Pick n Pay invites applications for the 2026 UIF Skills Programmes, offering unemployed South African youth an opportunity to gain valuable workplace experience through structured learning and practical in-store training. These six-month programmes are designed to prepare participants for careers in the retail industry by combining online learning with hands-on experience in Pick n Pay stores.
Successful applicants will receive a monthly stipend while completing practical training under experienced retail professionals. The programmes are available in different career streams, including bakery, retail operations, butchery, health and beauty, and frontline customer service.
This opportunity is ideal for young people who have completed Grade 12, are currently unemployed, and are looking to develop practical skills that can improve future employment prospects.
Available Pick n Pay UIF Skills Programmes
Applications are currently open for the following programmes:
- FreshRize Bakery Skills Programme (Gauteng)
- UIF Skills Programme – All-Rounder (Gauteng)
- UIF Skills Programme – Pick n Pay Hypermarkets (South Africa)
- UIF Skills Programme – Western Cape
Each programme follows the same six-month learning structure but focuses on different retail career paths.
Programme Duration
Successful applicants will participate in a structured development programme lasting:
- 6 Months
The programme combines classroom-style online learning with practical workplace experience to help learners develop both technical and workplace skills.
Monthly Stipend
Participants will receive:
- R2,000 per month
The stipend is intended to support learners during the six-month programme while they complete both online and workplace learning.
Learning Model
The UIF Skills Programme uses a blended learning approach consisting of:
- Online learning modules
- Practical in-store training
- Coaching from experienced store mentors
- Workplace assessments
- Skills development activities
For some programmes, participants complete:
- Two days of online learning each week
- Three days of practical training inside a Pick n Pay store
This combination allows learners to apply newly acquired knowledge in a real retail environment.
FreshRize Bakery Skills Programme
The FreshRize Bakery Skills Programme is aimed at individuals who have a passion for baking and food preparation.
Participants receive practical bakery training while working alongside experienced bakery teams in Pick n Pay stores. The programme introduces learners to bakery production processes, customer service, food preparation, and workplace standards required in a modern retail bakery.
The practical experience gained during the programme helps learners understand how commercial bakery departments operate while building confidence in food production and customer interaction.
Bakery Skills Learners Will Develop
Participants can expect to gain knowledge in areas such as:
- Bakery production
- Food preparation
- Bakery hygiene practices
- Product presentation
- Customer service
- Teamwork
- Time management
- Workplace communication
- Health and safety
- Retail professionalism
The programme provides exposure to the day-to-day responsibilities performed inside a busy retail bakery.
UIF Skills Programme – All-Rounder
The All-Rounder programme is designed for applicants interested in general retail operations.
Rather than focusing on one department, learners gain experience across different sections of a Pick n Pay store. This provides broader exposure to retail operations while developing customer service and merchandising skills.
Participants may assist with stock replenishment, merchandising, customer service, point-of-sale processes, and maintaining store standards.
This programme suits applicants who enjoy working with customers and would like to build a career within the retail sector.
What Learners Will Gain
Participants across the UIF Skills Programmes will receive numerous workplace development opportunities, including:
- Six months of practical retail experience
- Workplace-ready retail skills
- Practical exposure to one of South Africa’s leading retail companies
- Coaching from experienced retail professionals
- Customer service training
- Teamwork experience
- Professional workplace exposure
- Career readiness skills
- Improved employability
- Practical knowledge of retail operations
The experience gained may assist learners when applying for future employment opportunities in retail and customer service.
Career Streams Available
Applicants can choose from several career pathways depending on the advertised programme.
1. FreshRize
FreshRize focuses on bakery production and food preparation.
Learners gain practical bakery experience while developing food handling, customer service and workplace skills required in bakery departments.
2. MasterCut
MasterCut is designed for applicants interested in butchery.
Participants receive specialist butchery exposure while learning practical meat preparation skills and gaining workplace experience within the retail food industry.
3. All-Rounders
This stream provides experience across multiple retail departments.
Learners build skills in:
- Customer service
- Merchandising
- Store operations
- Product replenishment
- Retail teamwork
4. Health & Beauty Heroes
The Health & Beauty Heroes programme focuses on retail sales and customer engagement within health and beauty departments.
Participants develop knowledge of products while learning how to assist customers professionally.
