For many young South Africans, it can be challenging to get into the workplace for the first time, without prior working experience, relevant training or the skill set that employers are looking for. SETA-accredited learnerships can provide a bridge to employment, by giving participants the tools that they need to be able to work within a given industry.
Learnerships can help school leavers, the unemployed or those looking to further their occupational skills, gain the necessary workplace competencies, in order to obtain a relevant qualification. In this guide, we look at what learnerships are, how to identify a genuine opportunity and what such a programme can do to help one get a job.
What Is a SETA-Accredited Learnership?
A learnership is a programme which allows participants to gain knowledge and practical experience in a specific occupation, through a combination of learning and workplace experience.
SETAs or Sector Education and Training Authorities, play a role in developing the skills needed within the economy. Where relevant, a SETA can be responsible for determining skills needs, providing training and regulating the quality assurance mechanisms within a given industry sector.
Learnerships can range from business studies to finance, information technology to manufacturing, building and construction to transport, agriculture or other occupations. The qualification, training provider, workplace experience component and entry requirements vary, depending on the programme.
Why Does It Matter if a Learnership Is Accredited and Assured?
To the applicant, accreditation and quality assurance are important, since it assures them that they are getting a legitimate learning programme. However, one must be wary of unsubstantiated claims that a learnership is SETA-accredited. The relevant qualification, training provider and other aspects must be verified through relevant channels.
A legitimate programme must specify what the applicant will be learning, how they will be learning it, what qualification it will lead to and what the requirements for entry are. One must also ensure that the learnership is available and that one meets the entry criteria.
How Can Learnerships Help to Get a Job?
1. Gain practical experience in an occupation
Many times, entry-level positions require one to have a certain understanding of the workings of the workplace. Through a learnership programme, one has the opportunity to engage in on-the-job and work-place learning, which will make it easier to navigate the job environment.
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This will also allow one to gain competence in the role needed for the prospective job vacancy.
2. Learn the skills needed in a certain occupation
Through a learnership, one can combine both theoretical learning with workplace learning. Depending on the programme, the participant gains technical, occupational and other skills needed for a certain industry. Upon successful completion of the training, a learner can either get an occupation-specific qualification or meet the requirements for such a qualification, based on their own learning.
3. Boost confidence when applying for a job
For someone who has never worked before, learnership experience can give them a leg-up when getting their foot in the door. The experience that comes from learning in the workplace means that the participant can be familiar with the procedures and protocols that an employer would be looking for.
They may also understand how to operate in an office setting or in a factory, depending on their chosen industry. These skills are transferable and can be applied in other similar environments.
4. Have the opportunity to find out if the occupation is right for the applicant
Through the learnership, one gets to know first-hand what it is like to be in that line of work. Thereafter, one can decide what career path to choose within their chosen industry. The learner may also realise what further qualifications they might need in order to move up within the industry.
It must be noted that the completion of a learnership is not a guarantee of a job. They still have to compete for the job vacancy, or for an apprenticeship at a relevant company, or meet other work requirements. In order to find out if a learnership experience is relevant to one’s needs, they should take it as an opportunity to find out what other requirements exist for them, so that they can find the right learnership for them.
The Role Lulaway Plays in Getting a Job
Lulaway works with work seekers, to help them get access to employment opportunities and other training programmes. Organisations that make training and job placement opportunities available, can help young South Africans who are looking for work, to find out about the programmes and get the relevant information.
Lulaway applicants need to be aware that the details for a programme vary, depending on what is advertised. Before applying, one must always double-check the entry requirements, organisation offering the programme, accreditation, qualification, stipend and other relevant details that will be available on the website or through the contact details provided.
When applying for a learnership, training or an apprenticeship through Lulaway, one must always be wary of making payments, unless it is confirmed that the programme is legitimate, and that they were selected to participate. One has to always confirm the requirements and the process, before submitting any documents or making payments.
The following are the requirements for any application:
- Organisation offering the programme: It must be possible to contact the organisation offering the programme, to clarify any queries.
- Training and qualification: The training and qualification offered must be verified.
- Education requirements: The minimum education requirements must be met.
- Experience: There may be requirements relating to experience.
- Work experience: A learnership may involve gaining work experience.
- Length of training and stipend: The length of the programme and stipend entitlement need to be clarified.
- Documents required: Depending on the training programme, documents such as a CV, ID, results, etc., may be required.
- Application procedure: The application procedure needs to be followed to apply, and the documents submitted must be verified.
- Qualification after completion: It must be possible for programme completion to lead to a qualification or an occupational outcome that one wants to get.
Anyone looking for a job or training opportunity should apply for a learnership or apprenticeship programme that meets the specific needs of the application, and make sure that the claims are legitimate.
Who Should Apply?
Learnerships supported by SETA may suit individuals considering building a skill set for a certain occupation. Depending on the programme, the following categories of individuals may apply:
- Young people who have completed Grade 12.
- Unemployed South Africans who are looking to get into training.
- School leavers who are considering obtaining workplace experience.
- People who want to build on the skills needed for a certain industry.
- Anyone who meets the application criteria.
Depending on the advertisement, not all learnerships require matric, and not all programmes accept people without working experience. It is always important to read the learnership advertisement carefully.
How to Submit an Application
Submitting an application requires a few steps that must be followed carefully, in order to avoid errors. The following five steps can be followed when applying for a learnership, training or apprenticeship:
Step 1: Find a programme that suits the education and occupational needs of the applicant.
Step 2: Check the requirements that need to be met before applying.
Step 3: Prepare the documents that will be required.
Step 4: Apply through the designated application procedure.
Step 5: Save confirmation details and keep in touch with the organiser.
When applying for a learnership, training or apprenticeship programme, one must never give money to anyone who claims that they will get one selected for the programme.
Anyone applying for a job vacancy or learnership should make sure that all the details are correct and that the application was successful before submitting any documents or making any payments.
What Will Happen After Completing a Learnership Programme?
Upon completion of the programme, an applicant now has the skills and practical knowledge needed for the relevant occupation. They can now apply for the job vacancy that they identified as the goal, or look for other similar vacancies.
They can also apply for other occupational-related training or qualifications to further their career path.
The next step is to update a résumé to reflect the programme completed, the tasks done during training, the skills gained, etc. It is important not to claim skills or tasks that were not done during the learnership.
The job experience depends on the quality and content of the training, the workplace experience gained during the learnership, the qualification that was completed and the vacancy that one is applying for.
Conclusion
SETA-accredited learnerships can give young South Africans the opportunity to blend theoretical knowledge with workplace experience. This will provide the tools that they need to be able to get a job and build a career path.
For young South Africans looking to get their first job, it is important to find a legitimate programme that will provide the training that they need to build their résumé and get them in the door.
Lulaway and other organisations can play a role in providing training and employment opportunities for work seekers, but it is always necessary to double-check any given information before applying.