ENERGY

LEARNERSHIPS

EW
ENERGY AND WATER SECTOR
EDUCATION AND TRAINING AUTHORITY

A MESSAGE FROM EWSETA TO EMPLOYERS

To date, the Energy and Water SETA has registered the
following Learnerships with the Department of Higher
Education and Training:
UNIT STANDARD BASED ENERGY
General Education and Training Certificate in Basic Technical Practice
(Energy)
National Certificate in Electrical Engineering
(Construction)
NQF Level 1
National Certificate in Electrical Engineering
(DX & TX)
NQF Level 1
National Certificate in Electrical Engineering
(Electrical Construction)
NQF Level 1
National Certificate in Electrical Engineering
(Electrical Construction)
NQF Level 2
National Certificate in Electrical Engineering
(Electrical Construction)
NQF Level 3
National Certificate in Electrical Engineering
(Transmission)
NQF Level 4
National Certificate in Electrical Engineering
(Transmission)
NQF Level 2
National Certificate in Electrical Engineering
(Transmission)
NQF Level 3
National Certificate in Electrical Engineering
(Generation)
NQF Level 4
National Certificate in Electrical Engineering
(Generation)
NQF Level 2
National Certificate in Electrical Engineering
(Generation)
NQF Level 3
National Certificate in Electrical Engineering
(Distribution)
NQF Level 4
National Certificate in Electrical Engineering
(Distribution)
NQF Level 2
National Certificate in Electrical Engineering
(Distribution)
NQF Level 3
Electrical Contracting and Entrepreneur Learnership

NQF Level 4
National Certificate in Fossil Power Plant Auxiliary
System Operation
NQF Level 3
National Certificate in Hydro Power Plant Auxiliary
System Operation
NQF Level 3
National Certificate in Nuclear Power Plant Auxiliary
System Operation
NQF Level 3
National Certificate in Fossil Power Plant Operation

NQF Level 3
National Certificate in Fossil Power Plant Process Control

NQF Level 4
National Certificate in Nuclear Power Plant Operation

NQF Level 5
National Certificate in Nuclear Power Plant Process Control

NQF Level 4

NQF Level 5

NQF Level 4
Instrumentation

NQF Level 5

Instrumentation

NQF Level 2

Instrumentation

NQF Level 3

Instrumentation

NQF Level 4
NQF Level 5

NQF Level 3

NQF Level 4
Gas Turbine Plants

NQF Level 4
NQF Level 4
NQF Level 3
NQF Level 5

These Learnerships range from one to multiple years in duration and each Learnership
will be certified by EWSETA on completion. They represent a better, new and exciting
form of workplace based training for the new dispensation. The Learnerships are Unit
Standard based and are leading to Qualifications registered with the South African
Qualifications Authority (SAQA) / QCTO. This will ensure your Company complies with
the new Skills Development Act of 1998 as amended, the SAQA Act and the QCTO
Policy.
Registering Learners in Learnerships will also give you access to incentives available
from the EWSETA and the South African Revenue Services (SARS).

WHAT ARE THESE INCENTIVES AND HOW CAN I ACCESS THEM AS

AN EMPLOYER?
An employer can claim the Discretionary grant for registering learners in the EWSETA
recognised types of learning as indicated in the Discretionary Grants Funding Policy
(refer to EWSETA Grant Policy). The grants are paid half on registration of the Learner
and the other half on completion of Learnership programme.
Over and above the EWSETA grant, employers shall claim a Tax incentive from SARS
for the same Learner as follows:

AT THE BEGINNING OF A LEARNERSHIP

(EMPLOYED LEARNERS)
Once a Learnership agreement is registered with EWSETA, you may deduct from
the Tax to be paid to SARS, 70% of the annual wages paid to that learner up to a
maximum of R17 500.

AT THE BEGINNING OF A LEARNERSHIP

(UNEMPLOYED LEARNERS)
Once a Learnership agreement is registered with EWSETA, you may deduct from the
Tax to be paid to SARS, 100% of the annual Learnership allowance paid to that learner
up to a maximum of R25 000.

ON COMPLETION OF A LEARNERSHIP
You will be able to claim again 100% of the annual wage or up to R25 000, whichever
is lesser for both employed and unemployed learners.

The good news is, the incentives from SARS are also applicable to apprenticeships,
where formal contracts have been entered into with EWSETA. Apprenticeship grants
(R30 000) are also available from EWSETA if an employer registers a Learner in an
apprenticeship contract.

