FAQS
What happens if a company is unable to maintain or improve its B-BBEE level?
If at the time of B-BBEE verification, where all other elements have been assessed before awarding of YES B-BBEE recognition, it is identified that the YES measured entity has not maintained or improved their previous B-BBEE status level, they may approach the dtic B-BBEE policy unit with justifiable evidence for participation.
| GG / PN | STATEMENT 000 / PRACTICE NOTE |
|---|---|
| GG 2.4 | YES measured entities must ensure that they maintain or improve their B-BBEE status level and performance against the targets under the overall scorecard obtained in the year before participating in the YES initiative.
Application of this process is done through Para-graph 1.5 of YES Practice Note and correspondence should be sent to B-BBEE_YES@thedti.gov.za |
What are “new positions” and “new jobs?”
The intention behind YES is to create new jobs. Due to the current South African economic climate, practicalities will be considered. While no measurement of this will take place, YES measured entities are expected to create 12-month quality workplace experiences for youth.
| GG / PN | STATEMENT 000 / PRACTICE NOTE |
|---|---|
| GG 6.1 | YES measured entities engaging eligible employees in new positions are subject to South African legislation governing basic conditions of employment and working conditions. |
What does full-time employment mean?
Fulltime employment refers to employment that has no defined end.
| GG / PN | STATEMENT 000 / PRACTICE NOTE |
|---|---|
| GG 6.2 | YES measured entities are required to sign fixed term or temporary employment contracts with all eligible employees filling new positions within their entity. These new positions must have a 12-month fulltime work experience paid for by the Entity |
What salary should a youth be paid?
Employers are required to comply with the Minimum Wage Act, 2018, the relevant labour legislation (including the LRA PN 1.10 and BCEA), as well as any sectoral determination the entity is regulated by. Employers should take consideration of internal salary scales when employing YES Employees. For example, where the NMW is R27,58 for each ordinary hour worked, then a youth working 40 hours per week will be entitled to a salary of R4 782, 00.
Employers should take consideration of internal salary scales when employing Y.E.S Employees
| GG / PN | STATEMENT 000 / PRACTICE NOTE |
|---|---|
| PN 1.7 | Sectors that are governed by specific employment conditions legislation should be taken into account, but ultimately the eligible employee needs to fulfil a 12-month workplace experience. |
Can youth be employed on a part-time contract?
Youth must be employed on a 12-month, fixed term employment contract that complies with the labour legislation, including the LRA and the BCEA. A measured entity may apply the hours of work as per the sectoral determination the entity is regulated by.
| GG / PN | STATEMENT 000 / PRACTICE NOTE |
|---|---|
| PN 1.7 | The work place experience for eligible employees needs to cover a full 12-month period. |
Is a company obliged to use the employment contract template provided by YES?
An entity is not obliged to use the YES employment contract template.
However, the employment contract must be a 12-month, fixed term employment contract that complies with the labour legislation, including the LRA and the BCEA.
| GG / PN | STATEMENT 000 / PRACTICE NOTE |
|---|---|
| PN 1.7 | The work place experience for eligible employees needs to cover a full 12-month period. |
What is meant by a “quality work experience”?
Please refer to the YES quality work experience brochure for more information, or contact us to request it.
| GG / PN | STATEMENT 000 / PRACTICE NOTE |
|---|---|
| GG 6.3 | YES measured entities must commit to ensuring a quality work experience is provided to the eligible employee insofar as the entity is able to provide it. |
| PN 1.10 | The 12-month quality workplace experience will be monitored by the YES non-profit company to ensure a consistent national standard. |
| PN 1.12 | Placements of black youth can be for exempted micro enterprises (EMEs) and qualifying small enterprises (QSEs) including EME and QSE non-profit organisations. However, entities may place eligible employees in entities irrespective of size to ensure a quality work experience is achieved. |
What would qualify as unforeseen circumstances?
Unforeseen circumstances may include resignation, death or misconduct by the Youth etc. Constructive dismissal will not qualify.
| GG / PN | STATEMENT 000 / PRACTICE NOTE |
|---|---|
| PN 1.7 | PN 1.7: The workplace experience for eligible employees needs to cover a full 12-month period. In the event where the eligible employee does not complete a full 12-month period due to unforeseen circumstances, the YES measured entity needs to ensure that at least eight (8) full months have been completed in order to be eligible for B-BBEE recog-nition. Furthermore, if any eligible employees fall out of the YES initiative due to any circumstances, the YES measured entity will have one (1) month to replace them in order to be eligible for B-BBEE recognition. |
Can youth be absorbed prior to the completion of the 12-month employment term?
