For South Africans without a degree, finding a job can be exceptionally challenging, especially if the positions of interest require prior work experience. Learnerships can be a solution by combining theoretical and practical training.
The fields, requirements, stipends and duration vary greatly. The 10 most common learnership fields in South Africa are highlighted below.
10 Learnership Fields at a Glance
Learnership field Industry Requirement Duration
Business Administration Office and administration Grade 12 Around 12 months
Retail Retail and sales Grade 10–12 Around 12 months
Banking Financial services Grade 12 Around 12 months
Logistics and Freight Transport and supply chain Grade 11–12 Around 12 months
Information Technology Technology Grade 12 Around 12 months
Engineering and Technical Trades Technical and industrial Grade 12; subjects may apply 12–36 months
Hospitality Tourism and hospitality Grade 10–12 Around 12 months
Call Centre Customer service Grade 12 Around 12 months
Healthcare Support Healthcare Grade 12 Varies
Wholesale and Distribution Supply chain Grade 11–12 Around 12 months
The requirements, stipends, durations and qualifications differ for each employer. It is important to review the advertisement for the specific learnership of interest.
What Is a Learnership?
A learnership is a training programme that combines theoretical and practical training.
For an unemployed person, this can be an opportunity to gain experience in the workplace, an advantage over a traditional classroom-based course.
Depending on the field, a learnership can entitle a person to a qualification and practical experience.
A learnership should not, however, be viewed as a guarantee of employment. While a learnership can improve a person’s qualifications and experience, permanent work depends on the vacancy and the person’s qualifications and performance.
1. Business Administration Learnerships
Business administration is a broad field that covers office and administrative support.
A learnership can expose a person to a variety of tasks, including:
- Data capturing
- Filing
- Office procedures
- Communication
- Computer skills
- Administration support
People who enjoy working in an organised, office-based environment may be suited to this field.
Possible career directions
Depending on the qualification, experience and skills gained, possible careers include:
- Administrative Assistant
- Admin Clerk
- Office Assistant
- Receptionist
2. Retail Learnerships
Retail covers a wide range of activities and roles, from sales to stock management and administration.
A learnership can provide an insight into:
- Customer service
- Sales
- Merchandising
- Stock management
- Store operations
This can be an appealing option for people who enjoy working in a customer-facing environment.
Possible career directions
Possible entry-level roles include:
- Sales Assistant
- Retail Assistant
- Stock Assistant
People can progress to more senior roles, such as managers, with additional experience and responsibility.
3. Banking Learnerships
Banking learnerships can provide insight into the financial services sector and customer support roles.
Depending on the vacancy, the training can include:
- Financial services
- Customer service
- Financial literacy
- Banking procedures
- Digital banking
Banking learnerships may have more specific entry requirements than other fields, and prospective learners should review the requirements for each vacancy.
Possible career directions
Careers include:
- Banking Consultant
- Customer Service Consultant
- Banking Administration roles
The specific roles depend on the qualification and employer.
4. Logistics and Freight Learnerships
Logistics plays a pivotal role in connecting suppliers, manufacturers, warehouses and customers.
A logistics learnership can provide exposure to:
- Inventory management
- Warehousing
- Receiving and dispatch
- Distribution
- Freight management
- Supply chain administration
This field can be suited to people who enjoy working in an operational environment.
Possible career directions
Entry-level roles include:
- Warehouse Assistant
- Dispatch Clerk
- Logistics Administrator
- Stock or Inventory Assistant
5. Information Technology Learnerships
Technology-related learnerships can provide an opportunity to work in the technology sector.
Depending on the vacancy, the training can include:
- Technical support
- Computer literacy
- Networking
- Software
- Digital workplace tools
It is important to note that not all IT learnerships include programming, and the curriculum varies depending on the qualification and employer.
Possible career directions
Careers include:
- IT Support Assistant
- Helpdesk Support
- Junior Technical Support roles
Further study and experience are required for more specialised roles.
6. Engineering and Technical Learnerships
Engineering-related learnerships tend to be more specialised and can lead to artisan qualifications.
The training can include:
- Electrical work
- Mechanical work
- Equipment maintenance
- Technical drawings
- Fabrication
- Safety procedures
Some engineering learnerships have specific Mathematics, Science or technical qualification requirements.
Possible career directions
Depending on the qualification, possible careers include:
- Artisan
- Engineering Assistant
- Technical Assistant
- Technician pathway
It is important to note that an engineering learnership is not the same as an artisan learnership or a professional engineering qualification.
7. Hospitality Learnerships
Hospitality covers a variety of roles, from catering to front office and housekeeping.
A learnership can provide exposure to:
- Customer service
- Food preparation
- Housekeeping
- Front office procedures
- Hospitality procedures
The practical nature of this field can provide valuable experience for people considering a career in a customer-facing environment.
