For young people trying to get a first foot in the door, structured programmes are often the most realistic route. They are designed for people with little or no experience, they usually pay a stipend, and they end with something valuable on your CV. But the terms are often used loosely. Here is what each one actually means.
Learnerships
A learnership combines classroom learning with practical work, and leads to a qualification registered on the National Qualifications Framework. Learnerships are linked to the Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs), which cover different industries such as banking, health, services and manufacturing.
- Who: often school leavers and unemployed young people; some learnerships are also open to employed staff who want to upskill.
- Requirements: commonly Grade 12, sometimes Grade 10 or 11 for lower-level qualifications.
- Duration: often around a year.
- Pay: learners receive a monthly allowance or stipend.
- Agreement: the learner, the employer and the training provider sign a learnership agreement.
Internships
An internship gives workplace experience to people who already have a qualification, usually a diploma or degree, but no work experience in their field. Many government departments run internship programmes for graduates, as do larger companies.
- Who: mostly recent graduates, often with an age limit stated in the advert.
- Duration: commonly twelve to twenty-four months.
- Pay: a monthly stipend.
- Outcome: practical experience in your field, a reference and a stronger CV — not automatically a permanent job.
Apprenticeships
An apprenticeship trains you in a trade such as electrician, plumber, boilermaker or diesel mechanic. It combines theory, usually at a TVET college or training centre, with practical work under a qualified artisan, and ends with a trade test. A qualified artisan is a valuable, portable skill.
Graduate programmes
Larger companies run graduate programmes, which are usually salaried jobs with structured training and rotations through different departments. They are competitive, often open for applications only once a year, and frequently target specific degrees.
How to find them
- Government department and provincial websites, and the public service vacancy circulars.
- SETA websites, which list accredited programmes in their sector.
- Company career pages, especially for graduate programmes.
- Youth employment platforms — see our guide to youth employment programmes.
- The jobs section of this site, where internships and learnerships are listed alongside other posts.
How to apply well
- Check the requirements carefully, including age limits and whether you may have done a previous programme.
- Prepare a focused CV — see a CV with no experience.
- Write a specific motivation letter if one is asked for — see our motivation letter guide.
- Never pay to be placed on a learnership or internship. Genuine programmes do not charge application or placement fees.