Learnerships

All the elements on the B-BBEE scorecard require some financial investment from companies, many of whom are feeling the financial pinch from declining sales and revenue since the pandemic began. Investment in B-BBEE and transformation is unlikely to be top of their lists and understandably so.

On 8 March every year, women's groups around the world mark International Women's Day, a global celebration of the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women.

In response to the skill shortage in South Africa,  learnerships were established to allow people to gain valuable skills that could ensure their success in the workplace of their choice.

Of all the records South Africa holds, the most unwanted must be the fact that our unemployment rate is now the highest in the world. The official statistics say the unemployment rate, which includes people who have stopped looking for work, rose to 44.4% in the second quarter of 2021. The reality for our youth is even worse than that, with some estimates suggesting as many as three in every four young people are jobless.

Many organisations face unparalleled operational challenges that stem from a lack of productive and engaging employee learning practices that could be increasing ROI.

Unemployment is a massive challenge that has been exacerbated by the Covid-19 crisis. With 55.75% of the country's youth unemployed, more focus should be placed on how youth can enter the job market without a formal tertiary qualification to contribute positively to the country's economy.

Seta is known as the Sector Education and Training Authority (SETA). They assist in promoting the development of skills in all sectors.

Preparing for a learnership interview is much like any other working interview you might experience in your lifetime, with the only difference being the difficulty in questions.

We are finding that there is still too little clarity around the subject of vocational learnerships.  Learnerships are indeed a win-win for all parties involved. 

Skills development in South Africa is an ever evolving environment.  At times very frustrating, but so rewarding!

Learnerships are structured programmes combining theory with practical skills within a working environment. 

Learnerships combine learning programmes with on the job learning and training. On the job training is supported by structured or institutional learning. 

Empowering the youth through on-the-job learning and development is one way of moving South Africa’s young folk to the centre of the country’s economic ecosystem.

With South Africa’s unemployment rate at an all-time high, Learnerships are necessary to help build a competent workforce as well as the key to boosting an organisation’s B-BBEE levels in the process.

Learnerships are developed by the industry for the industry, in consultation with all relevant stakeholders, so the learning programme and qualification of the Learners are relevant to the specific occupation.

Does your business want to support the implementation of learnerships in the country? Find out how you can contribute towards up-skilling the local labour market.