Group Artisan Development Specialist (2 Year Fixed Term Contract) at RCL Foods

• We are seeking a Group Artisan Development Specialist to support our Baking & Groceries Division on a 24-month fixed-term contract. This role reports to the Learning & Development Executive and will be based in Pretoria (Gauteng). 
• The purpose of this role is to ensure the effective development, quality assurance, and progression of artisans, apprentices, and practical students within the RCL FOODS Baking and Groceries Operating Businesses. 
• The role works in close collaboration with Engineering Managers, Maintenance Teams, HR, SETAs, and Training Centres to ensure:
• Artisan and student competency gap analyses are conducted
• Training programmes are designed, implemented, monitored, and seamlessly executed
• RCL artisans, apprentices, and apprentices’ practical students and artisan mentors are fully trained and supported
• Training delivery meets QCTO, SETA, and Occupational Curriculum requirements, creating a future skills pipeline

Minimum Requirements    

• Qualified Artisan in a recognised electrical or mechanical trade.
• Higher Certificate in Education or equivalent adult education qualification/ A National Diploma in OD ETDP, HRD, or HRM will be an added advantage.
• Minimum of 5 years’ post-trade industry experience, with Subject Matter Expert (SME) capability; experience in a Foreman or relevant leadership capacity will be advantages.
• Minimum 8–10 years’ overall experience in industrial or manufacturing environments
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in technical training and development
• Registered Assessor and Moderator
• Experience in FMCG, food manufacturing, milling, or baking environments (Preferred)
• Demonstrated experience working with training centres, SETAs, workplace mentors, and engineering leadership teams

Proven knowledge of:

• Artisan Development and Trade test preparation
• ARPL (Artisan Recognition of Prior Learning) processes
• QCTO Occupational Qualifications curriculum
• SETA operations, compliance, and stakeholder engagement
• Workplace human resource development and training requirements

Duties & Responsibilities    

Artisan, Apprentice & Student Development Monitoring

• Monitor artisans, apprentices, practical students and artisan mentors across the Baking and Groceries sites.
• Conduct site visits to evaluate student, artisan and mentor performance in the workplace.
• Regularly engage with mentors to assess: 
• Technical competence
• Behavioural and safety compliance
• Workplace readiness
• Review and verify: 
• Logbooks
• Weekly journals
• Workplace evidence portfolios
• Any additional required documentation
• Ensure all evidence meets QCTO requirements for the specific trade.

Gap Analysis & Skills Development Planning

• Facilitate skills gap analyses for artisans, apprentices, and students in collaboration with Engineering Managers.
• Develop individual and group action plans to close identified gaps.
• Implement and track targeted close out training programmes.
• Monitor progress until competencies are fully achieved and documented.

Quality Assurance of Training Delivery

• Evaluate and monitor the quality of training provided internally and by external training centres.
• Ensure training delivery: 
• Aligns with QCTO Occupational Qualifications
• Complies with approved curriculum content per trade
• Meets workplace and practical exposure requirements
• Identify deviations or shortcomings and implement corrective actions with training providers.
• Promote collaboration between training centres and Baking, Groceries and Milling sites.

Apprentice & Artisan Training Service Provider Programme Management

• Coordinate and oversee RCL apprenticeships and experiential training of learners,
• Ensure students are: 
• Appropriately placed at sites
• Properly inducted and supervised
• Assigned competent workplace mentors
• Support pipeline development by identifying high-potential candidates for future apprenticeships and specialised artisan development
• Ensure structured exposure to grocery, milling and bakery plant equipment.

Regulatory, Curriculum & SETA Compliance

• Apply in depth knowledge of: 
• ARPL (Artisan Recognition of Prior Learning) process for trades
• QCTO Occupational Qualifications curriculum
•  Human Resource Requirements (HR)
• SETA operations, POE’s /documentation, and audits
• Liaise with SETAs and Learning & Development to ensure programme compliance.
• Support internal and external audits related to skills development and training quality.

Reporting & Governance

• Provide regular management reports to Learning & Development and the Engineering Excellence Community of Practice: 
• Student and artisan progress
• Training quality findings
• Action plan implementation
• Maintain disciplined recordkeeping aligned to QCTO and RCL standards.

Deadline:25th June,2026