Learnerships Print

What is a Learnership?

A learnership is a route to an occupational or professional NQF qualification with a strong emphasis on work place experience. Learnerships combine both knowledge and work experience components of learning.

Learnership Visual

What are the Benefits of Learnerships?

Learners benefit through:

  • No loss of income that formal full time studying would cost

  • Better career prospects as learnerships are related to jobs and occupations

  • A launch pad for future learning opportunities

  • Obtaining a formal qualification while gaining relevant workplace experience

Employers benefit through:

  • Not having employees being away from the office for long periods of time.

  • Learnerships have work-relevant features which means that employees are equipped to “hit the ground running” when they arrive in the workplace.

Other benefits of learnerships:


CHALLENGE EXPLANATION
TIME "Training takes my people away from doing their work which is what gives me a business in the first place?"

Learnerships require on-the-job training so productivity is not impacted as much as with traditional training methods.
MONEY "Training costs my business too much."

Learnerships carry tax incentives and grants to make them more financially attractive.

Your business can improve its competitiveness by earning additional points on the BEE scorecard that are reserved for learnership training.
RELEVANCE "Training is just theory - my people need real skills."

Learnerships are practical and can only be registered if they relate to existing skills needs in an economic sector.
MOBILITY "Training is a dead-end game. I've done plenty of courses but it goes no-where!"

Learnerships are plugged into the NQF so that they give access to further learning and are nationally recognised.

Source: Skills Development Handbook 2010/2011

Entry Requirements for All Learnerships:

In order to enrol for a learnership, learners should have a Matric/Grade 12 Certificate or be competent in:

  • Mathematics NQF Level 3.
  • Communication NQF Level 3.
  • Computer Literacy NQF Level 2.

SETA Learnership Tax Incentives

Learnership allowance rules for years of assessment ending on or after 01 January 2010 (Section 12H of Income Tax Act)

2 Levels of Learnership Allowances:

  • R 30 000 commencement AND successful completion allowances for learnerships.
  • R 50 000 commencement AND successful completion allowances for learners with disabilities.

Specifications/Stipulations:

  • Learners must be registered for a learnership linked to the employer’s trade.
  • If a learner leaves during the year, the allowance is apportioned for part of the year – for full months.
  • When a learner has successfully completed a learnership, the employer can claim an allowance of R 30 000 for each completed 12 months of the learnership.

PLEASE NOTE: Learnership tax allowances expire in October 2016.

SETA Learnership Grants

Employers can apply for learnership grants from the SETA. Certain qualifying criteria apply as it relates to:

  • Employment Equity.
  • Compliance to Skills Development Legislation.
  • Grant amounts need to be confirmed with the SETA.

Structure and Duration of All Learnerships

The learnerships are conducted over a 12 month period and comprise a classroom-based and workplace learning component.

Classroom-Based Learning Component:

Each learnership consists of various modules. The modules are grouped into various phases of classroom-based training set out on the pages that follow. Training days are scheduled over a period of 12 months with consecutive training days per phase.

Workplace Learning Component:

Upon completion of the classroom-based training session, you will be required to apply your learning back at the workplace through completing various tasks and assignments that need to be submitted for assessment to Compuscan Academy. During this time you will have the support and guidance from a workplace coach as well as from Compuscan Academy’s Learning Support Officer. Our Learning Support Officer will monitor and ensure continuous interaction between you and the respective facilitator to make sure that you are able to successfully complete the learnership.