Learnerships are one of South Africa’s most important “earn-while-you-learn” routes: they combine workplace practice, classroom instruction and a registered qualification on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF). This guide explains how stipends are set and funded, what credits mean, and how learnerships convert into recognised qualifications — with practical tips for learners and employers.
(If you need step‑by‑step application guidance, see Career Guidance South Africa: How SETA Learnerships Work and How to Apply.)
Quick overview: the players and the payoff
- A learnership is normally a formal agreement between a learner and an employer, with a training provider delivering the theoretical component and the learnership registered with the relevant SETA and NQF. (mysetalearnerships.co.za)
- Completion leads to a nationally recognised qualification or part‑qualification on the NQF (managed by SAQA and the appropriate Quality Council). (mysetalearnerships.co.za)
1. Stipends: who pays, typical levels and funding sources
Who pays the stipend?
- The host employer usually pays the monthly stipend to the learner. Some additional allowances (travel, meals, accommodation) may also be offered by the employer. (seta-learnerships.co.za)
How are stipend amounts set?
- There is no single national fixed stipend for all learnerships. Employers set stipends based on:
- sector norms and bargaining‑council agreements,
- the NQF level and complexity of the programme,
- whether the employer can claim SETA grants or tax incentives to offset costs. (seta-learnerships.co.za)
Indicative stipend ranges (illustrative)
The ranges below are indicative only — actual amounts vary by SETA, employer and year. Use these as a planning benchmark. (seta-learnerships.co.za)
| NQF / Learnership type | Typical duration | Indicative monthly stipend (range) |
|---|---|---|
| Entry level (NQF 1–3) | 12 months | R2,000 – R4,500 |
| Mid level (NQF 4–5) | 12–24 months | R3,500 – R6,500 |
| Advanced (NQF 6+) | 12–24+ months | R4,500 – R7,000+ |
- Note: some scarce‑skills programmes (IT, engineering, finance) often pay at the upper end of the range. (saseta.makoyajobs.co.za)
Funding & rebates that affect stipends
- SETAs disburse grants (discretionary and mandatory) to support learnership implementation — employers can apply to their sector’s SETA for partial funding. (seta-sa.co.za)
- There are also tax incentives for employers (see Section 12H allowances below), which make it more feasible for employers to pay competitive stipends. (accountancysa.org.za)
2. Tax & incentives — what learners and employers must know
Are stipends taxable?
- Stipends are generally treated as income for tax purposes and may be subject to PAYE depending on the amount and the learner’s tax status. Learners should confirm withholding arrangements with the employer and SARS. (seta-learnerships.co.za)
Employer tax incentives (Section 12H)
- Employers who enter qualifying registered learnership agreements can claim annual and completion allowances under Section 12H of the Income Tax Act. The incentive amounts depend on NQF level and disability status; these allowances have been extended in recent budget measures (employers must check current SARS guidance and qualifying dates). (accountancysa.org.za)
Practical implication: employers who claim SETA grants and Section 12H allowances can often afford higher stipends and better learner support — which benefits learners and improves placement quality.
3. Credits: what they are and how they add up to a qualification
What is a credit?
- SAQA defines 1 credit as equivalent to 10 notional (average) hours of learning. Credits measure the total learning time (classroom, workplace learning, self‑study, assessment) required to achieve unit standards or a qualification. (youcantrain.co.za)
Unit standards, components and accumulation
- Many learnership qualifications are made up of unit standards grouped into fundamental, core and elective components. Each unit standard has a credit allocation; learners accumulate credits as they complete assessments. When the qualification’s total credit requirement is met, SAQA‑recognised certification follows. (d7.westerncape.gov.za)
Typical credit footprints (examples)
- Many NQF qualifications used in learnerships carry between 120 and 240 credits depending on level and type (e.g., a higher certificate ~120 credits; diplomas often ~240 credits). Check the SAQA record for exact credit totals on any specific qualification. (regenesys.net)
4. From credits to qualification: registration, moderation and issuing certificates
- Learnerships must be registered with the relevant SETA and aligned to a specific NQF qualification or part‑qualification. Accredited training providers and SETAs moderate assessments and issue statements of results that lead to certification. (mysetalearnerships.co.za)
- Some occupational qualifications may be overseen by the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO) rather than SETAs; SAQA remains the custodian of the NQF and the national record of qualifications. (saqa.org.za)
5. Practical tips — for learners and for employers
For learners
- Verify the learnership is SETA‑registered and leads to an NQF qualification — ask for the SETA registration number and the SAQA ID for the qualification. (mysetalearnerships.co.za)
- Confirm stipend amount, payment frequency, and any travel/accommodation allowances in the written learnership agreement. (seta-learnerships.co.za)
- Ask about assessment methods, moderation and what the final certificate will show (full qualification vs part‑qualification). (d7.westerncape.gov.za)
For employers
- Check your SETA’s discretionary grant schedule and the Section 12H rules to maximise funding and tax relief before committing to stipend budgets. Accurate, early paperwork is essential to claim allowances. (seta-sa.co.za)
- Build a realistic stipend and allowance package — competitive stipends improve learner retention and completion rates. Use SETA guidance and sector benchmarking when budgeting. (saseta.makoyajobs.co.za)
6. Common FAQs
- Can learnerships be unpaid? Generally no — learnerships typically include a stipend or allowance. If an employer offers no stipend, treat it cautiously and confirm funding arrangements and accreditation. (mysetalearnerships.co.za)
- Do credits transfer between programmes? Credits for registered unit standards can often be recognised or used for RPL (Recognition of Prior Learning) and may transfer between programmes where rules allow — always check the qualification rules in SAQA’s record. (d7.westerncape.gov.za)
Useful next steps & further reading
- If you want to compare learn‑while‑you‑learn options, see: Apprenticeship vs Learnership vs Internship: Which Earn‑While‑You‑Learn Route Is Right in South Africa.
- To find paid placements or employer listings, these guides are helpful:
- For pathways after a learnership or turning placements into jobs: How to Turn an Internship into a Permanent Job in South Africa — Career Guidance South Africa.
- For program indexes, sector lists and application help: Index of Learnerships by SETA: A Practical Directory for South African Jobseekers and Public‑Sector Internships in South Africa: Application Timelines and Interview Strategies.
- If you manage a site listing learnerships, see Structured Data Templates for Listing Learnerships and Apprenticeships on Your South African Site.
If you’d like, I can:
- Draft an email template you can send to an employer to confirm stipend, credits and SETA registration; or
- Look up the SETA and SAQA registration details for a specific learnership (I’ll need the learnership or qualification name).
Key sources used: SETA guidance on learnerships and grants, SAQA (NQF & credits), and recent tax guidance on Section 12H allowances. (mysetalearnerships.co.za)