In the past, being an apprentice was an honourable way to study under a seasoned mentor to gain practical, marketable skills. Even before that, apprenticeships sprang from the time honoured custom of mothers and fathers raising their daughters and sons in the family business. Today, a “learnership” is a smart career move, particularly in South Africa. Here’s why.
A learnership gives you hands-on experience
Old fashioned apprenticeships focused on the practical component but not much on theory – however new changes to the Learnership Act in South Africa means going this route is more inclusive than ever. Students can obtain theoretical instruction from one teacher, and then get real world practical experience with their mentors.
Learnerships are flexible
Unlike traditional university programmes, learnerships are often much more forgiving of irregular schedules, giving those who have children, other jobs or prior commitments the chance to learn in a way that fits their lifestyle.
Learnerships are great for pragmatic learners
Some people thrive in a purely academic environment. Others flourish when they get to engage with their work directly. Trade skills of all kinds rest on being able to actually practice the skills you learn, so if this is the kind of learning environment you prefer, you’ll love a learnership.
A learnership gives you the chance to network
With other more conventional degrees and diplomas, the difficult work of finding employment begins only after the course is done. One of the benefits of a learnership, however, is that you get to build connections and industry relationships right from the beginning. Impress your mentors and you’ll get referrals right off the bat.
A learnership is less of a financial strain
Qualifications from more academic institutions are fulltime and intensive – and completely unpaid. Rather than take the financial hit of being unemployed for years while you learn, a learnership gives you the opportunity to earn a salary while you gain valuable experience.
As South Africa strives to arm its younger generations with truly applicable skills for the future, the popularity of the learnership and all kinds of intern and apprentice solutions has grown. The first step is to make contact with your registering body of your field or industry and make enquiries. Learnerships make a lot of sense and if you’d like to ease into a chosen trade in a convenient and practical way, a learnership is the way to go.
