Production Technology Learnership at Lion Match Products in Pretoria offers youth a 12-month entry-level pathway into manufacturing.
For many young people, manufacturing careers feel closed off before they even begin. The Production Technology Learnership at The Lion Match Company in Pretoria offers a rare, entry-level starting point — one aimed at local youth who want hands-on factory experience but haven’t yet had that first opportunity.
At a time when formal jobs are scarce and experience is often demanded upfront, this 12-month learnership matters because it focuses on training from the ground up, not hiring ready-made skills.
ALSO APPLY FOR Bosch’s Production Technology Learnership 2026 is Open! Launch Your Manufacturing Career
Why This Production Technology Learnership Exists — and Why Timing Matters
Manufacturing plants depend on skills that can’t be learned from textbooks alone. Processes, safety discipline, machine awareness, and production flow are best learned on the factory floor.
Lion Match Products (Rosslyn) is implementing an NQF Level 2 Production Technology Learnership to build a local talent pipeline for its operations. Instead of recruiting externally, the company is investing in training young people who live nearby and are interested in long-term careers in manufacturing.
This approach matters in today’s labour market. Entry-level opportunities that offer both structured learning and workplace exposure are becoming increasingly rare — especially for candidates without prior internships or learnerships.
What the Production Technology Learnership Involves
This is a full-time, 12-month learnership based at Lion Match Products in Rosslyn, Pretoria.
The core purpose is to train learners in all aspects of match manufacturing, from understanding production processes to working safely and efficiently within a plant environment.
While exact daily tasks may vary, learners can realistically expect exposure to:
- Basic production processes and workflows
- Manufacturing discipline, including timekeeping and quality awareness
- Workplace safety standards and compliance
- Team-based production environments
- Entry-level technical responsibilities linked to plant operations
This is not classroom-only training. The emphasis is on practical exposure, learning how a manufacturing plant operates day to day, and developing habits that are essential in technical environments.
The longer-term aim is to create a talent pool for future technical roles within the plant — though no automatic employment is guaranteed.
Who This Opportunity Is Designed For (and the Limits)-Production Technology Learnership
This learnership is clearly targeted and not open to everyone.
Applicants must:
- Be between 18 and 30 years old
- Hold a Grade 12 certificate with Mathematics
- Not have a completed qualification
- Not have participated in any learnership or internship before
A technical background such as N3, N4, N5 or N6 is listed as an advantage, but it is not compulsory. This suggests the programme is open to both academically inclined and practically oriented candidates — as long as they are starting fresh.
Importantly, the learnership targets previously disadvantaged individuals and local youth, reflecting a focus on community development rather than broad national recruitment.
This programme is not suitable for candidates who already hold formal qualifications or who have completed prior learnerships, as it is designed strictly as a first entry into manufacturing.
What Learners Gain and What Isn’t Promised at Production Technology Learnership
Completing a Production Technology Learnership at plant level can offer:
- First-time exposure to an industrial manufacturing environment
- An NQF Level 2 qualification
- Practical understanding of production processes
- Improved readiness for future technical or factory-based roles
What it does not promise is permanent employment or rapid career progression. Manufacturing environments are complex, and progression often depends on performance, vacancies, and further training.
That said, learners who complete structured programmes like this often leave with something valuable: credible workplace experience in a real factory setting — a major advantage when applying for future roles in production, warehousing, or technical operations.
APPLY FOR Production Technology Learnership
Why Production Technology Learnership Still Matter
In South Africa, manufacturing remains one of the few sectors where skills can be built over time through hands-on work. Programmes like this one play a quiet but important role in bridging the gap between school and skilled employment.
They also test something that’s hard to measure on paper: whether a person is suited to factory life — early starts, safety rules, repetitive processes, and teamwork under pressure.
For some learners, this becomes the foundation of a lifelong career. For others, it’s a stepping stone that clarifies what they want next. Either way, the experience is rarely wasted.
Frequently Asked Questions-Production Technology Learnership
Is this a paid learnership?
The listing does not specify stipend details, but most registered learnerships include a monthly allowance.
Do I need previous work experience?
No. Applicants must not have participated in any learnership or internship before
Is a technical qualification required?
No. Grade 12 with Mathematics is required. Technical qualifications are an advantage only.
How long does the learnership run?
The learnership runs for 12 months.
Does this guarantee a job at Lion Match?
No guarantee is stated. The programme aims to develop a future talent pool.
About The Author
