NGES: Finalist for the 2026 CSI Legacy Awards – Best Rising NGO

National Graduate Employment Solutions (NGES) has rapidly become one of South Africa’s most dynamic youth-focused organisations. Its selection as a finalist in the Best Rising NGO category at the 2026 CSI Legacy Awards highlights a remarkable journey of innovation, impact, and commitment to addressing graduate unemployment.

Founded to tackle South Africa’s growing graduate unemployment crisis — which reached 23.9% in Q2 2025 — NGES provides unemployed graduates with direct access to employment pathways and work experience opportunities. The organisation partners with corporates, SMEs, recruitment agencies, NGOs, and training institutions to bridge the gap between graduates and meaningful employment, ensuring access to opportunities for youth from all nine provinces, including those from rural or underserved backgrounds.

At the heart of NGES is its Digital Graduate Recruitment Platform, an innovative ecosystem built on Microsoft Power Platform. The platform integrates three core solutions:

• Automated Job Application System – Streamlining applications, this system has processed over 20,000 applications and secured employment for more than 30 graduates in just 18 months, earning recognition from the 2024 BCX Digital Innovation Award and the Momentum NPO Business Challenge.
• Self-Service Recruitment Portal – Allows recruiters to shortlist candidates directly, simplifying recruitment pipelines and expanding access to talent.
• Graduate Volunteer Programme – Connects over 1,000 graduates with startups, giving them essential work experience while supporting emerging businesses with skilled talent. Within its first eight weeks, five graduates were placed in two startups, providing invaluable experience and positioning them for future opportunities.

Beyond technology, NGES delivers social impact through mentorship, training, and operational support for startups, enabling graduates to gain practical skills while contributing to business growth. Recent accreditation from the Department of Labour strengthens NGES’s national reach and long-term sustainability.

By combining digital innovation with hands-on support, NGES has created a scalable, inclusive model that empowers graduates, strengthens the private sector, and builds South Africa’s future workforce. Its recognition at the CSI Legacy Awards affirms the organisation’s role as a trailblazer in graduate employment, digital solutions, and youth empowerment.