What is a learnership?
A learnership is a work-based learning programme that normally results in an NQF qualification. Learnerships are associated with an occupation or field of work, for instance, electrical engineering, building construction or project management.
Learnerships are handled by Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs). They were introduced by government to assist learners and to prepare them for the work environment.
Learnership programmes can assist you to gain the necessary abilities and office experience that will open better employment or self-employment opportunities.
Learnerships are based upon legally binding contract in between a company, a learner and a Training Provider. This contract is planned to define the jobs and duties of the employer, the learner and the Training Provider. It is developed to make sure the quality of the training and to secure the interests of each party.
A learnership requires that a learner participate in a fixed term employment contract with the business whilst studying towards a qualification registered on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF), which is in line with the learnership (the cost of the qualification falls to the Company). Once the qualification is finished, the learnership will also end.
How do learnerships work?
Learnerships need you to finish a theoretical course in addition to useful training, which is done at an office, in order to graduate. The workplace component of the qualification involves hands-on, useful knowing under the assistance of a mentor, while the theoretical element is provided by an education and training supplier. Together they form an incorporated and thorough learning programme.
Who is eligible for a learnership?
SA Learnerships are readily available for young people who have completed school, college or learning at other training organizations. You should be older than 16 and younger than 35 to be eligible for a learnership.
Unemployed South Africans can only take part in a learnership if there is a company prepared to offer the required work experience.
How to take part in a learnership?
By now you have already put some thought into your career path, and as a result you will be able to determine a learnership that will support your career goals.
Your career path needs to be affected by your interests, skills and strengths. The responsibility rests with you to investigate and investigate the different learnership choices. You should learn as much as you can, consisting of information on the criteria and requirements for entering a learnership.
What are the entry requirements?
Different learnerships have different entry requirements. We advise that you get in touch with the company of the learnership for complete information on the specific requirements for the learnership of your option. See Available Learnerships here.
For numerous learnerships, the minimum entry requirement is a National Senior Certificate or National Certificate: Vocational, but there might be more particular subject requirements and even abilities requirements such as computer literacy.
How much does a learnership cost?
Learnerships are usually funded by an appropriate SETA. Since the cost of learnerships differs throughout SETAs and types/levels of qualifications, you should contact the pertinent SETA for more details.
Will the learner be paid?
There is a specified minimum learner allowance that need to be paid to out of work learners in a learnership. This is not a salary however covers expenses like travel and meals. Once again, you must call the relevant SETA to find out more.
Note: The amount paid as a learner allowance depends on the SETA, type of learnership and the level of qualification. The allowances and conditions are agreed to with each learner before the commencement of the learnership.
What are the benefits for learners?
- You may have much better employment opportunities after completing a learnership;
- You have a fixed-term employment contract for the duration of the learnership;
- Learnerships improve on the job performance so you can do things relevant to the task;
- You acquire a nationally recognised qualification that relates to the sector; and
- You earn a learner allowance for the duration of the learnership.
How long does it take to complete a learnership?
Learnerships will last as long as it requires to complete the qualification. This indicates that if the duration of the qualification is two years, then the learnership will last for that period of time.
What does a learner get on completion?
Throughout the learnership, learners will be required to finish projects, tasks and practical tests and tasks. They will be officially evaluated in the classroom and office.
If all these projects are completed successfully, they will be awarded an NQF-registered qualification, that is acknowledged nationally. They will receive a certificate mentioning the qualification and the area of ability development.
