VerifiedMost people search for a learnership without knowing which industry will take them. That is the wrong way round. Your subjects, your marks and where you live decide which sectors you can realistically enter, and the sector decides what you will do all day for the next 12 months. This page sets them out side by side.
Sectors, requirements and who recruits
| Sector | Usual entry requirement | What you would do | Employers that recruit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retail and wholesale | Grade 10 to Matric | Sales assistant, cashier, merchandiser, service desk | Truworths, Ackermans, SPAR, Dis-Chem, BUCO |
| Banking and insurance | Matric with Mathematics or Maths Literacy, clear credit and criminal record | Client service, contact centre, wealth support | Capitec, Old Mutual, Momentum |
| Logistics and transport | Matric, sometimes N6 in logistics | Warehouse, freight handling, transport control | Transnet, SPAR distribution centres, Coca-Cola Beverages, DSV |
| Mining and engineering trades | Matric or N2 to N3 with Mathematics and Physical Science, medically fit | Fitter, electrician, millwright, diesel mechanic, boilermaker | Anglo American, Kumba, Implats, Glencore, Sasol |
| Information technology | Matric with Mathematics, or an IT certificate | IT support, software development, data, cyber security | MICT SETA providers, iLearn, SpecCon, Jurumani |
| Education and early childhood development | Matric, sometimes Grade 11 | Classroom assistant, ECD practitioner, training administration | Schools and ECD centres, through ETDP SETA providers |
| Health and community services | Matric with Life Sciences for most programmes | Pharmacy support, home-based care, community health | Dis-Chem, clinics and NGOs, through HWSETA providers |
| Manufacturing and food production | Matric, often with Mathematics | Line operation, packaging, quality checks | Unilever, food and beverage producers |
How to read that table
- Requirements are minimums, not targets. Where a programme asks for Matric with Mathematics, applicants with better marks are shortlisted first.
- Where you live matters in mining. Mining programmes usually give preference to people in the host community, such as the John Taolo Gaetsewe district around Kathu.
- Retail is the widest door. It takes the most learners, asks the least on paper, and several programmes accept Grade 10.
- Technical trades pay the most and take the longest. An apprenticeship runs three to four years and ends in a trade test.
- Desk sectors can be studied partly online. See online and blended programmes.
Matching your Matric subjects to a sector
| What you passed | Sectors worth applying to |
|---|---|
| Matric with Mathematics and Physical Science | Mining trades, engineering, manufacturing, electrical work at Eskom and Sasol |
| Matric with Mathematical Literacy | Retail, banking client service, contact centres, logistics administration |
| Matric with Life Sciences | Pharmacy support, health and community services |
| Matric with Accounting or Business Studies | Banking, insurance, finance support, payroll |
| Grade 10 or Grade 11 | Retail floor work, warehousing, hospitality, security, some NQF 2 and 3 programmes |
| A diploma or degree | An internship or graduate programme rather than a learnership |
If your marks are in the last two rows, read what a learnership can do for you and how internships differ before you apply.
Where each sector advertises
- Start with the employer list and open the careers page of the companies in your sector.
- Register on SAYouth.mobi, which carries opportunities from all of these sectors and is zero-rated.
- Check the SETA for your sector for the providers it funds. All 21 SETAs are listed here.
- For Gauteng specifically, see learnerships in Johannesburg.
- For transport and warehousing, see logistics learnerships.
Frequently asked questions
Which sector has the most learnerships?
Wholesale and retail. It runs the largest annual intakes, asks the least on paper and several programmes accept Grade 10.
Which learnership pays the most?
Technical programmes at NQF 5 and above, where the legal minimum reaches R2 654,04 a week once you have earned 481 to 600 credits. Mining and engineering employers also tend to pay above the minimum.
Can I change sectors after a learnership?
Yes. The qualification stays with you, and the workplace experience counts. Many people use an NQF 3 or 4 retail qualification as the first step into supervision or administration.
Do I need experience to apply?
No. Learnerships exist for people with no work experience. What matters is meeting the stated subjects and grade, and applying before the closing date.