Investing in Our Youth: The 2026 Learnerships

The 2026 learnerships have officially kicked off at Aheers Group, marking another year of our commitment to developing young talent right here in our community. Across Aheers Supermarket, Aheers Bestbuild, and Aheers Powertrade, a new cohort of learners has stepped through our doors, ready to gain real workplace experience and build a foundation for their careers.

Why We Do This

South Africa faces one of the highest youth unemployment rates in the world, and we felt it was our responsibility to be part of the solution. The Aheers Group made a deliberate decision to invest in young people through SETA-accredited learnerships. Every learner who joins us represents an opportunity to turn potential into practical skill, and unemployment into a career.

How the Programme Works

Our learnership runs annually in partnership with the Sector Education and Training Authority (SETA) . It's a one-year programme that combines hands-on workplace experience with structured learning, giving young people a well-rounded introduction to the retail and wholesale industry.

Who can apply? We look for candidates who have completed matric and are currently unemployed. As a business that believes in giving back to where we operate, we prioritise applicants from the local Greytown community.

Earning while learning. Throughout the year, learners receive a stipend, allowing them to gain valuable experience without the added pressure of going unpaid while they train.

Real experience in real departments. Learners are placed within our stores' key departments, including bakery, butchery, warehouse, merchandising, and packing, where they get to grips with the day-to-day demands of retail and wholesale operations. Working alongside experienced staff, they build practical skills specific to their department while gaining a solid understanding of how that part of the business keeps things running for our customers.

Classroom learning. Four times a month, learners attend classroom sessions facilitated by a trainer, where they cover the practical knowledge needed to succeed in a retail and wholesale environment. This blend of theory and practice is what makes the programme so valuable. Learners aren't just working—they're understanding the "why" behind what they do.

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What Learners Walk Away With

At the end of the year, learners graduate with a certificate and SETA points, having completed a Retail and Wholesale Learnership at NQF Level 2. This qualification, combined with a full year of hands-on experience across multiple departments, gives them a genuine head start, whether they go on to build a career with Aheers Group or take their new skills elsewhere.

Looking Ahead

As the 2026 cohort settles into their roles across our stores, we're excited to watch them grow, learn, and contribute to the Aheers Group family. This programme is more than a training initiative—it's our way of saying that we believe in the potential of young people in our community, and we're committed to helping them build a future.

Want to learn more about our learnership programme or future intakes? Keep an eye on our page for updates on when applications open next.