Applicants are invited to apply for Unilever 2026 Learnership Programme
Unilever South Africa is offering an exciting Packaging Learnership Programme at its Maydon Wharf Factory in Durban. This opportunity is designed for young South Africans who want to build a career in manufacturing, production, packaging operations, and industrial processing.
This learnership will train successful candidates to operate automated packaging equipment, maintain quality and safety standards, and support production line operations in a world-class manufacturing environment. It is ideal for candidates who have completed Matric with Mathematics and Science or who hold N2, N3, or N4 engineering qualifications and want to gain practical workplace experience.
Unilever is one of the largest FMCG (Fast-Moving Consumer Goods) companies in the world, producing household brands used by millions of people every day. This programme gives you the chance to gain real industrial experience, earn a monthly stipend, and build a foundation for long-term employment in the manufacturing and engineering sector.
The main purpose of this learnership is to train participants in packaging and production line operations using automated machinery. Learners will be exposed to:
High-speed production and packaging lines
Industrial safety and quality systems
Basic mechanical maintenance
Manufacturing processes and workflows
Team-based factory operations
Throughout the programme, learners will develop:
Technical skills
Business and production understanding
Communication and teamwork skills
Problem-solving abilities
Discipline and professional work habits
This learnership is ideal for candidates who want to pursue a career in:
Manufacturing
Production
Packaging operations
Factory supervision
Engineering and technical trades
FMCG operations
The purpose of this role is to train learners to package products using automated packaging equipment while maintaining health, safety, and quality standards. Learners will also develop:
Business understanding
Mechanical maintenance skills
Communication and coordination skills for production line operations
This role forms part of Unilever’s commitment to skills development, youth employment, and industrial training in South Africa.
Learners will be trained to:
Perform general production line operations according to operational plans
Assist in cleaning and maintaining production areas
Support smooth running of the packaging and production process
Ensure that production targets are met safely and efficiently
Before production begins, learners will:
Conduct pre-start-up checks
Confirm equipment readiness
Ensure work areas are clean and safe
Verify compliance with Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
Safety is a critical part of working at Unilever, and learners will be trained to work in strict compliance with health and safety regulations.
Learners will be responsible for:
Monitoring product quality and packaging quality
Checking products against set quality standards
Identifying defects or faults
Reporting any abnormalities immediately
This builds strong skills in quality assurance, attention to detail, and process control.
Learners will learn how to:
Detect process abnormalities
Identify early warning signs of machine or process failure
Take immediate corrective action
Escalate problems before they become serious production issues
This is a critical skill in modern automated manufacturing environments.
Learners will be trained to:
Clean machinery according to manufacturer guidelines
Follow site cleaning and hygiene standards
Maintain a clean and organised workstation
Support 5S and good housekeeping principles
Part of the training includes:
Preparing raw materials for production
Checking materials for quality and suitability
Ensuring correct materials are used in the correct process
Learners must:
Maintain personal and team safety
Follow all safety rules and procedures
Contribute to an eco-efficient and sustainable workplace
Support Unilever’s environmental and sustainability goals
All learners must:
Complete assessments and assignments
Maintain and complete a logbook
Participate in required training modules
Meet all learnership requirements
To qualify for this Unilever Learnership, candidates must have:
A National Senior Certificate (Matric) with Mathematics and Science, OR
An N2, N3, or N4 Engineering qualification
Unilever is looking for candidates who:
Are committed to learning and self-improvement
Take ownership of their performance
Are disciplined, reliable, and professional
Can work in a fast-paced production environment
Are physically fit and safety conscious
Have good communication and teamwork skills
Are detail-oriented and quality-focused
Successful learners will demonstrate:
A strong performance and excellence mindset
High levels of responsibility and resilience
Ability to prioritise and focus on what matters
Willingness to learn new ways of working
Ability to interpret data and spot problems early
A strong customer and consumer focus
A growth mindset and continuous improvement attitude
Unilever is committed to:
Employment equity
Inclusion and diversity
Creating an environment where everyone can thrive
Unilever welcomes applicants from all backgrounds, including persons with disabilities, and supports reasonable accommodation during the recruitment process.
This is an on-site role
Location: Maydon Wharf Factory, Durban, South Africa
Relocation assistance will not be provided
Candidates must already live in Durban or be willing to relocate at their own cost
Successful candidates will receive a monthly stipend for the duration of the learnership
This is a training programme, not a permanent position, but it significantly improves employability
This programme allows you to:
Gain real factory and manufacturing experience
Work for a global FMCG company
Learn how automated production plants operate
Build a strong foundation for a career in:
Manufacturing
Engineering
Production supervision
Technical operations
Improve your chances of permanent employment in industry
After completing this programme, learners may pursue careers as:
Production Operators
Packaging Technicians
Manufacturing Team Leaders
Maintenance Assistants
Process Controllers
Engineering Apprentices
