Learnerships combine a structured learning component with practical work experience that is acquired while being employed in a company, government department or small business. Learnerships are available to people who have left school, college or other training institutions after completing some formal education.

The Government has introduced training opportunities called Learnerships. A Learnership is a work-based learning programme.

Learnerships combine a structured learning component with practical work experience that is acquired while being employed in a company, government department or small business. Learnerships are available to people who have left school, college or other training institutions after completing some formal education, as well as for people who have been unemployed for some time. To be eligible you have to be at least 16- years-old and younger than 35.

A student who is enrolled in a learnership is required to complete his/ her classroom-based learning at a college or training centre and to do on-the-job training in the workplace. This means unemployed people can only participate in a learnership if there is an employer that is prepared to provide the required work experience.

People entering a learnership do not have to pay anything for the programme. Learnership programmes are funded by the SETAs. Instead, all unemployed people selected for a learnership programme will receive a learner allowance by the employer. The allowance is not a salary, but is intended to cover expenses like travel and meals which a learner will have to pay while doing a learnership. The precise amount of the allowance depends on the type of learnership and the level of the qualification.

Whereas some learnerships do not require learners to meet any entry requirements, others demand from learners to have a Grade 12 certificate.

Some learnerships have entry requirements that relate directly to the field of study. For example, you will not be able to enter a learnership in the field of financial management if you have not completed some basic training in finance. It usually takes a year to complete a learnership, but some may take 2 or more years to finish. In some instances learners could finish a learnership in a shorter time through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).

This is a process whereby learners will be able to get formal recognition for parts of the programme they have already completed through previous learning or work-based experience. At the end of a successful learnership a participant will receive an official SETA certificate, recognised nationally, which will indicate the area in which he/she has developed skills.

It is important to note that if you are unemployed when the learnership begins, there is no guarantee of a job at the end.

The employer who provides you with training does not have to offer you a job. But with a qualification and work experience you will be in a better position than before to get a job. You may also want to think about studying further or starting your business. Labour centres, private employment agencies or organisations such as the National Youth Development Agency could be helpful.

WHAT IS A LEARNERSHIP?

A learnership is a learning route towards achieving a nationally recognised qualification. It is a structured learningexperience which is a combination of theoretical and workplace learning and is directed towards the achievement ofa South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) registered qualification.

The implementation of a learnership is based on a contract signed by the learner, the employer and training providerand is administered by a SETA. Learners in a learnership programme attend classes with regard the theoretical part of the learnership and gain practical experience while placed in the workplace. The duration of learnership programmes varies between 1-3 years, depending on the programme.

A Learnership qualification consists of the following components:

Fundamentals: Basic educational requirements in a leadership – usually life skills, numeracy and literacy orcommunication skills.

Core: The core skills and knowledge required for a particular qualification

Electives: Specialised areas or the application of the core skills and knowledge in defined work situations

Source: www.ETDP-SETA.co.za

WHAT IS A SKILLS PROGRAMME?

A Skills Programme is a learning programme which is occupationally based and for which a learner may obtain acertain number of credits towards a registered qualification. It includes practical (work-place) experience andaddresses the identified needs of a specific industry.

Accredited skills programmes are delivered by an accredited service provider and it is so designed to one or acombination of the following.

Post qualification specialization

Competence in compliance with legislation

Employable skills

Duration: up to 6 months.

ACCURACY OF INFORMATION

While every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided on this pamphlet is current and accurate,you should not assume that this is always the case, and should consult other sources before making any decision toact on this information. Inf

Information is subject to change without any notice.