Learnerships combine theory and practice when it comes to gaining a qualification and skills and embarking on a career. However, learnerships aren't the same as a full-time job.
Usually, learnerships are done for an average of 18 months. If you're wondering whether you get paid while doing a learnership, the answer is yes, learners do receive a stipend for the work being done.
Employers fund the learnership, through grants obtained from the MERSETA.
The Services SETA explains:
All unemployed people selected for a learnership programme will be paid a learner allowance by the employer. The allowance is not a salary, but is intended to cover the cost of expenses like travel and meals you will have to pay for because you are in the learnership.
The precise amount of the learner stipend depends on the type of learnership and the level of the qualification.
How A Learnership Stipend Is Calculated
When looking at how much a learner should be paid, you need to look at the number of hours the learner normally works. A learner’s monthly remuneration or allowance is four and one-third times the learner’s weekly remuneration or allowance.
A learner’s allowance must be calculated as a percentage of the qualified wage with no learner being paid less than the applicable allowance.
Types Of Learnerships Available
A learnership is a work-based learning programme that leads to a nationally recognised qualification that is directly related to an occupation. These occupations include an accountant, construction worker, health care worker, IT technician or motor mechanic.
Popular learnerships which are offered are Business Administration, Baking, Welding, Sales, Finance and many other career fields. Unemployed youth have a wide range of industries to choose from with learnerships being an ideal place to start.
Find the latest learnerships available on our Opportunities page.
