Right now, many young South Africans who are out of work and have at least Grade 10 are looking for a real chance to step into a stable industry. The AVI Limited YES4Youth Work Experience Programme 2026 could be that door‑opener, especially if you want to start a career in seafood manufacturing and food production.
What the programme is
The YES4Youth Work Experience Programme is run by I&J, a division of AVI Limited. It offers a 12‑month, paid work‑experience placement in Cape Town’s seafood processing sector. Although it is not a formal learnership, the placement provides structured, hands‑on training that many employers look for before offering a permanent job.
Who can apply
- Age 18 – 34 years
- Unemployed (no current job)
- Completed at least Grade 10 (Standard 8)
- Not studying full‑time
- Not enrolled in another government‑funded training programme
- Never taken part in a YES4Youth placement before
- Willing to undergo background checks and a medical examination
The closing date for applications is 30 April 2026. You must be able to work in one of the I&J sites in Cape Town.
What you will gain
- 12 months of real workplace exposure in a food‑production environment
- Training in workplace discipline, safety, hygiene and teamwork
- Shift‑based production experience
- Regular feedback from supervisors
- A stronger CV that can help you secure permanent entry‑level jobs later
- Possibility of a stipend, as is common with YES programmes (exact amount set by the employer)
How to apply
- Save the WhatsApp number 060 011 9717 on your phone.
- Open WhatsApp and send the message “HI”.
- Follow the automated instructions that are sent back to you.
- When prompted, upload the required documents (see list below).
- Alternatively, you can submit an online application here: Apply for the AVI Limited YES4Youth Work Experience Programme 2026.
Documents you must submit
- Updated Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Certified copy of your ID (not older than 3 months)
- Certified copy of your highest qualification (not older than 3 months)
- SARS tax clearance document or confirmation letter
- Bank account confirmation letter, stamped by the bank (not older than 3 months)
Missing any of these will disqualify your application.
Recruitment and screening
Shortlisted candidates will go through:
- Identity verification
- Criminal background check
- Qualification verification
- Medical fitness assessment
These checks are normal for jobs in the manufacturing and food‑safety sector.
Possible work locations in Cape Town
- Woodstock facility
- Cape Town Waterfront fishing operations
- Paarden Eiland processing division
Each site gives you exposure to a different part of the seafood production chain.
Tips to improve your chances
- Get all documents certified at a SAPS police station before you start the application.
- Make sure your CV includes current contact details and highlights any previous informal work or volunteering.
- Obtain a recent SARS confirmation letter and a stamped bank letter – they must be dated within the last three months.
- Save the WhatsApp number exactly as shown (060 011 9717) to avoid mis‑directed messages.
- During the screening, show that you understand the importance of punctuality, personal hygiene and teamwork – these are key in food production.
- If you run into technical problems, call the Learning & Development team (see contact list below) only after you have tried the WhatsApp steps.
Support contacts (for technical help only)
Woodstock Office – 021 440 7800 (Magdalene Idas / Franklin Cieverts)
Cape Town Waterfront Office – 021 402 9700 (Shannon Allman)
Paarden Eiland Office – 021 440 7800 (Sheila Mayana)
Next steps
If you meet the criteria, gather the documents, and follow the WhatsApp or online steps before the deadline, you will be in the running for a valuable 12‑month work experience. Remember, this programme does not guarantee a permanent job, but it does give you the skills and exposure that many employers require.
Disclaimer
Edupstairs provides verified information to help unemployed youth find legitimate opportunities. We do not charge any fee for applying. Always use the official employer contact details shown above. Edupstairs is a registered non‑profit (NPO No: 232‑182, PBO No: 930066984) and does not solicit money or CVs for jobs. Use the Edupstairs scam detector tool to check any suspicious offers.
