Learnerships for Matriculants with No Experience 2026: The “First Job” Guide

Key Takeaways: Breaking the “No Experience” Curse

• The Solution: A Learnership is designed specifically for people with no experience. Employers get a tax break for hiring you, so they want fresh Matriculants.
• Top Sectors 2026:
  • Retail: Clicks, Dis-Chem, and Mr Price are currently hiring Shop Assistants and Pharmacy Assistants.
  • Banking: Capitec and Nedbank often hire Call Centre Agents (Matric only).
• The YES Programme: This is the government’s massive “Zero Experience” drive.
• CV Tip: If you have never worked, list your Volunteering, School Leadership, or Skills (like Computer Literacy) instead. Never leave the “Experience” section blank.

It is the cruelest paradox in the world: You need a job to get experience, but you need experience to get a job.

If you are a recent Matriculant (or have been unemployed for a while), you probably feel invisible. You apply on LinkedIn, Pnet, and Indeed, but you never hear back.

The reason? You are applying for “Jobs.” You should be applying for “Learnerships.”

In South Africa, companies are legally required to spend money on training youth. They create specific roles—Learnerships and YES Internships—where “No Experience” is actually a requirement.

Here is your guide to finding these opportunities in 2026 and how to fix your CV so you actually get an interview.

1. The YES Programme (Youth Employment Service)

The YES Programme is the single biggest employer of youth with zero experience.

• What is it? A 12-month work experience contract.
• Who hires? Massive companies like Toyota, Investec, Woolworths, and Nando’s.
• The Role: You usually work as a Junior Admin, Shop Assistant, or General Assistant.
• The Pay: R4,500+ per month (Stipend).
• How to Apply:
  • You do NOT apply to companies directly.
  • You must register on the SA Youth mobi-site.
  • Action: Go to sayouth.mobi and create a profile. It is data-free.

2. Retail Learnerships (Open Now: Jan/Feb 2026)

Retail is the easiest entry point. They need thousands of staff to pack shelves, run tills, and assist customers.

1. Clicks & Dis-Chem (Pharmacy Assistants)

• The Role: Learner Basic Pharmacist Assistant.
• Why it’s gold: You don’t just pack boxes; you get a professional qualification registered with the Pharmacy Council.
• Requirements:
  • Matric with Maths (50%) OR Math Lit (60%).
  • English (50%).
• Status: Both Clicks and Dis-Chem have active recruitment drives in January 2026. Check their careers pages.

2. The Spar Group

• The Role: Supply Chain & Logistics Learnership.
• Closing Date: Often closes in February.
• Requirements: Grade 12 (No specific subject requirements).

3. Mr Price / TFG (The Foschini Group)

• The Role: Store Associate (Cashier/Packer).
• The “JumpStart” Program: Mr Price has a dedicated skills program called JumpStart. It trains you for 1 week and then links you to retail jobs. It is free and requires no experience.

3. Banking Learnerships (Matric Only)

You don’t need a degree to work in a bank. You need a degree to be a Banker, but not to be a Service Consultant.

1. Capitec Bank

• Role: Service Consultant (The person who helps you at the ATM or front desk).
• Requirements: Matric with Maths or Math Lit.
• Note: They look for “Energy” and “Friendliness” more than high marks.

2. Nedbank

• Role: YES Programme Learner.
• Focus: often Call Centre or Back Office Admin.
• Requirements: Matric.

3. Standard Bank

• Role: Universal Banker Learner.
• Status: These usually open early in the year. Watch their standardbank.com/careers page.

4. Government & Policing

South African Police Service (SAPS)

• Role: Police Trainee.
• Status: The 2026 intake usually closes applications in the previous year, but they often have supplementary intakes.
• Requirements: Matric, No Criminal Record, Age 18-35.

5. How to Write a CV with No Experience

This is where you are failing. If your CV has a heading “Work Experience” and under it you write “None,” the recruiter throws it away.

Swap “Work Experience” for “Skills & Attributes”.

Template for Matriculants:

NAME SURNAME

Contact: 072 123 4567 | Email: name@gmail.com | Area: Soweto, Gauteng

PERSONAL PROFILE

Hardworking and reliable Matriculant (Class of 2025) looking for a learnership opportunity in Retail. I am computer literate, a fast learner, and I have excellent communication skills.

EDUCATION

• National Senior Certificate (2025) – High School Name
  • English: 65%
  • Maths Literacy: 70%
  • Business Studies: 60%

SKILLS

• Computer Literacy: Proficient in Microsoft Word and typing.
• Languages: Fluent in English and Zulu.
• Communication: Public speaking (Debating Team).

LEADERSHIP & VOLUNTEERING

• Church Youth Leader (2024-2025): Organized weekly youth meetings and managed the attendance register.
• Community Clean-Up Volunteer: Participated in local environmental projects.

REFERENCES

• Mr. X (High School Principal) – 011 123 4567

Why this works: It shows you are active, responsible, and literate, even if you haven’t held a paid job.

6. Where to Find these Jobs (The Legit Links)

Stop looking on Gumtree. Use these reputable portals:

1. SA Youth: sayouth.mobi (Data free).
2. Giraffe: www.giraffe.co.za (Matches you to retail jobs automatically).
3. Careers24: Filter by “Internship” or “Learnership.”
4. Simplify.hr: Used by Dis-Chem and Capitec.

7. Scam Warning 2026

If a “Learnership” asks you for:

• A “Uniform Fee” (R250).
• A “Police Clearance Fee” (paid via Pep).
• A “Cold Drink” to get the job.

IT IS A SCAM. Legitimate companies like Clicks and Capitec will never ask you to pay a cent.

Summary: Get Moving

The worst thing you can do is sit at home waiting for a “perfect” job.

1. Register on SA Youth today.
2. Go to Mr Price JumpStart and apply for their training week.
3. Rewrite your CV using the template above.

Action: Spend the next hour fixing your CV. Then apply for at least 3 retail learnerships.