Young South Africans looking for a real entry point into the retail industry now have a powerful opportunity to gain accredited workplace experience through the PEPKOR Lifestyle W&R SETA funded Learnership Programme 2026.
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This 12-month learnership programme is designed to help unemployed youth develop practical retail skills while working inside major national retail brands such as HiFi Corporation, Incredible Connection, Bradlows, Sleepmasters, Russells and Rochester. Even better, the programme is available across all 9 provinces, giving applicants nationwide access to structured workplace exposure.
If you are serious about entering the world of retail, customer service, sales operations or store management, this opportunity could become your stepping stone.
Quick Overview
Programme: Pepkor Lifestyle Wholesale & Retail SETA Learnership Programme
Duration: 12 months
Closing Date: 16 May 2026
Location: Johannesburg (programme coordinated) with placements across all provinces
Minimum Requirement: Matric (Senior Certificate)
Sector: Wholesale and Retail
Stipend: Provided (W&R SETA aligned learnership support)
Eligibility: South African youth with or without disability
Retail Brands Included:
- HiFi Corporation
- Incredible Connection
- Bradlows
- Sleepmasters
- Russells
- Rochester
What Is the W&R SETA Learnership Programme?
A W&R SETA learnership is a nationally recognised workplace training programme combining:
- classroom learning
- practical store experience
- retail systems exposure
- customer engagement training
Participants gain both theoretical knowledge and real workplace experience, making them more competitive in the job market.
This Pepkor Lifestyle learnership focuses specifically on retail operations training inside live store environments.
What You Will Learn During the 12-Month Programme
Participants will gain structured training in core retail competencies that employers actively look for.
Key learning areas include:
Customer Service Skills
You will learn how to:
- assist customers professionally
- understand customer needs
- resolve customer concerns
- improve store experience standards
Customer service experience is one of the most valuable employability skills in retail.
Sales Floor Operations
Participants gain exposure to:
- merchandising techniques
- product display standards
- promotional layouts
- store presentation strategies
These are essential skills for roles such as:
- Sales Assistant
- Retail Associate
- Store Consultant
Retail Mathematics Fundamentals
Retail requires strong numerical confidence. Training includes:
- price calculations
- stock tracking basics
- discount interpretation
- transaction accuracy
Point-of-Sale (POS) System Training
Participants will learn:
- processing payments
- recording transactions
- handling customer purchases
- maintaining transaction accuracy
POS experience improves employability significantly across retail chains nationwide.
Understanding the Wholesale and Retail Environment
You will gain insight into:
- store operations structure
- supply chain basics
- customer flow management
- product lifecycle inside retail stores
This prepares learners for future supervisory roles.
Account Opening Procedures
Participants will learn how retail credit accounts operate, including:
- assisting customers with applications
- verifying documentation
- understanding compliance requirements
This experience is valuable inside furniture and electronics retail environments.
Stock Control and Loss Prevention
Retail stores depend heavily on inventory accuracy.
You will learn:
- stock handling procedures
- shrinkage prevention methods
- stockroom management basics
- inventory responsibility protocols
These are essential operational retail skills.
Who Should Apply?
Pepkor Lifestyle is looking for candidates with strong personal motivation and a willingness to learn.
Ideal applicants should demonstrate:
- a positive attitude
- strong customer orientation
- willingness to work with people
- adaptability
- enthusiasm for retail careers
Even if you do not yet have work experience, this programme is designed to help you build your foundation.
Minimum Requirements
To qualify for the Pepkor Lifestyle W&R SETA Learnership Programme 2026, applicants must:
- Be a South African citizen
- Be in possession of a Matric certificate
- Have no criminal record
- Be fluent in English
- Be willing to participate in a 12-month learnership programme
- Be motivated to work in retail environments
Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
Documents Required When Applying
Prepare the following certified documents before submitting your application:
- Updated CV
- Certified copy of ID
- Certified Matric certificate
- Certified tertiary transcripts (if applicable)
- Doctor’s certificate confirming disability (if applicable)
Certified documents must not be older than three months.
