Jun 11, 2018
This youth month Africa’s largest retailer is set to reach its target of empowering more than12 000 youths (aged 18-29 years) to enter the retail sector or start their own business.
Arguably the largest skills development initiative ever undertaken by a South African retailer, the Shoprite Group’s Retail Readiness programme launched in February 2016. Following the successful completion of an 8-week training programme, participants receive an NQF-level 3 qualification. Since the programme’s inception, a total of 8 688 young people have been employed in Shoprite or Checkers stores.
The current training block will end on 22 June. The next one is expected to kick off in July 2018 and applications are still open.
- Moga Pillay, the Group’s spokesperson on skills development
- Moga Pillay
Those who are not absorbed into the Group’s workforce have the necessary basic skills to start their own business or to be employed elsewhere in the retail sector.
Participants of the programme are provided with the basic business principles to understand the financial, legal and business requirements of setting up and running a small to medium enterprise in conjunction with a large retailer.
Three weeks of theory is followed by five weeks of in-store training in various departments like the deli, bakery, as well as fruit and vegetables. Participants are paid a weekly stipend during their time in the store.
Shoprite’s implementation partner is OMNI HR Consulting, which not only presents the classes (in the first three weeks), but also ensures that a workplace coach is on-hand during in-store training.
Sarine Masibi (23) completed the programme in July last year. Since her appointment at Shoprite Rustenburg, she rapidly rose through the ranks and is currently building her skills as a trainee manager.
- Sarine Masibi, trainee manager at Shoprite Rustenburg
She urges all unemployed youths to enrol in the programme.
- Sarine Masibi
HOW TO APPLY:
To apply for this opportunity, dial *120*446# and follow the prompts (network rates apply) or visit www.shoprite.jobs.
At present, this training opportunity is only available in Gauteng and the Western Cape.