Dunlop Tyres South Africa, through Sumitomo Rubber South Africa, is inviting unemployed South African youth to apply for its Youth Employment Service (YES) Programme 2026.
The opportunities are available at two locations in KwaZulu-Natal: Durban Head Office and the Ladysmith manufacturing operation.
The programme covers a range of career fields, including Engineering, Manufacturing, Finance, Human Resources, Supply Chain Management, Administration, Information Technology and Operations.
Applicants must have a relevant Certificate, Diploma, Degree or equivalent qualification in the discipline they wish to pursue. They must also be South African citizens, currently unemployed and must never have participated in a previous YES Programme.
Importantly, the two recruitment opportunities have different age requirements, application email addresses and closing dates.
- Ladysmith: Applications close on 6 November 2026.
- Durban Head Office: Applications close on 9 November 2026.
If you meet the requirements, prepare your detailed CV and apply for the location and discipline that match your qualifications.
Dunlop Tyres YES Programme 2026: Quick Overview
| Programme Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Company | Dunlop Tyres South Africa |
| Operating Company | Sumitomo Rubber South Africa |
| Programme | Youth Employment Service (YES) Programme |
| Locations | Durban and Ladysmith |
| Province | KwaZulu-Natal |
| Target Group | Unemployed South African youth |
| Qualification | Relevant Certificate, Diploma, Degree or equivalent |
| Age – Ladysmith | 18–35 years |
| Age – Durban | 18–34 years |
| Previous YES Participation | Not permitted |
| Stipend | Not specified |
| Duration | Not specified in the 2026 recruitment adverts |
| Application Method | Email detailed CV |
| Ladysmith Closing Date | 6 November 2026 |
| Durban Closing Date | 9 November 2026 |
The two advertisements list 15 discipline areas for Ladysmith and eight for Durban. These are advertised fields, not confirmed numbers of available positions. The actual number of placements has not been disclosed.
About the Dunlop Tyres YES Programme
The Youth Employment Service (YES) Programme provides young South Africans with opportunities to gain workplace exposure and develop skills that can improve their future employability.
Through the Dunlop opportunities, qualifying applicants can gain exposure to different areas of a tyre manufacturing and business operation.
The programme is offered through Sumitomo Rubber South Africa, the company responsible for manufacturing and marketing Dunlop, Falken and Sumitomo tyre brands in the country. Its operations include a Durban Head Office and a manufacturing facility in uMnambithi, formerly known as Ladysmith. (Dunlop Tyres South Africa)
The two recruitment locations offer different opportunities, so applicants should read the relevant section before applying.
1. Dunlop YES Youth Programme 2026 – Ladysmith
<badge color=”warning”>Closing date: 6 November 2026</badge>
Location: Ladysmith, KwaZulu-Natal
The Ladysmith intake covers technical, engineering, manufacturing, business and administrative disciplines.
Applicants with relevant qualifications can apply for one of the following 15 advertised fields.
Available Disciplines in Ladysmith
- Operations Planning
- Industrial Engineering
- Procurement / Supply Chain
- Human Resources
- Training and Development
- Safety Management
- Finance
- Mechanical Engineering
- Electronics Engineering
- Quality Assurance
- Process Engineering
- Product Development Engineering
- Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES)
- Network and Infrastructure
- Operations Production
Applicants should select a discipline that matches their qualification and career interests.
For example, someone with a Mechanical Engineering qualification should apply for a relevant engineering opportunity rather than selecting a field unrelated to their studies.
Minimum Requirements – Ladysmith
To qualify for the Ladysmith YES Programme, applicants must:
- Be a South African citizen.
- Be between 18 and 35 years old.
- Be currently unemployed.
- Have a relevant Certificate, Diploma, Degree or equivalent qualification.
- Have a qualification related to the discipline being applied for.
- Never have participated in a previous YES Programme.
The recruitment advertisement does not specify a preference for applicants with or without previous general work experience at the Ladysmith location.
How to Apply for the Ladysmith YES Programme
Applicants must email their detailed CV to:
Application Email: Careers@srigroup.co.za
Use an email subject line that clearly identifies the programme, discipline and your full name.
Suggested email subject:
YES Youth Programme – Mechanical Engineering – Your Full Name
Replace Mechanical Engineering with the discipline you are applying for.
