West Coast TVET College is inviting unemployed young people to apply for the CATHSSETA-funded Occupational Certificate: Chef Apprenticeship Programme 2026 at its Malmesbury Campus in the Western Cape.
The opportunity is particularly useful for young people who do not have Matric, as the advertised entry requirement is Grade 10 with Mathematical Literacy or NCV Level 2. The programme is aimed at youth between 18 and 35 years old, with 30 opportunities available.
A monthly stipend will be provided, although the official notice does not specify the stipend amount.
Applications close on 19 August 2026.
Quick Overview
| Opportunity | Details |
|---|---|
| Institution | West Coast TVET College |
| Programme | Occupational Certificate: Chef Apprenticeship |
| Funding | CATHSSETA |
| Training | Year 1 |
| Campus | Malmesbury Campus |
| Province | Western Cape |
| Number of opportunities | 30 |
| Target group | Unemployed youth |
| Age | 18–35 years |
| Minimum qualification | Grade 10 with Mathematical Literacy or NCV Level 2 |
| Matric required | No, based on the advertised minimum requirement |
| Stipend | Monthly stipend provided |
| Stipend amount | Not specified |
| Application method | Online |
| Closing date | 19 August 2026 |
West Coast TVET College’s own occupational-programmes information also lists Chef at NQF Level 4, Year 1, with an entry requirement of Grade 10 or an NQF Level 2 qualification with Mathematical Literacy, and identifies Malmesbury as the campus offering the programme.
About the West Coast TVET College Chef Apprenticeship
The programme is offered by West Coast TVET College and funded through CATHSSETA, the Culture, Arts, Tourism, Hospitality and Sport Sector Education and Training Authority.
The training is focused on the Chef occupational qualification and is offered at the College’s Malmesbury Campus.
West Coast TVET College offers a range of occupational programmes, including apprenticeships, learnerships and skills programmes. Its official programme information confirms that the Chef programme is available at Malmesbury.
For young people interested in the hospitality industry, this can provide a structured route into culinary and food-service training.
Grade 10 Applicants Can Apply
One of the most important features of this opportunity is the minimum academic requirement.
Applicants do not need Matric according to the advertised requirements.
The minimum requirement is:
- Grade 10 with Mathematical Literacy; or
- NCV Level 2.
This makes the programme potentially accessible to young people who left school before completing Grade 12 but still want to obtain occupational skills.
However, applicants should make sure that their qualification actually meets the stated requirement.
Simply having attended Grade 10 does not automatically mean that every applicant will qualify if the required Mathematical Literacy component is not satisfied.
Who Can Apply?
The programme is aimed at unemployed young people aged between 18 and 35 years.
Applicants should meet the following requirements:
- Be unemployed.
- Be between 18 and 35 years old.
- Have Grade 10 with Mathematical Literacy, or NCV Level 2.
- Be able to provide the required supporting documentation.
- Be available for training at Malmesbury Campus.
The advertised intake is limited to 30 students.
What Is the Occupational Certificate: Chef Programme?
The programme is an occupational training opportunity designed around the Chef occupation.
Chef training can provide practical exposure to areas associated with professional food preparation and hospitality environments.
Fresh listings:
These may include areas such as:
- Food preparation.
- Kitchen operations.
- Food-service procedures.
- Hygiene and safety.
- Professional kitchen practices.
- Teamwork.
- Hospitality service.
- Workplace discipline.
However, applicants should distinguish between the general nature of chef careers and the exact curriculum of this particular intake.
The supplied recruitment notice does not provide a complete module-by-module curriculum, so applicants should rely on the College for the definitive programme content.
West Coast TVET College’s hospitality information shows that its broader hospitality offering includes subjects such as Food Preparation, Hospitality Generics, Hospitality Services, and Client Services and Human Relations, while Chef is listed among the related career opportunities.
Why This Opportunity Is Worth Considering
Many entry-level opportunities in South Africa require Grade 12.
