Starting out in the working world can be daunting for inexperienced South Africans. Whether they are freshly graduated or without a formal qualification but with a dream-job in sight, young people often need to build skills, gain occupational training and understand what a role actually involves before taking on their first job.
SETA learnerships can offer one solution by providing a mix of learning and training, preparing participants to gain a recognised qualification and take up an occupation.
Understanding how these opportunities benefit jobseekers, what determines the quality of training and where organisations like Lulaway fit in play an important role in helping young people make the right choices.
Understanding SETA Learnerships in South Africa
Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs) are responsible for a range of skills development activities relevant to different industries. These include, but are not limited to, providing input into the development of skills plans and supporting appropriate training and occupational development activities
A learnerhip consists of learning and development components that enable participants to acquire knowledge and skills related to an occupation.
Industry-specific learnerships are available in different fields, including business administration, finance, construction, manufacturing, agriculture, transport, information technology and customer service.
The requirements for enrolment vary depending on the learnerhip and may include a minimum education level such as Grade 10, Grade 11 or Matric, specific subjects and additional qualifications. People interested in applying should double-check the requirements as stated in the relevant advertisement.
Why Recognition and Training Quality Are Important
Not all training opportunities lead to a qualifying outcome. Before applying, learners must make sure that the occupation-specific qualification will be awarded by the relevant SETA.
The advertised programme should be compared with official SETA sources to confirm recognition and accreditation, and the relevant authority should be contacted for information regarding the recognition of qualifications.
The completion of a training programme therefore does not necessarily mean that a learner will have undertaken a SETA-accredited programme or received a nationally recognised qualification.
Learners should ensure that the content, delivery, work place component, duration, assessment requirements and successful completion criteria of a learnership are clear.
Learners should also research and confirm whether a stipend will be paid to successful applicants and under what conditions a stipend may be forfeited. Any stipend arrangements are usually specified in the advert, and payments are dependent on the terms and conditions of the relevant training provider.
How Learnerships Can Help Prepare Participants for Work
Practical experience beyond the classroom
One of the biggest challenges facing inexperienced jobseekers is proving that the can apply theoretical learning in the real world. Attending workplace training can expose participants to day-to-day practices and procedures and introduce them to various forms of professional communication and teamwork.
Depending on the nature of the workplace host, learners may be exposed to a range of activities, from performing purely administrative duties to completing technical or customer-related responsibilities as part of the training.
This kind of experience enables people to understand what to expect in the workplace and could give them an edge over other graduates when it comes to interviews.
Skills for an occupational pathway
Learnerhips take place within the context of a specific learning programme and are designed to equip participants with the necessary technical competencies. In addition, learners may develop transferrable skills, including communication, time-management, problem-solving and organisational abilities, as well as learning how to act responsibly and abide by instructions.
Learners may be able to apply the knowledge and skill gained on the job, as well as any additional relevant experience, to applying for relevant vacancies. However, they might still be required to gain additional experience because they may not have received formal qualification and/or the job might require other specific competencies.
A possible route towards further development
Participants who successfully complete a learnership programme may be able to use it as a stepping stone for further training or find a relevant entry-level job.
In other words, a learnership in an administrative field could qualify a person for an office support job, while a learnership in a technical occupation may prepare someone to undergo further occupational training.
What happens next depends on the content of the learnership, the learner’s own skills and the requirements of the relevant vacancy.
A learnership does not promise a permanent job, but the knowledge and experience gained can support a person throughout their chosen career path.
What Role Does Lulaway Play?
Lulaway is largely concerned with facilitating links between workseekers and employment opportunities. There are a number of organisations that facilitate similar services, depending on the nature of the required training and employment.
When Lulaway is involved in a learnership opportunity, those interested should make sure that they understand their role in the process. In particular, they must clarify whether Lulaway plays a role in the recruitment process or simply connects jobseekers with an employer or a training provider.
They should also identify the organisation responsible for the advertised opportunity, the type of training involved and the application channel.
This is important because Lulaway’s role may differ from that of the actual training provider or the organisation that will award thequalification.
Who Can Apply for a Learnership?
Application requirements will depend on the programme and industry. Certain learnerships are only open to unemployed youth, while others advertise opportunities for school leavers, graduates or people seeking to build skills in a particular field.
Applicants should determine if they meet the specified criteria, which may include:
- being a South African citizen or meeting other entry requirements
- having the minimum educational requirements
- meeting any age requirements (if applicable)
- being unemployed (if applicable)
- residing in a particular area of South Africa
- being available to study or train for the duration of the programme
- submitting the required documentation and meeting application deadlines
Applicants must bear in mind that the requirements of each learnership may differ. The advert must therefore be viewed as a primary source of information.
Preparing a Strong Application
There are several things that young people can do to put together a strong application.
Firstly, they should determine if they have the required educational and occupational background and make sure that they meet all the specified criteria. They must also read through the application guidelines to determine whether applications need to be submitted via email, online or by post.
Jobseekers should also prepare a CV that reflects their qualifications, skills, personal information and work, volunteer or practical experience they have had in the past.
If a qualifying document needs to be provided, learners should make sure that they submit certified documents or transcripts, if applicable.
Learners should also retain copies of all application documents and confirmation.
Applicants must bear in mind that those offering money in return for personal information or a ‘guaranteed’ position may be con artists, and should check the legitimacy of an opportunity by contacting organisations through officially listed channels before providing detailed personal information.
What Should Young People Consider Before Accepting an Offer?
Learners need to understand what the learnership entails and what they will gain from the experience.
Before making a commitment, they should consider the following:
- The length of time that the programme will take;
- Where the training will be held;
- Whether they are required to attend full-time or part-time;
- What workplace activities they will be involved in;
- Whether they will be paid a stipend and if so, how much the stipend will amount to;
- When and under what conditions a stipend may be granted to them;
- Whether they will be responsible for any travel or other costs;
- What qualification they will receive on successful completion of the programme.
Asking the right questions can help people compare one learnership opportunity to the next.
Building a Career After Training
Completing a learnership is only part of the journey. Participants need to update their CVs, looking for entry-level vacancies, additional training opportunities or further occupational qualifications.
Learners should retain copies of any relevant certificates, assessments, records of work place activity or anything else that can help to build a career.
If employment is not immediately available, skills gained through a learnership can create a foundation for further occupational development, but only if the qualification has been recognised and the new job requires similar skills.
Conclusion
SETA learnerships can give young South Africans the opportunity to prepare themselves for a working life by building new skills, gaining valuable experience and obtaining an occupation-specific qualification.
Organisations such as Lulaway can help workseekers identify the best possible opportunities, depending on the learnership.
People must determine what the learnership entails and what it can offer, as well as assessing the potential of the qualification to help them build a worthwhile career.
Meta description: Learn how SETA learnerships support youth employment by helping young South Africans develop occupation-specific skills and build experience, including options with Lulaway.