Minimum Requirements
Applicants should meet the following minimum requirements before applying:
- Grade 12 (Matric)
- South African citizen
- Aged between 18 and 40 years
- Currently unemployed
- Passion for retail, food or customer service
- Good communication skills
- Good interpersonal skills
- Willingness to learn
- Positive attitude
- Ability to work as part of a team
- Reliable and committed
- Able to work retail trading hours
- Willing to work weekends and public holidays when required
- Commitment to completing the full six-month programme
Meeting the minimum requirements does not automatically guarantee selection.
Skills and Competencies
Successful applicants should demonstrate several important workplace qualities.
These include:
- Customer focus
- Communication
- Accountability
- Professionalism
- Teamwork
- Adaptability
- Learning agility
- Positive attitude
- Attention to detail
- Time management
- Problem-solving ability
These competencies help learners perform effectively during practical workplace training.
Practical Skills Learners Will Develop
Throughout the programme, learners receive practical exposure in several important areas, including:
- Customer service excellence
- Retail operations
- Product merchandising
- Shelf replenishment
- Inventory basics
- Stock handling
- Point of Sale (POS) procedures
- Workplace professionalism
- Health and safety
- Team collaboration
- Communication
- Problem-solving
- Time management
These practical skills are valuable across many retail and customer-facing industries.
Key Responsibilities
Selected learners will be expected to:
- Attend all online learning sessions
- Complete required learning modules
- Participate in workplace assessments
- Attend practical in-store training
- Deliver excellent customer service
- Support merchandising activities
- Assist with stock replenishment
- Follow company policies
- Follow health and safety procedures
- Maintain professional behaviour
- Work effectively with store teams
- Demonstrate commitment throughout the programme
Regular attendance and active participation are important throughout the six-month learning period.
Required Documents
Applicants should prepare the following documents before submitting an application:
- Updated Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Certified copy of South African ID
- Certified copy of Grade 12 (Matric) certificate
- Copies of any additional qualifications (where applicable)
Submitting clear and complete documents may help avoid delays during the application process.
Available Locations
Current opportunities are available in:
- Gauteng
- Western Cape
- Pick n Pay Hypermarkets across South Africa
Applicants should apply for the programme that matches their preferred location and career stream.
Who Should Apply?
These opportunities are suitable for:
- Recent Grade 12 graduates
- Unemployed youth seeking workplace experience
- Individuals interested in retail careers
- Applicants passionate about customer service
- Individuals interested in bakery production
- Future retail supervisors
- Future butchery professionals
- Individuals interested in health and beauty retail
- Job seekers looking to improve employability
No previous retail experience is mentioned as a requirement, making these programmes accessible to first-time job seekers.
Why This Programme Is Worth Considering
Many employers value candidates who already understand workplace expectations and customer service standards. Completing a structured retail skills programme provides practical experience that can strengthen a CV while helping learners build confidence in a professional environment.
Participants also gain exposure to experienced retail professionals, structured mentoring, and real workplace situations that may not be available through classroom learning alone. The combination of online learning and practical experience allows learners to develop technical knowledge alongside essential workplace behaviours such as communication, teamwork, accountability, and professionalism.
For individuals interested in building a long-term career in retail, food production, customer service, merchandising, or store operations, the Pick n Pay UIF Skills Programmes provide an opportunity to develop practical skills while receiving a monthly stipend during the learning period.
Application Closing Dates
Different programmes have different closing dates:
- FreshRize Bakery Skills Programme (Gauteng): 9 August 2026
- UIF Skills Programme – All-Rounder (Gauteng): 7 August 2026
- UIF Skills Programme – Western Cape: 8 August 2026
- UIF Skills Programme – Pick n Pay Hypermarkets: Apply before applications close
Early applications are encouraged, as recruitment may close once sufficient applications have been received.
How to Apply
Interested applicants should submit an online application through the official Pick n Pay careers portal before the relevant closing date. Ensure that all required supporting documents are uploaded and that the application is completed accurately before submission. Only shortlisted candidates are expected to be contacted during the recruitment process.
- UIF Skills Programme- Pick n Pay Hypermarkets – South Africa
- UIF SKILLS PROGRAMMES –Pick n Pay Western Cape – Western Cape
- FreshRize Bakery Skills Programme Learner – Gauteng
- UIF Learnership (All-rounder) – Gauteng