Candidates who submit complete documentation receive priority consideration.
Where the Learnership Will Take Place
Although coordination happens in Johannesburg, placements are available in all nine provinces through Pepkor Lifestyle retail stores.
This allows applicants from across South Africa to participate.
How to Apply
To apply successfully:
Step 1: Prepare your documents
Step 2: Ensure certification is recent
Step 3: Submit a professional CV
Step 4: Apply before the deadline
APPLY FOR THE PEPKOR LIFESTYLE W&R SETA FUNDED LEARNERSHIP PROGRAMME 2026 HERE
How Edupstairs Helps You Prepare
At Edupstairs, we don’t just post opportunities—we help you win them.
Recommended Tools:
- SASSA Grant Eligibility Checker
- Edupstairs Job Preparedness Checker
- Youth Employment Eligibility Checker
- SAPS / Metro / Traffic / DCS Eligibility Checker
- Edupstairs Internship / Learnership Eligibility Checker
- NSFAS Funding Eligibility Checker Tool
- SA Bursary Probability Checker
- TVET College Enrolment Eligibility Checker Tool
- Edupstairs Financial Literacy Mini-School
- Grow your Confidence – 30-day Challenge
- Edupstairs Simple CV Builder Tool
- Edupstairs AI Cover Letter Generator Tool
- Edupstairs Learnership Application Checklist Tool
- Edupstairs Internship Application Checklist Tool
- Edupstairs Interview Q & A Coach Tool
- SA Youth Apprenticeship Readiness Quiz
- Edupstairs Learnership Stipend Calculator Tool
- Edupstairs Qualification-to-Career Pathways Tool
- South African Salary Explorer Tool
- Edupstairs Career Personality Tool
- Daily Career Score Tracker
- Learnership and Internship Readiness Quiz
Edupstairs Advice for Applicants
Based on our experience supporting thousands of youth applications across South Africa, candidates who succeed in retail learnerships usually do three things differently:
First, they prepare a strong CV that clearly shows:
- communication ability
- reliability
- willingness to learn
- teamwork exposure
Second, they apply early.
- Third, they apply to multiple retail learnership programmes at the same time.
- Retail employers value attitude more than experience at entry level.
- If you demonstrate motivation and professionalism, your chances increase significantly.
Career Growth Path After Completing the Learnership
After completing the programme, learners typically qualify for entry-level roles such as:
- Retail Sales Assistant
- Store Consultant
- Customer Service Representative
- POS Operator
- Stockroom Assistant
- Merchandise Assistant
With experience, career progression can include:
- Senior Sales Consultant
- Department Supervisor
- Store Administrator
- Assistant Store Manager
- Store Manager
- Regional Retail Specialist
Retail management offers strong long-term career stability.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Is this a paid learnership?
Yes. W&R SETA learnerships typically include a monthly stipend.
- Do I need retail experience to apply?
No. This programme is designed for beginners entering retail careers.
- Can applicants with disabilities apply?
Yes. Pepkor Lifestyle encourages inclusive applications.
- Will I be permanently employed after the learnership?
Permanent placement is not guaranteed but strong performers often receive employment opportunities.
- Is the programme available outside Gauteng?
Yes. Placements are available across all provinces.
CLOSING DATE: 16 MAY 2026
You can also:
- View latest Internships
- View latest Learnerships
- View Latest Bursaries
- View latest Government jobs
- View latest Company Vacancies
- View latest Municipality vacancies
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Disclaimer
- Pepkor Lifestyle reserves the right not to make appointments.
- Correspondence will be entered into when learnership positions become available.
- Submitting documents does not guarantee placement.
- Applicants should ensure all documentation is accurate and certified before submission.
- Edupstairs shares verified opportunity guidance but does not control recruitment decisions.
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