The Chef apprenticeship is different because the advertised minimum qualification is lower.
A young person with Grade 10 and Mathematical Literacy may therefore be able to access occupational training that can help build practical skills for the hospitality sector.
The programme can also be relevant to applicants who already have an interest in:
- Restaurants.
- Hotels.
- Catering.
- Food preparation.
- Hospitality.
- Tourism.
- Culinary arts.
- Food-service businesses.
For someone who eventually wants to work as a chef or build a food-related business, structured training can provide a stronger foundation than relying entirely on informal experience.
30 Opportunities Available
The official notice indicates that 30 students will be accommodated for the programme at the Malmesbury Campus.
Because the intake is limited, applicants should not wait until the closing date before preparing their applications.
Meeting the minimum requirements does not necessarily guarantee selection.
Applicants should make sure their documents are complete and that the information supplied on the application is accurate.
Stipend Information
The programme provides a monthly stipend.
However, the official notice supplied for this opportunity does not state the amount of the stipend.
Applicants should therefore not assume that the stipend is R2,500, R3,000, R5,000 or any other amount unless West Coast TVET College or CATHSSETA officially confirms it.
This is particularly important because amounts shared on social media are sometimes copied from older programmes or unrelated opportunities.
What Is Confirmed?
Confirmed:
- A monthly stipend will be provided.
Not confirmed in the supplied notice:
- Exact monthly amount.
- Whether accommodation is provided.
- Whether transport is provided.
- Whether meals are provided.
Applicants who require any of these arrangements should contact the College before making assumptions.
Documents Required
Applicants must prepare the following documents:
- Updated CV
- Certified copy of ID
- Certified proof of address
- Certified copy of highest qualification
The notice specifically states that the required certified documents must not be older than three months.
This is an important requirement.
If your documents were certified several months ago, it would be safer to obtain newly certified copies rather than assuming that the old certification will be accepted.
How to Prepare Your CV
You do not need years of employment experience to apply.
Your CV should accurately show the information that you do have.
Include:
Personal Information
- Full name.
- Contact number.
- Email address.
- Residential area.
Education
List your highest qualification and relevant subjects.
For example:
Grade 10 – Mathematical Literacy
or
NCV Level 2 – [Qualification/Programme]
Skills
You can include genuine skills such as:
- Teamwork.
- Communication.
- Basic food preparation.
- Time management.
- Cleanliness and hygiene.
- Customer service.
- Ability to follow instructions.
Do not claim skills you do not possess.
Experience
If you have worked in a restaurant, catering business, takeaway, hotel, school kitchen or informal food business, include that experience.
If you have no formal employment history, do not invent one.
You can instead mention genuine volunteer work, community activities or informal experience where relevant.
Why Malmesbury Campus Matters
The apprenticeship is offered at Malmesbury Campus.
Applicants should consider whether they can realistically attend training at the campus.
West Coast TVET College lists Malmesbury as one of its campuses and provides the campus contact number as 022 487 2851/2/3.
The College’s official contact information lists the Malmesbury campus at 6 Church Street, Malmesbury.
Applicants who live far from Malmesbury should confirm arrangements for transport and accommodation before accepting a place.
What the Official Notice Does Not Confirm
For accuracy, applicants should not assume that the programme includes benefits that have not been advertised.
The supplied notice does not confirm:
- A specific stipend amount.
- Guaranteed employment after completion.
- Accommodation.
- Transport.
- Meals.
- Relocation assistance.
- A specific start date.
- Guaranteed workplace placement.
- Permanent employment after the apprenticeship.
The programme should therefore be viewed primarily as an opportunity to obtain occupational training and practical skills.
How to Apply for the West Coast TVET College Chef Apprenticeship
Applications must be submitted online through the West Coast TVET College application system.
Apply through West Coast TVET College
Before starting the application, make sure you have electronic copies of your:
- Updated CV.
