Congratulations to our SUPREME Flour Siyabhaka Academy class of 2021!

At the end of August, our 14 SUPREME Flour Siyabhaka Academy learners graduated from the academy earning an NQF 2 and NQF 3 qualification. In addition to this the students have developed and gained valuable and practical baking skills that are needed in the baking industry at large. 

The SUPREME Flour Siyabhaka Academy aims to develop school leavers into a new breed of highly employable young baking professionals through an 18-month learnership that covers both theory and practical in-store bakery training. It is often attended by students with limited or no baking experience. 

Our learnership offers students the opportunity to receive training in a classroom environment and in an in – store bakery, whilst working in collaboration with our technical advisors. This provides our students with a balanced view of theoretical and practical training, which allows them to leave our academy with the understanding of recipe creation but also with the understanding of the philosophy and technicality behind the science of baking. In addition to the theoretical and practical training our students are also offered guidance, support, and mentorship through our technical advisors. 

A word from some of our graduates:

Boitumelo Aphane, one of this year’s graduates, emphasises that the Siyabhaka Academy has provided her with the foundation needed for her future. She states that “the programme focused on the production of both yeast and confectionary products which is a great advantage for future endeavours”. Her ambitions for the future are to never stop baking and to build a stable career in the FMCG industry, specifically in food production. Another Siyabhaka Academy graduate, Gugulethu Mlangeni, emphasises that the Siyabhaka Academy has provided her with the fundamental, yet most important, skills for the future. She hopes to open a fully functional bakery within her community to help and train aspiring bakers.

Congratulations again to our 2021 class of bakers. They have achieved a great success and are ready for employment. To learn more about the Siyabhaka Academy please visit our website: https://supremeflour.co.za/

This February, the SIYABHAKA ACADEMY welcomes 14 new learners on their baking journey. These students have been carefully selected from across South Africa to take part in this 18-month programme.

Our students will receive an NQF2 and NQF3 qualification and in addition to this, they’ll gain the practical baking skills that are largely required by the current baking industry. The Siyabhaka Academy offers learners the opportunity to gain experience in both a classroom and in-store bakery environment. They are also provided with the mentorship and guidance of our technical advisors and have access to the highest quality flour and training.

The Siyabhaka Academy is one of only two academies in South Africa that offer a bread, flour, craft, and confectionary baking qualification. Some of the skills that the learners will be exposed to are the practicality and theory behind bread, rolls, sweet doughs, frozen products, and food handling.

Nosipho Mbatha said that she’s “excited about this opportunity because I’ll learn more and gain experience in the baking industry, which will help me utilise my skills and provide more for my community by creating opportunities for them too. I hope to open my own bakery one day”.

Rendani Ramaru is looking forward to transitioning from home baker to professional baker. She’s excited to be involved in the wonderful process of transforming a raw ingredient, like flour, into tasty baked products that everyone can enjoy.

Mixo Manamela feels privileged to be working with such a big company like SUPREME Flour and to have the opportunity of acquiring new baking techniques. He cannot wait to learn how to make a caramel swiss roll!

Sandra Garner, Learning and Development Specialist at RCL Foods, stated that “the quality of the learners has improved, and we are finding more people applying who are really passionate about baking. The in-store bakery controllers and shop managers, who are assigned learners for practical training, are very eager to place them once they have completed their programme. This is due to their positive attitude and expansive knowledge received from the programme”