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:

One

Real growth in competence of learners.

Two Icon

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

Nationally recognised certification for successful learners.

Learnerships

Our range of learnerships aligns horizontally to the value chain – inbound logistics, manufacturing, outbound logistics and sales.
Vertically the ladder provides learning opportunities to entry level employees up to Factory Managers.

Since 2006, working people employed at various levels – have completed one or more of these learnerships. Many of these people have been promoted into more challenging positions in the value chain and they continue to broaden their knowledge and learn new skills.

We find it very rewarding to be involved in this way in the development and advancement of deserving employees.

White gap

Inbound Logistics

Manufacturing

Outbound Logistics

Sales


NQF 6
National
Diploma

Supply Chain
Management (Manufacturing)


NQF 5
National
Certificate

Manufacturing
Management




NQF 4
Further
Education &
Training
Certificate


Supervisory Management

Contact
Centre

Supervisory Management
Manufacturing

Production
Technology


Supervisory Management

Contact
Centre


Supervisory Management

Customer
Management





NQF 3
National
Certificate

Stores &
Warehousing

Personal
Leadership

Food & Beverage Packaging

Confectionary Manufacturing

Food
Processing

Production
Technology

Stores &
Warehousing

Grey Gap


NQF 2
National
Certificate

Grey gap

Grey gap

Plant
Baking

Production
Technology

Grey gap

Grey Gap


NQF 1
National
Certificate

Food and Beverage
Handling Processes

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.

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

Public Learnerships

We run some of these learnerships on a public basis as well as in-house.

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).

Companies are able to nominate one or more learners to attend these public programmes. These programmes have a blended learning methodology, with online training and face to face facilitation in 2022.

NQF LevelsCAPE TOWNJOHANNESBURGDURBAN
NQF 5
MANUFACTURING MANAGEMENT
9 January 20239 January 20239 January 2023
NQF 4
SUPERVISORY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME
21 November 2022
13 March 2023
21 November 2022
13 March 2023
21 November 2022
13 March 2023
NQF 4
INVENTORY CONTROL
21 November 2022
13 March 2023
21 November 2022
13 March 2023
21 November 2022
13 March 2023
NQF 3
STORES & WAREHOUSING
14 November 2022
8 March 2023
14 November 2022
8 March 2023
14 November 2022
8 March 2023
NQF 3
PERSONAL LEADERSHIP
14 November 2022
8 March 2023
14 November 2022
8 March 2023
14 November 2022
8 March 2023
COLOUR ACCOUNTING9 February 2023
10 February 2023
9 February 2023
10 February 2023
9 February 2023
10 February 2023

Skills Programmes

We have registered over 50 credit bearing skills programmes with various SETAs. In response to customer specific needs we are able to cluster relevant unit standards and deliver training interventions.

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.

Interested?