Retail Learnership Opportunity – Randburg

📝 Overview:

The Building Company, a respected and established brand in South Africa’s retail and building-supply industry, is offering a structured 12-month Retail Learnership Programme based in Randburg. Designed for young South Africans aged 18–35, this initiative welcomes individuals with limited or no work experience who hold a Matric certificate and have not previously participated in a W&R SETA learnership.

This development opportunity brings together practical on-site training and theoretical knowledge, guiding learners through essential retail operational tasks such as customer service, stock management, basic administration, and merchandising. The programme builds a foundation in retail best practices while embedding company values—honesty, respect, accountability, resourcefulness, and energy—ensuring every participant cultivates a strong sense of professionalism.

Learners will receive hands-on experience in real retail settings, engaging with customers, participating in stock replenishment activities, assisting with administrative processes, and managing daily workflows alongside experienced staff. Workshops and mentorship sessions will reinforce essential skills including communication, time management, attention to detail, and resilience under pressure. The goal is to prepare participants for future employment, equipping them with tangible competencies and confidence to excel in retail or related sectors.

By the programme’s end, successful learners will have completed a recognised learnership, positioned to pursue further growth, permanent employment opportunities, or additional training pathways. The Building Company is dedicated to empowering the next generation of retail professionals, providing a supportive and values-driven environment in which to learn, develop, and contribute meaningfully to a growing business.

🎓 Minimum Requirements:

• Must be a South African citizen

• Aged between 18 and 35 years old

• Must have completed Grade 12 (Matric)

• Limited or no prior work experience

• Must not have participated in a previous W&R SETA Learnership

🧠 Key Competencies and Skills:

• Computer literacy (MS Office advantageous)

• Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities

• Strong attention to detail

• Time management and organizational skills

• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines

• Positive, team-oriented attitude

✅ Responsibilities:

• Participate fully in the learnership program and attend all training sessions

• Apply theoretical knowledge in a practical retail environment

• Support the store team in daily operations such as merchandising, assisting customers, and performing admin duties

• Uphold the values and culture of The Building Company

• Practice effective self-management and contribute to a positive team dynamic

• Display professionalism and eagerness to learn throughout the program

🧾 Professional CV Summary:

A highly motivated and emerging retail professional with a completed Matric certificate, seeking to leverage a structured 12-month Retail Learnership Programme. Adept in both theoretical and practical aspects of retail operations, including customer interaction, inventory handling, merchandising, and basic administrative support. Demonstrates strong work ethic, attention to detail, and adaptability when performing tasks under guidance, with a solid foundational understanding of company values—honesty, respect, accountability, resourcefulness, and energy.

Possesses excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both verbal and written, with the ability to engage respectfully with customers and colleagues. Computer literate, with basic proficiency in Microsoft Office, and able to apply these skills in everyday store functions. Thrives in team-based environments, showing reliability, timeliness, and willingness to learn new responsibilities. Experienced in managing priorities, working under pressure, and meeting deadlines—all while maintaining quality standards and contributing positively to the store’s atmosphere.

Drives personal and professional growth through initiative, feedback, and active participation in training. Keen to build a foundation in retail management and customer service excellence. Eager to leverage the learnership opportunity to gain practical experience, develop problem-solving skills, and foster confidence. Committed to continuous improvement, the ultimate career goal is to grow within The Building Company or a related retail firm, building on a platform of structured learning, mentorship, and performance-driven outcomes.

📝 Comprehensive ATS-Friendly CV Tips and Guide (Long-Form)

Creating a CV that not only impresses recruiters but also passes through Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) is essential in today's job market. Many employers, especially large companies and recruitment agencies, use ATS software to scan, rank, and filter CVs before a human ever reads them. Below is a detailed guide to help job seekers optimize every section of their CV for both ATS and readability.

🧱 1. Structure & Layout

Use a clear, logical structure with the following sections:

• Header (Name, contact details)

• Professional Summary

• Key Skills / Competencies

• Work Experience

• Education

• Certifications & Training

• References (optional or available on request)

Formatting Tips:

• Use reverse-chronological order (latest job or education first)

• Avoid tables, text boxes, columns, and graphics—ATS may not read them correctly.

