​1. WHAT IS A LEARNERSHIP?
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A year-long (sometimes two or more) training.
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Combines classes (30% of the time) at a college/training centre, with work (70% of the time) in a company, government department or small business.
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Free of charge and you receive an allowance (stipend).
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At the end of the learnership you will get a national certificate and work experience.
Learnerships give you a better chance of finding a job but it is important to check the NQF level before you start the learnership!
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2. WHAT IS THE NQF LEVEL?
The NQF (National Qualification Framework) is the level of your certificate/diploma.
Level 1 Equivalent to Grade 9
Level 2 Grade 10 and NVC level 2
Level 3 Grade 11 and NCV level 3
Level 4 Matric, NCV level 4
Level 5 Higher Certificates and Advanced National Certificate
Always check the quality of the course beforehand.
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3. WHO OFFERS LEARNERSHIPS?
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Sector education and training authorities (SETA)
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Private companies
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Public sector
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TVETs and private colleges. Icollege offers free tuiton learnerships (https://icollegeint.co.za) - iCOLLEGE offers the following 12-month SETA Accredited Courses: HR, IT, Marketing, Business Administration, Public Administration, End User Computing, Call Centre Support and Project Management.
You can check their websites for more information.
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4. HOW DO I APPLY FOR A LEARNERSHIP?
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Anyone can apply for a learnership as long as you are not at school or college. There is generally no age restriction.
If you are unemployed, you must register at the nearest office at the Department of Labour. You can go to any Employment Skills Development Agency. They will contact you if you meet the minimum criteria for a specific employer.
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Check for learnership advertisements in newspapers, online and on company websites.
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Prepare your CV and make sure that your subjects/qualifications are suitable for the learnership you are applying for.
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Send your CV to the Human Resources department (for attention “Skills development division” unless otherwise indicated in the ad) of employers which offer learnerships in the sectors you are interested in (e.g. nursing in public and private hospitals).
Contacts:
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Learnership support service: 012 309 4808
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Department of Higher Education and Training Learning program manager: 012 312 5136
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Career Advice Helpline: 0860 111 673 or SMS 072 204 5056
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5. LIST OF LEARNERSHIPS
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https://salearnership.co.za/list-of-learnerships-in-south-africa/
https://www.skillsportal.co.za/skills-portal-categories/skills-development/learnerships
http://www.careerplanet.co.za/learnerships
http://www.careerplanet.co.za/page/find-opportunities
TRANSNET (Maritime School of Excellence, applications begin in October): http://www.transnet.net/Career/Pages/Opportunities.aspx
BANKSETA website: http://www.bankseta.org.za/youth_programmes.aspx?section=7&page=23
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