McDonald’s Learnership Programme Cohort 2 2026
Young South Africans looking for an opportunity to gain workplace experience while earning a recognised qualification can consider the McDonald’s Learnership Programme Cohort 2 2026 in Centurion, Gauteng.
The learnership offers unemployed young people an opportunity to develop practical skills in the restaurant and fast-food industry. The programme combines workplace experience with structured classroom-based learning and leads to a recognised National Certificate: Fast Food Services at NQF Level 3 through CATHSSETA.
The opportunity may be suitable for young people who are interested in customer service, hospitality, food preparation and restaurant operations.
McDonald’s Learnership Programme 2026
Company: McDonald’s
Programme: Learnership Programme Cohort 2
Qualification: National Certificate: Fast Food Services
NQF Level: 3
Location: All SA Provinces
Job Type: Fixed-term
Date Posted: 26 August 2026
Salary/Stipend: Not specified in the advertisement
The programme is designed to provide learners with practical workplace exposure while they complete their qualification.
Learners will receive training in areas such as food preparation, customer service, restaurant operations, teamwork and workplace professionalism.
Purpose of the Learnership
The McDonald’s learnership combines practical workplace training with classroom learning.
During the programme, learners will gain exposure to the daily operations of a fast-paced restaurant. They will have opportunities to develop customer service, communication, teamwork, food-handling and basic administrative skills.
The experience gained through the programme can help learners develop workplace readiness and improve their future employment prospects in the hospitality, restaurant and food-service sectors.
Key Responsibilities
Learners will be expected to participate actively in both workplace and classroom training.
Their responsibilities may include:
- Preparing food and beverages according to McDonald’s operating procedures.
- Maintaining cleanliness throughout the restaurant.
- Cleaning areas such as the lobby, restrooms and outdoor spaces.
- Welcoming customers in a friendly and professional manner.
- Taking customer orders accurately.
- Processing customer payments at the front counter or drive-thru.
- Assembling and presenting customer orders efficiently.
- Working effectively with other team members.
- Attending required classroom training.
- Completing the required portfolio of evidence.
- Following workplace health, hygiene, safety and security procedures.
- Maintaining professional relationships with customers and colleagues.
Because restaurant operations can be busy, learners should be prepared to work efficiently while maintaining good customer service.
Skills Learners Can Develop
On completion of the programme, learners are expected to develop a range of practical and workplace skills.
These include:
- Customer service.
- Effective communication.
- Payment and transaction processing.
- Food preparation and safe food handling.
- Health, hygiene and workplace safety.
- Teamwork and workplace relationships.
- Basic administration and communication.
- Stock handling and receiving deliveries.
- Counter and takeaway service.
- Basic computer skills.
- Basic numeracy.
- Customer satisfaction.
- Cultural awareness and professionalism.
- Workplace coaching and self-development.
- First-aid and workplace safety principles.
The programme also provides learners with exposure to the hospitality and tourism sectors.
McDonald’s Learnership Requirements
Applicants must meet the requirements specified for the programme.
Candidates should:
- Have a minimum Grade 12 certificate.
- Be between 18 and 26 years old.
- Be a South African citizen.
- Be unemployed.
- Not currently be studying.
- Not have participated in a learnership programme during the previous 12 months.
- Have a clear criminal record.
- Be willing to work shifts, including day and night shifts.
- Be able to travel reliably to and from the restaurant.
- Be willing to stand for extended periods while working.
- Reside in or around Olievenhoutbos, Atteridgeville or Pretoria CBD, as specified in the advertisement.
Applicants should make sure they meet all eligibility requirements before submitting their applications.
Documents Required When Shortlisted
Candidates who are shortlisted should be prepared to provide the required supporting documents.
These include:
- Certified copy of a South African ID, not older than three months.
- Certified copy of Grade 12 certificate or latest results, not older than three months.
- Updated CV.
- Proof of residence.
- Additional supporting documents where applicable.
Applicants should ensure that their documents are clear, valid and available when requested.
Criminal and Vetting Checks
Successful candidates will be required to undergo criminal and vetting checks as part of the onboarding process.
Candidates should therefore provide accurate information during the recruitment process.
Who Should Apply?
This opportunity may be suitable for unemployed young South Africans who have completed Grade 12 and want to gain practical workplace experience.
It could particularly benefit candidates interested in:
- Fast-food operations.
- Hospitality.
- Customer service.
- Restaurant management.
- Food preparation.
- Retail and service industries.
Applicants should also be comfortable working in a busy environment and interacting with customers and colleagues.
Closing Date
With a short application period, eligible candidates should submit their applications as soon as possible rather than waiting until the closing date.
How to Apply
Interested candidates should apply through the official application platform where the vacancy was advertised and follow the instructions provided for the McDonald’s Learnership Programme Cohort 2.
Before applying, candidates should confirm that they meet the age, citizenship, employment, education and location requirements.
Applicants should also ensure that their CV and supporting documents contain accurate and up-to-date information.
Important Information for Applicants
This is a fixed-term learnership opportunity, and the advertisement does not specify a salary or stipend amount. Applicants should therefore not assume a particular stipend unless it is confirmed in the official programme information or during the recruitment process.
Candidates should also be cautious of anyone requesting payment in exchange for a learnership placement. Do not pay recruitment agents or individuals who claim they can guarantee selection.
Final Thoughts
The McDonald’s Learnership Programme Cohort 2 2026 in Centurion provides an opportunity for eligible unemployed young people to gain practical experience while working toward a National Certificate: Fast Food Services at NQF Level 3.
With training covering customer service, food preparation, restaurant operations, teamwork and workplace safety, the programme can help participants build practical skills for future opportunities in the hospitality and food-service industry.
Eligible candidates should check all requirements carefully, prepare their supporting documents and submit their applications before the closing date.
Skhumbuzo Shandu is the founder of Careers With Shandu, a platform dedicated to helping South Africans access job opportunities, learnerships, and career development resources.
He focuses on sharing clear, practical, and up-to-date information to help matriculants, graduates, and job seekers navigate applications and build their careers.
Through his work, he aims to make opportunities easier to understand and accessible to everyone, especially young people entering the workforce.
