Are learnerships paid positions, will learners have a job after the learnership programme and what can you do after the learnership

 

In this article we will be addressing some commonly asked questions about learnership programmes, including: how much does a learnership pay, what is required from learners during the learnership, do they have a permanent job after completing the programme and what else can learners do after the learnership.

Don’t forget to also view our other articles here, where we will provide further details and advise on learnerships, internships, apprenticeships, traineeships, in-service-training and graduate programmes.

 

Do learner get paid during the learnership programme?

During the learnership programme, individuals are paid a learner allowance by the company. The allowance is not a salary but enough to cover travel expenses and meals during the programme (as individuals entering the learnership opportunity are unemployed.)
 

How much do you earn during the learnership programme?

It is the responsibility of the employer to pay the individual a calculated percentage of the qualified wage under the minimum amount specification set out by the Minimum of Labour. Learnership allowances vary as it is dependant on the type of learnership as well as the level of the qualification the candidate holds. The company sets up an agreement with the learner before the programme commences, stating the allowance amount and conditions thereof.

The level of qualification the individual holds will indicate the number of credits and duration of their programme, for example, a Grade 12 certificate is an NQF4 and a Degree (Bachelor's from a university) is an NQF6. The majority of learnerships are 120 credits, therefore, if the individual completes the programme, they will obtain 120 credits on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF).

 

What is required from learners during in the learnership programme?

The individual will be required to sign two legal documents: a Learnership Agreement and an Employment Contract. The learnership agreement is signed by three parties: the individual who will be completing the programme (the learner), the employer/company offering the programme (the learnership provider), and the learning institution where the individual will be completing the classroom-based training (the training provider).

In the Learnership Agreement, the rights and responsibilities of each party is explained, whilst the Employment Contract is a document signed between the individual and the employer (this is valid only for the duration of the learnership programme).

 

Where can I apply for a learnership?

At Top Learnerships, we aim to always bring you the latest learnership opportunities - whether they are from small companies, large organisation or government institutions/ departments, we have it all.

View all our Learnerships Here

 

Are learners guaranteed a job after completing the learnership programme?

Learnership programmes, unfortunately, do not guarantee employment upon completion and the employer is in no way obligated to offer the individual a job. However, owing to the qualification obtained from the programme, the candidate will have a better chance of employment when entering the job market.

 

What can learners do after the learnership programme?

Individuals can study further, start a business of their own by opening a small business or even establish cooperatives with the new skills they have acquired. Individuals can also use a number of employment agencies to scout more opportunities.

Remember, even though the company might not offer you a job upon completion, you have gained new skills and experience that will put you in higher steed than your competitors and increase your chances of getting a well-paid job in your field of study!