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Step-by-step guide

Free youth job and learnership programmes (SAYouth.mobi): your step-by-step start

If you are 18 to 34 and not working, join SAYouth.mobi, the free and zero-rated platform of the Presidential Youth Employment Intervention, for local jobs, learnerships and paid work experience.

  • 20 lessons
  • 5 modules
  • About 1 hour
  • First lesson free

Is this guide for you?

Good fit if

  • Young people without work, especially with only a phone and little data.

Think twice if

  • You need money within the next two weeks: first income usually takes about 90 days.
  • You cannot free up about 30 hours a week.

Honest expectations

  • First income usually takes about 90 days.
  • Part time, this can become a meaningful second income once you have regular customers.
  • The main risk to plan for: fake job offers that ask for a fee, a "training" payment or your bank PIN.

What is inside

  1. Module 1

    Is this right for you?

    What it involves, who pays, and honest expectations.

    1. What free youth job and learnership programmes (SAYouth.mobi) really involvesFree · 5 min
    2. Honest expectations4 min (in the full guide)
  2. Module 2

    Set up and price

    What you need and what to charge.

    1. Your startup kit, costs and skills5 min (in the full guide)
    2. What it pays and how you get paid5 min (in the full guide)
    3. Your numbers: what lands in your account5 min (in the full guide)
  3. Module 3

    Your first week

    The first steps, in order.

    1. Your first week, step by step6 min (in the full guide)
    2. Week one, step 2: Fill in every part of your profile3 min (in the full guide)
    3. Week one, step 3: Ask a youth centre or library for help with a CV3 min (in the full guide)
    4. Where to find openings and what to send5 min (in the full guide)
    5. Messages to copy: applications and follow-ups5 min (in the full guide)
  4. Module 4

    Your first month

    A routine that brings in customers.

    1. Your first 30 days: build a routine4 min (in the full guide)
    2. Month one, task 1: Reply to every #SAYouth SMS on the same day3 min (in the full guide)
    3. Month one, task 2: Prepare for interviews: transport money, ID copy, matric certificate3 min (in the full guide)
    4. Month one, task 3: Keep one other way of earning going3 min (in the full guide)
  5. Module 5

    Months two and three

    Repeat what works, grow and stay safe.

    1. Days 31 to 90: repeat what works and grow4 min (in the full guide)
    2. Months two and three, task 1: Ask about learnerships in fields you like3 min (in the full guide)
    3. Months two and three, task 2: Get references from anyone you have worked for3 min (in the full guide)
    4. Months two and three, task 3: Update your profile with new skills3 min (in the full guide)
    5. Getting paid and spotting fake jobs4 min (in the full guide)
    6. Risks, rules, tax and staying safe5 min (in the full guide)

What it costs to start

R0 to get started, from our research

What you will use:

  • sayouth.mobi
  • Toll-free 0800 72 72 72
  • Certified copies of your ID and matric

Prices change and differ by area, so check two places near you before you buy.

Try it before you buy

Lesson one is free. If it helps, the whole guide is R149 once-off.

Start the free lesson

Reviewed 24 October 2026 by the Earn Path team. Next review due 24 October 2027.