience within a government-linked institution. With placements across multiple provinces and disciplines, this programme is well suited for graduates who are serious about building practical skills, strengthening their CVs, and improving their chances of long-term employment.
For graduates ready to move from qualification to career, this programme provides a strong and meaningful starting point.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the PSIRA YES Programme paid?
Yes, participants receive a monthly stipend based on their qualification level.
How long does the programme run?
The programme runs for a full 12 months.
Can I apply if I already have work experience?
The programme is aimed primarily at unemployed graduates seeking workplace exposure.
Do I need a specific qualification?
Yes, each programme field has specific qualification requirements aligned to NQF Levels 6 to 8.
Will I be employed permanently after the programme?
The programme does not guarantee permane