The workplace experience for eligible employees must cover a 12-month period. An eligible em-ployee may enter into an employment contract (or simply an employment contract longer than a 12-month period) save that:
• The eligible employee must still complete the12-month workplace experience on the YES initiative
• Absorption will only be measured after completion of the 12-month period of employment on the YES initiative. If an eligible employee is on a permanent contract and;
• A measured entity’s YES target is calculated every 12 months and an eligible employee that has been absorbed will not count towards the measured entity’s new YES target
• YES B-BBEE recognition can only be awarded based on Absorption Targets after the 12-month contract is completed and not before the 12 months have lapsed
| GG / PN | STATEMENT 000 / PRACTICE NOTE |
|---|---|
| PN 1.6 | PN 1.6: Due to uptake and difference in measure-ment periods for YES measured entities, the target for Absorption will not be verified for B-BBEE recog-nition during the first year of implementation of the YES initiative. Instead, the target for this will be ver-ified when Absorption takes place in the following measurement period. Absorption is based on the YES entity’s target. Ab-sorption is defined in Schedule 1 of the Amended Codes of Good Practice and the same principles are applicable. |
What do companies do in the case of maternity leave during the 12-month work experience?
In terms of BCEA the Youth is entitled to 4 months unpaid maternity leave. In the 4 months of maternity leave, the company can use their default maternity policy or allow the Youth unpaid maternity leave. The company does not have to extend the contract beyond the 12 months for the 4 month maternity leave not worked by the Youth. However they still need to remain employed until the end of the contract.
| GG / PN | STATEMENT 000 / PRACTICE NOTE |
|---|---|
| PN 1.7 | The workplace experience for eligible employees needs to cover a full 12-month period. In the event where the eligible employee does not complete a full 12-month period due to unforeseen circumstances, the YES measured entity needs to ensure that at least eight (8) full months have been completed in order to be eligible for B-BBEE recognition. Furthermore, if any eligible employees fall out of the YES initiative due to any circumstances, the YES measured entity will have one (1) month to replace them in order to be eligible for B-BBEE recognition. |
If youth are being sponsored and placed at an SMME, which entity is required to absorb the youth in order to qualify for B-BBEE recognition? The sponsoring company, or the hosting SMME?
Absorption is based on principles embedded within the Amended Codes of Good Practice. Absorption can occur within the YES measured entity, or any other entity. The responsibility rests on the YES measured entity to provide information that proves that absorption has taken place according to the prescribed targets set out in the Gazette.
| GG / PN | STATEMENT 000 / PRACTICE NOTE |
|---|---|
| PN 1.8 | Absorption can only take place after the 12-month completion of the work place experience and the target is based on the YES Targets for YES Measured Entities. If absorption is identified at the time of B-BBEE Verification, B-BBEE Recognition will be awarded.
Absorption is defined in Schedule 1 of the Amended Codes of Good Practice and the same principles are applicable. |
What is the consequence for B-BBEE recognition if neither the sponsoring company nor the SMME absorbs the youth?
Absorption is not required for year one of participation. After year one, absorption can take place in any entity. It is not limited to a sponsored host company – youth must simply be offered a permanent or full time contract with no pre-determined time frame.
| GG / PN | STATEMENT 000 / PRACTICE NOTE |
|---|---|
| PN 1.8 | Absorption can only take place after the 12-month completion of the work place experience and the target is based on the YES Targets for YES Measured Entities. If absorption is identified at the time of B-BBEE Verification, B-BBEE Recognition will be awarded.
Absorption is defined in Schedule 1 of the Amended Codes of Good Practice and the same principles are applicable. |
If youth are employed as part of a learnership, internship or apprenticeship, can the same Youth qualify as part of a company’s YES target headcount?
No. The Practice Note is explicit regarding this. Initiatives for YES are separate from learnerships, internships and apprenticeships.
| GG / PN | STATEMENT 000 / PRACTICE NOTE |
|---|---|
| PN 1.9 | The 12-month workplace experience is not a learnership, internship or apprenticeship programme. |
Can youth employed as part of a company’s participation in YES also participate in a learnership, internship or apprenticeship?
No. The Practice Note is explicit regarding this. Initiatives for YES are separate from learnerships, internships and apprenticeships.
| GG / PN | STATEMENT 000 / PRACTICE NOTE |
|---|---|
| PN 1.9 | The 12-month workplace experience is not a learnership, internship or apprenticeship programme. |
If youth are employed as part of a learnership, internship or apprenticeship, can a company convert the youth to count as a YES Youth?
No. The Practice Note is explicit regarding this. Initiatives for YES are separate from learnerships, internships and apprenticeships.
| GG / PN | STATEMENT 000 / PRACTICE NOTE |
|---|---|
| PN 1.9 | The 12-month workplace experience is not a learnership, internship or apprenticeship programme. |
Must youth remain unemployed from the time of registration with YES until time of placement?
Youth need to be unemployed at the time of registration by the youth. This is a selfdeclaration by the youth.
| GG / PN | STATEMENT 000 / PRACTICE NOTE |
|---|---|
| PN 1.14 | B-BBEE recognition will only be applicable for the creation of jobs under the YES initiative for eligible employees who are unemployed at the time of registering with the YES initiative. |
What happens if a youth finds employment one day after registering with YES, but still wants the option to be place in a YES job?
