NBI Youth Employment Service 2026: 20 Positions Available in Durban for Unemployed Youth
The National Bioproducts Institute (NBI) invites suitably qualified applicants to apply for 20 Youth Employment Service (Y.E.S) programme positions in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal. The opportunity is aimed at unemployed South African citizens aged between 18 and 34 who have Grade 12 and meet the required subject marks. Successful candidates will join a 12-month fixed-term programme that offers practical experience in pharmaceutical manufacturing. The closing date for applications is 27 October 2026.
Are you a young South African who wants to gain experience in the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry? The NBI Youth Employment Service programme could be an opportunity to consider if you meet the academic requirements and have not participated in a previous Y.E.S programme.
The programme will give selected candidates practical exposure to manufacturing processes inside a pharmaceutical production facility. Participants will learn about production equipment, quality checks, workplace safety and the records used to monitor manufacturing activities.
However, applicants should understand that this opportunity involves working in a regulated manufacturing environment. Candidates must be prepared to follow strict safety procedures and work rotating shifts, which may include nights, weekends and public holidays.
Read on for the requirements, duties, required documents and application instructions.
NBI Youth Employment Service Programme 2026: Key Details
Here are the main details of the advertised opportunity:
- Organisation: National Bioproducts Institute (NBI)
- Programme: Youth Employment Service (Y.E.S)
- Number of Positions: 20
- Reference Number: NBI261014-1
- Duration: 12 months
- Contract Type: Fixed-term contract
- Location: Durban, KwaZulu-Natal
- Minimum Qualification: Grade 12/Matric
- Age Requirement: 18 to 34 years
- Citizenship: South African citizens
- Employment Status: Must be unemployed
- Previous Y.E.S Participation: Not permitted
- Estimated Stipend: R4,500 to R7,500 per month, as estimated in the supplied information and not confirmed by the employer
- Working Hours: Approximately 40 to 45 hours per week, according to the supplied advertisement
- Closing Date: 27 October 2026
- Application Method: Online
Applicants should use reference number NBI261014-1 when locating the vacancy on the official recruitment portal.
What Is the NBI Youth Employment Service Programme?
The National Bioproducts Institute is involved in the manufacture of pharmaceutical products, including therapeutic proteins derived from human plasma and diagnostic products.
Its manufacturing operations require careful handling of materials, controlled working conditions and strict quality checks. The Y.E.S programme offers successful applicants an opportunity to gain practical workplace experience in this type of environment.
During the 12-month programme, participants may work in production units such as Pooling, Fractionation or Refining. These areas form part of the processes used to manufacture and prepare pharmaceutical products.
Participants will learn how production equipment is prepared and cleaned, how samples are collected for quality checks and how manufacturing activities are recorded.
This experience may be useful for young people interested in biotechnology, pharmaceutical manufacturing, laboratory work, quality control or industrial operations.
It is important to note that this is a fixed-term opportunity. The supplied advertisement does not guarantee permanent employment after the 12-month period.
What Will Participants Learn?
The programme focuses on practical manufacturing activities and following workplace procedures. Successful candidates will be expected to learn from experienced employees and follow the instructions provided for their assigned tasks.
1. Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Operations
Participants will gain exposure to the equipment and processes used in pharmaceutical production.
Their duties may include preparing equipment, operating machinery according to approved procedures and cleaning equipment after use.
Employees in this environment must follow Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). These are written instructions that explain how specific tasks should be completed safely and correctly.
Following these procedures helps maintain consistency during production.
2. Quality Assurance and Quality Control
Quality checks are important in pharmaceutical manufacturing because products must meet strict standards before they can be released.
Participants may assist with collecting samples for quality testing and maintaining clean working areas.
They will also gain exposure to the procedures used to prevent contamination in controlled manufacturing environments.
Quality assurance focuses on the systems and processes used to maintain standards, while quality control involves checking products or samples to see whether they meet the required specifications.
3. Manufacturing Records and Documentation
Accurate recordkeeping is another important part of pharmaceutical production.
Participants may help complete batch manufacturing records, logbooks and other required documents.
These records help the company track what happened during production, which equipment was used and whether the required procedures were followed.
Candidates must pay attention to detail because incorrect or incomplete records can create problems during quality checks and audits.
4. Equipment Monitoring and Maintenance
The programme may also provide exposure to monitoring manufacturing equipment and identifying operational problems.
Participants may assist with basic operational checks and report problems to the appropriate employees.
