Feed Mill Operator Blended Learning Program

The AFMA-endorsed Feed Mill Operator (FMO) Blended Learning Program equips feed mill staff with the knowledge and practical experience needed to thrive in South Africa’s modern feed manufacturing environment. When employees are well-trained, businesses perform better. Skilled operators are essential for producing safe, high-quality animal feed – consistently and efficiently. This program helps improve productivity, reduce downtime, support staff retention, and strengthen a culture of quality and safety.

Program Overview & Blended learning approach

The Feed Mill Operator (FMO) Blended Learning Program is designed to equip learners with both the knowledge and practical skills required to operate effectively in a livestock feed milling environment. Since its launch by AFMA in 2020, the program has grown steadily, with more than 160 feed mill operators trained across Southern Africa.

Developed tin partnership with Bühler and Learning Pathways, the course provides up-to-date training content aligned with the technical requirements of the feed industry, preparing learners to function confidently at an Operator level.

The program follows a blended learning model that combines:

Online knowledge modules covering essential feed milling concepts
Workplace-based training, structured around practical tasks and real-world equipment

Each participating feed mill acts as a site of learning and evaluation. Feed mill experts are trained as workplace coaches/facilitators, providing structured guidance and support to learners throughout the training process. These sessions follow a clearly defined coaching and competence evaluation framework.

This Workplace-based Integrated Learning (WIL) approach helps learners:

Retain information more effectively
Apply their skills directly in the work environment
Support overall operational efficiency and quality

Learners are trained on-site, meaning production is not disrupted by long off-site courses, companies gain from learning and mentoring happening in the flow of daily work.

Program Structure

Whether you’re looking for comprehensive training or a focused skill development path, the FMO Blended Learning Program provides the knowledge and hands-on experience needed for success in the feed industry. The modules are grouped into two focus areas. Modules with common applicability in a feed milling environment (theory) and modules of a technical nature specifically related to the equipment and feed production processes (practical).

Learners can choose to enrol for the full program to qualify as a Feed Milling Operator (7 Modules), or for a shorter program to qualify either as a Stock Controller, Plant Operator, or Pelleting Operator (3 or 4 Modules). Each course includes a structured selection of modules tailored to specific job functions:

MODULES COVERED

Theory Modules: Delivered via a user-friendly platform, the theory modules keep learners engaged with multimedia content, assessments, and structured reporting:

Module 1: The Feed Milling Environment
Module 2: Material Handling Equipment
Module 3: Receiving, Storage, and Warehousing
Module 4: Mixed Feed Production
Module 5: Feed Processing
Module 6: Feed Science
Module 7: Operational Team Leadership

Practical Modules: A train-the-trainer approach enables experienced FMOs to coach and assess learners in the workplace:

WIL 1: Bulk Material Intake and Storage
WIL 2: Material Warehousing and Stock Control
WIL 3: Material Reclaim from Storage
WIL 4: Mixed Feed Production
WIL 5: Feed Processing
WIL 6: Team Leadership

Program duration

Average time to complete: 6 months
Learner-driven progress (based on effort and commitment)
Successful learners receive an industry-endorsed certificate

Program Outcomes

By the end of the program, learners will be able to:

Demonstrate an understanding of the animal feed industry, the mixed feed manufacturing process, the work environment, safe work practices, and the importance of a quality culture in the business.
Demonstrate an understanding of material handling equipment, facilities, and systems commonly used in handling material in a feed mill.
Attend to processes related to the receiving of materials delivered in bulk and bags, the storage of material, and the release of material to the feed mill.
Attend to mixed feed production processes and equipment operation – batching, mixing, additive/micro-ingredient addition, and particle reduction.
Attend to mixed feed processing and equipment operation – conditioning, crumbling, pelleting, post pelleting treatments.

Admission Requirements

Basic literacy and numeracy skills
A dedicated learning space at work
Access to a computer and internet
National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 3 qualification
Access to a Feed Mil and a facilitator for the practical component.

Register Below

Enquiries
Email: admin@afma.co.za
Contact: +27 012 663 9097

Note: To register more than three learners, please contact the AFMA Office at admin@afma.co.za

Section Links

Livestock Feed Milling Operator e-learning program

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