- Certified ID.
- Certified proof of address.
- Certified highest qualification.
Check that all required certified documents are not older than three months.
Application Steps
Step 1: Prepare your supporting documents.
Step 2: Visit the official West Coast TVET College website.
Step 3: Access the online application system.
Step 4: Select the relevant Chef/occupational programme opportunity.
Step 5: Enter your personal and educational information accurately.
Step 6: Upload the requested documents.
Step 7: Review the application before submitting it.
Step 8: Submit the application before the deadline.
Step 9: Keep proof of your application or submission details.
Application Closing Date
The closing date is:
19 August 2026
Applicants should submit their applications before the deadline.
Do not wait until the final hours.
Online applications can be affected by connectivity problems, slow systems, missing documents or incorrect uploads.
Submitting early gives you time to correct problems if they arise.
Enquiries
For enquiries relating to the Malmesbury Campus, the notice provides:
Rondene Brink
Telephone: 022 487 2851
West Coast TVET College’s current contact information also lists the Malmesbury Campus numbers as 022 487 2851/2/3.
For general College enquiries, the official central office lists 022 482 1143 and info@westcoastcollege.co.za.
Applicants should use official College contact channels when seeking clarification about the programme.
Important Tips Before Applying
1. Check Your Qualification
Make sure you meet one of the advertised entry routes:
Grade 10 with Mathematical Literacy OR NCV Level 2.
2. Check Your Age
The opportunity is aimed at applicants aged 18–35.
3. Check Your Documents
Ensure your ID, proof of address and qualification documents are correctly certified.
4. Check the Certification Date
The notice requires certified documents that are not older than three months.
5. Do Not Pay Anyone
You should not pay an individual who claims they can guarantee you a place in the programme.
Use official College channels.
6. Verify the Stipend
A stipend is advertised, but the amount is not specified. Confirm the amount with the College rather than relying on social-media posts.
7. Consider Transport
Training takes place at Malmesbury Campus. Make sure you can attend.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this Chef apprenticeship require Matric?
No, not according to the advertised minimum requirement. Applicants can qualify with Grade 10 with Mathematical Literacy or NCV Level 2.
How many students will be selected?
The advertised intake is 30 students.
What is the age requirement?
Applicants should be 18 to 35 years old.
Is the programme funded?
Yes. The programme is funded by CATHSSETA.
Is there a stipend?
Yes. The official notice states that a monthly stipend will be provided.
How much is the stipend?
The amount is not specified in the supplied official notice.
Where is the programme offered?
The Chef apprenticeship is offered at West Coast TVET College’s Malmesbury Campus. The College’s official programme listing confirms Chef as an NQF Level 4 Year 1 occupational programme at Malmesbury.
What documents do I need?
You need:
- CV.
- Certified ID.
- Certified proof of address.
- Certified highest qualification.
The documents must not be older than three months according to the advertised requirements.
When do applications close?
Applications close on 19 August 2026.
Is employment guaranteed after completing the programme?
There is no guarantee of permanent employment stated in the supplied notice.
Can someone without Matric apply?
Yes, provided they meet the advertised Grade 10 with Mathematical Literacy or NCV Level 2 requirement.
Conclusion
The West Coast TVET College CATHSSETA Chef Apprenticeship Programme 2026 is a valuable opportunity for unemployed young people who want to develop practical culinary and hospitality skills.
One of its biggest advantages is the relatively accessible entry requirement: Grade 10 with Mathematical Literacy or NCV Level 2, meaning Matric is not listed as a minimum requirement.
The programme offers 30 places at Malmesbury Campus and includes a monthly stipend, although the exact stipend amount has not been published in the supplied notice.
If you meet the age and education requirements, prepare your CV, certified ID, certified proof of address and certified highest qualification and apply online before 19 August 2026.
Most importantly, use the official West Coast TVET College application platform and verify any information that is not included in the official advert before making arrangements.