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Pick n Pay has announced an opportunity for unemployed South African citizens through its UIF Skills Programme – Pick n Pay Hypermarkets, offering practical workplace experience and structured skills development in the retail industry.
The programme is designed to help young people and eligible adults gain valuable retail experience while learning from experienced employees. Successful participants will take part in a six-month development programme combining online learning with practical, in-store training.
The opportunity is available across South Africa, with four career streams to choose from: Mastercut, Freshrize, All Rounders, and Health & Beauty Heroes. Each stream focuses on developing specialist skills in a different area of retail operations.
Participants will receive a monthly stipend of R2,000 for six months. The programme is aimed at unemployed South African citizens between the ages of 18 and 40 who have completed Grade 12.
The vacancy was advertised more than 30 days ago under job requisition number JR105826. However, the advertisement does not provide a specific closing date. Applicants should check the official application portal to confirm whether applications are still being accepted.
Qualified candidates are encouraged to submit their applications before the closing date.
What is the UIF Skills Programme opportunity?
The Pick n Pay UIF Skills Programme is a six-month workplace development opportunity that gives unemployed individuals an opportunity to gain practical experience in the retail sector.
The programme focuses on preparing participants for employment by introducing them to everyday retail operations, customer service, merchandising, food preparation and specialist store activities.
Participants will be placed within one of four career streams, depending on their interests and the skills they want to develop. These streams cover different departments within Pick n Pay Hypermarkets.
Through a combination of online learning, practical store experience and guidance from experienced store mentors, participants will develop workplace skills that can help them pursue future employment opportunities.
The overall objective is to equip participants with relevant retail knowledge, practical experience and confidence to enter the working environment.
Why could this opportunity be valuable?
For individuals who have completed Matric but have limited or no employment experience, this programme could provide an important introduction to the workplace.
Participants will have an opportunity to develop several transferable skills, including:
- Customer service and communication.
- Teamwork and professional conduct.
- Retail operations and store administration.
- Merchandising and product presentation.
- Food preparation and production.
- Sales and customer engagement.
- Time management and workplace responsibility.
The experience gained may also be useful when applying for future positions in supermarkets, retail stores, bakeries, butcheries, customer service departments and other businesses within the food and consumer goods industries.
Employers often value candidates who can demonstrate practical workplace exposure, an understanding of customer needs and the ability to work effectively within a team.
Although completing the programme does not guarantee permanent employment, it can strengthen a participant’s CV and improve their readiness for future job opportunities.
Quick Overview
Item Details Opportunity UIF Skills Programme Company Pick n Pay Hypermarkets Location South Africa Closing Date Not specified Salary/Stipend R2,000 per month Employment Type Six-month skills development programme Industry Retail and Food Target Group Unemployed South African citizens aged 18–40 Application Method Online application
What will successful candidates do?
Successful participants will receive practical training in their selected career stream while gaining exposure to the daily operations of a Pick n Pay Hypermarket.
The programme combines online learning with hands-on experience in a retail store. Participants will also receive guidance and coaching from experienced store mentors as they develop their knowledge and workplace abilities.
The specific activities will depend on the career stream selected.
Main responsibilities include:
- Participate in structured online learning and practical workplace training.
- Develop customer service and communication skills.
- Assist with relevant retail operations within the selected department.
- Learn appropriate merchandising and product presentation techniques.
- Gain practical experience in food preparation, bakery production or butchery where applicable.
- Work alongside experienced store employees and mentors.
- Demonstrate teamwork and professional conduct.
- Commit to completing the full six-month development programme.
Available Career Streams
1. MASTERCUT – Butchery
This stream focuses on developing specialist butchery skills, including practical experience in a retail food environment. Participants will gain exposure to meat preparation and the operations of a supermarket butchery.
2. FRESHRIZE – Bakery
This stream is suitable for individuals interested in baking and food production. Participants will develop bakery production skills, food preparation knowledge and customer service experience.
3. ALL ROUNDERS – Retail Operations
Participants will gain exposure to different store departments while learning about customer service, merchandising and general retail operations.
4. HEALTH & BEAUTY HEROES – Health and Beauty
This stream focuses on developing product knowledge, sales skills, customer engagement and merchandising experience within the health and beauty department.
Who should apply?
The Pick n Pay UIF Skills Programme is suitable for unemployed individuals who want to enter the retail industry and gain practical workplace experience.
It may particularly appeal to recent Matric graduates and job seekers who want to develop their skills before pursuing permanent employment.
Candidates interested in food preparation, baking, butchery, customer service, sales and general retail operations may find one of the four available streams suitable for their career interests.
Applicants should be willing to learn, communicate effectively and work with other employees in a busy retail environment.
Previous retail experience is not listed as a requirement in the advertisement.
Requirements
To qualify for the Pick n Pay UIF Skills Programme, applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Must have completed Grade 12 (Matric).
- Must be between 18 and 40 years old.
- Must be a South African citizen.
- Must currently be unemployed.
- Must have a passion for food, retail and customer service.
- Must be willing to work retail trading hours, including weekends and public holidays.
- Must have good communication skills.
- Must have good teamwork skills.
- Must be committed to completing the six-month development programme.
Salary or Stipend
Successful participants will receive a monthly stipend of R2,000 throughout the six-month programme.
This means participants can expect a total stipend of R12,000 over the full programme, provided they complete all six months and receive every monthly payment.
The advertisement does not specify additional employee benefits or allowances.
Important Working Conditions
Applicants should understand the following working conditions before applying:
- Programme duration: Six months.
- Learning arrangement: Blended learning, combining online training and practical in-store experience.
- Working hours: Participants must be available to work retail trading hours.
- Weekend work: Availability to work weekends is required.
- Public holidays: Participants must be willing to work public holidays.
- Training support: Coaching will be provided by experienced store mentors.
Applicants should consider their availability before committing to the programme.
Insider Tip
Insider Tip: If you are applying for this programme, make sure your CV clearly highlights your Matric qualification, communication abilities, teamwork experience and interest in retail. Even if you have never worked in a supermarket, you can include relevant experience from volunteering, school activities, community involvement or informal work. Choose the career stream that best matches your interests, and ensure your certified documents are clear and up to date before submitting your application.
How to Apply
Interested candidates can apply online through the official Pick n Pay careers portal.
Official application details
Job title: UIF Skills Programme – Pick n Pay Hypermarkets
Job reference: JR105826
Location: South Africa
Visit Pick n Pay CareersSearch for job reference JR105826 on the careers portal to locate the vacancy.
Documents to prepare
Applicants must attach the following documents:
- Updated CV.
- Certified copy of South African ID.
- Certified copy of Matric certificate.
- Copies of additional qualifications, if applicable.
Before submitting your application, check that all required documents are attached and that your personal information is accurate.
The advertisement does not provide a specific closing date. Since the vacancy was posted more than 30 days ago, applicants should first check whether the application link is still active.
Final Thoughts
The Pick n Pay UIF Skills Programme presents an opportunity for unemployed South African citizens aged 18–40 who have completed Grade 12 and want to gain practical experience in the retail industry.
With four career streams available, participants can develop skills in butchery, bakery production, general retail operations or health and beauty. The six-month programme also provides structured learning, practical training and a monthly stipend of R2,000.
Interested candidates should prepare their CVs and supporting documents and check the official careers portal for the current application status, as no specific closing date was provided.
Applicants who meet the requirements should submit their application before the closing date.