For many young South Africans, gaining workplace experience is one of the biggest steps towards finding employment.

Learnerships provide a pathway by combining structured training, recognised skills development and practical workplace exposure.

From retail and agriculture to ICT, engineering and manufacturing, several learnership opportunities are available in 2026 for unemployed youth, Matriculants and aspiring professionals.

Here are six learnership programmes South Africans should consider applying for.

6 SETA Learnerships 2026 South African Youth Can Apply For

South African companies and Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs) continue to create skills development opportunities aimed at helping young people enter the workforce.

Learnerships allow participants to gain theoretical knowledge while developing practical workplace skills.

These programmes can help unemployed youth improve their CVs, gain recognised qualifications and build career pathways.

Below are six learnership opportunities available in 2026.

1. W&RSETA Learnerships 2026 at The Building Company

Organisation: The Building Company
SETA: Wholesale and Retail Sector Education and Training Authority (W&RSETA)
Programme Type: Learnership
Industry: Wholesale and Retail
Target Applicants: Unemployed South African youth with Grade 12

The Building Company W&RSETA Learnership Programme 2026 provides young South Africans with an opportunity to develop retail skills through classroom learning and workplace training.

The programme is designed to prepare learners for future employment opportunities within the retail sector.

Skills Development Areas:

Learners may gain exposure to:

• Customer service
• Retail operations
• Stock management
• Workplace communication
• Business processes

Requirements:

Applicants should have:

• Grade 12 / Matric qualification
• South African citizenship eligibility
• Interest in retail and customer-focused environments

Stipend: Not disclosed.

2. AgriSETA Learnerships 2026 for Matriculants

Organisation: Agriculture Sector Education and Training Authority (AgriSETA)
Programme Type: Agricultural Learnerships
Industry: Agriculture

AgriSETA learnerships provide opportunities for learners to gain skills in South Africa’s agricultural sector.

These programmes combine accredited training with workplace experience and are designed to support both unemployed and employed learners.

Possible Career Areas:

Opportunities may include:

• Farming operations
• Agricultural production
• Food-related industries
• Agricultural support services

Benefits:

Participants can gain:

• Industry skills
• Workplace experience
• Recognised training
• Career development opportunities

Stipend: Some funded unemployed learnerships may provide stipends. Exact amounts depend on the specific programme.

3. Impactful Learnerships 2026

Organisation: Impactful
Programme Type: Learnerships and Skills Development Programmes
Training Partners: Various SETAs and QCTO-aligned programmes

Impactful offers skills development programmes designed to help South Africans gain workplace-ready skills.

The organisation provides access to accredited learning opportunities that combine education and practical experience.

Suitable Applicants:

Programmes may support:

• Unemployed youth
• Entry-level job seekers
• Individuals seeking new skills

Career Benefits:

Learners may develop:

• Workplace skills
• Industry knowledge
• Professional confidence
• Employment readiness

Application Fee: No application fee reported.

4. EduPower Learnership Portal 2026

Organisation: EduPower
Programme Type: Learnership Portal and Skills Development Opportunities

The EduPower Learnership Portal connects South African youth with accredited learnership opportunities and workplace training programmes.

The platform supports learners looking for skills development opportunities linked to employment pathways.

Opportunities May Include:

• Accredited learnerships
• Workplace training
• Skills programmes

Benefits:

Participants can gain:

• Practical workplace exposure
• Recognised training
• Career development support

5. merSETA Learnerships 2026

Organisation: Manufacturing, Engineering and Related Services Sector Education and Training Authority (merSETA)

Programme Type: Engineering and Manufacturing Learnerships

Industry: Manufacturing, Engineering, Automotive and Related Sectors

merSETA learnerships focus on developing skills needed in South Africa’s manufacturing and engineering industries.

These programmes combine classroom learning with practical workplace experience.

Career Areas May Include:

• Engineering
• Manufacturing
• Automotive
• Metal industries
• Technical trades

Suitable Applicants:

Young South Africans interested in:

• Artisan careers
• Technical skills
• Manufacturing careers

6. MICT SETA Learnerships 2026

Organisation: Media, Information and Communication Technologies Sector Education and Training Authority (MICT SETA)

Programme Type: ICT Learnership Programme

Industry: Information and Communication Technology

MICT SETA learnerships support the development of digital skills among unemployed South African youth.

The programmes combine accredited training with workplace experience in the ICT sector.

Career Areas May Include:

• Information technology
• Digital support
• ICT services
• Technology administration

Stipend Details:

Reported stipend ranges may vary depending on the specific programme and provider.

Some opportunities indicate stipends between R2,500 and R6,500 per month, depending on programme requirements.

Eligibility Requirements

Requirements differ between programmes, but applicants generally need:

• South African citizenship
• Grade 12 / Matric or relevant qualification
• Ability to commit to training requirements
• Interest in developing workplace skills
• Unemployed status for certain funded learnerships

Some technical programmes may require specific subjects or qualifications.

Required Documents Checklist

Applicants should prepare:

• South African ID document
• Updated CV
• Matric certificate
• Qualification certificates
• Academic records (if required)
• Proof of residence
• Additional documents requested by the provider

How to Apply Step-by-Step

Step 1:
Identify the learnership that matches your qualification and career interests.

Step 2:
Prepare your CV and supporting documents.

Step 3:
Check the official application requirements and submit your application.

Step 4:
Monitor your emails and phone messages for recruitment updates.

Stipend / Salary Details

Learnership stipends vary depending on:

• SETA funding
• Employer
• Qualification level
• Programme type

Where exact amounts are not provided, applicants should confirm details directly with the programme provider.

Closing Dates

Closing dates vary by learnership.

Applicants should apply as early as possible because many learnership programmes close once positions are filled.

Related Opportunity

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Who can apply for learnerships in South Africa?

Most learnerships target unemployed youth, Matriculants, graduates and individuals looking to gain workplace skills.

2. Do I need work experience?

No. Many learnerships are designed for people entering the workplace for the first time.

3. Are learnerships paid?

Many funded learnerships provide monthly stipends, but amounts differ by programme.

4. Can Matriculants apply?

Yes. Many learnerships specifically target Grade 12 graduates.

5. What industries offer learnerships?

Learnerships are available in industries including:

• ICT
• Agriculture
• Retail
• Engineering
• Manufacturing
• Business services

6. How do I avoid learnership scams?

Never pay money for an application or guaranteed placement. Always apply through official channels.

Why You Should Apply

Learnerships can help young South Africans overcome the challenge of having qualifications without workplace experience.

They provide opportunities to:

• Gain practical skills
• Improve employability
• Build professional networks
• Develop confidence
• Work towards recognised qualifications

For many applicants, a learnership can become the first step towards a long-term career.

Career Pathways

Depending on the programme completed, learners may pursue careers in:

Retail

• Sales assistant
• Store operations
• Customer service

Agriculture

• Farm operations
• Agricultural production
• Food processing

ICT

• IT support
• Digital services
• Technology administration

Engineering and Manufacturing

• Artisan pathways
• Production roles
• Technical careers

Expert Guidance (Mbalizuke Nkosi)

Mbalizuke Nkosi advises applicants to focus on preparation before applying.

“Make sure your CV clearly shows your education, skills and any community, school or volunteer experience.

Applicants should check requirements carefully, prepare documents early and avoid submitting incomplete applications.

Competition for learnerships can be high, so applying early and presenting yourself professionally can improve your chances.”

Disclaimer

Applicants should verify all learnership information through official employer, SETA or training provider channels.

Never pay anyone claiming they can guarantee a learnership placement.

Final selection decisions remain with the relevant organisations.