No Matric doesn’t always stop you from getting into ECD training or applying for every ECD learnership. The entry requirements can vary depending on the qualification and programme.
This is an important condition to check when applying for ECD learnership since some online adverts can claim that you can apply for every ECD learnership.
The Department of Basic Education publishes information about an ECD learnership requiring a minimum of Grade 9, but the entry requirements vary depending on the qualification.
Can you not do Matric and still do ECD?
Matric, or the National Senior Certificate, isn’t always compulsory to get into ECD training.
The Department of Basic Education publishes information about an ECD related qualification for the Further Education and Training Certificate in Early Childhood Development at NQF Level 4, which has a minimum entry requirement of Grade 9. The document refers to the qualification as a credit-bearing, national, occupational qualification at NQF Level 4.
This means people who have not completed Matric can still get into ECD training.
However, it does not mean that everyone who has not completed Matric can apply for every ECD learnership. A specific advertisement can have other criteria to select a candidate from, depending on the employer, training provider, SETA or other funding arrangement.
What is the difference between ECD course and ECD learnership?
This is where many applications get confused.
An ECD course is a broad term that can refer to a whole range of education or training options on Early Childhood Development. A course’s specific entry requirements depend on the qualification and the training provider.
A learnership, on the other hand, refers to a specific type of training arrangement. South Africa’s Skills Development Act defines learnership as including a structured teaching and learning arrangement and the practical workplace experience and specifies that the programme must lead to the learner receiving a qualification related to an occupation.
A learnership always involves a learner agreement, with the learner, employer and training provider signing it.
This means that if an advertisement states “ECD learnership without Matric”, the applicant needs to pay attention to what specific qualification the ECD learnership leads to, and what entry requirements have been set for that specific qualification.
What grade do you need?
It varies depending on the ECD opportunity.
The Department of Basic Education publishes information about an ECD related qualification at NQF Level 4 with a minimum entry requirement of Grade 9.
Other ECD qualifications can have other entry requirements.
Applicants should check:
- the name of the qualification;
- the NQF level;
- the minimum entry requirements;
- if other subjects or competencies are required;
- the training provider;
the workplace component; and
the selection criteria specified in the advertisement.
Do not assume that everyone who has done Grade 9 or Grade 11 or Matric is suitable for every ECD learnership.
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Can you apply for funded ECD learnership without Matric?
In some cases, possibly.
A funded learnership would still have entry conditions according to the requirements of the specific programme.
The Department of Employment and Labour discusses unemployed learners and suggests that job seekers register with a Labour Centre as a work-seeker and contact a SETA about an employer with a learnership vacancy.
Being unemployed or reaching a certain age requirement is not always enough to gain entry into an ECD learnership.
The organisation providing the opportunity can have additional selection criteria.
What about being between the ages of 18 and 35?
Not necessarily a requirement.
Some ECD learnership advertisements target young unemployed South Africans and state an age range of 18 to 35, but this does not mean it applies to every ECD learnership, everywhere.
Check the specific age requirement, citizenship requirement, education requirement, employment status, location, documentation and other selection criteria listed in the actual advertisement.
The Department of Employment and Labour discusses unemployed learners and mentions that employers, training providers and SETAs can have selection criteria when recruiting unemployed learners for a learnership.
Do you have to be unemployed?
Not always.
A learnership can involve a worker as well as an unemployed applicant. The Department of Employment and Labour guidance for learners mentions options for workers and unemployed learners.
However, the specific funded opportunity might target only unemployed applicants.
Applicants should check the specific selection criteria for the advertisement, and not assume that every ECD learnership has the same employment requirements.
What about the ECD stipend?
Applicants should check actual stipend amounts according to the programme.
Involving an unemployed learner can be part of a learnership as long as it meets the employment and allowance conditions of South Africa’s labour laws. The Department of Employment and Labour publishes regulations covering learner employment and allowances.
This does not mean an advertised stipend or allowance will match the advertised requirements.
If the opportunity specifically mentions a monthly stipend, applicants should ask with the organisation providing the learnership to confirm the stipend amount, conditions and duration.
Do not rely on someone else’s website or social media post claiming a stipend amount – always check the actual documentation for a learnership opportunity.
What documents may you need?
