South Africans interested in working with children may be able to pursue Early Childhood Development (ECD) learnerships through SETA, government departments, accredited training providers, colleges and community organisations.
ECD training provides a career path in an expanding sector which offers valuable work-experience, but there are a range of requirements for these opportunities.
Here is a guide to finding ECD learnerships in South Africa.
ECD Learnership Overview
1. ETDP SETA
ETDP SETA is a key source of ECD learnerships because it covers skills-development in education and training.
Applicants should review funding opportunities and advertised vacancies for ECD learnerships through this SETA often, as they can have a wide range of requirements.
SETA-funded programs can vary significantly, including those related to ECD.
It is a good idea to set up alerts about relevant job advertisements through SETA, or regularly visit its funding announcements for learnerships and ECD-specific advertisements.
2. Provincial Education Departments
Education departments at a provincial level can also advertise training and skills-development opportunities for those interested in pursuing a career in ECD.
Job seekers should look out for opportunities in the Department of Basic Education, as well as their local provincial education department, for available positions and learnerships.
This is a good resource for people interested in finding ECD learnerships near them.
3. Accredited Training Providers and TVET Colleges
Accredited training providers can offer ECD qualifications, such as the NQF Level 4, to learners.
Applicants should ensure that a training provider is accredited before sharing personal information or applying for ECD learnerships through them.
TVET colleges and other training providers can be a good way to research ECD learnerships, including intakes at different times of the year.
4. NGOs and Community Initiatives
NGOs and community organisations can sometimes provide ECD learnerships or recruit workers for early childhood development programs.
Some community jobs related to ECD may not have a formal application process with specific requirements beyond what is needed to apply for the job itself.
There are a number of reputable ECD organisations in South Africa, such as SmartStart and Cotlands, which have been supporting early childhood development for many years.
Community-based jobs and learnerships in ECD can be a good fit for people who are particularly interested in their local area.
5. SA Youth and Other Youth Employment Programmes
Youth employment programmes such as the SA Youth platform can also list ECD-related learnerships, jobs and skills-development opportunities for young people.
SA Youth can be a good way to view a number of ECD-related vacancies and funding opportunities, depending on what is advertised.
It is a good idea to check the website directly, rather than rely solely on social media accounts, as job advertisements on social media can be out-of-date.
Qualifications Required for ECD Learnerships
Qualifications required for ECD learnerships vary depending on the organisation offering the post.
Some ECD programs only require learners to have completed Grade 10, while others may ask for Grade 11, Grade 12 or Matric.
Other educational requirements, such as a relevant ECD qualification, may also apply.
Applicants should not assume that requirements advertised for one ECD learnership apply to another, as the qualification, funding and organisation can affect entry criteria.
Eligibility Requirements for ECD Learnerships
Most youth-focused ECD learnership opportunities are open to South Africans aged between 18 and 35, although this can vary between programs.
Additional eligibility criteria for ECD learnerships often include:
- South African citizenship;
- Valid South African ID;
- Being unemployed;
- Availability to start the learnership;
- Not currently studying a full-time qualification.
Other factors, such as being a resident in a specific province or community, may also apply, depending on the organisation offering the learnership.
Police Clearance Requirements for ECD Jobs
Since ECD jobs involve working with children, many employers conduct background checks on potential employees.
A police clearance certificate may be required for an ECD learnership, depending on the organisation employing the learner.
It is a good idea to wait for instructions from the company offering the ECD learnership before paying for unnecessary documentation.
What Does an ECD Learnership Involve?
An ECD learnership usually involves a combination of theory and practical training.
Depending on the specific program, learners may learn about:
- Child development;
- Early learning activities;
- Child safety;
- Classroom assistance;
- Communication with children;
- Observation and assessment;
- Planning and facilitating play and learning;
- Engaging with families and communities;
- Professional behaviour.
Practical training is an essential part of most ECD learnerships, as working with children and young people requires additional skills to those learned through formal qualifications.
Why ECD Training Is Important
The early years of a child’s life are critically important to their development.
ECD practitioners support children to develop language, social, emotional and cognitive skills, as well as provide a safe environment for them to grow and learn.
For those considering a career in ECD, a qualification combined with practical training can help to facilitate a long-term career.
An ECD learnership can allow people to enter the sector with the relevant experience and qualifications.
How to Increase Chances of Getting an ECD Learnership
Job seekers should take a number of steps to increase their chances of getting an ECD learnership:
Search Multiple Job Sites
Rather than only using one job site, it is a good idea to look at a number of different job sites, SETA funding opportunities, government departments, training colleges and ECD-related organisations.
Have Required Documents Handy
Applicants should ensure that they have the correct documents ready when applying for ECD learnerships, such as:
- South African ID;
- Latest school results;
- CV;
- Proof of address, if required;
- Any other documents requested by the organisation offering the learnership.
Know What Qualifications Are Needed
Applicants should understand what qualifications are needed for a specific learnership before applying for it.
Not all ECD learnerships have the same requirements, and some may only ask for a Grade 10 pass.
Apply Early
Applicants should apply for ECD learnerships early, as these programs may have limited capacity.
Waiting until the last minute to apply for ECD learnerships could reduce chances of being employed, since there may already be more qualified candidates than available positions.
Avoid Fraudulent Job Offers
Applicants should be aware of scams related to ECD learnerships.
Legitimate ECD learnerships will not ask learners to pay someone to get a job.
Applicants should be particularly wary of phone calls from individuals claiming to know about ECD job opportunities, especially if they ask for personal information or bank details.
ECD Learnership Summary
ECD learnerships can give young South Africans valuable work-experience and support them to enter the ECD sector.
The best places to look for ECD learnerships include ETDP SETA, government education departments, training providers, TVET colleges, ECD organisations and youth employment programs, such as the SA Youth.
As requirements for ECD learnerships vary between programs, it is a good idea to carefully review the qualification, eligibility criteria, accreditation, due dates and application instructions for each listed opportunity.
