Employed South Africans can take up certain learning programmes sponsored or supported by the Services Sector Education and Training Authority (Services SETA). This includes gaining better qualifications, learning new skills and advancing their careers without necessarily quitting their jobs.
While many publicly advertised learnerships are aimed at unemployed applicants, skills development is also supposed to benefit those already in employment. The critical requirement is the specific program’s eligibility criteria, the employer’s involvement and the relevant funding arrangements.
For South Africans who want to study while continuing their work, understanding the difference between employed and unemployed learners can enable them to access the appropriate opportunities and avoid applications for programs where they would not be eligible.
Can Employed People Apply for Services SETA Learning Programmes?
Yes, they can, where appropriate.
South African learners fall under different categories in the SETA framework. Where a program is aimed at learners that are employed, those who are currently working can potentially qualify. Here are categories 18.1 and 18.2 learners, and how they differ:
- 18.1 learners: Employed learners
- 18.2 learners: Unemployed learners, subject to the entry requirements for the relevant program.
It does not mean that anyone that is employed can take any learnership program with the Services Sector Education and Training Authority. Some are specifically aimed at developing unemployed workers, while others are designed to train existing staff. The most appropriate thing is to read the advertisement carefully to understand whether you are eligible.
What Is the Difference Between 18.1 and 18.2 Learners?
It is important because the processes to apply, get employed, finance the studies, and even the salary arrangements are generally different for the two categories. To compare 18.1 versus 18.2 learners:
18.1 learners (employed) 18.2 learners (unemployed)
Employment status Employed Unemployed at the entry into the specific program
Typical entry method Through an employer Through an advertisement
Purpose Workplace skills development Access to a new job
Salary during the program Depends on the employment contract, normally retained May be a stipend if the program provides it
Typical place to apply Usually with the employer Through the recruiting employer or training organization
These are general differences and the terms of a particular program determine the actual conditions.
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Important: It does not mean that all 18.2 learners get a stipend or that all 18.1 learners have similar arrangements. Confirm the conditions of the program in question.
How Employed People Can Access Services SETA Learnerships
For most employed South Africans, the starting point should be the current employer, and not advertisements aimed at finding new learners.
1. Ask Your Human Resources Department
Find out whether your company provides training with the support of the Services SETA or any other SETA. In many cases, companies will have a learning and skills development program where they fund or support the studies of their employees.
2. Contact Your Skills Development Facilitator
Organizations typically appoint a Skills Development Facilitator (SDF) to manage the training and skills development needs of the organization. They should be able to guide you to the programs that are likely to be appropriate for your job.
3. Consult the Workplace Skills Plan
An organization’s Workplace Skills Plan (WSP) describes the skills that it needs to develop within the company. The SDF should be able to advise on the programs that the organization is likely to sponsor. Alternatively, you could ask whether your skills are needed in the company’s future WSP.
Note that this does not guarantee that a place will be available but it is a starting point in understanding the training needs of your employer.
4. Confirm the Funding Arrangements
The Services SETA funds appropriate programs with a grant. An organization might have requirements before it sponsors a learner. You should ask whether the program you want to join is approved and whether the necessary funding has been allocated.
Do not assume that your organization can claim the cost of any course.
Do Employed Services SETA Learners Receive a Stipend?
This is one of the most common questions that people ask when they are considering further studies. In most cases, learners will continue to receive their salaries under their existing employment contracts. An employed learner should not assume that the learnership program entitles them to a stipend.
Unemployed learners can receive a stipend where the program provides one. The conditions will depend on the particular program, the relevant funding arrangement, and the agreement with the training organization.
As an employed learner, it is advisable to clarify the following terms with your employer before you accept the offer:
- Whether your existing salary will continue during your studies
- Whether you are entitled to take time off work for the program
- Whether the company will fund your travel and other expenses
- Whether there are other benefits that you will receive
- How your responsibilities at work will be affected by the training arrangement
The above terms should be clarified in writing before you accept the offer.
Can You Apply for a Services SETA Learnership Without Telling Your Employer?
