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

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

A new era for skills development and qualifications in South Africa

After more than a decade of preparation, the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO) is ready to take over its mandated functions from the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA).

Commencing on 30 June 2023, significant changes will take place that will affect the registration and validity of historical qualifications, which has particular significance for companies applying for discretionary grants for learnerships and skills programmes and preparing their workplace skills plan for 2024.

The QCTO Framework and what changes

The QCTO Framework brings a transformation in the education and training landscape, with each Sector and Training Authority (SETA) reporting to the QCTO under licence until 2030.

While continuing their essential functions such as Workplace Skills Plan (WPS), Annual Training Report (ATR), grant allocation, funding, learnerships, and phasing out historical qualifications, SETAs will also embrace additional responsibilities within the QCTO framework, serving as Development Quality Partners (DQP) and Assessment Quality Partners (AQP) for the development and assessment of newly registered occupational qualifications.

How will the QCTO reshape our Qualifications

The QCTO transition entails a fundamental shift from generic training to a strong emphasis on specificity within its qualifications.

The primary goal is to align qualifications with learners’ occupational profiles, thereby elevating the overall quality of training and subsequent certification.

This renewed occupational focus aims to empower learners with specialised skills that will directly benefit their careers.

Immediate implications for HR

One of the most significant changes affects historical qualifications, referred to as unit standards based or pre-2009 qualifications, which are set to expire. The registration of all historical qualifications ended on 30 June 2023, with a one-year phase-out period for learners to enrol up to and including 30 June 2024.

A teach-out period lasting until 30 June 2027 will be in effect to support learners that enrolled before 30 June 2024. However, after 30 June 2027, statements of results and certificates will no longer be issued for historical qualifications.

Your call to action

The much-anticipated transition is finally becoming a reality, marking a new era for skills development and qualifications in South Africa and it is crucial for stakeholders to be prepared for these changes.

We would like to share further insights on how you will be impacted, and the strategies Optimum has put in place to ensure a seamless transition.

If you would like to know more, please click on the ENQUIRE button below. You will be prompted to provide us with your contact details. Thereafter, we will be in touch, to share our action plan and guide you through the next steps.

ENQUIRE

Interested?