• Use section headings clearly labeled with standard terms (e.g., "Work Experience", not "My Journey").

• Save your CV as a Word document (.docx) or PDF (text-based)—some ATS can't parse image-based PDFs.

🖼️ 2. Images & Graphics

• Do not include photos, logos, icons, or charts. ATS software cannot read them and they may confuse the parsing system.

• Stick to text-based elements only—keep your CV clean, minimal, and focused on content.

🔠 3. Typography & Design

• Font Type: Use clean, professional fonts such as Arial, Calibri, Helvetica, Times New Roman, or Verdana.

• Font Size: 10.5–12 pt for body text; 14–16 pt for section headers.

• Use bold for section headers and avoid italics where possible.

• Line spacing: Use single spacing with clear paragraph breaks.

• Margins: Use standard 1" (2.54 cm) margins on all sides.

• Color: Stick to black text on a white background. Avoid color-coded sections.

🧠 4. Content & Keywords

Use clear and concise language. Avoid buzzwords and fluff. Focus on action verbs and quantifiable achievements.

Examples of Action Verbs:

• Achieved, Led, Improved, Delivered, Created, Designed, Resolved, Managed, Analyzed, Implemented, Trained.

Include keywords from the job description.

• ATS software scans for specific terms listed in the job ad. If you're applying for a sales assistant job, for example, include keywords like:

  • “Customer service”

  • “Point of Sale (POS)”

  • “Merchandising”

  • “Sales targets”

  • “Upselling”

  • “Inventory control”

Don't keyword-stuff. Use keywords naturally within job duties and your professional summary.

✍️ 5. Professional Summary (Not an Objective)

Instead of writing a vague objective, use a Professional Summary—a brief 3–5 line paragraph summarizing who you are, your most relevant experience, key skills, and what value you bring.

Bad example:

“I’m looking for a job where I can grow and use my skills.”

Good example:

“Customer-focused sales associate with 2+ years of experience in retail environments. Skilled in upselling, POS systems, and delivering personalized customer service. Known for exceeding sales targets and building customer loyalty. Seeking to contribute to a fast-paced team and grow within a reputable retail organization.”

 

📋 6. Work Experience

Each role should follow a consistent format:

Job Title
Company Name – City, Province
Month YYYY – Month YYYY

• Bullet points describing responsibilities and achievements

• Start each point with an action verb

• Include quantifiable results (e.g., “Increased monthly sales by 18%”)

Don’t:

• Use long paragraphs

• Include irrelevant or outdated work history (limit to last 10 years)

🎓 7. Education

Include:

• Qualification name

• Institution name

• Year of completion (if recent)

• Only include high school if you haven’t studied beyond that

Example:

National Senior Certificate – Daveyton High School | Completed: 2021

 

🧰 8. Skills & Competencies

List your most relevant hard and soft skills, preferably in a bulleted list or a comma-separated line. Only include those relevant to the job you're applying for.

Examples:

• Sales & Upselling

• Inventory Management

• Customer Relationship Building

• Time Management

• Microsoft Office (Word, Excel)

• POS Systems

🏆 9. Certifications & Training

Only include relevant short courses, learnerships, or certificates. Include:

• Title of Certificate

• Institution/Trainer

• Completion date

Example:

Retail Sales Learnership | Shoprite Group | Completed: March 2024

 

🕵️‍♂️ 10. Optional: References

You can either include references or write:
“References available upon request.”

🛑 Common CV Mistakes to Avoid

• ❌ Spelling and grammar errors

• ❌ Using creative layouts or designs for ATS submission

• ❌ Including personal info like marital status, religion, or ID number

• ❌ Unprofessional email addresses (e.g., [email protected])

• ❌ Making it longer than 2 pages (unless you have 10+ years’ experience)

📌 Important Notes:

• This is a temporary 12-month position, not a permanent role.

• Learnership does not guarantee full-time employment but serves as a critical stepping stone toward it.

• Applicants must ensure all information submitted is accurate and up to date.

• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.