The accelerated development of grain silo managers in South Africa is now possible after Agbiz Grain and the Peritum Agri Institute joined forces.
It typically takes between eight and 12 years to train a grain silo manager through on-the-job experience, making this profession, according to AgriSeta, a critical and scarce skill.
Matriculants and those under the age of 25 are now offered the opportunity to pursue a career in grain storage, This is thanks to Agbiz Grain members in the grain silo industry, in collaboration with the Peritum College in Bloemfontein. The occupational certificate: Grain depot manager, is a practice-oriented course completed over a two-year period, preparing students for a career in grain storage management.
Agbiz Grain, part of the Agricultural Business Chamber (Agbiz), is an organisation that promotes the shared interests of commercial grain handlers and storage operators – the Agbiz Grain members – by providing support and influencing the grain industry.
Annually, South Africa produces an average of 13,5 million tonnes of maize and 1,9 million tonnes of wheat. Barley, sorghum, sunflower, canola, and soybeans are also cultivated on a large scale.
About 70% of these grains and oilseeds produced are stored by the 12 members of Agbiz Grain. Collectively, these companies have 334 silo complexes that include concrete silos, silo bags, and bunkers. The intake and storage of grains and oilseeds are managed by a grain depot manager, who ensures that the product is classified and graded according to the Agricultural Product Standards Act before it can be traded. Storage operators also dry, aerate, and fumigate the product for safe storage.
Qualification developed
Agbiz Grain took the initiative to developed a qualification for the training of grain silo managers. The occupational certificate: Grain depot manager, was accredited by the Quality Council for Trades and Professions (QCTO) in 2023. The Peritum Agri Institute, the largest private agricultural college in South Africa, is the first and (currently) only training provider accredited to offer this qualification.
In 2025, a guaranteed internship will be offered to 70 young South Africans who enrol in this field of study at the Peritum Agri Institute.
Enrolled studentsThey will attend seven academic study weeks at the Peritum Campus, followed by online study of the academic material and Teams-based sessions with lecturers.
First-year students cover the theoretical content of the qualification and have the opportunity to visit the agricultural company where they can be placed for internships.
Second-year in 2026, students are placed at a grain silo for workplace-based learning for ten months, This placement allows students to completecompleting the practical components of the qualification and associated tasks. In 2027, the placement transitions into a paid internship at the same agricultural company, providing provides students with sufficient work experience before taking the final examination for the qualification end of 2028.
This programme accelerates the development process of grain silo managers, offering an affordable opportunity for young South Africans to attain an appropriate a qualification and job placement in the agricultural sector.
Internship placements are available in the Free State, North West, Western Cape, Gauteng, and Mpumalanga.
- Peritum, an institute for skills development, is committed to training individuals who promote agriculture in South Africa. Peritum focuses on a lifelong learning and development journey for individuals and their organisations. Contact Odette Shepperson, marketing manager, at marketing@peritumagri.com or at 086-122-8467.