This will depend on the requirements of your program and the approval procedures.
Where the learnership is designed for unemployed job seekers, one will not qualify for the program where one is employed. If the program is for employees, the approval process will have to involve your employer.
A job seeker who finds an appropriate advertisement should confirm whether the program will accept employed learners or only those who are unemployed.
What Qualifications Can Employed People Study?
The qualification will depend on the funding window, the training organization, and the availability and needs of the employer.
An employee in the services sector can study qualifications that are relevant to their line of work, for example:
- Business administration and office support
- Customer service
- Marketing and communication
- Human resources
- Management and supervision
- Real estate-related services
- Cleaning and facilities-related services
- Other occupational and sector-specific skills
The above is not necessarily a complete list of the Services SETA learnerships available in 2027. One should confirm which programs and qualifications will be available.
It is advisable to consider a program that will build on one’s existing capabilities or help one to move into another career.
What Agreements Are Required for Employed Learners?
An appropriate learnership will generally involve a contract between the learner, the employer, and the training organization in accordance with the terms of the program.
Before you sign, it is important to confirm the terms, for example:
- The qualification and the program
- The duration of the program
- The responsibilities of the learner, employer, and training organization
- The requirements for assessment and workplace experience
- The salary and other benefits that one will receive
- The arrangements for disputes and cancellation
The training organization should be accredited or authorized to provide the program where this is applicable. It is advisable to ensure that one understands the agreement before one signs it. If there is anything that one does not understand, it is advisable to ask the human resources department or the program manager to explain it.
How to Find Services SETA Learning Opportunities for 2027
The job market and skills development needs change over time. Learners, employers, and training organizations should keep track of the latest developments to identify opportunities.
Follow these steps to find learnership programs and relevant information:
Step 1: Visit the official website
Go to the Services SETA website for organizational information and announcements.
Step 2: Learner information
Visit the Services SETA Learner Information page to see what programs are available and what information is available to learners
Step 3: Employers
The Services SETA Employers page provides employers with information relevant to them.
Step 4: 18.1 opportunities
If one is employed, it is advisable to consult one’s human resources department or skills development facilitator to see whether they have any appropriate programs.
Step 5: Verify the program
Before one applies, one should confirm whether one is eligible, what qualification one will receive, how long the program will take, whether it is funded, and how one will be paid.
Creating a learner profile or contacting a SETA does not guarantee admission to a funded program.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can employed people apply for Services SETA learnerships in 2027?
Yes, where the program meets the entry requirements. Some programs are specifically for employees, while others are only available for unemployed job seekers.
2. What is an 18.1 learner?
An 18.1 learner is an employed learner that takes part in a learning program.
3. What is an 18.2 learner?
An 18.2 learner is an unemployed learner that takes part in a learning program.
4. Do employed learners receive a monthly stipend?
An employed learner receives their salary as agreed in their employment contract. An additional stipend should not be assumed unless it is provided for in the agreement.
Learnerships are primarily for the development of the skills of the learner, and not for the payment of the learner’s expenses. Where a stipend is provided, its conditions will be determined by the program, the funding arrangement, and the agreement with the training organization.
Some employers might fund a stipend for employees that take part in training programs. The agreement should specify whether this will be the case.
5. Can an employed learner claim the NSFAS bursary?
The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) does not fund learnerships or programs run by SETAs. It only provides financial aid to students who take part in undergraduate or diploma studies at recognized higher education institutions.
6. Who qualifies for the 18.1 learnership?
It depends on the program, but generally, one should be employed and available for the program.
7. Can employed learners become registered participants?
Yes, where the program allows it.
8. How do I apply for an 18.1 learnership?
A job seeker who is employed should consult their human resources department, skills development facilitator, or look for programs that are designed for employees.
9. Do I get a work contract if I am employed?
Yes, where the program requires it.
10. Do I get a stipend if I am employed?
No, unless the program provides for it.
This is a general description of some of the key considerations when looking for learnership programs. It is always advisable to consult the relevant training organization to get more details on a specific program.
