Learnership vs apprenticeship

What is the difference between a learnership and an apprenticeship?

The law makes it simple. The Skills Development Act says an apprenticeship is a learnership in a listed trade. It also says a learnership includes an apprenticeship.

So an apprenticeship is one kind of learnership.

What is a listed trade? The QCTO (Quality Council for Trades and Occupations) says a trade is an occupation where you need an artisan qualification. Electrician and plumber are two examples. An artisan is someone certified as competent in a listed trade.

That gives you the simple rule:

• Want to be an electrician, plumber or another listed trade? Look for an apprenticeship.
• Want a job in another field? Look for a learnership.

Learnership vs apprenticeship at a glance

The apprenticeship details in this table come from merSETA, which covers the auto, metal and motor trades (manufacturing and engineering). Other trades can differ, so check the advert.

What about an internship? That is a third thing. An internship is on-the-job training for someone who already has a qualification and wants experience. If you have not studied yet, look at learnerships and apprenticeships first.

Can a learnership lead to a trade?

Yes. A learnership is not a dead end if you want to be an artisan.

By law, you can only get an artisan qualification by passing a trade test (unless the rules give you an exemption). The Skills Development Act says you can apply for the trade test after:

1. a learnership relevant to the trade, or
2. an apprenticeship in that trade, or
3. proving what you already know, if an accredited trade test centre agrees it is enough ("recognition of prior learning"), or
4. another learning programme that leads to an occupational qualification and includes the work experience required.

Each trade has its own rules, so ask the training provider which route your trade uses before you sign anything.

What is a trade test?

• It is the final test for an artisan qualification in a listed trade.
• You write it at a trade test centre accredited by the QCTO.
• If you pass, the QCTO issues your trade certificate.
• If you are on a learning programme, the rules give you three trade test attempts during the programme. After that you are referred for recognition of prior learning.
• The trade test fees are set by NAMB, the National Artisan Moderation Body. Ask the test centre what applies to you.

Do you get paid on a learnership or an apprenticeship?

Learnership: If you were unemployed when you started, the employer must pay you a learner allowance.

From 1 March 2026 the minimum allowance per week is set by a government notice (R.7083, Gazette 54075). It goes up as you earn credits. This table shows NQF Level 4:

*This is our own sum (weekly amount × 52 ÷ 12), not an official monthly figure. Other NQF levels have different amounts, and an employer may pay more than the minimum.

Apprenticeship: In the merSETA trades, the industry bargaining council sets apprentice pay. In the auto trades it is a percentage of the artisan minimum rate, set for each of four levels. Ask for the exact amount in writing before you sign.

Good to know: The Skills Development Act says a "learner" includes an apprentice. But merSETA describes a different contract for apprentices (see below), and pay can differ by industry.

Who can apply?

Rules change from one programme to the next. Here is what the official pages say:

• Learnerships (merSETA): you must be at least 16 and younger than 35. That is merSETA's rule, so other SETAs may differ.
• Apprenticeships (merSETA trades): the minimum age is 16. For the metal trades, merSETA asks for Grade 9 (English or Afrikaans, Maths or Science, and two other subjects) or a four-subject N1 with trade theory. For the auto and motor trades it asks for Grade 10 with Maths. If you are under 21, a guardian also signs the contract. (merSETA's motor section asks for guardian details if you are under 18, so check the advert.)

Always read each advert. Employers can ask for more.

How do the agreements work?

On a learnership you sign a three-way agreement with the employer and an accredited training provider. It must be registered with a SETA. If you were unemployed, you also sign a separate contract of employment with the employer. It ends when the learnership ends.

On an apprenticeship in the merSETA trades, the contract is signed by the employer and the apprentice (and a guardian if you are under 21).

Which one should you choose?

A learnership may suit you if:

• the job you want is not a listed trade
• you want to learn in a workplace without paying fees
• you are 16 to 34 (merSETA's age rule)

An apprenticeship may suit you if:

• you want to become an electrician, plumber or another artisan
• you are happy to train for up to four years (auto and metal trades)
• you like working with your hands

One warning: a learnership does not promise a job. merSETA says that if you were unemployed when it began, there is no guarantee of a job at the end.

Your next steps:

1. Pick the job you want.
2. Ask the QCTO or the SETA for that industry whether it is a listed trade.
3. Ask what the entry rules, pay and length are, in writing.

Where do you find a real one?

Start with these:

• Register as a work-seeker at your nearest Labour Centre, so employers can find you.
• Contact the SETA for your industry. There are 21 SETAs, for example BANKSETA (banking), AgriSETA (farming), HWSETA (health), merSETA (manufacturing and engineering) and W&RSETA (retail).
• Check the DHET CareerHelp listings. You can also call DHET CareerHelp (Khetha) on 086 999 0123.
• Join SAYouth.mobi. It is free and for ages 18 to 34.

Never pay to get in. merSETA says learners pay nothing for a learnership. The Department of Employment and Labour warns job seekers to be wary of anyone asking for payment. If someone asks you for money, walk away and report it to the Department's fraud line: 0860 022 194.

Want the detail? Read What is a learnership? and What is an apprenticeship?. Thinking about college first? See What is a TVET college?.

Frequently asked questions

Sources:

• Skills Development Act
• Gazette R.7083 (2026 allowances)
• Trade Test Regulations 2014
• merSETA: apprenticeships
• merSETA: learnerships
• DHET Career Help