What is a SETA-approved learnership? (short, factual)
A learnership is an occupationally directed programme that combines structured theoretical learning with work-based experience and leads to a national qualification registered on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF). SETAs coordinate, fund and quality-assure learnerships in their sectors and disburse grants to employers and training providers.
Why new 2025 learnerships matter
2025 is seeing renewed investment and programme rollouts across multiple SETAs as government and industry push to reduce youth unemployment and address skills gaps. The DHET and SETAs have been active in publishing funding plans, vacancy circulars, and programme databases that feed learnership openings for learners and employers. Evidence of these ongoing activities appears across official SETA sites and recent DHET communications.
How SETAs register and publish new learnerships (how it works)
- Occupational qualification design / SAQA registration — Learnerships link to a qualification registered with the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA). SETAs and QCTO (where delegated) manage occupational qualification implementation.
- Provider accreditation & contracting — Training providers and employers enter agreements with SETAs to deliver the learnership. SETAs disburse grants to support training delivery.
- Listing & applications — SETAs and government portals publish lists and sometimes vacancy circulars; provincial government sites and career portals aggregate opportunities. For example, DHET public vacancy circulars have included SETA support and learnership posts for 2025.
Where to find
official
lists of new 2025 learnerships
For accuracy use official sources first:
- Individual SETA websites (Services SETA, MERSETA, AgriSETA, etc.) — they publish registered learnerships and learner portals.
- Department of Higher Education & Training (DHET) — maintains coordination circulars and the national database for learning programmes, and publishes public vacancy circulars when the department itself advertises learnership-related posts.
- Provincial government and municipal websites — sometimes publish funded learnership lists and National Skills Fund (NSF) allocations.
- Trusted job/learnership aggregators — CareersPortal, Graduates24, and other portals aggregate openings but always cross-check with SETA/DHET.
What’s new specifically in 2025? (patterns & examples)
There is no single national “one-list” that centralises every new SETA-approved learnership in real time; instead, trends and examples in 2025 include:
- Expansion in technical and artisan learnerships as part of the government’s focus on infrastructure and trades.
- Sector-specific rollouts (for example Services SETA, Merseta and AgriSETA continuing to publish their occupational lists and registered learnerships).
- Public sector graduate and intern posts connected to skills development streams (DHET circulars in 2025 include SETA support and learnership posts).
Because the schedules and new programme approvals vary by SETA and over the year, always reference the SETA that covers your target sector.
Typical eligibility, duration and stipends (what applicants should expect)
- Eligibility: ranges from Grade 9/10 up to Matric or diploma depending on the learnership level; many are open to unemployed youth and priority target groups. (Check the individual learnership specs.)
- Duration: commonly between 12 and 24 months for most learnerships, though some skills programmes are shorter.
- Stipends & contracts: stipends vary by sector and funding. Public sector graduate placements (DHET/SETA support posts) have published stipend figures in 2025 vacancy circulars (example figures shown in government circulars). Always verify the amount on the official posting.
How learners should apply — step-by-step
- Find the right SETA for your sector (Services, Merseta, AgriSETA, etc.). Use the SETA website’s learner portal to create a profile.
- Check the learnership advert for application requirements (documents, proof of residence, ID, qualifications, police clearance if required).
- Apply through the employer or SETA portal as specified — some learnerships require submission to the employer, others to the SETA or provider.
- Prepare for selection — interviews, assessments, and workplace readiness checks are commonly used.
- Verify accreditation — ensure the programme and provider are SETA-accredited or QCTO-recognised; cross-check SAQA registration where applicable.
Advice for employers and training providers (how to list new learnerships correctly)
- Register the learnership with the relevant SETA and ensure SAQA alignment for qualifications.
- Use the SETA grant funding process and the approved provider list.
- Publish clear adverts (duration, stipend, NQF level, closing date) and keep application windows short but adequate. Cross-post on provincial career sites and trusted portals to increase reach.
Example sectors where you’ll see new 2025 learnerships
- Services, hospitality & retail (Services SETA).
- Manufacturing & engineering (MERSETA).
- Agriculture & agri-business (AgriSETA).
- ICT, telecommunications, and media (relevant SETAs and training providers).
How to verify a learnership is
officially approved
- Is the learnership linked to a SAQA-registered qualification?
- Is the provider accredited by the SETA or QCTO?
- Is the learnership listed on the SETA’s website or in a DHET coordination circular?
- Does the advert include contract/stipend details and contact info you can call/verify?
If you can answer “yes” to these, the opportunity is likely legitimate.