Meta: Choosing between an apprenticeship, learnership or internship in South Africa affects your pay, qualification outcome, and long‑term career path. This guide explains the differences, who each suits best, how credits and stipends work, and where to find legitimate opportunities.
Quick overview: the three routes at a glance
- Apprenticeship: Trade-focused, workplace‑based training that leads to a trade certificate or occupational qualification. Typically supervised by artisans or journeypersons.
- Learnership (SETA learnership): A structured programme registered with a SETA that combines workplace experience with classroom-based training and can lead to an NQF‑aligned qualification or unit standards/credits.
- Internship: Often short‑term, career-exploratory workplace experience; may be paid or unpaid and usually does not result in a formal qualification.
Why this matters (South Africa context)
Choosing the right route influences:
- Qualification and credits (NQF levels, SETA recognition)
- Earning while learning (stipends, regulated wages)
- Employment prospects (sector‑specific demand, pathway to permanent work)
Understanding how SETAs, SAQA, and employers interact with these programmes helps you make a practical decision.
Head-to-head comparison
| Feature | Apprenticeship | Learnership | Internship |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical outcome | Trade certificate / artisan status | NQF qualification or credits | Experience, portfolio; sometimes certificate of completion |
| SETA involvement | Often via Trade Test and apprenticeship frameworks | Usually registered with a relevant SETA | Rarely SETA‑registered (except structured internship programmes) |
| Duration | 2–4 years (varies by trade) | 1–2 years typical (varies) | 3–12 months common |
| Pay | Apprentice wage or stipend; increases with skill | Stipend often regulated by employer/SETA funding | Paid or unpaid; varies widely |
| Best for | Practical, skilled trades (electrical, plumbing, etc.) | Formal competency + credit accumulation | Exploring careers, building CV and network |
| Legal/contractual status | Formal apprenticeship contract | Learnership agreement (workplace + training plan) | Internship agreement (less formal) |
In-depth: What each route actually involves
Apprenticeship
- Focuses on skilled trades and artisan development.
- High proportion of on‑the‑job practical training supervised by an experienced artisan.
- Leads towards trade testing and occupational certification.
- Best if you want a long‑term technical career (e.g., electrician, fitter‑and‑turner, carpenter).
Learnership
- Legally structured training combining workplace experience and formal training providers.
- Registered with the relevant SETA and mapped to the NQF — which means you earn credits/qualifications that improve employability.
- Employers may receive incentives or SETA funding to run learnerships.
- Best if you want a recognized qualification while earning experience in fields like finance, HR, IT, or business administration.
- For more on how credits, stipends and qualifications function in learnerships, see How Stipends, Credits and Qualifications Work in South African Learnerships.
Internship
- Shorter and more flexible; emphasis on exposure, practical tasks, and learning rather than formal assessment.
- Can be a stepping stone into graduate development programmes or permanent roles.
- Best if you’re testing career fit, building a portfolio, or are a recent graduate.
- To find paid internships and stand out, check Finding Paid Internships in South Africa: Where to Look and How to Stand Out.
- For public sector timelines and tips, see Public-Sector Internships in South Africa: Application Timelines and Interview Strategies.
Who should choose which route? (Practical guidance)
-
Choose apprenticeship if:
- You’re drawn to hands‑on trades.
- You want a clear certification route to artisan status.
- You value supervised practical skill development over classroom hours.
-
Choose learnership if:
- You want a formal qualification recognised on the NQF.
- You need credits that can articulate to further study.
- You prefer a blended approach (classroom + workplace).
-
Choose internship if:
- You want short‑term exposure to an industry.
- You’re building a CV, portfolio, or network quickly.
- You plan to apply for graduate programmes afterwards (see Graduate Development Programmes in South Africa: Top Corporate Schemes and Application Tips).
Money matters: stipends, wages and funding
- Apprentices: Often receive a wage that increases as competence grows.
- Learnerships: Employers may pay stipends; SETA grants can subsidise training costs — check the specifics of your sector’s SETA.
- Internships: May be unpaid, paid a modest stipend, or competitively paid in graduate schemes.
For detailed breakdowns of stipends, NQF credits and qualification transferability, consult How Stipends, Credits and Qualifications Work in South African Learnerships.
How to find legitimate opportunities (avoiding scams)
- Prefer roles advertised by reputable employers and SETA‑registered providers.
- Verify SETA registration for learnership listings via employer documents or the SETA itself.
- Use curated directories and employer lists such as Employer Directory: Companies Offering Internships and Apprenticeships in South Africa.
- Explore public-sector listings in Public-Sector Internships in South Africa: Application Timelines and Interview Strategies.
Also useful: an index of SETA learnerships is available at Index of Learnerships by SETA: A Practical Directory for South African Jobseekers.
Application tips — stand out and convert to permanent work
- Tailor your CV to show relevant practical skills and outcomes (use metrics where possible).
- Get references from training providers, workplace mentors, or volunteer supervisors.
- During internships, proactively ask for measurable tasks and express interest in long‑term roles. For strategies to convert internships, see How to Turn an Internship into a Permanent Job in South Africa — Career Guidance South Africa.
- Consider graduate routes after completing a learnership or internship: check Graduate Development Programmes in South Africa: Top Corporate Schemes and Application Tips.
Checklist before you accept an offer
- Is the programme registered with a SETA (for learnerships)?
- Will you receive credits or an NQF‑recognised qualification?
- What is the stipend/wage, and how often is it paid?
- Is there a signed training contract or agreement?
- What is the path to permanent employment or further certification?
If you run a website listing opportunities, structured data helps visibility—see Structured Data Templates for Listing Learnerships and Apprenticeships on Your South African Site.
Final recommendation: pick for outcome, not just the money
- If you need a formal, portable qualification: learnership is the safest bet.
- If you want a skilled trade and long-term technical career: apprenticeship.
- If you want to explore careers quickly and build networks: internship.
Explore targeted resources and listings in this cluster to plan next steps:
- Career Guidance South Africa: How SETA Learnerships Work and How to Apply
- Finding Paid Internships in South Africa: Where to Look and How to Stand Out
- Employer Directory: Companies Offering Internships and Apprenticeships in South Africa
If you’d like, tell me:
- Your current education level and sector interest, and I’ll recommend the best route and specific SETA/industry targets.