CATHSSETA Learning Programmes 2026: Learnerships, Internships, Bursaries and WIL

The Culture, Arts, Tourism, Hospitality and Sport Sector Education and Training Authority (CATHSSETA) provides funding and support for several learning programmes across its sector, including learnerships, internships, work-integrated learning, apprenticeships, skills programmes and bursaries.

These programmes are connected to industries covered by CATHSSETA, including tourism, hospitality, sport, arts and culture, conservation, and gaming and lotteries.

Importantly, CATHSSETA’s learning-programme page does not represent one single application for young people. Different programmes have different target groups, participating employers or institutions, requirements and application processes.

Quick Summary

CATHSSETA is a South African SETA responsible for supporting skills development in its covered economic sectors.

Its learning programmes include:

• Learnerships
• Internships
• Work Integrated Learning (WIL)
• Apprenticeships
• Skills programmes
• Bursaries

CATHSSETA says these interventions can support qualifications or partial qualifications aligned with the National Qualifications Framework, depending on the programme.

For the 2026/27 financial year, CATHSSETA has also published a Discretionary Grant framework covering learning programmes such as learnerships, bursaries, skills programmes, artisans, graduate internships and TVET/CET internships.

CATHSSETA Learning Programmes: What You Need to Know

CATHSSETA’s learning programmes are intended to address skills-development needs in the sectors covered by the authority.

The programmes are not all aimed at the same type of applicant. For example, CATHSSETA describes internships as opportunities for university and university-of-technology graduates or learners to obtain structured workplace exposure, while its Work Integrated Learning programme can support TVET learners who need workplace experience as part of their training.

This means students, graduates and unemployed people should first identify the specific programme that matches their education and current situation.

CATHSSETA Programme Details

Programme	What CATHSSETA says it involves
Learnerships	Structured practical workplace and theoretical training leading to a registered qualification
Internships	Structured workplace exposure and specialised training for university and university-of-technology graduates/learners
Work Integrated Learning	Workplace placement for TVET learners requiring workplace experience, as well as certain unemployed graduates
Apprenticeships	Combined theory and practical training, mainly in trade occupations
Skills Programmes	Accredited training resulting in NQF credits
Bursaries	Funding support for learners studying relevant qualifications through higher-education institutions and employers

These descriptions are based on CATHSSETA’s official learning-programmes information.

1. CATHSSETA Learnerships

A learnership combines structured theoretical learning with practical workplace training.

CATHSSETA explains that a learnership leads to a qualification registered with the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) and associated with a trade, qualification or profession. The duration depends on the employer offering the learnership.

Both employed and unemployed learners can participate through an employer.

Who is this relevant to?

The programme can therefore be relevant to both employed and unemployed learners, depending on the specific learnership and its requirements.

CATHSSETA’s 2026/27 Discretionary Grant guidelines specifically include learnerships for employed and unemployed learners.

2. CATHSSETA Internships

CATHSSETA describes an internship as a programme intended to give university and university-of-technology graduates or learners structured workplace exposure and specialised training.

Participants receive full-time workplace placement in a company or government department, with the purpose of building workplace experience around their academic qualification.

For 2026/27, CATHSSETA’s Discretionary Grant framework includes a Graduate Internship for unemployed university/university-of-technology learners. It also includes an Internship Category A for unemployed university/UoT learners who require workplace experience to complete their qualification.

3. Work Integrated Learning

Work Integrated Learning, commonly called WIL, is particularly relevant to learners who need workplace experience as part of their qualification.

CATHSSETA says its WIL programme aims to place TVET college learners with employers when workplace experience is required for their training. The programme also provides for the placement of certain unemployed graduates who have completed their qualifications but need workplace experience.

For the 2026/27 funding cycle, CATHSSETA lists an Internship N-Diploma and NCV programme for unemployed TVET college learners.

4. CATHSSETA Apprenticeships

An apprenticeship combines theory and practical training and is mainly associated with trade occupations.

According to CATHSSETA, an apprenticeship can last from approximately 18 months to three years, depending on the programme, and results in a formal qualification. After completing the theory and practical components, the apprentice sits for a trade test leading to professional certification.

The 2026/27 CATHSSETA funding framework includes an artisan programme for unemployed learners.

5. CATHSSETA Skills Programmes

A skills programme is accredited training that results in at least one credit on the NQF.

CATHSSETA explains that accumulated credits from skills programmes can contribute towards a qualification. These programmes can also be useful for people who need particular skills without necessarily completing an entire qualification through the same route.

The 2026/27 Discretionary Grant framework includes skills programmes for both employed and unemployed learners.

6. CATHSSETA Bursaries

CATHSSETA also provides bursary funding.

Its official learning-programme page states that bursaries are available through institutions of higher learning and employers, and that learners applying for bursaries need to be studying towards qualifications relevant to CATHSSETA’s sub-sectors.

The 2026/27 funding framework includes bursaries for employed and unemployed learners.

CATHSSETA’s 2026/27 guidelines further state that only CATHSSETA sub-sector-related qualifications will be supported for unemployed learners, with preference given to higher-education institutions.

Which Industries Does CATHSSETA Cover?

CATHSSETA’s name reflects its major areas of responsibility:

• Culture
• Arts
• Tourism
• Hospitality
• Sport

Its website also provides information on areas including conservation and gaming and lotteries.

The authority’s sector pages explain that CATHSSETA supports skills development through initiatives such as bursaries, learnerships, internships and work-integrated learning.

