Retail Learnerships 2026: Mr Price, Woolworths, and Shoprite

Retail learnerships in 2026 remain one of the strongest pathways into long-term careers for young South Africans. 

Major retailers like Mr Price, Woolworths, and the Shoprite Group are offering structured training programmes and youth initiatives that combine classroom learning with practical in-store experience. 

These opportunities often require little to no prior work experience and help learners gain valuable skills for entry-level retail and management roles. 

What Retail Learnerships Are Available in 2026?

Retail learnerships include skills training, workplace exposure, and recognised qualifications that boost employability. 

In 2026, opportunities range from structured internship-style programmes with stipends to shorter readiness courses that prepare learners for jobs in stores or retail operations. 

These initiatives are designed to tackle youth unemployment by equipping participants with customer service, stock handling, and retail management skills.

What Is the Mr Price Retail Programme?

The Mr Price Foundation Retail Programmes runs several retail skills development tracks through its JumpStart initiative. 

The Professional Retail Programme (PRP) is an eight-month blended learnership combining online and classroom learning with workplace experience in major retail environments.

Applicants typically must be South African citizens aged 18–33, unemployed, and hold a relevant diploma or degree in retail, business, design, or related fields. 

Applications for the 2026 intake opened in late 2025 and may close by 31 December 2025.

Accepted learners benefit from mentorship and practical exposure to front-line retail operations.

Mr Price also offers Retail Frontline and Retail Essentials programmes for youth with matric and little to no experience. 

These shorter courses build foundational skills across customer service, merchandising, and workplace readiness before learners enter the job market.

What Retail Opportunities Does Woolworths Offer?

The Woolworths SA Retail Careers careers portal lists early career and graduate opportunities, including structured programmes that develop retail expertise. 

While Woolworths does not publish a specific retail learnership on its main site, it runs graduate trainee and early careers programmes that function like formal training pathways into retail operations, fashion buying, and supply chain areas. 

These often require a tertiary qualification relevant to retail or business functions and are listed on the official careers website.

For entry-level retail learnership-style placements, Woolworths typically posts jobs and traineeships that serve as practical routes for young applicants to gain experience in store operations and customer service roles through the official careers portal.

What Does the Shoprite Retail Readiness Programme Offer?

The Shoprite Group Retail Readiness Programme (RRP) is one of the most accessible retail skills programmes in South Africa for learners with no previous work experience. 

It provides theoretical and practical training over several weeks and leads to an NQF Level 3 certificate. 

Applicants must be South African citizens aged 18–34 and willing to complete classroom and in-store components. 

No formal work experience is required, and participants learn key retail functions like customer service, stock control, and basic cash handling.

The Shoprite Group also links the RRP to its Youth Employment Services (YES) initiative, which offers 12-month on-the-job training after completion of the retail readiness course. 

This structure helps learners transition into long-term roles within the Shoprite, Checkers, or Usave stores.

Who Can Apply for Retail Learnerships in 2026?

General eligibility for these programmes typically includes:

1. South African citizenship with a valid ID.
2. Age requirement usually ranges from 18 to the early 30s, depending on the programme.
3. Education level at minimum Grade 12 for many structured learnerships, though some readiness programmes accept Grade 10 or equivalent.
4. Unemployment status is often required, with no prior retail experience necessary for many entry-level tracks.

When Do Applications Open and Close?

Application windows vary. Mr Price’s PRP for 2026 opened in late 2025 and is expected to close by 31 December 2025, with training starting in 2026.

Shoprite’s Retail Readiness Programme accepts applications year-round, and applicants can apply via WhatsApp or by submitting a CV at a Shoprite, Checkers, or Usave store.

Woolworths’ early careers and trainee programmes run on advertised cycles that often begin in the latter half of the year; check the official careers portal for current postings.

How to Apply for Retail Learnerships in 2026

1. Prepare Required Documents: These usually include a certified copy of your ID, CV, proof of residence, and qualification certificates.
2. Visit Official Sites: Apply directly on official portals such as the Mr Price Foundation website, Woolworths careers page, or Shoprite Group youth opportunities page.
3. Follow Programme Instructions: Some programmes require WhatsApp application steps or online form submission.
4. Submit Before Deadlines: Ensure your application is complete and submitted before the closing date.

Successful applicants may be contacted for assessments, interviews, or follow-up steps depending on the programme. 

Always use official channels and avoid payment requests, as reputable learnerships do not charge application fees.