Wholesale and Retail Operations Learnership (Pick n Pay)

About the role

Pick n Pay, one of South Africa's longest standing grocery and retail chains, is recruiting for its Wholesale and Retail Operations Learnership, a structured programme aimed at unemployed South African youth who want to start a career in the retail industry. Since 1967, when founder Raymond Ackerman began building the business around putting consumers first, Pick n Pay has grown into a nationally recognised retailer with locations across South Africa and several neighbouring countries, and this learnership gives new entrants a genuine, accredited route into that operation.

Alongside its permanent vacancies, Pick n Pay runs learnerships, internships, and SETA accredited training programmes specifically aimed at equipping unemployed youth with practical, transferable workplace skills, and the Wholesale and Retail Operations Learnership sits at the centre of this effort. Rather than being confined to a single function, the programme exposes learners to a range of roles across stores, warehouses, and corporate support functions, giving participants a broad practical foundation in how a large retail operation actually runs day to day.

Depending on placement, learners gain hands on exposure to core retail functions such as shelf packing and merchandising, till and cashier operations, warehouse and stock handling processes, and general clerical support tasks connected to store or distribution centre operations. Throughout the learnership, structured classroom based training runs alongside genuine workplace experience, working toward a nationally recognised, SETA accredited qualification in wholesale and retail operations rather than an informal internal certificate.

To qualify, applicants generally need a Grade 12 certificate, though certain entry level placements within the broader programme may accept candidates without a completed matric, particularly for more physically based warehouse or general assistant roles. Basic literacy and numeracy are important given the range of tasks involved, from handling cash to tracking stock accurately, and Pick n Pay looks for candidates who are reliable, comfortable with shift work, including weekends, and able to work well as part of a team in a fast paced retail environment.

This learnership is well suited to South African youth who want a genuine, structured, and nationally recognised route into retail, wholesale, or supply chain operations, particularly those who are unsure yet which specific area of retail they want to specialise in, since the broad rotational exposure across store and warehouse functions helps learners figure out where their interests and strengths lie before committing to a longer term path. Because Pick n Pay operates such a large store and distribution network, strong performers on this learnership are often well positioned for further opportunities within the group afterward, even though this is not formally guaranteed as part of the programme itself.

Given the scale of Pick n Pay's national operations, learnership intakes and specific available locations shift throughout the year as different stores, warehouses, and regions open positions. Applicants should visit the official Pick n Pay careers portal, search current listings for "Wholesale and Retail Operations Learnership," and select the location and function most relevant to where they live and are able to work. As with any retail learnership, apply only through Pick n Pay's own official careers platform, and never through unofficial WhatsApp groups, social media messages, or any third party requesting payment as part of the application or placement process.

Requirements

• Grade 12 certificate generally required (some entry level placements may accept candidates without matric)
• Basic literacy and numeracy
• Reliable and able to work retail shifts including weekends
• Comfortable working as part of a team in a fast-paced environment
• South African citizen