The Department of Employment and Labour provides free work-seeker registration through Employment Services of South Africa (ESSA). Individuals can create a profile, capture their qualifications and skills and search for opportunities registered by employers.
People seeking employment and learning opportunities can use the service to keep their work-seeker information available and up to date.
Quick Key Details
| Detail | Information |
| Department | Department of Employment and Labour |
| Service | Employment Services of South Africa |
| Coverage | South Africa |
| Registration fee | Free |
| Purpose | Work-seeker registration, opportunity searches and employment matching |
| Closing date | Individual opportunities have their own deadlines |
Who Should Register?
School leavers, graduates, experienced workers and other individuals seeking employment or learning opportunities.
There is no single qualification requirement for every opportunity. Applicants must check each vacancy or programme’s requirements.
Services Available
Work seekers can capture their education, training, skills and employment history. The Department uses this information to support matching and referrals to employers. Registered users can search for opportunities and access employment support services.
Types of Opportunities
Work seekers can look for:
- General worker and entry-level positions.
- Graduate internships.
- Learnerships.
- Skills programmes and learning opportunities.
- Technical and professional positions.
- Administrative vacancies.
Information to Prepare
Keep these details available:
- Identity details.
- An accessible email address.
- Cellphone number and residential address.
- Qualifications and training.
- Relevant skills.
- Employment history, where applicable.
Useful Career27 Links
How to Register
- Visit the official Department of Employment and Labour Online Services portal.
- Select “Register as a work-seeker” under Public Employment Services.
- Follow the registration and verification instructions.
- Sign in and complete your profile.
- Capture your qualifications, skills and experience.
- Search for opportunities and follow the application instructions for each listing.
Follow the instructions displayed on the current system when completing email verification and creating your password.
Keep Your Profile Updated
Update your details when your contact information changes, you complete a qualification or you gain skills and experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is registration free?
Yes.
2. Is ESSA only for graduates?
No. It serves work seekers with different education and experience levels.
3. Must I have work experience?
Requirements depend on the opportunity. Capture your actual experience accurately.
4. Can I search for opportunities after registering?
Yes.
5. Is there one closing date?
No. Each opportunity has its own deadline.
6. Can I update my qualifications later?
Yes. Keep your profile current.
Sources and References
Disclaimer
Career27 shares information. Registration and applications are handled through the Department’s official services.
