You have probably seen the word learnership on a job board or heard someone mention it, and you nodded like you knew what it meant. Most people do not actually know what it means. They have a vague sense that it involves training and maybe a stipend, but the details are fuzzy.
This article clears that up completely. By the end of it you will know exactly what a learnership is, who qualifies, what you get out of it, and how to find one.
The Simple Explanation
A learnership is a work-based learning programme that combines structured classroom training with practical work experience. You do not just sit in a classroom and learn theory. You also spend time inside a real company doing real work. Both components are required, and both count toward a nationally recognised qualification at the end.
Learnerships in South Africa are governed by the Skills Development Act and registered with a Sector Education and Training Authority, better known as a SETA. There are 21 SETAs in South Africa, each covering a different industry sector. The SETA for your field is the body that registers and oversees the learnerships in that sector.
The qualification you earn from a learnership is registered on the National Qualifications Framework, which means it is officially recognised by employers and educational institutions across the country. It is not a certificate someone printed in a back office. It is a real, accredited qualification.
How a Learnership Is Structured
Every learnership has two components running alongside each other.
The first is theoretical training. This happens in a classroom or training centre and covers the knowledge component of your qualification. Depending on the learnership, this could be one or two days per week, or structured in blocks where you attend training for a few weeks and then return to the workplace.
The second is practical workplace experience. You are placed with a company where you apply what you are learning in a real environment. This is not shadowing. You are doing actual work under the supervision of someone experienced in the field.
The combination of both components is what makes a learnership different from a short course or a certificate programme. You are not just learning about the work. You are doing it.
Most learnerships run for twelve months, though some can be shorter or longer depending on the qualification level and the sector. At the end, if you have completed both components and met all the requirements, you receive a nationally recognised qualification.
Who Can Apply for a Learnership
Learnerships are open to two categories of people, and this is something most students do not realise.
The first category is unemployed people who are not currently working anywhere. These are called unemployed learnership candidates, and companies recruit them specifically to participate in the programme. If you have finished matric or have some post-school qualification and you are looking for work or trying to get your first foot into an industry, this is the category you fall into.
The second category is existing employees. A company can also put its own staff through a learnership to upskill them. This is less relevant if you are a student looking for your first opportunity, but it is worth knowing because it means learnerships are not exclusively for people starting from zero.
To qualify as an unemployed learnership candidate, you generally need a National Senior Certificate. Some learnerships require specific subjects or a minimum performance level in certain subjects depending on the field. Others are open to anyone with a matric certificate regardless of subjects. The specific requirements are listed with each learnership opportunity when you apply.
Age requirements vary by programme. Most learnerships are open to South Africans between 18 and 35, though some have different age brackets. South African citizenship or permanent residency is typically required.
Do You Get Paid During a Learnership?
Yes. You receive a monthly stipend.
The stipend is not a salary in the traditional sense, but it is real money paid to you every month for the duration of the learnership. The amount varies by sector and by the NQF level of the qualification, but it is regulated. SETA guidelines set minimum stipend amounts, and many companies pay more than the minimum.
For most unemployed learners, the stipend ranges from around R2,500 to R5,000 per month depending on the sector and NQF level. Some learnerships in sectors like banking, insurance, and IT pay higher stipends. This money is meant to cover your transport, food, and basic living costs while you participate in the programme.
The stipend is not taxable for unemployed learners, which means what you see is what you receive. There are no deductions eating into it.
What Qualification Do You Get at the End?
The qualification you earn depends on which learnership you complete and at which NQF level it sits.
Learnerships are available at various NQF levels, typically from Level 2 through to Level 6. NQF Level 4 is equivalent to a matric certificate. Level 5 is a higher certificate. Level 6 is a diploma. The higher the NQF level of your learnership, the more advanced the qualification you earn.
Some examples of common learnership qualifications include the National Certificate in Business Administration at NQF Level 3, the Further Education and Training Certificate in IT Technical Support at NQF Level 4, and the National Certificate in Banking at NQF Level 5.