Supreme Poultry invites suitably qualified young South Africans to apply for its YES4Youth Programme 2026 at the Lichtenburg Hatchery in the Agriculture division. This opportunity is aimed at unemployed youth aged 18 to 28 who have completed Matric and want to gain practical work experience in the poultry industry. The programme will run for 12 months, starting on 1 November 2026. The closing date for applications is 12 October 2026.
If you are unemployed, have a Grade 12 certificate and want to learn new skills in agriculture, this programme could be an opportunity to gain valuable workplace experience. However, applicants must be comfortable working directly with chickens and carrying out practical hatchery duties. This is not an office-based position, so it is important to understand what the work involves before applying.
Here are the main details you need to know about this opportunity before submitting your application.
The programme forms part of the Youth Employment Service (YES) initiative, which aims to help young South Africans gain workplace experience and improve their chances of finding employment.
The YES4Youth Programme gives young people an opportunity to gain practical experience in a working environment. For this opportunity, selected candidates will spend 12 months at Supreme Poultry’s Lichtenburg Hatchery, where they will learn about poultry care and the daily activities involved in hatchery operations.
Many young people struggle to find work because employers often want candidates who already have experience. A workplace programme like this can help participants learn how a business operates, work with experienced employees and develop practical skills.
At Supreme Poultry, the training will focus on hatchery operations and the production of day-old chicks. Participants will rotate through different areas of the operation and get exposure to several tasks.
It is important to understand that this is a hands-on placement. Successful candidates should be ready to work in an agricultural environment, handle poultry and follow the company’s hygiene and safety rules.
The programme starts on 1 November 2026, and applicants must be willing to commit to the full 12-month placement.
Before applying, make sure you meet the requirements listed in the job advert. The company is looking for young people who are ready to learn and can commit to the programme.
The minimum requirements are:
No. According to the advert, Matric or Grade 12 is the minimum educational requirement. A tertiary qualification would be an advantage, but it is not compulsory.
This means applicants who have completed Grade 12 but have not attended university, college or another tertiary institution may still meet the education requirement.
However, meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee selection. Applicants should provide accurate information and follow the employer’s application instructions.
No. The advert clearly states that applicants must not have participated in a YES4Youth programme previously.
If you have already taken part in a YES placement, you do not meet this requirement. The programme is intended for eligible young people who have not previously participated in YES4Youth.
Successful candidates will gain practical experience in different parts of hatchery operations. The aim is to help participants understand how poultry is handled and how eggs are managed during the process of producing day-old chicks.
Your experience may include the following activities, as listed in the advert.
Participants will work directly with chickens and learn about daily hatchery activities. You must be comfortable being around poultry every day and handling chickens as part of your duties.
This is an important requirement because the position involves practical work rather than spending most of the day in an office.
You will assist with the care, handling and monitoring of poultry. These tasks will help you understand how chickens are managed in a hatchery environment.
You will also have the opportunity to learn from experienced employees who understand the daily operations of the facility.
The programme will expose participants to different stages of the hatchery process, including egg setting, transfer and hatching.
You will learn about the work involved in managing eggs and producing day-old chicks. This experience can help you understand how hatcheries support the poultry farming industry.
Participants will gain exposure to egg handling and quality-related activities. Learning how eggs are handled in a hatchery can help you understand why proper procedures matter in poultry production.
Cleaning and maintaining hygiene are important parts of hatchery work. Participants will assist with cleaning and general hatchery duties.
You must be prepared to follow the hygiene procedures required by the company throughout your placement.
You will also gain exposure to equipment used in the hatchery environment. This can help you become familiar with the tools and machinery involved in daily poultry operations.
Participants must follow strict biosecurity, health and safety procedures at all times.
Biosecurity refers to the steps taken to prevent diseases and harmful germs from entering or spreading within a poultry facility. These rules help protect the birds and support safe hatchery operations.
The advert also states that employees must shower in and out of the facilities several times a day as part of the company’s biosecurity requirements.
You should be comfortable following these procedures as part of your daily routine.
You will work alongside other employees and learn from people with experience in hatchery operations.
This can help you develop teamwork, communication and workplace skills while gaining practical knowledge of the agricultural industry.
There is an additional requirement that applicants should not overlook.
Shortlisted candidates must pass an entry medical examination and test negative for salmonella to qualify for final selection.
This means being shortlisted does not automatically guarantee that you will be selected. You must also meet the medical and testing requirements stated in the advert.
Applicants should be prepared for this stage of the recruitment process if they progress through the selection stages.
The Supreme Poultry YES4Youth Programme may suit young people who want to gain practical work experience in agriculture and poultry production.
Before applying, consider whether you are comfortable with the following:
If you prefer office-based work or are uncomfortable handling poultry, this opportunity may not be suitable for you. The company has made it clear that successful candidates must be ready for hands-on work in a hatchery.
Young South Africans who meet the minimum requirements should look for the official vacancy and follow the application instructions provided by Supreme Poultry.
Use these details when searching for the opportunity:
You can visit the official Country Bird Holdings website to look for company and recruitment information.
Make sure you identify the correct vacancy and use the application method specified by the employer. The supplied advert does not include a direct application link or email address, so confirm the submission process through an official recruitment source before sending your personal information.
When preparing your application, ensure that your details are correct and that you meet the age, education, citizenship and unemployment requirements.
The closing date for the Supreme Poultry YES4Youth Programme is 12 October 2026. The successful candidates will begin their 12-month placement at the Lichtenburg Hatchery on 1 November 2026.
Applicants must be South African citizens aged 18 to 28, have Matric, be unemployed and have never participated in a YES4Youth programme. A tertiary qualification is an advantage but is not compulsory.
Remember that this opportunity involves working directly with chickens, learning hatchery operations and following strict hygiene and biosecurity procedures. Shortlisted candidates must also pass an entry medical examination and test negative for salmonella to qualify for final selection.
If you meet the requirements and are interested in practical agricultural work, check the official recruitment information and submit your application before the deadline.
Important: Do not wait until the last day to prepare your application. Check the requirements carefully and make sure you are ready to commit to the full 12-month programme.
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