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PLEASE NOTE: Career Planet does not offer learnerships. We do, however, advertise learnerships that other companies offer from time to time. Please keep checking our website for details.

1. What is a Learnership? 

• A Learnership is a vocational education and training programme. It combines theory and practice, culminating in a qualification that is registered with SAQA.
• A person who successfully completes a learnership will have a qualification that signifies occupational competence and is recognised throughout the country. 

 2. What is an Apprenticeship? 

• An apprenticeship is a non unit standard based registered qualification, which is governed by the sections 13 – 29 f the Manpower Training Act 56 of 1981.
• An apprenticeship comprises the integration of workplace and institutional learning and culminates in a national qualification. 

 3. How will Learnerships work in practice? 

• Employers enter into a Learnership Agreement with learners and providers.
• In most cases an employer will provide the practical part of the learnership and the training and education provider will offer the theoretical part of the total programme. Some employers may be able to offer both elements of the learnership

 4. Can universities and schools offer learnerships?
     Yes, universities and schools can and may be involved in learnerships. A Learnership agreement involves:

• a learner,
• an employer or a group of employers and
• an accredited provider.
   

5. What is the duration of a Learnership?
The minimum duration of a Learnership is thirty (30) weeks to a minimum of one year. 

 6. What does it mean for an unemployed learner to be on a Learnership?
An unemployed learner will sign: 

• A Learnership Agreement
• A contract of employment for the duration of the Learnership.
• A Learnership Agreement, with the employer(s), (who shall host/employ the learner for workplace learning) and training provider.

The Learnership Agreement will detail what is expected of the learner and what the learner shall have to do during the training.

 7. What shall a learner obtain at the end of the Learnership? 
If the Learnership is successfully completed the learner will obtain a qualification that is recognised throughout the country and a certificate as proof of competence. 

 8. Will the learner be offered a job after completing the Learnership?

• There is no guarantee of a job on successful completion of the Learnership.
• The employer who offers the learner workplace training does not have an obligation to offer employment. It is however proper and fitting that the responsible provider ensures and makes arrangements that unemployed learners who have been declared competent find placements:
• At the workplace or practice or with any other employer
• At their own farms (ELRAD beneficiaries) or
• At their own respective areas of land.

 9. How do unemployed people apply for a Learnership? 

• Unemployed people shall register with the Department of Labour as a work seeker by completing the required registration form indicating their interests. The forms are available at the Labour Centres.
• They should keep their contact details up to date.
• The Labour Centres shall contact these people if they meet the minimum criteria for the Learnerships with a specific employer
• Employers shall be responsible for the final selection of learners. 

 
 10. How do employed people apply for a Learnership? 

• Employed people can contact their employers through their Human Resources Department.
• They can also speak to their Supervisors responsible for their appraisal process in the company/organisation.
• They can contact their trade union official (if available) for more information.

 11. How shall learner benefit from Learnerships? 
If the Learnership is successfully completed the learner shall obtain a qualification that is recognised throughout the country and a certificate as proof of competence. 

• Learners shall receive quality and relevant education and training.
• Learners acquire competence required in the workplace.
• Learnerships improve access to opportunities for employment
• Learners shall have access to further learning opportunities
• Learners shall receive a certificate of service confirming their working experience
• Learnerships offer an opportunity to affordable education, training and development. 

Information from Agriseta