Once enrolled in a learning programme as a leaner, you need to understand your responsibilities and duties. Learner agreements with employers are guided by the Skills Development Act, Basic Conditions of Services Act and Unemployment Insurance Act – these acts prescribe the responsibilities of leaners and employers engaged in a learning programme.
Any person – either employed or unemployed - can participate in a learning programme. If employed, you can register for a learnership through your company or within the sector that your company operates in. If you are unemployed, you may register for placement via the Services SETA learner portal or through Services SETA accredited provider in your area.
Leaner stipends are monthly payments paid to the learners undergoing certain training programmes for the duration of that training. Please note that stipend is only paid to unemployed learners for specific programmes. Some programmes such as skills programmes do not have stipend attached to it. The stipend is only paid to learners that are registered and contracted to the Services SETA funded programme. Stipend amounts are regulated by the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET). The stipend is intended to help learners cover the cost of getting to training sites and basic food. This is why stipends are only paid on proof of attendance. Please ensure that you sign the attendance register on daily basis or check in through the biometric system. No stipend can be paid without proof of attendance.
Click here to see the payment cycle for stipend payments.
Learners undergoing a learning programme and receive a stipend, are entitled to unemployment insurance benefits. This means that a total contribution of 2% of the stipend amount will be deducted from the learner stipend (1% will be paid for by the learners, while the other 1% is the employer’s responsibility).