Learnerships – Information and Opportunities Available

 

A learnership is a programme whereby an individual can acquire various skills which leads them to obtain an occupational qualification, registered with the National Qualifications Framework (NQF).

Learnerships are often catered to a specific occupation/ line of work and consists of classroom-based learning at a training centre/ college and workplace placement for on-the-job training. In order to participate in a learnership, the learner will need to find an employer that is both willing and able to provide this unique work experience.

 
The Sector Education Training Authorities (SETAs) are responsible for managing all learnership opportunities. Learnerships were introduced by the South African government with the aim of helping learners better prepare for the working world by acquiring valuable skills.
 

 

Who can apply for learnerships?

• Individuals leaving schools and colleges
• Unemployed individuals
• Individuals who already in the working world
• Individuals between the ages of 16 and 35 years old
• If you are unemployed, you can only apply and participate in a learnership granted the employer is able and willing to provide you with the necessary work experience

 

Read the rest of our Career Guidance Articles and Tips here

 

What is the aim of a learnership?

The ultimate goal of learnerships is to address the challenges of:

• A decrease in employment rates
• Inequality in education, training, and employment opportunities
• The effects of gender, race, and geographical location on educational advancement
• The shortage of skills within the country

 

Do you get paid during a learnership?

Individuals who are unemployed at the beginning of their learnership agreement will receive a weekly learnership stipend (allowance) for the duration of the programme. This stipend is made to cover expenses such as meal and travel costs. It is important to note that this stipend amount is not a salary, but an agreement between the individual and employer that they are getting paid to learn.

Without a stipend, the unemployed individual will not be able to complete the learnership opportunity as they will not have the funds to get to work or be able to feed themselves. Therefore, it is encouraged that when selecting a learnership opportunity, you choose a company that is near/ in your area so that you can avoid any additional travel and accommodation costs.
 

Do you have to pay to complete a learnership?

There is no charge for an individual to participate in a learnership. Every individual that engages in a learnership opportunity must receive an allowance that is paid by the individual’s employer.
 

How long is a learnership opportunity?

The length of each learnership will differ depending on the length of a course, but it usually is no less than one year.
 

Who are the parties that are involved in a learnership opportunity?

The three parties involved in a learnership opportunity are the learner, the employer, and the training provider.

• The learner is placed in the opportunity and signs an agreement with the employer. This agreement states the rights and responsibilities of the learner for the duration of the programme.
• The employer is responsible for providing the learner with work experience, and signs the same learnership agreement stating their (the employer’s) rights and responsibilities. This will include agreements on the level of the learnership allowance.
• The training provider will then provide training to the learner on behalf of the employee, and sign the same legal agreement stating their (the training provider’s) rights and responsibilities.

 

Can a learnership be terminated?

An employer can terminate a learnership if:

• The learnership agreement has expired
• The employer and learner have agreed in writing to terminate the agreement
• The SETA that registered the learnership agreement approves the termination (if there is no such agreement)
• The learner is fairly dismissed for a reason related to the learners ability or conduct as an employee

 

Does the individual obtain a qualification once they have completed a learnership?

During a learnership, the learner is required to complete various assignments, practical tests, tasks, and projects. They will then be formally assessed in both the classroom and workplace.
Should the individual complete all the assignments successfully, they will then be awarded a NQF-registered qualification (that is nationally recognized) upon successful completion of the programme.
 

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