About LP
A learnership is a structured, occupationally-based learning programme quite similar to an apprenticeship, which leads to a recognised qualification on the South African National Qualifications Framework (NQF).
Based on legislation found in Section 10 of the Skills Development Act, every learnership has a structured theoretical component and a practical work experience component. Its content and duration is prescribed in the form of unit standards. A unit standard is an outline of the competencies that a learner must be able to demonstrate in a specific field of learning. All unit standards are registered by the South African Qualifications Authority.
Learnerships are fundamental to overall skills development because:
- The emphasis of the programme is based on its outcomes;
- The success of the programme is solely attributed to whether learners can practically apply the skills they have been exposed to;
- It combines both theory and practical elements;
- A learner is assessed on an ongoing basis for the duration of the programme;
- They assist in addressing the skills shortages identified; and
- They lead to a nationally recognised qualification.
As part of SASSETA’s education and training objectives, it must also promote learnerships by:
- Finding workplaces where learners can apply their practical knowledge;
- Supporting individuals and companies who create learning material;
- Assisting to conclude Learnership Agreements; and
- Registering Learnership Agreements.
Parties to a Learnership
- A learner;
- An employer; and
- An education, training and development service provider.
The relationship between these parties is regulated by a Learnership Agreement that must be signed by all three parties involved. Once concluded, Learnership Agreements are registered by the SETA with which the employer is registered.
To engage in a learnership, the learner must be employed by an employer who is capable of providing the required practical experience. The learner may be an existing employee of the employer, or may be employed for the purpose and duration of the learnership. For learners in the latter category, the terms and conditions of employment are specified in the sectoral determination.
Should an employer not be able to fulfil all the practical experience requirements, one or more additional employers may be contracted to supplement this. SASSETA however, assesses the suitability of every workplace before a learnership is entered into. A provider who is accredited by the SETA to deliver the learning content required by the learnership will provide structured theoretical learning
Generally a learnership has the following features:
- Includes three components i.e. Fundamental, Core and Elective;
- Represents a planned and appropriate intervention structured according to a qualification;
- Includes learning geared towards both the critical-cross field outcomes, as well as the learning area outcomes;
- Provides learners with the opportunities to achieve applied competencies and a basis for further learning;
- Addresses the transformative agenda encapsulated in the Skills Development Act (SDA), Labour Relations Act (LRA), Basic Conditions of Employment Act (BCEA), Employment Equity Act (EEA), South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) and Skills Development Levies (SDL) Acts respectively;
- Ensures that between 30% and 70% of the required credits are achieved through successful workplace performance;
- Specifies exit level outcomes; and
- Explicitly specifies the nature of the tasks/functions to which the learner is to be exposed and
specifies the notion learning hours for each task.
