NBI Youth Employment Service (YES) Programme x20 – National Bioproducts Institute
Job Details
- Company: National Bioproducts Institute (NBI)
- Position: Youth Employment Service (YES) Programme – 20 Positions
- Reference Number: NBI261014-1
- Department: API Manufacturing
- Industry: Pharmaceutical Manufacturing
- Location: Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
- Employment Type: Fixed-term contract – 12 months
- Workplace Type: On-site
- Minimum Education: Grade 12 / Matric
- Closing Date: 27 October 2026
- Salary/Stipend: Not specified in the advert
Job Overview
The National Bioproducts Institute (NBI) is inviting applications from eligible young South Africans for 20 opportunities under its Youth Employment Service (YES) Programme in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal. This 12-month programme is designed to provide unemployed youth with practical workplace experience in a professional biopharmaceutical manufacturing environment.
NBI is a pharmaceutical manufacturer focused on supplying quality therapeutic proteins and diagnostic products that help alleviate pain and suffering and improve patients’ quality of life. Through this initiative, successful candidates will gain exposure to manufacturing processes that contribute to healthcare and pharmaceutical production.
The selected candidates will assist with the production of plasma-derived bulk intermediates and final formulated bulk liquids. Depending on the functional area, participants may work in Pooling, Fractionation, or Refining Processing. These activities must be performed according to approved procedures and Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards.
This opportunity is particularly suitable for young people who have completed Matric, meet the programme’s eligibility requirements, and are interested in gaining experience in pharmaceutical manufacturing, laboratory operations, engineering, or life sciences. Applicants with relevant tertiary qualifications or laboratory and manufacturing exposure may have an advantage, although these are not compulsory requirements.
The programme offers structured workplace exposure over 12 months. Participants must be willing to learn, follow instructions carefully, maintain accurate records, and work responsibly in an environment where safety, quality, cleanliness, and compliance are essential.
Please note: This is an on-site opportunity in Durban, and applicants must be prepared to complete the full programme and work shifts when required.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
Successful candidates will assist with daily production activities under supervision. Their responsibilities may include:
- Production Support: Prepare and clean equipment and assist with manufacturing activities according to approved Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
- Sampling: Collect samples for Quality Assurance and Quality Control (QA/QC) testing when required.
- Documentation: Complete batch records, logbooks, and other production documents accurately and according to established procedures.
- Equipment Monitoring: Monitor equipment performance and assist with calibration and first-line maintenance.
- Good Manufacturing Practice: Follow GMP requirements and comply with all approved production procedures and protocols.
- Workplace Cleanliness: Keep the work area clean, organised, and ready for inspections or audits.
- Training: Attend required training sessions and apply the procedures and standards learned.
- Health and Safety: Work safely under supervision and wear the appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
- Compliance: Follow occupational health and safety requirements, site rules, and all relevant SHE instructions.
Minimum Requirements
Applicants must meet the following essential criteria:
- Be a South African citizen aged 18–34 years.
- Be currently unemployed and not studying full-time.
- Have completed Grade 12 / Matric.
- Have achieved at least a D mark in English, Mathematics, Science, and Biology, as specified in the advert.
- Have no more than two years of work experience.
- Must not have participated in a YES Programme previously.
- Be committed to completing the full 12-month programme.
Advantageous Qualifications and Experience
The following may strengthen an application but are not listed as compulsory:
- Pharmacist Assistant Training (PAT) Basic or PAT Post Basic qualifications.
- Tertiary qualifications in Engineering or Life Sciences.
- Previous exposure to a laboratory or manufacturing environment.
Working Hours and Conditions
Candidates must be prepared to work according to the operational requirements of the assigned functional area. Working hours may be 40 or 45 hours per week, depending on the area.
Shifts may include 12-hour shifts between 06:00 and 18:00 or 18:00 and 06:00, or rostered eight-hour shifts between 06:00 and 18:00. Evening work, overtime, weekends, and public holidays may be required.
Pre-employment, routine, and exit medical examinations are compulsory due to the nature of the business. NBI works with hazardous and biologically active chemicals, so successful applicants must comply with safety rules and use appropriate PPE.
How to Apply
Interested and eligible candidates should apply through the official NBI recruitment platform using reference number NBI261014-1.
Closing date: 27 October 2026.
Ensure that you meet the citizenship, age, academic, unemployment, and previous YES Programme requirements before submitting your application.
Skhumbuzo Shandu is the founder of Careers With Shandu, a platform dedicated to helping South Africans access job opportunities, learnerships, and career development resources.
He focuses on sharing clear, practical, and up-to-date information to help matriculants, graduates, and job seekers navigate applications and build their careers.
Through his work, he aims to make opportunities easier to understand and accessible to everyone, especially young people entering the workforce.
