The Netcare Learning Programme 2026 is now open for applications and offers unemployed South African youth the opportunity to enter the healthcare sector through a structured Basic Pharmacist Assistant Learnership.
If you have completed Grade 12 with Core Mathematics and Science subjects and want to work in a regulated healthcare environment, this programme provides practical hospital pharmacy training under professional supervision.
Healthcare remains one of the most stable and respected career sectors in South Africa. This learnership gives candidates the chance to gain formal training, workplace experience, and the potential to register with the South African Pharmacy Council (SAPC).
Netcare is one of South Africa’s largest private healthcare groups. It operates:
Private hospitals
Day clinics
Emergency medical services
Specialist healthcare facilities
The organisation is known for maintaining high professional standards and modern healthcare systems.
For learners, this means exposure to a structured, well-regulated hospital pharmacy environment where patient safety and compliance are central.
What Is the Basic Pharmacist Assistant Learnership?
The Basic Pharmacist Assistant Learnership under the Netcare Learning Programme 2026 is designed to train unemployed youth in hospital pharmacy operations.
This programme combines:
Practical workplace experience
Supervised pharmaceutical training
Administrative and compliance exposure
Stock control and dispensing support
Learners work under the supervision of a registered pharmacist and gain real-world experience in medication dispensing and pharmacy administration.
What Qualification Will You Receive?
Upon successful completion, learners may register with the South African Pharmacy Council (SAPC) as a Basic Pharmacist Assistant.
SAPC registration is important because:
It allows you to work legally in pharmacy environments
It confirms your qualification meets national standards
It strengthens your professional credibility
This qualification opens doors in:
Private hospitals
Retail pharmacies
Clinic pharmacies
Public healthcare facilities
It is a regulated career pathway with long-term growth potential.
What Does a Basic Pharmacist Assistant Do?
During the programme, learners support pharmacists in daily operations.
Core Responsibilities Include:
Assisting in dispensing medication
Supporting pharmaceutical services
Managing ethical stock control
Serving patients professionally
Maintaining accurate documentation
The role requires accuracy, responsibility, and adherence to legal standards.
Pharmacy environments operate under strict compliance frameworks, making professionalism essential.
Key Work Outputs and Training Areas
1️⃣ Stock Control and Inventory Management
Learners will participate in:
Full and cyclical stock-taking
Monitoring expiry dates
Procurement support
Managing stock areas
Supporting internal department supply
Stock accuracy prevents shortages and reduces medication wastage.
2️⃣ Medication Dispensing Support
Under pharmacist supervision, learners will:
Pick and package medication
Capture dispensed items on patient systems
Assist with prescription management
Support chronic medicine recalls
Work with pharmacy systems such as Unisolve
Attention to detail is critical. Medication errors are not tolerated in healthcare settings.
3️⃣ Administrative and Compliance Duties
Learners are expected to:
Ensure compliance with SAPC regulations
Maintain patient confidentiality
Follow up on outstanding prescriptions
Complete pharmacy-related administrative tasks
Maintain cleanliness and order in the pharmacy
Compliance ensures that both patients and healthcare providers remain protected.
Minimum Requirements
To qualify for the Netcare Learning Programme 2026, applicants must meet all criteria.
Academic Requirements:
Grade 12 / National Senior Certificate
Core Mathematics
Physical Science
Life Science
Science subjects are compulsory because pharmacy involves calculations and pharmaceutical principles.
Age Requirement:
Must be under 35 years old
Employment Status:
Must be unemployed at the time of application
Candidates who do not meet these requirements may not be considered.
Why the Netcare Learning Programme 2026 Is a Strong Career Move
This programme aligns with:
High-demand healthcare careers
Regulated professional pathways
Recognised national registration
Structured workplace exposure
Healthcare careers tend to offer:
Stability
Long-term growth
Professional credibility
Opportunities for further study
A Basic Pharmacist Assistant qualification can be the first step toward becoming a Post-Basic Pharmacist Assistant or pursuing further healthcare education.
Career Growth After Completion
After completing the learnership and registering with SAPC, you can:
Work as a Basic Pharmacist Assistant
Progress to Post-Basic level
Specialise in hospital pharmacy systems
Enter pharmaceutical supply chain roles
With additional studies, some professionals later pursue:
Pharmacy degrees
Healthcare administration
Clinical support pathways
The qualification is a recognised stepping stone in healthcare.
Important Skills for Success
If you are planning to apply, focus on developing:
Strong attention to detail
Numerical accuracy
Ability to follow strict procedures
Professional communication skills
Ethical responsibility
Basic computer literacy
Hospital pharmacies demand discipline and accountability.
Locations and Application Details
Applications are available at the following Netcare hospitals:
📍 Netcare Sunninghill Hospital (Sandton) Closing date: 23 February 2026
📍 Netcare Kingsway (Amanzimtoti) Closing date: 23 February 2026
📍 Netcare Park Lane Hospital (Johannesburg) Closing date: 19 February 2026
📍 Netcare Garden City Hospital (Johannesburg) Closing date: 17 February 2026
Through supervised hospital pharmacy exposure, professional registration potential, and recognised training, this Basic Pharmacist Assistant Learnership provides a strong foundation for long-term healthcare careers.
If you meet the requirements and are serious about entering the pharmacy profession, prepare your documents carefully and apply before the closing dates.
Structured healthcare opportunities reward preparation, responsibility, and professionalism.
Nonhlanhla Ndlovu is the founder and publisher of EduFeeds, a South Africa–focused platform that shares verified learnerships, internships, bursaries, and job opportunities for young people and job seekers.
With a strong focus on helping South African youth access real career opportunities, Nonhlanhla researches and verifies programmes from official company sources and public announcements before publication. EduFeeds aims to simplify the application process by providing clear guidance, requirements, and practical tips to help applicants apply with confidence.
Nonhlanhla continues to monitor updates from SETAs, companies, and training providers to ensure information on Edu Feeds remains current and useful. She focuses on publishing timely and accurate opportunity updates for the South African youth employment market.
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