Learnerships 2027: Complete Guide to Available Programmes in South Africa
Looking for learnerships in 2027? South Africa offers a vast array of learnership programmes across government departments, state-owned enterprises and the private sector every year. Whether you're a recent matriculant looking for your first break, a graduate wanting workplace experience, or someone who wants to upskill without going back to full-time study, this guide covers everything you need to know about finding and applying for learnerships in 2027.
What Is a Learnership?
A learnership is a structured work-based learning programme that combines theoretical education with practical workplace experience. Learnerships are registered with a Sector Education and Training Authority (SETA) and lead to a nationally recognised qualification on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF).
Unlike internships, learnerships come with a monthly stipend and result in a formal qualification when you complete the programme. That makes them one of the most valuable post-matric options available — especially for students who can't afford full-time study or want to earn while they learn.
Learnerships vs Internships: What's the Difference?
People often use these terms interchangeably, but they're not the same thing.
A learnership is a formal, SETA-registered programme that leads to an NQF qualification. By law, employers must pay you a stipend for the duration of the programme. You come out with a nationally recognised credential.
An internship is workplace exposure only. It may or may not be paid, and it doesn't result in a formal qualification. Internships are useful for gaining experience but don't carry the same weight as a completed learnership when it comes to your CV and future job applications.
If you have to choose between the two, a learnership generally offers more — a qualification, structured training and a guaranteed stipend.
Who Can Apply for a Learnership?
Most learnerships in South Africa are targeted at:
South African citizens aged 18 to 35
Unemployed individuals with a matric certificate (NSC or equivalent)
Recent graduates looking for workplace experience
People living with disabilities (many SETAs set aside dedicated learnership places)
Some learnerships accept candidates with Grade 10 or Grade 11, particularly in agriculture, hospitality and general operations. For technical and engineering learnerships, Mathematics and Physical Sciences at matric level are often required.
You generally can't apply for a learnership if you're already employed full-time or if you've already completed a previous learnership in the same field.
Government Learnerships 2027
Government learnerships are among the most sought-after in South Africa. They offer structured training, competitive stipends and real experience in public administration. Here are the key government departments and entities that run learnership programmes:
Department of Health — nursing assistants, pharmacy assistants, community health workers and environmental health practitioners. Health learnerships are administered through the HWSETA (Health and Welfare SETA) and advertised through the DPSA vacancies portal. Provincial health departments (Gauteng, Western Cape, KZN etc.) advertise separately on their own sites.
Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (EPWP) — construction, maintenance, facility management and project administration. Opportunities are listed on the DPSA vacancies portal and the EPWP website.
South African Police Service (SAPS) — administration, forensic science and IT support learnerships. SAPS opportunities are advertised through the DPSA vacancies portal and the official SAPS recruitment page.
Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) — agricultural management, animal production and food processing. Advertised through the DPSA vacancies portal.
Department of Social Development — social auxiliary work and child and youth care learnerships. Registered through the HWSETA and advertised on the DPSA vacancies portal.
Auditor-General of South Africa (AGSA) — accounting, auditing and finance learnerships for graduates. Applications are made through the AGSA careers page, which is currently advertising learnership opportunities.
Municipal learnerships — available through metros and district municipalities across the country in finance, water services, waste management and administration. Check your local municipality's website or the DPSA government jobs portal for listings.
The most reliable single source for all government learnership openings is the DPSA vacancies portal, which is updated regularly with new opportunities across all departments and provinces. Government learnerships typically open between January and April each year, with some departments running mid-year intakes.
Eskom Learnerships 2027
Eskom is one of South Africa's largest employers and runs a significant learnership programme each year. Eskom learnerships are highly competitive and offer excellent stipends — typically R5,000 to R8,000 per month — alongside world-class training facilities.
Available Eskom learnership fields:
Electrical engineering (power systems, distribution and generation)
Mechanical engineering (plant maintenance and operations)
Civil engineering (construction and infrastructure)
Information technology (systems support and network administration)
Finance and administration (accounting, HR and supply chain)
Applications are made through the Eskom careers portal. You'll need your matric certificate — with Mathematics and Physical Sciences for technical programmes — a certified ID and an updated CV. Technical learnership applications typically open in the second quarter of the year.
Sasol Learnerships 2027
Sasol offers some of the best-paid learnerships in the country, particularly in chemical engineering, process operations and instrumentation. Most Sasol learnerships are based at their Secunda (Mpumalanga) and Sasolburg (Free State) operations, with accommodation and transport allowances provided alongside monthly stipends.
Sasol learnership requirements:
Grade 12 with Mathematics (not Maths Literacy) and Physical Sciences
Minimum 50% in both Mathematics and Physical Sciences
South African citizen
No prior formal qualification in the field (for entry-level programmes)
Stipends typically range from R6,000 to R10,000 per month depending on the programme level. Applications are made through Sasol's career page and generally open between March and June. Watch the site closely — Sasol positions fill quickly.
Transnet Learnerships 2027
Transnet operates South Africa's rail, port and pipeline infrastructure and offers learnerships across engineering, logistics and maritime operations. Transnet learnerships typically run for 12 to 24 months and provide practical training at some of the country's busiest ports and rail depots.
