South Africa is a diverse country full of youth Opportunities, the aim is to create a favourable environment to all. You don’t have to worry about not having a matric, this is for you. everyone finishes school up to {Grade 12} Matric. Due to personal and unknown circumstance’s some youth people leave school at Grade 9, For those learners, SETA learnerships can provide a a skill development opportunity to help them further with their studies. SETA Learnnerships programmes help youth gain valuable skills, and earn a stipend.

In This post you will learn about what are SETA learnerships.

SETA Learnerships And What it’s all About

• SETA stands for Sector Education and Training Authority.
• There are different SETAs in South Africa, each responsible for developing skills in specific industries such as services, manufacturing, finance, construction, and agriculture. A learnership is a structured programme that combines:

1. Theoretical training (classroom or online learning) and Practical experience (workplace exposure at a company)

Once a learner has completed, they receive an NQF-registered qualification. The best part is that most learnerships are free. Participants often receive a monthly stipend to cover transport or basic living costs while they study and work.

Is it possible for a leaner to Apply for a SETA Learnership without Matric? Yes

SETA learnerships offers NQF Level 2 or higher which usually requires Grade 12 (Matric). However, other learnerships offered are entry-level learnerships at NQF Level 1, and these you can apply with only Grade 9 or Higher.

SETA opportunities are for youth who want to enter the workplace with basic skills and qualifications. For example:

Cleaning and hygiene services learnerships

Hospitality basics (kitchen or housekeeping)

General maintenance or building assistant learnerships

Security training (entry-level)

Retail or wholesale assistant training

The Benefits of SETA Learnerships

• Free Education and Training

Learnerships are sponsored by government and employers, so you don’t pay tuition fees.

• Nationally Recognised Qualification

Even entry-level qualifications are registered on the NQF, which means you can use them to progress to higher learning in the future.

• Work Experience

You gain practical, real-world experience in a workplace environment.

• Monthly Stipend

Learnerships usually include a stipend to help cover basic needs while studying.

• Better Job Prospects

Having a learnership certificate makes it easier to get employed compared to having only a Grade 9 report.

• Pathway to Growth

Once you complete one level, you can move on to higher NQF levels and eventually reach qualifications equal to or above matric.

Learnerships That Are Offered By SETA

Services SETA Cleaning Learnership

Focuses on cleaning, hygiene, and housekeeping.

Prepares learners for jobs in offices, hospitals, schools, and hotels.

Hospitality Entry-Level Learnerships

Includes kitchen assistants, waiters, and front-of-house basics.

Ideal for those wanting to enter the restaurant or hotel industry.

Retail and Wholesale Learnerships

Prepares learners for cashier work, shelf packing, or customer service roles.

Security Officer Training (Grade C–E)

Provides basic security training that can lead to employment in security companies.

General Labour or Construction Support

Some construction SETA learnerships accept Grade 9 for entry-level labour or assistant programmes.

How to Apply for SETA Learnership

Identify Available Learnerships

• Visit official SETA websites (such as Services SETA, Construction SETA, etc.).
• Look at training providers in your area who are accredited to run learnerships.

Learnership stipends are usually between R2,000 and R4,000 per month. But what you do get is something more valuable: skills, experience, a qualification, and hope.