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Dear Ria

Thank you for your enquiry. Well done on exploring study options. It is never too late to study further. We suggest you consult the following sources for more information on how to apply for a learnership:

For a general overview of learnerships consult the Department of Labour website http://www.labour.gov.za/documents/useful-documents/skills-development/ and access the following guides:

• A learnership guide for unemployed people
• Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs)
• Registered learnerships by SETA.

Once you know which learnerships you are interested in we suggest you contact the SETAs which monitor these learnerships to find out about the application process and which organizations offer them.

We suggest you contact at least the Finance, Accounting, Management Consulting and Other Financial Services SETA (http://www.fasset.org.za/default.asp) for more information on how to access learnerships in the accounting field. You could also ask this SETA about Recognition of Prior Learning to see if the type of experience you have qualifies you to apply for this process.

Learnerships are also advertised in newspapers from time-to-time by Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs) or their member organizations.

If you are employed you could approach your company to see if they have any learnerships they could enrol you for through their SETA.

We also suggest you consider completing studies on a part time basis through your local FET College for example NCV Finance, Economics and Accounting. They may even have learnerships. When you contact them enquire if they have any financial assistance or bursary programs you could apply for (http://www.westcol.co.za/).

You mentioned that you would ultimately like to become a Chartered Accountant. If you would like to do this you will need to complete a BCom (3 years full time) accounting degree followed by  a post graduate CTA or equivalent qualification (1 year) and then sign up for 3 years articles with a recognised accounting firm (a learnership) after which you will write two qualifying examinations. Once this process has been successfully completed you may apply for registration as a chartered accountant. Please refer to the website for the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants http://www.saica.co.za/ for more information about the different routes you could follow to become a chartered accountant.

If you have the appropriate academic entry requirements, explore studying a BCom through UNISA. This university allows you to study by post. Their contact details are as follows:
UNISA CONTACT CENTRE (UCC)
Tel: 0861 670 411 (Nationally)
Fax: 012 429 4150
e-mail: econ@unisa.ac.za

We hope this information will help you to access a learnership or a study program that will lead you towards becoming a qualified bookkeeper as the first step towards your ultimate goal. 

Lynn and the Career Planet Team