Joburg City Theatres invites unemployed South African youth residing within the City of Johannesburg to apply for the CATHSSETA-funded Professional Cookery Learnership Programme 2026.
Learnership Application Closing Date: 29 July 2026
Learnership Location: City of Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
Joburg City Theatres Professional Cookery Learnership 2026
Joburg City Theatres, a municipal entity of the City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality, is recruiting unemployed youth for a 12-month Professional Cookery Learnership.
The CATHSSETA-funded programme combines classroom learning with practical workplace training in the hospitality and culinary industry.
Successful learners will work towards a Certificate in Professional Cookery at NQF Level 4 and receive a monthly stipend of R3 500 for the duration of the programme.
Learnership Programme Overview
Organisation: Joburg City Theatres
Abbreviation: JCT
Programme: Professional Cookery Learnership Programme 2026
Qualification: Certificate in Professional Cookery
NQF level: Level 4
Funding body: CATHSSETA
Programme duration: 12 months
Monthly stipend: R3 500
Age requirement: 18 to 35 years
Location: City of Johannesburg, Gauteng
Reference number: JCT/2026/07
Closing date: 29 July 2026
Application method: Email
Purpose of the Learnership
The learnership is intended to provide unemployed young people with theoretical knowledge and practical workplace experience in professional cookery.
Participants will gain exposure to the hospitality and culinary sector while completing a recognised qualification.
The programme may help learners develop skills in:
- Food preparation
- Kitchen operations
- Food safety and hygiene
- Customer service
- Workplace communication
- Teamwork
- Stock handling
- Professional conduct
- Hospitality operations
- Culinary techniques
Qualification Offered
Successful learners will work towards the:
Certificate in Professional Cookery – NQF Level 4
The qualification is funded through CATHSSETA, the Culture, Arts, Tourism, Hospitality and Sport Sector Education and Training Authority.
Learners must attend both classroom training and workplace practical sessions for the full duration of the programme.
Monthly Stipend
Successful learners will receive:
R3 500 per month
The stipend will be paid for the 12-month duration of the learnership in accordance with approved CATHSSETA funding guidelines.
The stipend is intended to support learners while they complete the programme and should not be regarded as a permanent salary.
Minimum Requirements
Applicants must:
- Be South African citizens.
- Be between 18 and 35 years old.
- Be unemployed.
- Reside within the City of Johannesburg.
- Have completed Grade 12 or an equivalent NQF Level 4 qualification.
- Have studied English as a Grade 12 subject.
- Be able to read, write and communicate effectively in English.
- Be passionate about cooking.
- Be interested in a hospitality or culinary career.
- Be available for classroom and workplace training.
- Be willing to participate for the full 12 months.
- Not be registered for another learnership, internship or funded skills programme.
- Have good communication and interpersonal skills.
- Be reliable, committed and willing to learn.
- Have no criminal record.
- Have their own transport.
Grade 12 English Requirement
Applicants must have taken English as a subject in Grade 12.
They must be able to:
- Read workplace instructions.
- Write clearly.
- Communicate with trainers and colleagues.
- Understand food preparation procedures.
- Complete assessments.
- Follow health and safety rules.
- Interact professionally in the workplace.
Johannesburg Residency Requirement
The programme is specifically aimed at unemployed youth living within the City of Johannesburg.
Applicants must provide proof of residence in the form of a confirmation letter from their Ward Councillor.
Applications without acceptable proof of residence may not be considered.
Transport Requirement
Applicants must have their own transport.
Candidates should consider the cost and availability of daily transport before applying because they will need to attend classroom and workplace training throughout the programme.
Who Should Apply?
The programme is suitable for:
- Unemployed Johannesburg youth.
- First-time job seekers.
- Matriculants interested in professional cookery.
- Applicants passionate about food preparation.
- Young people interested in hospitality careers.
- Candidates who want an accredited qualification.
- Applicants willing to complete practical workplace training.
- Reliable candidates who can attend all scheduled programme activities.
Skills and Personal Attributes
Applicants should demonstrate:
- Passion for cooking.
- Interest in hospitality.
- Good communication skills.
- Strong interpersonal skills.
- Reliability.
- Commitment.
- Willingness to learn.
- Ability to follow instructions.
- Teamwork.
- Punctuality.
- Professional conduct.
- Ability to work in a structured environment.
Documents Required
Applications must include:
- A cover letter.
- A brief and updated CV.
- A certified copy of the South African identity document.
- A certified copy of the Grade 12 certificate or equivalent qualification.
- Proof of residence within the City of Johannesburg.
- A confirmation letter from the Ward Councillor.
- Recently certified copies of relevant certificates.
Certified documents must not be older than three months.
Cover Letter Requirements
The cover letter should briefly explain:
- Why the applicant is interested in the learnership.
- Their passion for professional cookery.
- Their interest in the hospitality industry.
- Why they should be considered.
- Their availability for the full programme.
- Their willingness to attend classroom and workplace training.
Applicants should also include the reference number in the cover letter.
Learnership Agreement
Successful applicants will be required to sign a Learnership Agreement involving:
- Joburg City Theatres.
- CATHSSETA.
- The appointed training provider.
- The learner.
The agreement will outline the responsibilities of each party, programme conditions, attendance requirements and learning obligations.
Criminal Record Requirement
Applicants must not have a criminal record.
Verification or screening may form part of the recruitment process.
Candidates should ensure that all information provided in their application is accurate and truthful.
Employment After the Programme
Joburg City Theatres is not required to employ learners permanently after completion of the programme.
Permanent employment is therefore not guaranteed.
JCT also reserves the right to place or not place applicants according to its operational needs and requirements.
Employment Equity
Joburg City Theatres is an equal-opportunity employer.
People living with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
Appointments may be made in line with the organisation’s employment and transformation objectives.
How to Apply for the Joburg City Theatres Professional Cookery Learnership 2026
Applications must be emailed to the Joburg City Theatres Skills Development Facilitator.
Click here to apply for the Joburg City Theatres Professional Cookery Learnership 2026
Submit applications to:
Email: jobapplications5@joburgtheatre.com
Applicants must quote the following reference number:
REF. NO. JCT/2026/07
A suitable email subject line is:
Application: Professional Cookery Learnership – JCT/2026/07 – Full Name
The application email must include the cover letter, CV, proof of residence and certified supporting documents.
Learnership Application Closing Date
Applications close on 29 July 2026.
Late or incomplete applications may not be considered.
Applicants should submit their applications early to avoid missing the deadline.
Learnership Enquiries
For enquiries, contact:
Contact person: Nkosana Mathebula
Telephone: 011 877 6918
Applicants should use the reference number JCT/2026/07 when making enquiries.
Application Outcome
Correspondence will be limited to shortlisted candidates only.
Applicants who have not received feedback within two months after the closing date should consider their applications unsuccessful.
Important Application Advice
Before emailing the application, confirm that:
- You are between 18 and 35 years old.
- You are unemployed.
- You live within the City of Johannesburg.
- You have Grade 12 or an equivalent NQF Level 4 qualification.
- English appears on your Grade 12 results.
- Your Ward Councillor letter is attached.
- Your certified documents are not older than three months.
- You have your own transport.
- You are not participating in another funded programme.
- You have no criminal record.
- You quoted reference number JCT/2026/07.
- Your application is submitted by 29 July 2026.
About Joburg City Theatres
Joburg City Theatres is a municipal entity of the City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality.
The organisation manages and supports theatre, entertainment, cultural and hospitality-related operations within Johannesburg while contributing to skills development and youth employment initiatives.