Ladysmith closing date: 6 November 2026.
Make sure you use the Ladysmith email address rather than the Durban recruitment address.
2. Dunlop YES Learner Programme 2026 – Durban Head Office
<badge color=”warning”>Closing date: 9 November 2026</badge>
Location: Durban, KwaZulu-Natal
The Durban Head Office intake focuses on corporate, business, administrative and automotive-related disciplines.
Applicants with relevant qualifications in these areas can apply.
Available Disciplines in Durban
The following eight disciplines are advertised:
- Finance
- Administration
- Supply Chain
- Retail
- Legal
- Corporate Planning
- Automotive
- Human Resources
Applicants should identify the discipline that best matches their qualifications.
Minimum Requirements – Durban
Applicants must:
- Be South African citizens.
- Be between 18 and 34 years old.
- Be currently unemployed.
- Have a relevant Certificate, Diploma, Degree or equivalent qualification.
- Preferably have no previous work experience.
- Never have participated in a previous YES Programme.
The preference for applicants without previous work experience is specific to the Durban opportunity. It does not automatically mean that candidates with some work experience are disqualified.
However, previous participation in a YES Programme is not permitted.
How to Apply for the Durban YES Programme
Applicants must email their detailed CV to:
Application Email: careers@dunlop.co.za
The email subject line should include the programme name, relevant discipline and your full name.
Suggested email subject:
Y.E.S Learner Program – Finance – Your Full Name
Replace Finance with the discipline you are applying for.
Durban closing date: 9 November 2026.
Use the Durban email address for this application, not the Ladysmith recruitment address.
Important Differences Between Durban and Ladysmith
Applicants should carefully compare the two opportunities before submitting their applications.
| Requirement | Ladysmith | Durban Head Office |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Ladysmith | Durban |
| Age | 18–35 years | 18–34 years |
| Citizenship | South African | South African |
| Employment Status | Unemployed | Unemployed |
| Qualification | Relevant Certificate, Diploma, Degree or equivalent | Relevant Certificate, Diploma, Degree or equivalent |
| Previous YES Participation | Not allowed | Not allowed |
| Previous Work Experience | No preference specified | No previous experience preferred |
| Disciplines | 15 advertised fields | 8 advertised fields |
| Application Email | Careers@srigroup.co.za | careers@dunlop.co.za |
| Closing Date | 6 November 2026 | 9 November 2026 |
The most important differences are the age limits, application email addresses and deadlines.
Do not send your CV to the wrong recruitment address.
Skills and Qualities Applicants Should Demonstrate
The YES opportunities are intended for young people who are willing to learn and develop professionally.
The recruitment information highlights qualities such as:
- Good communication skills.
- Strong interpersonal skills.
- Ability to work independently.
- Ability to work as part of a team.
- Problem-solving skills.
- Analytical thinking.
- Adaptability.
- Attention to detail.
- Reliability.
- Accountability.
- Self-motivation.
- A positive attitude.
- Willingness to learn.
Applicants should use their CVs to demonstrate relevant skills through their qualifications, academic projects, volunteering, previous activities or any practical experience.
What Can Participants Gain From the Dunlop YES Programme?
The programme can provide valuable workplace exposure to young people who want to develop their professional skills.
Depending on the department and placement, participants may gain experience in:
Practical Workplace Experience
Participants can gain exposure to a professional business or manufacturing environment.
Technical and Business Skills
Learners may develop practical knowledge related to their selected discipline, such as engineering, finance, administration, supply chain or operations.
Communication and Teamwork
Working with colleagues can help participants improve their communication and collaboration skills.
Problem-Solving
Workplace activities can provide opportunities to develop analytical thinking and practical problem-solving abilities.
Professional Development
Participants can develop workplace habits such as punctuality, accountability, reliability and attention to quality.
Improved Employability
The experience gained may strengthen future job applications by giving participants practical workplace exposure relevant to their qualifications.
Participation does not guarantee permanent employment after the programme.
Is There a Stipend?
The supplied November 2026 recruitment advertisements do not specify a monthly stipend amount.
Applicants should therefore not rely on estimated figures published elsewhere.
