How do I apply for a learnership in South Africa?

Apply directly through the employer's careers portal or via the relevant SETA website. You can also find listings on government job boards, CazVid, and company social media pages. Submit your matric certificate, ID, and a strong CV before the closing date. A short video introduction helps you stand out when applications are competitive.

Learnerships South Africa 2026: How to Find & Apply

Q: Which companies offer learnerships in South Africa?

Large employers across banking, mining, energy, retail, and transport run regular learnership intakes. Companies like Transnet, Eskom, Sasol, Nedbank, Standard Bank, Shoprite, and Anglo American all advertise learnership programmes on their careers portals and through SETAs.

Q: What qualifications do I need for a learnership?

Most learnerships require a matric certificate (Grade 12), though some are open to people still completing matric. The specific requirements depend on the SETA and the company. Technical learnerships may ask for maths or science passes; administration learnerships usually require English and a basic literacy level.

Learnerships in South Africa are one of the most accessible ways to gain a recognised qualification and paid work experience at the same time. To apply, you find an open intake through an employer's careers portal or a SETA, submit your matric certificate and CV before the closing date, and complete a structured programme that combines on-the-job training with theory. This guide covers what learnerships are, which companies run them, how to find real openings, and how to make your application stand out.

What a learnership is and why it matters

A learnership is a formal agreement between a learner, an employer, and a training provider, registered with a Sector Education and Training Authority. The learner earns a monthly stipend while gaining practical experience and completes a theoretical component that leads to a qualification on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF). Unlike a short course or internship, a learnership ends with a nationally recognised credential you can use to progress your career.

Learnerships were introduced to address skills gaps in South Africa's workforce and to give young people a structured entry point into employment. Many learners are hired permanently once they complete their programme.

Which sectors and companies offer learnerships

Demand is strongest in sectors with high skills requirements and large workforces. The following are among the most active:

Mining and energy:

Transnet runs engineering, logistics, and port operations learnerships
Eskom offers electrical and technical learnerships for people with Grade 12 maths and science
Sasol runs process, engineering, and artisan learnership intakes at Secunda and Sasolburg

Banking and finance:

Nedbank, Standard Bank, FNB, and Absa each run annual learnership intakes in customer service, data, and financial services
Capitec runs a recurring branch learnership that converts many graduates to permanent tellers

Retail and FMCG:

Shoprite, Pick n Pay, and Checkers run warehouse, distribution, and retail learnership programmes
Tiger Brands, Kellogg's, and Heineken offer FMCG manufacturing learnerships

Transport and logistics:

Transnet and Imperial Logistics run driving, warehousing, and supply-chain learnerships
Rea Vaya and municipal transport operators run learnerships in bus operations and maintenance

How learnerships are structured

A learnership typically lasts 12 months, though some technical or artisan programmes run for up to 24 months. During that time, the learner:

Reports to the employer for the practical component (usually four days per week)
Attends a training provider for the theoretical component (one day per week, or in blocks)
Completes a portfolio of evidence showing the skills acquired
Sits for an external assessment at the end of the programme

The monthly stipend varies by sector and NQF level but typically ranges from R3 500 to R8 000 per month, making it a real source of income alongside the qualification.

Where to find genuine learnership listings

Real learnership opportunities appear in several places:

Employer careers portals: the most reliable source, since fake learnership adverts do not appear on official company websites
SETA websites: each sector has its own SETA (Mining Qualifications Authority, BANKSETA, W&RSETA for retail, etc.) and many list available programmes
Government job portals: the DPSA and provincial government sites include public-sector learnership intakes
CazVid: browse current vacancies and learnership openings across South Africa

Avoid adverts on WhatsApp or Facebook that ask you to pay a fee. Legitimate learnerships never charge the learner.

What employers look for in learnership applicants

Because each intake is competitive, hiring managers screen for clear signals beyond just the matric certificate:

A genuine motivation for the specific sector (not a generic application)
Basic numeracy and literacy matched to the NQF level of the programme
Reliability and availability for the full duration of the learnership
Any relevant volunteer work, community projects, or prior exposure to the industry
A professional and confident manner in the application and interview

Stand out with a short video introduction

When dozens of applicants hold the same matric certificate, a 30 to 60 second video introduction is the fastest way to show why you are the right fit. Record your name, the type of learnership you want, why that sector interests you, and your availability. Speak clearly, look directly at the camera, and record in a quiet, well-lit space.

On CazVid you record one profile and reuse it to apply across multiple employers, so recruiters see the real you before a single interview is scheduled. Browse open learnerships and entry-level opportunities on the CazVid jobs page, or upload your video resume so employers can find you first.

Related guides

Frequently asked questions

What is a learnership in South Africa? A learnership is a work-based learning programme registered with a SETA that combines on-the-job training with theory, leading to a nationally recognised NQF qualification and a monthly stipend.

Which companies offer learnerships in South Africa? Large employers in mining, energy, banking, retail, and transport are the most active. Transnet, Eskom, Sasol, Nedbank, Standard Bank, Shoprite, Pick n Pay, and Imperial Logistics all run recurring learnership intakes.

What qualifications do I need for a learnership? Most require a matric certificate. Technical learnerships often ask for maths or science passes. Some programmes accept candidates still completing matric, depending on the SETA requirements.

How do I apply for a learnership? Apply directly through the employer's careers portal or the relevant SETA website before the closing date. Submit your matric certificate, ID, and a strong CV. A short video introduction on CazVid helps your application stand out when many people apply for the same intake.