Any maintenance work must be performed according to the instructions, training and responsibilities assigned to the participant.
Candidates should be willing to learn, follow safety procedures and report equipment problems rather than attempting tasks they are not authorised to perform.
Minimum Requirements for NBI YES Programme 2026
Applicants must meet the eligibility conditions listed in the supplied advertisement.
The requirements include the following:
- Citizenship: Must be a South African citizen.
- Age: Must be between 18 and 34 years old.
- Employment Status: Must currently be unemployed.
- Education: Must have Grade 12/Matric.
- English: At least a D symbol or Level 4 equivalent.
- Mathematics: At least a D symbol or Level 4 equivalent.
- Physical Science: At least a D symbol or Level 4 equivalent.
- Biology/Life Sciences: At least a D symbol or Level 4 equivalent.
- Full-Time Studies: Must not be enrolled in full-time studies.
- Previous Work Experience: Must have no more than two years of formal work experience.
- Previous Y.E.S Participation: Must not have participated in a previous Youth Employment Service initiative.
The academic requirements are especially important. Applicants should check their Matric results to ensure that they meet the required marks in all four subjects.
Candidates who have already participated in a Y.E.S programme are not eligible according to the supplied vacancy information.
Qualifications That May Give You an Advantage
The advertisement also identifies certain qualifications and experience that may be beneficial.
These include:
- Pharmacist Assistant Training, either Basic or Post-Basic.
- Tertiary qualifications in Life Sciences.
- Tertiary qualifications in Engineering.
- Previous laboratory experience.
These are listed as added advantages rather than the main minimum requirements. Applicants should still meet the stated age, citizenship, employment and academic conditions.
Required Documents for the Application
Before starting the online application, prepare the documents requested in the vacancy information.
The supplied advertisement lists the following:
- Certified South African ID: A certified copy of your South African ID card or green barcoded ID.
- Matric Certificate: A copy showing your results for English, Mathematics, Physical Science and Biology/Life Sciences.
- Tertiary Qualifications or Academic Records: Include these if you have relevant qualifications or completed additional studies.
- Updated CV: Provide your educational background, skills and any previous short-term or formal work experience.
- Proof of Residence: The supplied information identifies this document for verification during pre-employment medical checks.
Check the certification requirements carefully. The supplied information indicates that copies should be certified within the stated three-to-six-month period. Confirm the exact requirement in the official vacancy notice before submitting your documents.
Make sure that your scans or photographs are clear and that all information can be read. Missing or unclear documents could affect the processing of an application.
Working Hours and Shift Requirements
NBI operates a manufacturing facility that runs around the clock. For this reason, the supplied advertisement states that participants should be prepared to work rotating shifts.
The listed schedule is approximately 40 to 45 hours per week, with shifts of either eight or 12 hours.
Depending on the roster, participants may be required to work:
- Day shifts.
- Night shifts.
- Weekend shifts.
- Public holidays when scheduled.
Applicants should consider these working arrangements before applying. A rotating-shift position may require flexibility because working days and times can change according to the production schedule.
The exact roster and working arrangements should be confirmed through the official recruitment process.
What Is the Monthly Stipend?
The supplied information estimates the monthly stipend at R4,500 to R7,500.
However, this range is an estimate based on the information provided, not a confirmed amount published in the vacancy details reproduced here. Applicants should verify the actual stipend with NBI through its official recruitment channel.
A stipend is a payment made to a participant during a programme. It should not automatically be treated as a confirmed permanent salary or as a guarantee of employment after the programme ends.
Candidates should also check the contract conditions, including the payment arrangements and any applicable deductions, before accepting an offer.
How to Apply for NBI Youth Employment Service Positions
Interested applicants can submit their applications online through the official NBI recruitment portal.
Follow these steps:
- Open the official NBI vacancy link below.
- Find the NBI Youth Employment Service x 20 listing.
- Confirm that the reference number is NBI261014-1.
- Create an applicant profile or sign in to your existing account.
- Complete the application form with your correct personal and academic details.
- Enter your work history accurately.
- Upload your updated CV and the supporting documents requested.
- Review the information before submitting your application.
Apply online here:
Apply for NBI Youth Employment Service x 20 Positions 2026
Use the official recruitment portal to confirm the full requirements and application instructions. Do not wait until the closing date to start preparing your documents.
Closing Date for Applications
The closing date for the NBI Youth Employment Service programme is 27 October 2026.