Key learnership fields include diesel mechanics, electrical engineering, welding, freight logistics, and port operations. Applications go through the Transnet careers website. Check the site in the first quarter of the year for 2027 programme openings.
Valterra Engineering Learnership 2027
Valterra Platinum has opened applications for its Engineering Learnership Programme 2027 for unemployed candidates. The programme is an 18.2 (unemployed) learnership offering hands-on engineering experience. The application closing date is 31 August 2026. Apply through jobswall.co.za/valterra-engineering-learnership-programme-2027.
Discovery Learnerships 2027
Discovery offers multiple structured learnership programmes across its business units. These are 12-month fixed-term contracts that lead to nationally accredited NQF qualifications. Current and recent Discovery learnership programmes include:
Short-Term Insurance Learnership — FETC: Short Term Insurance NQF Level 4. Open to South African citizens born between 2002 and 2009 (i.e., 18–25 years old in 2027), with matric and no prior completed tertiary qualification. Apply at Discovery Careers.
Long-Term Insurance Learnership — FETC: Long Term Insurance NQF Level 4. Call centre-based programme covering medical aid servicing, claims and new business administration. Apply at Discovery Careers.
IT Technical Support Learnership — FETC: IT Technical Support. Covers desktop support, hardware engineering and digital support in Discovery's IT team. Matric essential. Apply at Discovery Careers.
Wealth Management Learnership — NC: Wealth Management NQF Level 5. Research and training support role within Discovery's financial planning division. Apply at Discovery Careers.
All Discovery learnerships are advertised on the Discovery careers portal as they open. Check the site regularly for current postings.
Dis-Chem Learnerships 2027
Dis-Chem is currently accepting applications for its Dispensary Support Learnership 2026/2027. The programme targets unemployed South African youth and is ideal for candidates interested in pharmacy and retail healthcare. Apply through Pnet or the Dis-Chem careers page.
Pick n Pay Learnerships 2027
Pick n Pay runs a UIF Learnership Programme offering unemployed South African youth practical retail experience combined with structured online learning. The programme develops workplace skills while providing a monthly stipend. Check the Pick n Pay careers page or graduates24.com for current openings.
Banking and Financial Services Learnerships 2027
South Africa's banking sector runs some of the most structured and well-resourced learnership programmes in the country. Key programmes to watch for:
Absa — Microinsurance Sales Consultant Learnership and various banking learnerships funded through BANKSETA. Check absa.co.za/careers.
Nedbank — Graduate and learnership programmes across finance, technology and risk. Check nedbank.co.za careers.
FNB / FirstRand — Learnerships across banking, IT and data. Watch fnb.co.za/careers.
Citi South Africa — Markets Learnership Graduate Programme for newly qualified university graduates. Check Pnet for listings.
Bank SETA — administers discretionary funding for banking learnerships across multiple institutions. Check bankseta.org.za for programme listings.
Banking and financial services learnerships typically open in the second half of the year for the following year's intake. Stipends generally range from R4,000 to R7,000 per month.
IT and Digital Learnerships 2027
With South Africa's skills shortage in ICT worsening year on year, IT learnerships are in growing demand from both employers and candidates. These programmes cover software development, network support, cybersecurity, cloud computing and data analytics.
IT learnerships are registered with the MICT SETA (Media, Information and Communication Technologies SETA). Check mict.org.za for a list of MICT SETA-accredited providers.
Major employers offering IT learnerships include Vodacom, MTN, Dimension Data, Accenture SA and various banks. Requirements typically include matric with Mathematics, though some non-technical IT support roles accept Mathematical Literacy. Discovery's IT Technical Support Learnership (listed above) is a good example of what's available in this space.
Engineering Learnerships 2027
Engineering remains one of the most in-demand learnership fields in South Africa. If you have matric with Mathematics and Physical Sciences, you can apply for engineering learnerships in these disciplines:
Electrical engineering — offered by Eskom, Transnet, municipalities and private contractors
Mechanical engineering — manufacturing plants, mining companies and SOEs
Civil engineering — construction companies and government departments
Chemical engineering — Sasol, PetroSA and chemical manufacturing firms
Mechatronics — automotive manufacturers like BMW SA, Toyota SA and Volkswagen SA
Engineering learnerships are mostly registered with the merSETA (Manufacturing, Engineering and Related Services SETA) and typically lead to NQF Level 2 to 4 qualifications. Check merseta.org.za for registered providers.
Learnerships for People Living With Disabilities
Several SETAs and major employers set aside dedicated learnership places for people with disabilities. DP World, for example, recently opened a 12-month learnership specifically for people living with disabilities in various locations across South Africa. Discovery's Long-Term Insurance Learnership also has a dedicated PWD (People With Disabilities) stream.
If you have a disability, look specifically for programmes marked "18.2 — Unemployed" on job boards — these are SETA-funded learnerships for unemployed South Africans — and filter for PWD opportunities. Pnet and graduates24.com both allow you to filter by this category.
