TFG @home Willowbridge YES 12‑Month Retail Placement – Eligibility 18‑28
Young South Africans who want a paid, 12‑month retail placement are being invited to join the Youth Employment Service (YES) at @home Willowbridge. The deadline is approaching, so if you are between 18 and 28 and looking for your first real work experience, read on.
What the role is
This is a fixed‑term, on‑site contract with TFG Limited, the company that owns the @home brand. You will work in the Willowbridge store in the Western Cape for a full year (April 2026 – March 2027). The placement is classified as a YES opportunity and is paid on a contractor basis.
Who can apply
- Age: 18 – 28 years
- Education: Matric is preferred, but not mandatory
- Employment rules: You must not have been continuously employed permanently for more than one year with the same employer.
- Study status: You cannot be enrolled full‑time in any course during the contract period.
- YES history: You must not have previously taken part in or been registered on a YES programme.
- Logistics: You are responsible for your own transport and any accommodation you may need.
- Equal opportunity: Preference is given to candidates from designated groups under the Employment Equity Act.
What you will gain
The placement gives you hands‑on experience in a busy home‑ware store. You will learn:
- Retail operations and stock handling
- Customer service and cash‑handling
- Visual merchandising and store layout
- Teamwork and communication in a fast‑paced environment
- Professional habits such as punctuality and reliability
These skills are valuable for future roles in retail, visual merchandising, logistics, or any customer‑facing job.
How to apply – step by step
- Prepare a one‑page CV that lists your name, contact details, location, education and any informal work (e.g., school shop, babysitting, community events).
- Write a short cover letter (max 250 words) that:
- states you meet the age and study eligibility,
- gives two brief examples of reliability or customer service, and
- confirms you can work on‑site for the full 12 months.
- Gather a copy of your ID and the contact details of one reference (teacher, former supervisor, or community leader).
- Visit the official application page and click “Apply”: Apply online.
- Upload your CV, cover letter and any other required documents, then submit.
- After submission, keep your phone handy for a possible short interview or clarification call.
Tips to improve your chances
- Clearly state your eligibility (age, full‑year availability, no full‑time study) at the top of your CV.
- Highlight any customer‑facing experience, even if it was informal, and describe the outcome (e.g., helped a class fundraiser reach its target).
- Show that you have reliable transport or a plan for accommodation near Willowbridge.
- Keep your CV clean: one page if you have limited work history, two pages maximum otherwise. Use bullet points and avoid large blocks of text.
- Practice a 30‑second answer that explains why you want this role and a short story about helping a customer or working in a team.
- Be honest about your experience; a willingness to learn is often more attractive than overstated claims.
Next steps
If you meet the criteria, start preparing your CV and cover letter today. The placement can be a solid stepping stone into retail or any customer‑service career. Remember to double‑check all details on the official application page before you hit “Submit”. Good luck!