Possible career directions
Depending on the qualification, possible careers include:
- Hospitality Assistant
- Front Office Assistant
- Food Service Assistant
- Housekeeping roles
8. Call Centre and Customer Service Learnerships
Customer service learnerships focus on communication skills and providing support to customers. The training can include:
- Professional communication
- Customer service procedures
- Problem-solving
- Call handling
- Customer relationship management
This field can be suited to people who enjoy communicating with customers.
Possible career directions
Careers include:
- Call Centre Agent
- Customer Service Representative
- Client Service Assistant
9. Healthcare Support Learnerships
Healthcare support learnerships can provide training for specific roles within the healthcare sector.
The training can include:
- Communication skills
- Patient support
- Health and safety
- Workplace procedures
Healthcare support learnerships tend to have specific qualification and regulatory requirements, and prospective learners should research the occupation of interest to determine whether they meet the requirements.
Possible career directions
Depending on the qualification, possible careers include specific healthcare support roles.
10. Wholesale and Distribution Learnerships
Wholesale and distribution are closely linked to logistics and supply chain management.
A learnership in this field can provide exposure to:
- Stock management
- Distribution procedures
- Warehousing
- Goods movement
- Supply chain procedures
This field can be suited to people who enjoy working in an operational environment.
Possible career directions
Careers include:
- Distribution Clerk
- Stock Controller
- Warehouse Assistant
- Supply Chain Support roles
What Applicants Should Prepare
Most employers ask for similar documents, and prospective learners should always keep the following documents available:
- South African ID
- CV
- Matric certificate or results
- Qualification certificates
- Proof of residence (if applicable)
- Any other documents requested by the employer
It is important to note that not all employers require certified copies or proof of residence, and the requirements should always be viewed in the advertisement.
How to Find and Apply for Learnerships
Prospective learners can improve their chances of being selected by following a few important steps.
1. Identify the career area
Instead of applying to any learnership programme, focus on fields that suit one’s qualifications and interests.
2. Check the requirements
Before applying, read the advertisement to understand the requirements, including age, qualifications, citizenship, location and subjects.
3. Prepare a relevant CV
The CV should highlight the relevant skills, education and any work, volunteer or community experience.
4. Apply through the relevant channel
Always apply through the relevant recruitment channel, such as an application form on the employer’s website.
5. Apply before the deadline
Most employers have a deadline for applications, and it is always best to apply early to avoid missing the opportunity.
6. Keep track of applications
It is a good idea to keep a record of the programmes to which a person has applied, including the deadline, employer and application status.
What About Learnership Stipends?
Most learnership programmes pay a stipend, but there is no standard amount, and the stipend can vary between employers, qualifications and duration of the learnership.
It is therefore not advisable to rely on stipend information from other learners or websites.
The best source of information about stipends is the advertisement for the specific learnership programme.
Do You Need a Degree to Start?
Not necessarily.
The examples above show that some learnership fields only require Grade 10, Grade 11 or Matric, depending on the vacancy.
However, this does not mean that a person with a degree cannot apply for a learnership. It is always important to match one’s qualifications to the specific vacancy.
Why Workplace Experience Matters
A qualification shows that a person has completed a course of study, but it does not show how that person would perform in the workplace. Workplace experience can give a person an advantage by providing experience with:
- Workplace communication
- Teamwork
- Time management
- Following procedures
- Customer service
- Operational procedures
- Professionalism
This can be beneficial when applying for other jobs or further study.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply for a learnership without a university degree?
Yes. Some learnerships have lower requirements, such as Grade 10, Grade 11 or Matric.
Do all learnerships pay a stipend?
No. Some learnerships do not pay a stipend, and prospective learners should always check the advertisement.
Does completing a learnership guarantee a job?
No. A learnership provides valuable experience and qualifications, but it does not guarantee a job offer.
Which learnership is best?
It depends on a person’s qualifications, interests and location.
Can Grade 10 or Grade 11 applicants apply?
Some learnership fields allow people with lower qualifications, but others require Matric or higher. It is important to check the advertisement for the specific vacancy.
What documents are normally requested?
An ID, CV and proof of qualifications are normally requested, but each employer has different requirements.
Editorial Note
This article focuses on career fields rather than specific vacancies. The stipend, duration and requirements listed in this article are estimates based on information from various sources. These can vary greatly between employers, and prospective learners should always check the advertisement for the specific vacancy before applying.
Editorial Transparency
This article is intended for informational purposes only and does not guarantee employment or selection for any learnership. The publisher does not engage in any recruitment activities. Prospective applicants should apply directly to the relevant employer or training provider and should be wary of anyone requesting payment for recruitment assistance.