Who Can Benefit From CATHSSETA Programmes?

There is no single eligibility rule covering every CATHSSETA learning programme.

Depending on the programme, the target group can include:

• Unemployed learners
• Employed learners
• University students and graduates
• University of technology students and graduates
• TVET college learners
• CET college learners
• Apprentices or prospective artisans

The exact requirements depend on the specific programme and funding category.

Important applicant advice

Do not assume that registering interest with CATHSSETA automatically means you qualify for every learnership, internship or bursary.

Always check the requirements of the specific opportunity, including its target group, qualification, institution, employer, location and application process.

How Are CATHSSETA Programmes Funded?

CATHSSETA uses funding mechanisms including Discretionary Grants to support learning and skills-development programmes.

The authority says Discretionary Grants are intended to encourage stakeholders to contribute to skills development, with funding directed towards PIVOTAL learning programmes such as learnerships, WIL, internships, bursaries, skills programmes and artisans.

For the 2026/27 funding cycle, CATHSSETA published guidelines for employers, stakeholders and other eligible entities applying for funding.

Are CATHSSETA Funding Applications the Same as Learner Applications?

No.

This is an important distinction for applicants.

CATHSSETA’s Discretionary Grant application is primarily a funding process involving eligible stakeholders and legal entities. The 2026/27 announcement invited stakeholders and legal entities falling within CATHSSETA’s scope to apply.

That does not mean every young person should apply directly for the grant.

Instead, learner opportunities can arise through employers, training providers, universities, TVET colleges, government departments and other participating organisations, depending on the programme.

2026/27 CATHSSETA Funding Window

CATHSSETA’s official 2026/27 Discretionary Grant announcement stated that the funding application window opened on 11 December 2025 and closed on 31 January 2026 at 16:00.

The funding framework included programmes such as:

• Learnerships
• Bursaries
• Skills programmes
• Artisans
• Adult Education and Training
• Recognition of Prior Learning
• Graduate internships
• Internship Category A
• Internship N-Diploma and NCV
• CET internships

Therefore, the 2026/27 Discretionary Grant application window should not be confused with an individual learner application deadline.

What Applicants Should Check Before Applying

If you find a CATHSSETA-funded opportunity, check the individual advertisement carefully before submitting anything.

Pay particular attention to:

• The qualification required
• Whether the opportunity is for employed or unemployed applicants
• Whether you need to be registered at a university, UoT, TVET or CET college
• Whether workplace experience is required for your qualification
• The participating employer or institution
• The location
• The application closing date
• The official application method
• Any programme-specific documentation

These details can vary substantially between CATHSSETA programmes.

Is There a CATHSSETA Stipend?

A general CATHSSETA stipend amount is not specified on the learning-programmes page.

CATHSSETA’s programme page describes the learning interventions but does not provide one universal stipend amount applying to every learnership, internship, WIL placement or other programme.

Applicants should therefore not assume that every CATHSSETA programme pays the same amount.

Where a specific opportunity offers a stipend, the amount should be confirmed from that opportunity’s official information.

Where Can You Find CATHSSETA Opportunities?

The official CATHSSETA website is the appropriate starting point for information about its learning programmes, funding announcements and sector initiatives.

CATHSSETA’s website currently lists its learning programmes and provides separate information about Discretionary Grants and sector-specific opportunities.

Applicants should use official programme information when checking whether an opportunity is current.

Suggested

• Latest CATHSSETA learnerships
• CATHSSETA internships
• South African bursaries
• TVET work-integrated learning opportunities
• Latest learnership opportunities

FAQs

What programmes does CATHSSETA offer?

CATHSSETA lists learnerships, internships, work-integrated learning programmes, apprenticeships, skills programmes and bursaries among its learning programmes.

Can unemployed people benefit from CATHSSETA programmes?

Yes, several CATHSSETA funding categories specifically include unemployed learners. However, eligibility depends on the particular programme.

Does CATHSSETA offer internships?

Yes. CATHSSETA describes internships as structured workplace-exposure programmes for university and university-of-technology graduates or learners. Its 2026/27 funding framework includes graduate internships and other internship categories.

Does CATHSSETA support TVET students?

Yes. CATHSSETA’s WIL programme includes TVET learners who require workplace experience, and its 2026/27 framework includes an Internship N-Diploma and NCV category for unemployed TVET college learners.

Does CATHSSETA offer bursaries?

Yes. CATHSSETA provides bursary funding for qualifications relevant to its sub-sectors.

Is there one CATHSSETA application for all programmes?

No. The programmes have different target groups, funding arrangements and application routes. CATHSSETA’s Discretionary Grant application process is also different from applying for an individual learner opportunity.

Final Reminder

CATHSSETA provides several routes into skills development across South Africa’s culture, arts, tourism, hospitality and sport-related sectors, including learnerships, internships, WIL, apprenticeships, skills programmes and bursaries.

The key point for applicants is to check the specific opportunity rather than assume that one set of CATHSSETA requirements applies to every programme.

For the latest programme information, funding announcements and official requirements, use the CATHSSETA website and the relevant official programme or participating institution.

Official Source

CATHSSETA Learning Programmes — Official information on learnerships, internships, WIL, apprenticeships, skills programmes and bursaries.

CATHSSETA 2026/27 Discretionary Grant Guidelines — Current funding framework and programme categories.

Last Checked Date

28 September 2026

Author/Updated Information

Written by: Mbalizuke Nkosi
Published: 28 September 2026
Updated: 28 September 2026
Information checked: 28 September 2026