Launch your career in retail sales
The Occupational Certificate: Sales Assistant (General) – Retail Sales Advisor (SAQA ID 99669) is a QCTO-registered qualification at NQF Level 3 that prepares learners to sell goods and services in retail and wholesale environments. From FMCG and clothing to furniture and speciality merchandise, this programme equips you with the customer service, communication and selling skills that employers across the sector demand.
This qualification addresses a critical skills gap in South Africa’s wholesale and retail industry. Stakeholders across the country have identified the Retail Sales Advisor role as essential to improving business efficiency, service quality and profitability. By completing this programme, learners gain a nationally recognised credential that opens doors to meaningful employment in one of the country’s largest economic sectors.
The programme combines knowledge modules, practical skills training and structured workplace experience, culminating in an External Integrated Summative Assessment (EISA) administered by the QCTO.
What You’ll Learn
- Principles of attending to different types of customers and resolving customer queries that impact on sales
- Service excellence and building lasting customer relationships in retail and wholesale environments
- Concepts and principles of selling in a full-service retail and wholesale setting
- How to interact with different types of customers and present a positive professional image
- Handling customer queries and complaints effectively and professionally
- Providing customer service and building customer relationships that drive repeat business
- Selling products to customers using the complete sales cycle
- Applying advanced selling techniques to maximise sales opportunities
Entry Requirements
- NQF Level 1 qualification or equivalent
- Basic Mathematics and Communication competence
Course Details
- SAQA ID: 99669
- Duration: 6 months (including workplace experience)
- Credits: 54
- NQF Level: 3
- Certification: QCTO Occupational Certificate
- SETA: Wholesale & Retail SETA (W&RSETA)
- Assessment: Knowledge modules (11 credits), Practical skills modules (11 credits), Workplace experience modules (32 credits), plus an External Integrated Summative Assessment (EISA)
Who Should Enrol?
- Aspiring Sales Advisors: Individuals looking to enter the retail sector with a formal, nationally recognised qualification in sales and customer service.
- Existing Sales Assistants: Current retail staff who want to formalise their experience and advance from general sales roles to specialist Retail Sales Advisor positions.
- Customer-Facing Staff: Employees in FMCG, clothing, furniture or speciality retail who interact with customers daily and want to sharpen their selling skills.
- School Leavers: Young South Africans seeking a practical, career-oriented qualification that leads directly to employment in the wholesale and retail sector.
- Employers: Retail businesses seeking to upskill their sales teams, improve customer satisfaction scores and contribute to B-BBEE skills development targets.