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Dear Nicolette

Thank you for your question regarding a learnership in microbiology and how to gain work experience. Finding a learnership is a process which requires a multi-pronged approach, coupled with dedication and perseverance.

It is important to develop a network of microbiology contacts to approach for work experience. To help you develop a networking and information gathering plan, read “What color is your parachute?” by R N Bolles.  Try the following organizations for information about potential employers or people you should connect with:

• Your lecturers
• Cape Biotech: www.capebiotech.co.za
• Cape Biotechnology Forum: www.capebioforum.org.za
• South African National Accreditation System (http://www.sanas.co.za) for lists of laboratories who are involved with microbiological analysis.

Explore the following Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs) for information about future learnerships. While they don’t actually provide learnerships, they may be able to give you a list of their members who do:

• FoodBev SETA: http://www.foodbev.co.za/
• The Health and Welfare Sector Education and Training Authority (HWSETA):  http://www.hwseta.org.za/
• Chemical Industries Education and Training Authority (CHIETA): http://www.chieta.org.za

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

We hope this information will help you to start your network of useful contacts.
 

Best wishes for your future career.

The Career Planet Team