Are you an ambitious student with an interest in baking? Would you like to take your passion for making bread, pastries, and cakes to the next level and make it your profession? RCL FOODS is one of South Africa’s leading food manufacturers, and is providing an exciting opportunity to aspiring bakers in the Baking Learnership Program for 2026! This program provides learners the opportunity to develop the baking skills and knowledge needed to become successful in the baking industry.
About the Learnership Program
The RCL FOODS Baking Learnership is a year-long program located in Durban, KwaZulu Natal. It is a fully accredited learnership by the South Africa Qualification Authority (SAQA) and registered with the appropriate SETA (sector education and training authority). This means that learners, upon successful completion, will earn a nationally recognized formal qualification, thus providing them a defined pathway to a professional baking career.The program is available for five determined students who are ready to take a step into baking and food manufacturing. Aside from learning in the classroom, the program places a significant emphasis on learning through doing. Students will collaborate with the baking industry’s experts and learn about the baking cycle from beginning to end, which includes preparation, production, quality control, and product displays.
Learning and Development Opportunities
The learnership is paired with a coaching and mentoring program through the RCL FOODS’ Supreme Siyabhaka Academy. This program has three main pillars:
Skill Development: The learners are given some coaching that is intended to help develop and sharpen their skill sets so that they transform into competent and employable baking professionals. This program is the answer to the skills deficit in the baking industry in South Africa by giving the learners relevant and necessary skills and experience for their workplace.
Brand Awareness: The learners will interact with RCL FOODS’ baking brands that are considered as gold standards in quality and consistency. In so doing, they realize the significance of their contribution to the quality of the end products and the resultant customer confidence and loyalty.
Industry Leadership: The program inspires participants to contribute to innovation and industry standard development. By mastering best practices related to product quality, customer service, and operational efficiency, participants will be ready to help build the South African baking industry’s reputation.
Practical Experience
Throughout the 12-month learnership, participants will receive baking division exposure by rotating through diverse baking division roles. This will provide them with a holistic view of the industry, including all aspects of the production process, ingredient handling, equipment management, and quality control. In addition, they will enhance their soft skills related to teamwork, communication, and problem solving, all of which are invaluable in any workplace.
RCL FOODS guarantees that participants are not merely spectators; rather, they are fully engaged and active participants in the production process. This learning strategy helps participants build self-actualisation and inner confidence and understand the complexities of high-volume baking production.
Who Should Apply?
RCL FOODS aims to recruit students who possess passion, drive, and creativity. The Baking Learnership 2026 program applicants must meet the following minimum qualifications:
A Grade 12 certificate with the Hospitality Studies and the Mathematics Literacy subjects.
Fundamental computer skills including MS Office.
An open attitude to learn and work in a collaborative and team-oriented environment.
A creative mindset and the ability to think laterally to solve problems.
With a strong interest in the baking industry, the ideal candidate will display a strong desire to develop their skills, and will have the potential to strive for excellence on a technical and professional level.
Advantages of the Learnership
The learnership provides more than just experience in a working environment. You will obtain a professional baking qualification, to help you in your career in the baking and food manufacturing industry. You will receive formal training, mentorship and experience in a professional baking environment.
By becoming part of RCL FOODS, learners will have the added benefit of a carefully constructed supportive professional environment. RCL FOODS will help you become a part of a company that focuses on quality, innovation and leadership in the industry. The knowledge and skills you will acquire in this learnership will help you become employable in RCL FOODS, as well as have a positive impact on your employability in the marketplace.
Application Information
All applications for the bakers learnership should be submitted before 27 January 2026. The reference number for this learnership is RCL260113-1. You will only be sure to be contacted for an interview if you were shortlisted. Therefore, make sure you have a complete application and that you submitted it before the closing date.
HOW TO APPLY
In summary, the RCL FOODS Baking Learnership 2026 is a great chance for young people to turn their dreams for baking into a career. This program could help you become an accomplished baker with a job ready, national qualification, practical experience and personalized mentorship. If baking is your thing, and you have the ambition to develop, this learnership is your opportunity to kick-off a great career in the baking sector.
