Considering a SETA learnership or skills program might appear confusing, particularly for those in South Africa looking for opportunities for skills development.
Both of these options fall under the same general category of training in South Africa but they do have quite different features – and outcomes.
The main difference is that a learnership includes the development of work experience and leads to anoccupational related qualification on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) whereas a skills program tends to be more defined on a particular learning component – and can lead to either credits on qualification or not.
SETA Learnerships and Skills Programmes: At a Glance
Feature
SETA Learnership
Skills Programme
Principal focus
Combines learning and practical workplace experience
Develops specific skills or learning outcomes
Workplace experience
Integral component
Varies per program
Outcomes
Includes qualification on the NQF at an occupational level
Can include qualification credit or outcome components
Length
Varies per program
Varies per program
Formal agreement
Required
Variable
Suits
Those wishing to pursue occupational training
Those wishing to develop targeted aspects of a qualification
SETA role
Learnerships can be developed / facilitated by SETAs
Can be supported within SETA spheres
It is not uncommon for there to be considerable confusion between what constitutes a SETA learnership and what counts as a skills program.
At first glance, both kinds of training opportunities can appear to be similar.
This tends to relate primarily to the fact that both are supported by SETAs, both can vary considerably and both are likely to require some degree of formal application.
However, a learnership should not be considered the same thing as a skills program.
What Is a SETA Learnership?
Learnerships combine learning and practical experience of work.
The South African Qualifications Authority defines learnerships as programs that include a learning component, as well as a practical work component of specified nature and duration, leading to a qualification registered on the National Qualifications Framework that is related to an occupation.
The Skills Development Act mentions learning programs that include both structured learning and an occupational work experience component and that lead to a qualification registered by SAQA that is occupation-related.
This represents the fundamental difference between learnerships and more general forms of training or courses.
Learnerships Involve Learning and Workplace Experience
A learner in a learnership program does not simply study.
The combination of theory and experience within a working environment is the basis for such a program.
The amount of time spent on each element and the actual detail of study is dependent upon the program, but the South African Government defines learnerships as training within an occupational working environment which includes both theoretical and practical components.
Formal Agreement Underpins Learnership Program
The Skills Development Act provides for a learnership agreement that brings together the learners, the employer and the training provider.
The agreement outlines the expectations of each party, including the details of the occupational work experience as well as the education and training component.
Such an agreement is integral to a learnership, which can represent a significant difference compared to many short-term training programs or courses.
Therefore, while the terms SETA learnership and skills program are often used interchangeably, this ignores the fact that these are two distinctly different training options.
What Is a Skills Programme?
A skills program focuses upon a defined set of skills, learning outcomes or competencies.
The detail of any such program can vary significantly from one to the next.
SAQA’s NQFPedia web site defines skills programs as occupationally based learning programs that can provide credit toward a qualification on the NQF.
This means that a skills program should not automatically be seen as offering no kind of qualifications component.
Rather, skills programs should be viewed as providing elements of a qualification, depending on the particular skills program.
The learner must research the elements of an advertised program before making an application, rather than assuming that a short-term skills program necessarily has no qualification elements.
How Do Learnerships Differ from Skills Programmes?
The best way to understand the differences is to look at what these two kinds of training aim to achieve.
A learnership is a more complete program combining structured learning and workplace experience that leads to an occupational qualification.
A skills program is more limited and aimed at developing a defined range of competencies or learning outcomes. This does not mean that a skills program cannot be valuable. Rather, it means that a skills program may be a better option for learners who need to develop specific skills.
It should be noted that a learnership is not always better than a skills program and vice versa.
Each has different advantages and disadvantages that will suit some learners and not others, depending on their personal circumstances.
Are Learnerships Longer Than Skills Programmes?
There is no single standard duration applicable to all skills programs.
The duration of a learnership depends on the qualification, and therefore varies from one learnership to the next.
Rather than making assumptions about the general duration of a skills program or learnership, it would be best to check the detail of the program.
Do Learnerships Give You a Qualification?
Learnerships lead to qualifications registered on the NQF.
However, the exact qualification will depend on the learnership.
