Chemical Plant Operator Learnership

📘 Overview:

Air Products South Africa (Pty) Ltd is offering a valuable Learnership opportunity for young South Africans who are interested in pursuing a career in chemical plant operations. This opportunity is based at the company’s On-Sites department in Newcastle, KwaZulu-Natal, and is aimed at equipping learners with the theoretical knowledge and practical skills required to work in a highly regulated industrial environment. The structured program aligns with the NQF Level 4 Chemical Plant Operator curriculum and provides hands-on exposure in a real-world plant setting.

This learnership is tailor-made for young individuals between the ages of 22 and 30 years who reside within a 50km radius of Newcastle, and who are currently unemployed and have never participated in a previous learnership. It offers a rare chance to learn the intricacies of chemical plant operations while being mentored by experienced industry professionals. Successful applicants will gain a competitive advantage in the job market by completing a nationally recognized qualification while building workplace confidence, professional discipline, and relevant industry experience.

Air Products South Africa has a long-standing reputation for technical excellence and operational safety. The selected learners will benefit from a safe, structured, and progressive learning environment where compliance with safety protocols and quality standards is a top priority. From computer literacy to team collaboration and technical troubleshooting, this learnership is ideal for those who are eager to begin their journey in the engineering and manufacturing sectors.

If you're a determined and goal-oriented individual who meets the requirements and is passionate about building a future in chemical operations, this program provides a strong starting point toward meaningful employment and long-term career growth.

📋 Professional Summary:

A motivated and detail-oriented aspiring Chemical Plant Operator currently enrolled in a structured NQF Level 4 Learnership Program designed to provide comprehensive training in plant operations, safety compliance, and teamwork within a high-performing industrial environment. With a strong foundation in Mathematics and Physical Sciences obtained through Grade 12 education, I have developed analytical and problem-solving skills that support effective process monitoring and plant troubleshooting. My exposure to Air Products South Africa’s operational systems and safety protocols has provided me with hands-on knowledge of real-time production practices, quality control, and maintenance procedures.

I demonstrate strong communication abilities, adaptability to shift-based work schedules, and the capacity to work both independently and within diverse teams. Proficient in MS Office and basic plant instrumentation software, I bring a balance of technical aptitude and interpersonal competence to collaborative environments. I am highly focused on occupational health and safety, and eager to contribute meaningfully to the operational excellence of the organizations I work with. I aim to grow into a full-time chemical plant operator role, where I can apply my learnings to contribute to plant efficiency, safety, and productivity in a professional capacity.

📄 Ultimate Guide to Creating an ATS-Friendly CV for Learnerships and Entry-Level Jobs

In today’s competitive job market, especially for opportunities such as learnerships and entry-level positions like the Chemical Plant Operator NQF Level 4 Learnership, your CV needs to pass two key stages: Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) and the human recruiter’s eye. Here’s how to craft a professional, ATS-compliant CV that gets noticed.

1️⃣ CV Structure: Keep It Clean and Logical

A clear structure is vital. Most companies, including large corporations like Air Products South Africa, use ATS software to scan and rank CVs before a human ever sees them. That means formatting matters.

Recommended structure:

• Full Name and Contact Info

• Professional Summary

• Core Skills & Competencies

• Education and Certifications

• Work Experience (if applicable)

• Achievements or Projects

• References (or “Available on request”)

✅ Pro Tip: Avoid using tables, columns, text boxes, or images. These often confuse ATS systems.

2️⃣ Profile Photo: Should You Include One?

For South African CVs, a photo is optional, not required. However, if you choose to include one:

• Use a professional headshot

• Ensure a neutral background

• Avoid filters or selfies

If you're applying for roles that focus strictly on technical or operational competencies, like chemical plant operations, it’s best to leave the photo out to avoid bias and ensure full ATS compatibility.

3️⃣ Typography and File Format: Less Is More

Keep your CV visually appealing without sacrificing ATS readability.