Learnership Stipends: How Much Will You Earn?
All learnerships in South Africa must pay a minimum stipend as set by the relevant SETA. Here's a realistic overview of what different sectors pay:
Sector | Typical Monthly Stipend |
|---|---|
Government learnerships | R3,500 to R6,000 |
Eskom | R5,000 to R8,000 |
Sasol (plus accommodation) | R6,000 to R10,000 |
Banking and financial services | R4,000 to R7,000 |
Retail and hospitality | R2,500 to R4,500 |
IT and digital | R3,500 to R6,000 |
Engineering (private sector) | R4,000 to R8,000 |
Stipend amounts are reviewed regularly by SETAs and can change between intake cycles. Always confirm the stipend amount in the learnership advert rather than relying on general estimates.
How to Apply for Learnerships in 2027
Step 1: Prepare Your Documents
Before you apply anywhere, get these ready:
Certified copy of your South African ID
Certified matric certificate or latest academic results
Updated CV (FundiConnect's CV Builder can help)
Proof of residence (not older than 3 months)
Any additional certificates, transcripts or portfolios relevant to the field
Step 2: Search for Open Learnerships
New learnership opportunities open throughout the year. Check these sources regularly:
Company career portals (Eskom, Sasol, Transnet, Discovery etc.)
FundiConnect's learnerships for matriculants guide
Step 3: Apply Before the Deadline
Most learnerships have strict closing dates and incomplete applications are automatically disqualified. Submit your application well before the closing date, double-check that all documents are attached, and follow up after two to four weeks if you haven't heard back.
Step 4: Prepare for the Selection Process
Many learnerships — particularly in banking and insurance — include psychometric assessments and competency-based interviews as part of the selection process. Research the employer, practise common interview questions and be ready to explain why you want this specific learnership and what you bring to it.
FAQs About Learnerships
Do I need matric to apply for a learnership?
Most learnerships require a matric certificate (NSC). However, some NQF Level 1 to 2 learnerships accept candidates without matric, particularly in agriculture, hospitality and general operations.
What is the difference between a learnership and an internship?
A learnership leads to a formal NQF-registered qualification and includes a guaranteed monthly stipend by law. An internship is workplace exposure only and doesn't result in a qualification.
How long do learnerships last?
Most learnerships run for 12 months. Some technical and engineering learnerships can extend to 18 to 24 months depending on the NQF level and SETA requirements.
Can I apply for more than one learnership at a time?
Yes — you're encouraged to apply for multiple learnerships to increase your chances. You can only accept and participate in one at a time, though.
Are learnerships only for young people?
No. While many programmes target youth aged 18 to 35, there are learnerships available for all ages. Some SETAs specifically fund programmes for unemployed adults over 35.
What happens after I complete a learnership?
You receive your NQF-registered qualification, which you can use to apply for jobs or further study. Some employers offer permanent positions to high-performing learnership graduates, though this isn't guaranteed. Your qualification and workplace experience make you a significantly stronger candidate in the job market.
Plan Your Next Step
A learnership is one of the fastest ways to build workplace experience and a formal qualification at the same time — but it's not the only option. Depending on your goals, you might also want to explore:
Bursaries for 2027 — if you want to study full-time with financial support
TVET College programmes — for formal vocational qualifications
NSFAS funding — if you're considering a public university or TVET college
Career guidance hub — if you're still figuring out which direction to take
Fund Your Studies With Fundi
If you're exploring learnerships alongside further study, or need to cover costs that your learnership stipend doesn't stretch to, Fundi has been helping South African students fund their education since 1996. You can apply for a Fundi study loan to cover tuition, devices and other study costs. Use the Fundi loan calculator to work out your monthly repayments before you apply. And if you need a laptop, the Fundi Shop lets you finance one alongside your other costs.
Visit loans.fundi.co.za, fill in the form, and someone will get back to you.
For more guidance on learnerships, bursaries, career planning and study funding, visit www.fundiconnect.co.za.
You can also follow FundiConnect on Facebook, X, Instagram and LinkedIn.
The FundiConnect Editorial Team researches, writes, and maintains comprehensive guides on South African higher education, bursaries, NSFAS funding, and career development. Our content is verified against official institutional sources, DHET publications, and direct admissions office communications to ensure accuracy for students navigating their post-school journey.
Prefer FundiConnect on Google
Add us as a preferred source and see more of our guides in your Search results.
2026 Matric Exam Dates: The Full NSC Timetable
The 2026 matric finals run from 13 October to 26 November. Here's the complete DBE NSC timetable plus key dates for Life Orientation, Performing Arts and what to do once your exams are done.
Bachelor of Science Degree: What Jobs Can You Get?
A BSc can lead almost anywhere, but where it leads depends entirely on what you studied. Here's a practical breakdown of every major BSc stream, the jobs that come with each one, and what you can realistically expect to earn in South Africa in 2026.
2027 Unisa Applications: How to Apply
Unisa applications for the 2027 academic year are open now. From the documents you'll need to how to pay your fees and track your status, here's your complete guide to applying.