At the time of registration, the youth needs to be unemployed.
| GG / PN | STATEMENT 000 / PRACTICE NOTE |
|---|---|
| PN 1.14 | PN 1.14: B-BBEE recognition will only be applicable for the creation of jobs under the YES initiative for eligible employees who are unemployed at the time of registering with the YES initiative. |
What evidence is required to confirm that youth are unemployed?
This is a self-declaration by the youth.
| GG / PN | STATEMENT 000 / PRACTICE NOTE |
|---|---|
| PN 1.14 | B-BBEE recognition will only be applicable for the creation of jobs under the YES initiative for eligible employees who are unemployed at the time of registering with the YES initiative. |
Is YES a verification agency?
No.
What evidence must a measured entity gather for verification?
The YES Practice Note introduces the types of documentation that will be required at the time of B-BBEE verification (not limited to). Please see the YES verification checklist, or contact us to request it.
| GG / PN | STATEMENT 000 / PRACTICE NOTE |
|---|---|
| PN 5 | Please refer to Paragraph five of the YES Practice Note. |
If, for operational reasons, a company’s headcount decreases in the year of participation in YES, how will this affect its target?
The measured entity’s headcount provided at the time that it registers to participate in the YES initiative, being the headcount as at the last financial year-end, is used to determine target for B-BBEE recognition. A change in the headcount during the period of participation in the YES Initiative will not affect the target for B-BBEE recognition.
Can you participate in the YES programme if you have zero nett value ownership?
Yes. This is possible based on the Average Sub-minimum being met by the measured entity.
| GG / PN | STATEMENT 000 / PRACTICE NOTE |
|---|---|
| PN 3 | Refer to paragraph three of the YES Practice Note for the calculation of sub-minimums. |
If a company is participating for the second year, must the previous year or new year’s headcount be used?
The measured entity must use the headcount as at the last financial year-end.
| GG / PN | STATEMENT 000 / PRACTICE NOTE |
|---|---|
| PN 4 | Please refer to Paragraph four of the YES Practice Note. |
Can a QSE participate if they do not have black ownership?
A QSE has two methods in terms of how Sub-Minimums can be achieved under the Y.E.S Initiative – Normal Method (As per Amended Code Series 000, Statement 000 of Amended Codes of Good Practice) or Average Method (As per the Y.E.S Practice Note).
Where there is no Black Ownership within the QSE, the Average calculation of sub-minimums will be applicable and if the Measured Entity meets the minimum number of points under Skills Development (13,20) or Enterprise & Supplier Development (15,20) in totality, they will be able to participate under the Y.E.S Initiative. Ownership (Net Value) is Mandatory to form a part of the Calculation.
Please note that the above does not replace Paragraph 3.3.2.2 of Amended Code Series 000, Statement 000 of Amended Codes of Good Practice and this is still applicable to QSEs.
Can youth participate in YES multiple times if they have completed one 12 month quality workplace experience?
No. The objective is to provide as many youth as possible with a full 12-month quality workplace experience.
| Practice Note | Paragraph 1.14 |
What happens if a youth participates for less than 8 months and wants to participate in the YES programme at another organisation?
This is possible as each youth should be afford-ed an equal opportunity for a full 12-month quality workplace experience. This means that the first company will not get recognition if the youth spend less than 8 months with them?
| Practice Note | Paragraph 1.14: A new 12-month quality workplace experience contract will be signed. |
If a company was using a sworn affidavit and their status moves from an EME to a QSE or QSE to a Generic what level do they need to maintain or improve upon?
The measured entity needs to maintain its previous B-BBEE Status irrespective on how the measured entity achieved that B-BBEE Status.
If a company is non compliant can they participate?
The measured entity would need to at least achieve a Level 8 before YES B-BBEE recognition is awarded. Non-Compliant is not a valid B-BBEE status.
| GG / PN | STATEMENT 000 / PRACTICE NOTE |
|---|---|
| PN 1.5 | GG 2.4 |
Can youth be 35 at the time of participating?
Yes.
| GG / PN | STATEMENT 000 / PRACTICE NOTE |
|---|---|
| GG 4 | 4.1 Only individuals who meet the below criteria are eligible for participation under the YES Initiative for B-BBEE recognition:
4.1.1 are between the ages of 18 and 35. |
What happens if a company has a negative NPAT?
The target can still be calculated by utilising the industry norm calculation.
| GG / PN | STATEMENT 000 / PRACTICE NOTE |
|---|---|
| PN 4 | Refer to paragraph four of the Practice Note. |
Can a company participate if they have been trading for less than a year?
Yes.
| GG / PN | STATEMENT 000 / PRACTICE NOTE |
|---|---|
| PN 4 | Refer to paragraph four of the Practice Note. |
Amendment to the Gazette