Are you unemployed and looking for a learnership opportunity in South Africa? There are currently learnership and learner programmes accepting applications for 2026/2027.
Learnerships give unemployed young people an opportunity to gain practical workplace experience while working towards a recognised qualification. Some programmes also pay learners a monthly stipend for the duration of the programme.
Below are some opportunities you can apply for.
Libstar Millennium Foods Learnership
Millennium Foods, a division of Libstar Operations, is inviting unemployed applicants to participate in a 12-month learnership programme.
Successful learners will work towards an NQF Level 3 Intermediate Occupational Certificate: Food and Beverage Packaging Operator.
Requirements
Applicants should:
Have a Matric certificate
Be currently unemployed
Have basic literacy, numeracy and communication skills
Be willing to work in a food manufacturing and packaging environment
Be willing to work shifts where required
Have an interest in the food and beverage manufacturing industry
Stipend
Successful applicants will receive a monthly stipend during the 12-month programme. The employer has not published the exact stipend amount.
Location
Killarney Gardens, Cape Town, Western Cape
Closing Date
04 September 2026
How to Apply
Applications are completed through the official Millennium Foods/Libstar recruitment portal.
Unemployed South Africans looking for SETA-funded training opportunities can also register directly on the Services SETA Learner Portal.
Unlike a single learnership vacancy, the portal creates your profile as a potential learner.
Services SETA explains that information registered on the portal may be shared with employers, training providers and partners offering Services SETA-funded programmes.
Who Can Register?
Both employed and unemployed people can participate in learning programmes. Unemployed applicants can register for potential placement through the Services SETA Learner Portal.
Information You Will Need
You will need information including:
South African ID number
Email address
Personal details
Contact information
Make sure your information remains up to date so that you can be considered when opportunities become available.
How to Register
Register or sign in through the official Services SETA Learner Portal:
You can also read more about opportunities for learners on the official Services SETA website:
Capitec Early Career Opportunities
Capitec also provides opportunities for people who are starting their careers.
The bank’s official careers website includes operational, service and early-career opportunities. Applicants can register their CV and check available vacancies.
Because vacancies change regularly, applicants should search the portal for terms such as Bank Better Champion, learnership, trainee, junior or early careers.
Always check the requirements of the individual programme before applying.
Do SETA Learnerships Pay a Stipend?
Many funded learnership programmes provide learners with a monthly allowance or stipend.
However, there is no single R4,800 stipend that applies to every SETA learnership.
The amount depends on the particular programme, employer, qualification and funding arrangement.
For example, the e-Rele programme listed above advertises R3,000 per month, while Millennium Foods confirms that successful learners will receive a monthly stipend but does not publish the amount.
Applicants should therefore check the official advert rather than assuming every learnership pays the same stipend.
How to Improve Your Chances of Getting a Learnership
Before submitting your applications:
Update your CV with your latest contact information.
Make sure your cellphone number and email address are correct.
Prepare clear copies of your ID and qualifications.
Certify documents when the employer requests certified copies.
Apply before the closing date.
Answer application questions truthfully.
Regularly check your email and cellphone after applying.
Apply for several programmes instead of depending on only one application.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply for a learnership if I am unemployed?
Yes. Many learnership programmes specifically target unemployed applicants.
Can I apply with Grade 12?
Yes. Several programmes accept Matric applicants. For example, the Millennium Foods and OVK programmes listed above require Grade 12.
Can I apply with Grade 10 or Grade 11?
Some learnerships may accept applicants below Matric, but this depends on the qualification being offered. Check the minimum education requirement of each programme.
Do I have to pay to apply?
No legitimate employer should require you to pay money simply to submit a job or learnership application.
Be careful of people asking for “registration fees”, “placement fees” or money to guarantee acceptance.
Will I receive a qualification?
A registered learnership normally combines theoretical education with practical workplace learning and leads towards a recognised qualification or occupational certificate when successfully completed.
Can I apply for more than one learnership?
Yes. If you meet the requirements, applying for several suitable opportunities can increase your chances of being selected.
What happens after submitting an application?
Shortlisted candidates may be contacted for assessments, interviews, document verification or other selection processes. The exact process depends on the employer or training provider.
Possible Learnership Interview Questions and Answers
Example answer: “I am a hardworking and motivated person who is interested in gaining workplace experience and developing my skills. I have completed my studies and I am currently looking for an opportunity where I can learn while contributing positively to the organisation.”
Why do you want this learnership?
Example answer: “I want the learnership because it will give me practical workplace experience while allowing me to develop skills and obtain a recognised qualification. I also want to use the opportunity as the beginning of my career.”
Why should we select you?
Example answer: “I am willing to learn, I take instructions seriously and I understand that a learnership requires commitment. If selected, I will attend training, complete my assessments and give my best during the workplace component.”
What are your strengths?
Example answer: “My strengths include being reliable, willing to learn and able to work with other people. I also try to complete tasks accurately and on time.”
Where do you see yourself after completing the learnership?
Example answer: “I would like to have gained valuable experience and successfully completed my qualification. My goal is to use the skills I gain from the programme to find permanent employment and continue developing my career.”
Important Notice to Applicants
Learnership opportunities and closing dates can change. Always confirm the information on the employer’s official application page before submitting your application.
Never pay anyone to guarantee you a learnership position.
Apply as early as possible and keep checking your email and cellphone for communication from employers or training providers.
Skhumbuzo Shandu is the founder of Careers With Shandu, a platform dedicated to helping South Africans access job opportunities, learnerships, and career development resources.
He focuses on sharing clear, practical, and up-to-date information to help matriculants, graduates, and job seekers navigate applications and build their careers.
Through his work, he aims to make opportunities easier to understand and accessible to everyone, especially young people entering the workforce.
Skhumbuzo Shandu is the founder of Careers With Shandu, a platform dedicated to helping South Africans access job opportunities, learnerships, and career development resources.
He focuses on sharing clear, practical, and up-to-date information to help matriculants, graduates, and job seekers navigate applications and build their careers.
Through his work, he aims to make opportunities easier to understand and accessible to everyone, especially young people entering the workforce.
Skhumbuzo Shandu is the founder of Careers With Shandu, a platform dedicated to helping South Africans access job opportunities, learnerships, and career development resources.