NB:

To access these grants, an Employer must be a Levy payer to

the Energy and Water SETA.

AS AN EMPLOYER WHAT DO I NEED TO DO TO REGISTER A

LEARNER?

Be a levy payer or legally exempted (with proof)

Identify a Learner.
Identify an Accredited Training Provider (contact EWSETA if you need help).
Get a Learnership agreement from EWSETA.
Sign the Learnership Agreement with the Learner and the Training Provider.
Submit the Learnership agreement to EWSETA together with the contract of
employment for the Learner, which should not be less than the period of the
Learnership programme.
The SETA shall register the agreement and inform you of the outcomes within 30
days.
Training can now commence and you can claim your Learnership grant from the
Energy and Water SETA, and a Tax incentive from SARS.

A MESSAGE FROM EWSETA TO LEARNERS

The Government has introduced new training programmes called Learnerships.
Learnerships are workplace based training programmes that have replaced the
Apprenticeship system of vocational education. These training programmes are open
to people who are employed, and those who are unemployed.

WHAT IS A LEARNERSHIP?
A Learnership is a learning programme that leads to an occupational qualification.
Learnerships include classroom-based learning at an EWSETA accredited college or
training centre and on the job training in a workplace/company. For you to participate
in a learnership, there must be an employer willing and able to provide you
with the required work experience.

WHO CAN APPLY FOR A LEARNERSHIP?

Anyone can apply for a learnership. This means that Learnerships should be available
for young people leaving school and colleges, and for unemployed people, as well as
for people already in jobs. Learnerships are not restricted to any age group.

HOW MUCH WILL IT COST?

There is no charge for a person to go on a learnership. The employer must pay
everyone selected for a learnership programme a learner allowance. The precise
amount depends on the type of learnership and on the employer. The Minister of
Higher Education and Training has stipulated the minimum level of allowances
and conditions of employment of Learners, but an employer can pay more. The
allowances and conditions are agreed with each learner before the programme
begins.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE?

The length of a learnership will differ, but will not be less than one year.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR ME IF I GO ON A LEARNERSHIP?

If you are accepted for a learnership you will have to sign a legal agreement with the
employer. The person or organisation that provides the theory part of the training also
has to sign this agreement. The legal agreement spells out what is expected of you
and what you will have to do.

WHO IS INVOLVED IN A LEARNERSHIP

AND WHAT ARE THEIR ROLES?
1. The learner is placed in a Learnership, signs a legal agreement with an employer,
stating the rights and responsibilities of the learner, and follows the learning
programme.
2. The employer provides the work experience part of the learnership and signs the
same legal agreement stating the employers right and responsibilities, including
agreements on the level of the learnership allowance.
3. An accredited training provider shall provide the training and sign the same legal
agreement stating the training providers rights and responsibilities.
4. EWSETA will organise and facilitate the funding of Learnerships and ensure that the
training is up to industry standard (quality assurance).
5. Department of Labour (DoL) recruits, selects and refers unemployed people who
meet the minimum criteria for a particular learnership to employers looking for
learners. The employer makes the final decision.

WHAT WILL I GET AT THE END OF A LEARNERSHIP?

If the learnership is completed successfully, you will have a qualification that is
recognised in South Africa and abroad. To prove that you have the qualification, you
will be given a National Certificate. This certificate will show the skills and knowledge
which you have obtained.

WILL I GET A JOB AFTER COMPLETING A LEARNERSHIP?

If you are unemployed when the learnership begins, there is no guarantee of a job at
the end. The employer who provides you with training does not have to offer you a job.
But with a qualification and work experience, you will be in a better position to get a job
than before. You might also want to think about getting more qualifications or starting
up a business on your own.

HOW DO I APPLY FOR A LEARNERSHIP IF I AM UNEMPLOYED?

Register as a work seeker at your nearest Department of Labour centre.
The Labour Centre will then contact you if you meet the minimum criteria for the
learnership of a specific employer.
If you meet the criteria you may be called in for a briefing session and possible
assessment prior to final selection.
Also look out for Learnership advertisements in newspapers and apply if you meet
the requirements

CONTACT DETAILS
Ernegy and Water Sector Education and Training Authority
(EWSETA)
Sunnyside Office Park, 2nd & 3rd floors - Sentinel House
32 Prince of Wales Terrace, Parktown
P.O. Box 1273 Houghton 2041

Reception: 011 274 4700

www.eseta.org.za