The duration of a learnership can last anywhere between 12 -24 months.
Unemployed individuals receive a learnership allowance and employed individuals receive a salary.
When you register for a Learnership programme, you will receive skills development and training in a field of your choice.
When you register to complete a Learnership programme, you will be paid monthly by your employers, for the period while you are in the Learnership programme - the amount depends on the the academic level of the Learnership, and the company/business procedures.
What is a Learnership programme?
A Learnership leads to a formal qualification and can be very helpful for unemployed youth, because you don't have to pay the cost of fees to kickstart your career. They are promoted by the government as one way to help unemployed South African youth to gain skills and qualifications. They will also gain valuable work experience. Although similar initiatives are run in other countries as well, Learnerships are a specifically South African answer to the skills shortage.
Once the learnership programme is complete, you can expect to receive a nationally recognized qualification with both theoretical and practical work components, as well as valuable work experience and the opportunity for you to develop skills.
Many Learnership graduates have successfully completed a Learnership programme, and have used this as the first step towards an exciting opportunity, a rewarding career and overall progress and success.
When you join, a Learnership programme typically includes the processes of a training element, which will usually be delivered by TVET Colleges in South Africa or an accredited training provider, and can span over a one year contract period.
Do you need a Matric certificate to participate in learnership programmes?
The academic requirements for learnership programmes vary with different institutions, but some businesses offer learnerships to people who do not have their matric qualification.
Learnerships are an effective way to gain a qualification and get real hands-on training and career exposure, making it easier to gain employment after the duration of the learnership course is over.
For many learnership jobs, the minimum requirements are a National Senior Certificate or National Certificate: Vocational, but there may be more specific subject requirements or even skills requirements such as computer literacy.
Which occupations offer learnership programmes?
Learnership jobs are offered in a wide range of occupations in South Africa, within a number of various businesses and/or training authority, such as:
- agriculture
- banking
- construction
- engineering
- finance
- food manufacturing
- health services
- insurance
- IT technology
- manufacturing
- security
- tourism
- wholesale & retail
- mining operations
- road traffic law enforcement
