In South Africa, youth unemployment remains a persistent challenge, with many young people struggling to gain a foothold in the job market. Learnerships offer a unique solution by combining theoretical learning with practical work experience, allowing participants to earn while they learn. These programs have become increasingly popular as a pathway to gainful employment and skills development.
While learnerships are available across a wide range of industries and sectors, some stand out for their particularly competitive stipends. In this article, we’ll take an in-depth look at the top paying learnership opportunities in South Africa, exploring the industries, companies, and roles that offer the most lucrative prospects for learners.
Accounting and Finance Learnerships
The accounting and finance sector is renowned for offering some of the highest paying learnerships in South Africa. At the top of the list are the Chartered Accountant (CA) learnerships offered by the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA) in partnership with major accounting firms.
Chartered Accountant Learnerships
CA learnerships, offered by firms like PwC, Deloitte, EY, and KPMG, provide a structured path to becoming a Chartered Accountant. These programs typically last 3-5 years and combine academic study with practical work experience. Learners can expect to earn competitive stipends ranging from R8,000 to R12,000 per month, with the potential for significant increases as they progress through the program.
Upon completion, CAs are in high demand and command premium salaries in the finance industry. They often go on to leadership roles in accounting firms, corporate finance departments, and entrepreneurial ventures.
Other Finance Learnerships
Beyond CA programs, other finance learnerships also offer attractive stipends. These may include learnerships in areas like financial management, taxation, auditing, and risk management. Companies like Nedbank, Standard Bank, and the South African Revenue Service (SARS) offer finance learnerships with monthly stipends often falling in the R6,000 to R10,000 range.
Engineering Learnerships
The engineering sector is another top contender for high-paying learnerships. Major companies in industries like energy, mining, and manufacturing invest heavily in learnership programs to develop the next generation of engineers.
Mechanical, Electrical, and Chemical Engineering Learnerships
Learnerships in mechanical, electrical, and chemical engineering are among the most well-compensated. Companies like Sasol, Eskom, and Anglo American offer programs that combine theoretical learning with hands-on experience in real engineering projects. Learners can expect monthly stipends in the range of R6,000 to R10,000, with the potential for higher earnings as they gain experience and qualifications.
These learnerships provide a pathway to becoming a registered engineer with the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA). Upon completion, learners are well-positioned for rewarding careers in fields like renewable energy, manufacturing, mining, and infrastructure development.
Other Engineering Learnerships
Beyond the core disciplines, learnerships are also available in specialized engineering fields like civil engineering, industrial engineering, and metallurgical engineering. Companies like Murray & Roberts, Arcelor Mittal, and Transnet offer programs in these areas, with stipends often comparable to those in mechanical, electrical, and chemical engineering learnerships.
IT and Software Development Learnerships
The rapid growth of the tech industry has made IT and software development learnerships increasingly sought-after and well-compensated. These programs focus on equipping learners with in-demand skills in areas like programming, cloud computing, cybersecurity, and data analytics.
Major Tech Company Learnerships
Global tech giants like Microsoft, Amazon Web Services, and Google offer learnership programs in South Africa, often in partnership with local training providers. These programs typically last 6-12 months and offer stipends ranging from R6,000 to R15,000 per month, depending on the learner’s qualifications and the specific focus of the learnership.
Learners gain hands-on experience with cutting-edge technologies and have the opportunity to work on real projects under the guidance of experienced mentors. Upon completion, they are well-positioned for high-paying roles as software developers, cloud engineers, data analysts, and cybersecurity specialists.
Learnerships with Local Tech Companies
South African tech companies also offer competitive learnership programs. Firms like Dimension Data, DVT, and BBD run learnerships focused on software development, data science, and IT infrastructure. These programs often have monthly stipends in the R8,000 to R12,000 range and provide a pathway to full-time employment with the company.
Artisan Learnerships
Artisan learnerships, which cover skilled trades like welding, electrical work, and mechanics, offer a unique blend of theoretical learning and practical experience. These programs are critical for meeting the demand for qualified artisans across industries.
Top Paying Artisan Learnerships
Some of the highest paying artisan learnerships are offered by companies in the manufacturing, mining, and construction sectors. Firms like Arcelor Mittal, Murray & Roberts, and Anglo American provide learnerships for welders, electricians, fitters and turners, and other trades. Monthly stipends typically range from R4,000 to R8,000, with the potential for higher earnings as learners gain experience and qualify as artisans.
Upon completion, qualified artisans are in high demand and can command competitive salaries. They play crucial roles in the construction, maintenance, and operation of infrastructure and industrial facilities.
Management and Business Learnerships
For those interested in business and management careers, learnerships offer a path to gaining practical experience and recognized qualifications. Leading companies across sectors offer management learnerships to develop the next generation of business leaders.
Types of Management Learnerships
Management learnerships may focus on specific areas like project management, supply chain management, human resources, or marketing. Alternatively, they may provide a more general business administration or management training. Companies like Unilever, Procter & Gamble, and major retail chains like Shoprite and Pick n Pay offer well-regarded management learnerships.
Learners can expect monthly stipends in the range of R6,000 to R10,000, with the potential for higher earnings and rapid advancement upon completion. These programs often lead to full-time management roles within the company.
Factors Affecting Learnership Stipends
While this article has highlighted some of the top paying learnership opportunities, it’s important to note that stipends can vary based on several factors:
- Industry and Company: Learnership stipends often reflect the norms and standards of the industry and the specific company offering the program. Some industries, like finance and engineering, tend to offer higher stipends across the board.
- Learner Qualifications: Learners with higher levels of education and relevant prior experience may command higher stipends. For example, a learner with an engineering degree may earn more in an engineering learnership compared to a matriculant.
- Learnership Level: Many learnership programs have different levels, with stipends increasing as learners progress and gain more experience. For example, a CA learnership may have several distinct levels with escalating stipends.
- Location: Learnerships based in major cities like Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban often pay more than those in smaller towns and rural areas, reflecting differences in living costs and market demands.
Conclusion
Learnerships offer a unique opportunity to gain skills, experience, and qualifications while earning a stipend. The top paying learnerships in South Africa span industries like accounting, engineering, IT, artisan trades, and management, offering monthly stipends that can exceed R10,000 in some cases.
However, the true value of a learnership lies in the long-term career prospects it opens up. By combining learning and earning, these programs provide a pathway to in-demand, well-compensated careers. For South African youth, learnerships represent a powerful tool for unlocking their potential and building a brighter future.
When considering learnership opportunities, it’s important to look beyond just the stipend and consider factors like the quality of training, the reputation of the company, and the alignment with your interests and career goals. With the right learnership, you can set yourself on the path to a fulfilling and financially rewarding career.