Published: 7 June 2026
Author: Phindile Dlomo
Category: Learnerships, Retail Careers, Sales and Marketing, Entry-Level Opportunities
Coca-Cola Beverages South Africa Announces New Learnership Opportunity for Young Job Seekers
Young South Africans seeking practical workplace experience in the retail, sales, and merchandising sector can now apply for the 2026 Visual Merchandiser Learnership offered by Coca-Cola Beverages South Africa (CCBSA).
The programme is designed to provide structured workplace learning that combines practical experience with formal training. Successful learners will gain valuable exposure to customer service, merchandising, sales support, product visibility, and retail execution while working alongside experienced industry professionals.
Based in George, Eastern Cape, the learnership aims to equip participants with the skills needed to support sales growth, enhance customer relationships, and maintain merchandising standards within retail environments.
Applications close on 11 June 2026.
Learnership Overview
| Programme Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Company | Coca-Cola Beverages South Africa (CCBSA) |
| Programme | Visual Merchandiser Learnership |
| Reference Number | CCB260604-5 |
| Location | George, Eastern Cape |
| Job Type | Learnership |
| Duration | 12 Months |
| Qualification Credits | Minimum 120 Credits |
| Closing Date | 11 June 2026 |
| Reporting To | Account Developer |
What Is the Visual Merchandiser Learnership?
The Visual Merchandiser Learnership is a structured training programme aimed at developing young people who are interested in retail operations, sales support, customer engagement, and merchandising.
Participants will gain practical exposure to:
- Retail merchandising
- Product display management
- Customer support
- Sales execution
- Promotional activities
- Order-taking processes
- Brand visibility strategies
The programme combines theoretical learning with practical workplace experience, enabling learners to build valuable industry skills while improving their future employability.
Key Responsibilities
Successful learners will assist with merchandising and retail execution activities within designated customer outlets.
In-Store Merchandising
Participants will be expected to:
- Execute daily call schedules across assigned retail outlets
- Implement visual merchandising standards
- Maintain product displays according to brand guidelines
- Ensure product visibility and availability
- Conduct stock rotation activities
Product Quality and Store Execution
Learners will assist in:
- Monitoring product quality
- Supporting execution scorecard standards
- Completing required store surveys
- Maintaining merchandising compliance
Customer Support
Responsibilities may include:
- Assisting customers with ordering products through the MyCCBA platform
- Supporting customer engagement initiatives
- Helping improve product accessibility and visibility
Promotional Activities
Participants may also assist with:
- Promotional campaigns
- Brand awareness initiatives
- In-store marketing activities
- Sales support programmes
This exposure provides learners with valuable experience in a commercial retail environment.
Minimum Requirements
Applicants must satisfy all eligibility criteria before applying.
Educational Requirements
Candidates must have:
- Grade 12 (Matric)
- Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy with a minimum pass rate of 40%
- English and a second language with a minimum pass rate of 40%
Citizenship Requirement
Applicants must:
- Be South African citizens
Age Requirement
Candidates must be:
- Between 18 and 35 years old
Employment Status
Applicants must:
- Be unemployed at the time of appointment
- Not be enrolled in another learnership programme
- Not be participating in full-time studies
Additional Requirements
Applicants must:
- Have no criminal record
- Have no adverse credit record
- Consent to criminal, identity, and qualification verification checks
A valid driver’s licence would be advantageous, although it is not listed as a mandatory requirement.
Preferred Qualification
While Matric is the minimum requirement, candidates with a post-matric qualification in:
- Sales and Marketing
- Retail Management
- Business Studies
- Related Commercial Fields
may have an added advantage during the selection process.
Skills Learners May Develop
Throughout the programme, participants may gain valuable workplace skills, including:
Sales and Merchandising Skills
- Retail merchandising
- Product positioning
- Customer engagement
- Brand promotion
Workplace Skills
- Communication skills
- Team collaboration
- Customer service
- Time management
- Professional workplace conduct
Commercial Understanding
- Sales processes
- Retail operations
- Consumer behaviour
- Store performance monitoring
These competencies are highly valuable within the retail and consumer goods industries.
Why This Learnership Matters
South Africa’s retail and fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sectors continue to provide significant employment opportunities for young people.
Programmes such as the Visual Merchandiser Learnership help bridge the gap between education and employment by providing practical workplace experience.
Learners gain exposure to real business environments while developing skills that can support future careers in:
- Sales
- Merchandising
- Retail Management
- Customer Service
- Marketing
- Account Management
Many successful retail professionals begin their careers through learnership and workplace training programmes.
Documents Required
Applicants should prepare the following documents:
Mandatory Documents
- Detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Certified copy of Matric certificate
- Certified copy of qualifications (where applicable)
- Copy of driver’s licence (if available)
Candidates should ensure all documents are clear, accurate, and up to date before submission.
Important Information for Applicants
Candidates should note that:
- The learnership runs for approximately 12 months.
- Learners must obtain a minimum of 120 credits to qualify.
- Successful applicants may be required to work six days per week.
- Management reserves the right to apply additional shortlisting criteria.
- Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee selection.
Early applications are encouraged due to the competitive nature of Coca-Cola learnership opportunities.
Application Deadline
Closing Date: 11 June 2026
Late applications may not be considered.
Applicants should ensure all supporting documentation is submitted before the closing date.
Editorial Analysis
The Coca-Cola Beverages South Africa Visual Merchandiser Learnership offers an excellent entry point into the retail and FMCG industry. The programme combines practical workplace experience with nationally recognised learning outcomes, providing participants with valuable exposure to sales execution, merchandising, and customer engagement.
For young South Africans interested in building careers within retail, marketing, and commercial operations, this learnership presents an opportunity to gain practical experience with one of Africa’s leading beverage companies.
The inclusion of workplace-based learning and customer-facing responsibilities can significantly enhance employability in a highly competitive labour market.
Sources and References
- Official Coca-Cola Beverages South Africa Learnership Advertisement
- Reference Number: CCB260604-5
- South African Skills Development Framework
- Retail and FMCG Industry Skills Development Guidelines
- Learnership Regulations and Training Standards
Editorial Transparency
This article is intended for informational purposes only and is based on information contained in the official learnership advertisement. The publisher is not affiliated with Coca-Cola Beverages South Africa and does not participate in recruitment or selection decisions. Applicants should verify all details through official company recruitment channels before submitting applications.
Information was accurate at the time of publication based on the advertised vacancy.
