Discretionary Grant Available · W&RSETAUpcoming▾
Wholesale & Retail SETA · W&RSETA
One of the largest learnership grant funders.
- Window:
- Applications open 1 April – 31 May
- Priority focus:
- Retail Ops · Visual Merchandising · Cashier
SAQA Qualification · 99688
Visual Merchandiser
R46 500
(Once-off Institutional License Fee)
Professional Role & Capability Blueprint
- Target Designation
- Certified Visual Merchandiser Practitioner
- Competency Focus
- Master specialised practical applications, safety criteria, and regulatory mandates required of a qualified Visual Merchandiser.
- Academic Weight
- Full national recognition at NQF Level 3 yielding 30 credits upon successful PoE verification.
Strategic Institutional Purpose
- Audit Objective
- Formulated to systematically bridge operational skills deficits under the governing W&R SETA quality matrix.
- Value Proposition
- Equips your workforce with measurable, legally compliant skills to optimise productivity, satisfy Workplace Skills Plans (WSP), and unlock maximum B-BBEE scorecard weight.
Who is this for
Who should enrol? Entry-level workers, school leavers, or career changers who want to gain foundational skills. The Visual Merchandiser welcomes learners from diverse backgrounds, including those with limited formal education but relevant practical experience. The flexible learning approach ensures that everyone can progress at their own pace while achieving the same high standard of competence.
Official SAQA Curriculum
Source of truth · SAQA ID 99688 · Field 11 - Services › Wholesale and Retail
Purpose▾
The purpose of this qualification is to prepare a learner to operate as a Visual Merchandiser. A Visual Merchandiser plans, develops and displays merchandise visually in order to create and maintain interest in the chosen target market and promote sales. A qualified learner will be able to: • Develop and implement visual merchandising plans. • Merchandise stock visually. • Maintain and evaluate visual merchandising displays.
Rationale▾
Visual Merchandising is a scarce skill in South Africa. Feedback from stakeholders of the Wholesale and Retail SETA identified Visual Merchandisers as critical to the success of any wholesale and retail business. A successful retailing business requires that a distinct and consistent image be created in customer's minds, permeating all product and service offerings. Visual Merchandising can help create a positive customer image of the business and its products that leads to successful sales. It not only communicates the stores image, but also reinforces the retail outlet's advertising efforts. It also encourages impulse buying and thus a role such as this requires a competent Visual Merchandiser. This qualification empowers learners with technical skills to improve the merchandising image of an outlet. Adequate application of the outcomes of this qualification can lead to improved economic conditions for the wholesale and retail sector.
Learning Assumed to be in Place & RPL▾
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL): RPL for access to the external integrated summative assessment: Accredited providers and approved workplaces must apply the internal assessment criteria specified in the related curriculum document to establish and confirm prior learning. Accredited providers and workplaces must confirm prior learning by issuing a statement of results or certifying a work experience record. RPL for access to the qualification: Accredited providers and approved workplaces may recognise prior learning against the relevant access requirements. Entry Requirements: • NQF Level 2 with Mathematical Literacy and Communication.
Exit Level Outcomes▾
- Develop visual merchandising plan/action plan.
- Set up and dismantle visual merchandising displays.
- Maintain and evaluate visual merchandising displays.
Qualification 99688 · Curriculum Architecture
Occupational Certificate: Visual Merchandiser · NQF Level 3 (30 Credits)
Three Curriculum Pillars
Knowledge Modules
Classroom & E-Learning
- Facilitated lectures & self-study
- Written question banks
- Formative comprehension checks
Practical Skill Modules
Simulated Line Tasks
- Simulated line tasks
- Observation rubrics
- Structured task sheets
Work Experience Modules
On-the-Job Production
- On-the-job rotation
- Mentor logbooks
- Workplace sign-offs
Evidence & Audit Pipeline
Learner Portfolio of Evidence (PoE)Owner · Candidate▾
Admin & Registration
ID, learner contract, induction pack, POPIA consent.
Knowledge Evidence
Written assessments & question banks — KM-01 to KM-07.
Practical Evidence
Task sheets, observation rubrics, assessor photos.
Workplace Evidence
Logbooks, mentor sign-offs, supervisor letters.
Assessor Master FileOwner · Registered Assessor▾
Assessment Reports
Judgements, learner feedback, remediation agreements, appeals log.
Internal Moderation & Quality FileOwner · Moderator / SDP▾
Moderation Evidence
10% sampling matrix, HACCP/LOTO compliance sheets, SDP sign-off.
Final Accreditation Gateway
Issued by the accredited Skills Development Provider once internal moderation is signed off.
Provider submits declaration + PoE to the Assessment Quality Partner (AQP).
QCTO awards the SAQA-registered certificate on successful EISA outcome.
Learning Material Stack
Start-to-Exit Moderation Timeline
- 1
Pre-Delivery Setup
Facilitator induction, learner enrolment forms, baseline assessment, PoE folder issue. Alignment matrix stamped.
- 2
Delivery & Formative Moderation
Modular rollout with formative assessments per KM/PM. Internal moderator reviews evidence weekly; feedback loop before summatives.
- 3
Summative & External Moderation
Summative assessments captured, PoE finalised, submitted for external moderation. Certification uploaded to the SETA/QCTO.
Bespoke QMS Build
We author your Quality Management System — policies, procedures, records, matrices — mapped to your accreditation scope. From R18,500.
Talk QMS on WhatsAppModeration Consultation
External moderation dry-run on your PoE + delivery pack. Written report with fixes before your real audit. From R4,900.
Book Moderation SessionClassroom Transformation Blueprint
Broken Standard
- 📄Photocopied guides with mismatched outcomes
- ❔Missing formative/summative assessments
- ⚠️No SETA alignment matrix — audit fails
- 🎲Facilitators improvise Visual Merchandiser delivery
- 🕳️PoE gaps flagged in moderation
i2Graduates Transformation
- ✓3 KM + 3 PM + 2 WM modules mapped to NQF Level 3
- ✓Pre-validated assessment bank per module
- ✓W&R SETA alignment matrix included
- ✓Facilitator scripts + learner activities per credit
- ✓PoE templates that survive external moderation
The i2Graduates Quality Guarantee
Every page of this bundle is meticulously checked for sequence and structural perfection — no missing pages, no stolen content, no shortcuts. You get pre-validated assessment instruments ready to survive rigorous compliance moderation, wrapped in an engaging curriculum your facilitators will love teaching.