Different learnerships offer different qualifications at different NQF levels.
For instance, SAQA’s qualification records illustrate qualifications that require specific credit hours (e.g., 120 credits for some qualifications).
As such, the best thing to do is not to assume that any SETA learnership always includes the same qualification or credit hours.
Instead, it is better to ask what qualification the given learnership includes.
Can a Skills Programme Contribute Towards Qualification?
Depending on the program, a skills program can include elements of a qualification or not.
This is why a short-term skills program should not be judged automatically based on its name.
Before applying for any skills program, it is wise to determine:
- The learning element
- Any qualification credit component
- Whether the program leads to a qualification or part-qualification
- The training provider
- What kind of accreditation the program carries
- Whether the qualifications component applies to a larger program
Such information can vary significantly from one program to the next.
Which One Is Better for Employment?
A learnership or skills program may not automatically lead to employment and, for either one, there are many other factors that contribute to one’s employability.
As such, neither learnerships nor skills programs can be automatically recommended for employment reasons.
They are, however, both valuable types of training and it is possible for the completion of either one to contribute to employment prospects.
As such, it must be understood that the completion of either a learnership or a skills program does not guarantee employment and other factors should be taken into consideration.
Learnerships vs Skills Programmes for Unemployed Youth
Unemployed South Africans may come across both learnerships and skills programs while seeking training opportunities.
While both can offer valuable elements of training, a learnership is important when there is the opportunity to acquire both learning and work experience within one program and it leads to an occupational qualification.
A skills program can be valuable when it provides targeted training in a skill relevant to a learner’s intended career.
It is important to look at what type of training a program provides, not simply at the name of the program itself.
Questions to Ask Regarding Learnerships or Skills Programmes
Prior to accepting training, it is always wise to ask the following questions.
1. What Will I Receive Upon Completion?
Find out whether the program leads to a qualification, part-qualification, credits, statement or results, or anything else.
2. How Long Does the Program Last?
Rather than making assumptions, find out the actual length of the program.
3. Is Workplace Experience Provided?
Find out if the program includes any kind of practical or workplace experience.
4. Who Offers the Program?
Make sure that the program is legitimate prior to applying or enrolling.
5. What Are the Entry Requirements?
Entry requirements can vary significantly, depending on the program.
Do not assume that all SETA programs have the same stipulations in terms of age, education, employment experience or any other requirements.
6. Is There Stipend Offered?
Some learnership programs provide a stipend, but learners should not automatically assume that all learnerships or skills programs come with any kind of stipend.
The advertisement should specify whether any stipend is offered.
What Should Learners Choose?
This is entirely dependent upon the goals of the learner.
If a learner wishes to enter an occupation through a program that combines learning with workplace experience then a suitable learnership program will provide this.
If a learner knows precisely which skill they wish to develop then a skills program will be a more targeted option.
Rather than choosing a program based on its name, compare the relevant features of a learnership versus a skills program to find out which option offers more advantages.
Final Takeaway
SETA learnerships and skills programs offer quite different training options.
While both play a role in skills development in South Africa, they aim to achieve quite different objectives.
A learnership combines learning with workplace experience to lead to an occupational qualification on the NQF.
A skills program is generally more narrowly focused on defined learning outcomes and may provide credits towards a qualification or part-qualification, depending on the program.
For a learner, the most important consideration is to look past such titles and to examine the actual components included in the program.
Editorial Policy
This article aims to provide general educational information about learnerships and skills programs in South Africa.
Program components, qualification details, entry requirements and funding can vary significantly and therefore readers should always verify the details of a specific program.
Sources and Verification
The information regarding learnerships and skills programs in South Africa within this article has been verified with South African government, Department of Higher Education and Training and SAQA sources and documents, including Skills Development Act and SAQA’s guidance on learnerships and other learning programs.
Corrections Policy
Should an error be found on this web page the information needs to be re-examined in relation to the relevant source document and corrections should be made transparently if any.
Disclaimer
This article is provided for general educational and career-related guidance and cannot be taken as a guarantee of admission to a learnership, skills program, qualification or employment opportunity. Please always confirm the current requirements for a specific program before applying or enrolling.
