How to apply for learnerships
A learnership lets you learn and work at the same time: classes at a college or training centre, practical work at a company, and a recognised qualification at the end. Unemployed learners get a monthly allowance while they train.
Updated 24 October 2026 · By Tumelo Vincent Tau
1. What a learnership is
- Learn and work: classroom training with a training provider and on-the-job training at a workplace.
- A real qualification: it leads to a qualification registered on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF).
- Often 12 to 18 months: it depends on the qualification.
- An allowance, not a salary: if you are unemployed when you start, you get a monthly allowance to help with costs like transport and food. The amount differs per learnership and is written in your agreement.
- A signed agreement: you, the employer and the training provider sign a learnership agreement. Unemployed learners also sign a fixed-term contract with the employer.
Learnerships are funded and checked by SETAs (Sector Education and Training Authorities). There is a SETA for each part of the economy, such as banking, mining, health or IT, but you usually apply to the employer or training provider, not to the SETA.
2. Who can apply
Every learnership has its own requirements, so read the advert. Many ask for:
- A South African ID
- Matric (Grade 12), sometimes with certain subjects such as Mathematics or English
- Being unemployed and not studying full time
- An age range, often 18 to 34 or 35 for youth programmes
- Living near the workplace or being able to get there every day
3. Where to find real learnerships
| Where | How it works |
|---|---|
| SA Youth (sayouth.mobi) | Free national platform for unemployed young people aged 18 to 34. The site is data-free on the main networks. Register once, then apply for learnerships, work experience and jobs that match you. Help line: 0800 72 72 72. |
| Labour centres | Register as a work-seeker with the Department of Employment and Labour. Labour centres match work-seekers to employers' opportunities. |
| Company websites | Big employers (banks, retailers, mines, municipalities, telecoms) advertise learnerships on their own careers pages. |
| SETA websites | Some SETAs list learnerships and accredited training providers, which helps you check that an opportunity is real. |
4. How to apply
- Make a short CV: your matric results, any courses, piece jobs and volunteering, skills and two references. See a CV with no work experience.
- Have your ID and matric certificate ready as clear photos or a PDF. Many adverts ask for copies.
- Read the advert and send exactly what it asks for, before the closing date.
- Add a short cover letter naming the learnership and why you want it.
- Keep a list of where you applied and the closing dates, and check your phone and email for calls.
- If you are invited for an interview or test, prepare. See job interview tips.
5. Avoid learnership scams
Real learnerships never ask you to pay: not to apply, not for "registration", not for training material or a uniform.
- Be careful with WhatsApp or Facebook posts promising a high stipend to "everyone who applies".
- Do not send your ID or bank details to a private number or an unknown email address.
- Check the opportunity on the company's own website or SA Youth before you apply.
- Government departments have warned about fake learnership adverts that use their names. If in doubt, contact the department or SETA directly.
Make your CV on your phone
CV Maker SA helps you make a learnership CV in a few minutes: your matric subjects, courses, skills and references. Add photos of your ID and matric certificate, and save everything as one PDF, ready to upload or email. The application tracker keeps your closing dates in one place and can remind you two days before.
Sources: merSETA: What is a learnership?; Harambee: SA Youth for work-seekers; YES: questions from young people; SAnews: public warned about learnership scam. Requirements differ per learnership: the advert always comes first.