Candidates should confirm the remuneration arrangements directly with the relevant recruitment team if they are shortlisted or contacted.
How Long Is the Dunlop YES Programme?
The two November 2026 advertisements do not specify the exact programme duration.
Although YES opportunities commonly provide structured workplace experience, applicants should not assume a particular contract period unless Dunlop or Sumitomo Rubber South Africa confirms it.
Duration: Not specified in the supplied 2026 advertisements.
Does the Programme Guarantee Permanent Employment?
No permanent employment guarantee is stated in the recruitment advertisements.
Applicants should view the opportunity as a chance to gain workplace exposure and develop skills. Any permanent employment opportunity would depend on the employer’s future recruitment needs and selection process.
How to Prepare Your CV
A detailed CV is required for both locations.
Before emailing your application, make sure your CV includes:
- Full name and surname.
- Correct cellphone number.
- Professional email address.
- Residential location.
- Educational qualifications.
- Institution attended.
- Relevant subjects or specialisations.
- Technical and computer skills.
- Academic projects.
- Relevant work experience, if any.
- Volunteer or community activities, where applicable.
Your CV should clearly show why your qualification matches the discipline you have selected.
For example, an applicant applying for Industrial Engineering should highlight relevant engineering subjects, projects and technical skills.
Application Checklist
Before sending your application, confirm that:
- You are a South African citizen.
- You are currently unemployed.
- You have never participated in a YES Programme.
- You meet the age requirement for your chosen location.
- You have a relevant Certificate, Diploma, Degree or equivalent qualification.
- You have selected a discipline related to your qualification.
- Your CV is detailed and updated.
- Your email subject line identifies the correct discipline.
- You are using the correct recruitment email address.
- You have submitted before the relevant closing date.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Dunlop Tyres offering YES opportunities in 2026?
Yes. The recruitment advertisements list opportunities at Durban Head Office and the Ladysmith operation in KwaZulu-Natal.
How many disciplines are available?
There are 15 advertised discipline areas in Ladysmith and eight in Durban. These are discipline listings, not confirmed placement numbers.
Can I apply with Matric only?
The advertisements require a relevant Certificate, Diploma, Degree or equivalent qualification in the selected discipline. Matric alone is not expressly stated as sufficient.
What is the age limit for Ladysmith?
Applicants must be between 18 and 35 years old.
What is the age limit for Durban?
Applicants must be between 18 and 34 years old.
Can I apply if I have worked before?
For Durban, applicants without previous work experience are preferred. Previous general work experience is not listed as an automatic disqualification.
Can I apply if I have participated in YES before?
No. Applicants must never have participated in a previous YES Programme.
How much is the monthly stipend?
The November 2026 recruitment advertisements do not disclose a stipend amount.
How long is the programme?
The exact duration is not specified in the supplied 2026 advertisements.
Where do I send my CV for Ladysmith?
Email your detailed CV to Careers@srigroup.co.za.
Where do I send my CV for Durban?
Email your detailed CV to careers@dunlop.co.za.
When do applications close?
The Ladysmith opportunity closes on 6 November 2026, while the Durban Head Office opportunity closes on 9 November 2026.
Conclusion
The Dunlop Tyres YES Programme 2026 offers unemployed South African youth an opportunity to gain workplace exposure in a major tyre manufacturing and business environment.
The Ladysmith intake covers 15 advertised disciplines, including Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Finance, Human Resources, Quality Assurance, Network and Infrastructure, and Operations Production.
The Durban Head Office opportunity covers eight areas, including Finance, Administration, Supply Chain, Retail, Legal, Corporate Planning, Automotive and Human Resources.
Applicants must be South African citizens, currently unemployed, hold a relevant qualification and have never participated in a previous YES Programme.
Remember that the two locations have different age requirements and application deadlines. Ladysmith applications close on 6 November 2026, while Durban applications close on 9 November 2026.
If you meet the requirements, prepare a detailed CV, select the correct discipline and email your application to the appropriate recruitment address before the deadline.
Disclaimer: This article is an opportunity guide based on the supplied November 2026 recruitment information and supporting research. The exact stipend, programme duration and number of placements have not been confirmed in the supplied advertisements. Applicants should verify application details with the employer before submitting personal documents. Edupstairs is not involved in the recruitment or selection process.