The exact list of documents will depend on the programme, but applicants should be prepared to provide some form of the following as part of an application:
- South African identity document;
- school results or certificate;
- CV;
- proof of residence, if requested;
- proof of unemployment, if requested;
relevant supporting certificates; and
other documents requested by the programme.
The Department of Employment and Labour guidance for unemployed learners suggests preparing a CV that includes personal information, education, work experience, skills and referees.
If you do not have Matric, do not pretend to be higher in your studies than you are. If you have completed a Grade 9, state it, and check if it meets the advertised entry requirements for the ECD course.
If you have done grade 9 and not Matric?
This is why checking the qualification is important.
The Department of Basic Education mentions a specific NQF Level 4 ECD qualification with a minimum entry requirement of Grade 9.
This means someone with completed Grade 9, but without Matric, could potentially get into an NQF Level 4 Early Childhood Development qualification.
However, that does not mean they automatically qualify for every ECD learnership that is currently advertised.
A learner should compare their educational background to the advertised requirements of the specific ECD learnership programme.
Beware of ‘no Matric required’ advertisement
“no Matric required” can be an attractive statement for many job seekers, especially if an advertisement mentions a stipend.
Before providing an ID number or any personal information, double-check the advertisement and look out for the following:
A learnership always involves a legitimate arrangement with identified employers, training providers and learners. According to Department of Employment and Labour guidelines, a learnership agreement involves the employer, training provider and the learner signing it.
You should be able to determine:
Who is the employer?
Find out where the workplace component of the learnership will take place.
Who is the training provider?
Make sure you understand who the training provider is, and whether it is a legitimate organisation.
What qualification will you receive?
Do not rely on someone offering you a “certificate” without checking the actual documents.
What is the NQF level?
Where applicable, check the NQF level for the qualification.
Is this a learnership?
A short private course should not be confused with a learnership.
Should you pay to apply?
Applicants should be cautious about programmes requiring payment to apply for an ECD learnership.
Department of Employment and Labour guidance mentions its free service helping employers find unemployed learners, but the service can involve other costs.
If an advertisement mentions that an application, “registration” or “placement” will incur costs, always confirm with the provider organisation before making any payment.
Never assume that a claim of a SETA, department or organisation makes an application legitimate.
How to find ECD learnership opportunities
If you are unemployed and looking for a learnership, one option is register as a work-seeker with a Labour Centre.
The South African government mentions that unemployed people can register as work-seekers with a Labour Centre so that employers looking for learners can contact you. The government also mentions contacting SETAs about companies with learnership vacancies.
Keep your CV up to date and follow up on any advertised opportunities through employers, SETAs, government and training providers.
A simple list for applicants without Matric
Before you apply for an ECD learnership, ask:
- What is the qualification?
- What NQF level is it?
- What is the minimum education requirement?
- Does the programme specifically accept applicants without Matric?
- Is there a workplace component?
- Who is the employer?
- Who is the training provider?
- Is the programme funded?
- Is there a learner allowance or stipend?
- What documents are required?
- What is the closing date for application?
- Where should I submit my application to?
Using the above list ensures that applicants are not misled into confusing a course with a learnership.
The bottom line
Lacking Matric doesn’t always preclude you from ECD training or learnership opportunities in South Africa, but each learnership has to be checked for its entry requirements.
The Department of Basic Education document mentions a specific NQF Level 4 ECD qualification with Grade 9 as its minimum entry requirement, showing that Matric is not required to get into ECD training.
However, each ECD learnership needs to be assessed individually, with applicants looking out for the following:
Qualification name, NQF level, entry requirements, employer, training provider, workplace component, funding and application requirements.
Sources and verification
This article has used government and official sources, including the Department of Basic Education, Department of Employment and Labour and the Skills Development Act. Always check the requirements according to the specified programme.
Editorial policy
Our editorial policy covers providing career and education guidance articles to South African readers, based on identifiable and verifiable sources. This article distinguishes between general and specific requirements and refuses to present private claims as general facts.
Corrections policy
If a factual error is identified, the relevant portion of the article will be reviewed and corrected, with reference to the reliable documentation. The correction will be made transparently, if it has affected the meaning of the information given.
Disclaimer
This article provides general information about education and careers and is not an admission decision or a guarantee of acceptance into an ECD programme. Application dates, funding arrangements, entry requirements and other specifics can change, and applicants should always confirm details with the relevant training organisation regarding the specified learnership or qualification before applying.
