We deliver learnerships and skills programmes from level 1 to 6 in quality partnerships with the FoodBev SETA, merSETA and Services SETA. Since 2006, we have worked with most food manufacturers in South Africa and have earned the reputation of the ‘go-to’ provider in the sector.
This product range represents our roots. In the beginning, we ran one learnership for DGB, Distell, RFG and Tiger Brands. Today, we offer a range of learnerships from NQF 1 to 6 spanning the source, make, deliver components of the supply chain.
We are well placed to make the transition from SETA quality controlled learnerships to oversight by the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO).
VALUE PROPOSITION
- Our learnership throughput rate is over 80%.
- We conduct readiness assessments to ensure that nominated learners have every chance of success.
- Our Project Managers deal with SETA hurdles.
- Regular reports keep managers appraised of learner progress.
If you work with Optimum you can be confident of three positive outcomes:

Real growth in competence of learners.

Maximisation of B-BBEE points, grants, and tax breaks.

Nationally recognised certification for successful learners.
In-house Learnerships
Our in-house learnerships align to each dimension of our zone — inbound logistics, manufacturing, outbound logistics and sales. To thrive in the FMCG sector, every learner needs a roadmap of growth. This is why we created the below ladder of learning, which aligns to each NQF level of an employee working in the manufacturing and supply chain industries.Through this ladder of learning, we offer a learning journey starting with an entry-level understanding of the learner’s operational role in their industry and organisation. As the learner progresses, each level of the ladder of learning delivers an increment of technical understanding that places them well to eventually manage an operation themselves.
NQF 1 (National Certificate)
NQF 2 (National Certificate)
NQF 3 (National Certificate)
- Inbound Logistics: Stores and Warehousing
- Manufacturing: Personal Leadership
- Manufacturing: Food & Beverage Packaging
- Manufacturing: Confectionary Manufacturing
- Manufacturing: Food Processing
- Manufacturing: Production Technology
- Outbound Logistics: Stores and Warehousing
NQF 4 (Further Education & Training Certificate)
- Supervisory Development
- Inbound Logistics: Inventory Control
- Inbound Logistics: Contact Centre
- Manufacturing: Production Technology
- Outbound Logistics: Inventory Control
- Outbound Logistics: Contact Centre
- Sales: Customer Management
NQF 5 (National Certificate)
NQF 6 (National Diploma)
Public Learnerships
Our public learnerships provide a convenient, generic solution to the FMCG sector. It offers you the opportunity to include a handful of candidates on set learnerships that provide a full learning experience without any extensive consultation. Simply pick a date and place and let us know!
See the table below for when the public learnerships are next starting. They are run from our training centres in Cape Town (Durbanville), Johannesburg (Northcliff) and Durban (Westville).
We don’t run all our learnerships on a public basis but those in the table below we do.
NQF 5 Manufacturing Management
- Cape Town: 9 January 2023
- Johannesburg: 9 January 2023
- Durban: 9 January 2023
NQF 4 Supervisor Development Programme
- Cape Town: 21 November 2022 / 13 March 2023
- Johannesburg: 21 November 2022 / 13 March 2023
- Durban: 21 November 2022 / 13 March 2023
NQF 4 Inventory Control
- Cape Town: 21 November 2022 / 13 March 2023
- Johannesburg: 21 November 2022 / 13 March 2023
- Durban: 21 November 2022 / 13 March 2023
NQF 3 Stores & Warehousing
- Cape Town: 14 November 2022 / 8 March 2023
- Johannesburg: 14 November 2022 / 8 March 2023
- Durban: 14 November 2022 / 8 March 2023
NQF 3 Personal Leadership
- Cape Town: 14 November 2022 / 8 March 2023
- Johannesburg: 14 November 2022 / 8 March 2023
- Durban: 14 November 2022 / 8 March 2023
Colour Accounting
- Cape Town: 9 February 2023 / 10 February 2023
- Johannesburg: 9 February 2023 / 10 February 2023
- Durban: 9 February 2023 / 10 February 2023
QCTO & the Future
In 2010, the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO) was established to oversee the design, implementation, assessment and certification of occupational qualifications. This involves the QCTO taking over the quality assurance role that was previously allocated to the Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs).
Optimum has kept in touch with developments, we engage with the QCTO to understand their emerging requirements and we have worked with the FoodBev SETA in developing occupational qualifications for the sector.
Community of Expert Practitioners (CEP) have through the relevant SETAs, submitted occupational qualifications to the QCTO.
We are keeping an eye on 2 in particular: merSETA Production Operator, level 3 and 4, and FoodBev Packaging Operator, level 3.