• Use fonts like Calibri, Arial, Helvetica, or Times New Roman

• Font size should be between 10pt and 12pt

• Use bold for headings, but avoid underlining or italics

• Save your CV as a .docx or PDF (text-based, not scanned)

⚠️ Avoid fancy fonts, icons, or graphic elements.

4️⃣ Professional Summary: Make It Powerful

Start your CV with a concise Professional Summary (2 paragraphs, 150–200 words) that aligns with the job you’re applying for.

For example:

“A focused and safety-conscious aspiring Chemical Plant Operator with strong foundational knowledge in mathematics and physical sciences. Currently pursuing a learnership to gain industry experience and accredited certification in plant operations.”

“Demonstrates the ability to work in teams, follow safety protocols, and learn new technologies rapidly. Committed to becoming a reliable and efficient team member within high-pressure operational environments.”

Tailor this section with keywords from the job description such as “plant operation,” “safety,” “NQF Level 4,” and “teamwork.”

5️⃣ Use Job-Specific Keywords

ATS software works by scanning for keywords that match the job post. Use relevant keywords naturally in your:

• Professional Summary

• Skills section

• Experience

• Education

For this learnership, use words like:

• “Chemical Plant”

• “NQF Level 4”

• “safety compliance”

• “technical training”

• “maintenance”

• “operational environment”

🔍 Tip: Revisit the job post and mirror their phrasing—without copying word for word.

6️⃣ Highlight Education Over Experience (If Applicable)

If you’re applying for a learnership and have no work experience:

• Move Education above Experience

• List relevant subjects like Maths, Physical Science

• Mention achievements like “Top 10 Science student” or “Maths Olympiad finalist”

If you do have work experience, include:

• Job title

• Company

• Dates of employment (month/year)

• Responsibilities and achievements (use bullet points)

7️⃣ Keep It to 1–2 Pages

Your CV should ideally be 1 page if you have less than 3 years of experience, and 2 pages at most. Recruiters spend an average of 6–10 seconds on each CV initially—make yours count with clarity and relevance.

8️⃣ Bonus: Add a Skills or Core Competency Section

Right after your professional summary, add a section like this:

Core Skills & Competencies:

• Hazard awareness

• Equipment safety

• Plant operations support

• Microsoft Office literacy

• Time management

• Teamwork and collaboration

• Verbal and written communication

This section is highly ATS-friendly and helps highlight your strengths quickly.

9️⃣ Avoid These Common Mistakes

❌ Using a template with graphics or multi-column layouts
❌ Sending a scanned copy instead of a typed document
❌ Spelling and grammar errors
❌ Including unnecessary personal info (ID number, marital status, religion)
❌ Applying with a general CV instead of a tailored one

🔟 Final Checklist Before You Submit

✅ Does your CV include job-relevant keywords?
✅ Is the format clean, consistent, and ATS-readable?
✅ Are spelling and grammar correct?
✅ Is it saved in .docx or text-based PDF format?
✅ Does your professional summary clearly state your goal and value?

✅ Minimum Requirements:

• Grade 12 (Matric) with Math and Physical Science

• Must be between ages 22–30

• Must reside within 50km of Newcastle Plant

• Must be currently unemployed

• Must not have participated in any learnership previously

• South African citizenship required

✅ Key Competencies and Skills:

• Computer literacy (MS Office proficiency)

• Strong verbal and written communication

• Team collaboration and interpersonal skills

• Commitment to safety protocols

• Time management and adaptability

• Willingness to learn and follow structured programs

🧾 Responsibilities:

• Participate in theoretical and practical training sessions

• Adhere to plant safety and quality guidelines

• Work under supervision in live operational environments

• Assist with plant monitoring, reporting, and equipment checks

• Communicate effectively with supervisors and team members

• Contribute to project-based learning outcomes

❗ Important Notes:

• Preference will be given to candidates who live in or around Newcastle

• This is a fixed-term learnership contract

• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted

• Supporting documents and Matric certificate must be submitted

📨 How to Apply:

Submit your updated CV, certified copy of your Matric certificate, and relevant supporting documents to the Human Resources department at Air Products South Africa. Ensure all applications are submitted before the closing date.