Beyond satisfying compliance requirements, learnerships offer South African businesses a powerful combination of financial incentives, B-BBEE scorecard benefits, and a pipeline of skilled, loyal talent β making them one of the smartest investments a business can make.
What Is a Learnership?
A learnership is a structured learning programme that combines theoretical training with workplace experience. It leads to a nationally recognised qualification registered on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF). Learnerships are funded through the Skills Development Levies system and registered with a relevant SETA.
The Financial Case for Learnerships
Employers who implement learnerships qualify for significant tax incentives under Section 12H of the Income Tax Act. For employed learners, you can claim R40,000 per learner per annum. For unemployed learners with disabilities, this can reach R60,000 per learner. These deductions are in addition to the cost of the learnership itself β meaning many programmes are effectively cost-neutral or even profitable.
B-BBEE Scorecard Points
Learnerships contribute directly to your B-BBEE scorecard under the Skills Development element. Implementing learnerships for black employees β particularly those with disabilities β can significantly improve your B-BBEE rating, opening doors to government contracts and enterprise supply chain participation.
Building Internal Capacity
Learnerships allow you to train employees specifically for your operational requirements, reducing recruitment costs and improving retention. Employees who complete learnerships are typically more loyal, more competent, and more confident in their roles.
Get Started with Kenako HSE
Kenako HSE is a registered QCTO and SETA-accredited training provider. Our team handles everything β from learner recruitment and SETA registration to programme delivery, workplace coaching, and certification. Contact us today to find out which learnerships are available for your sector.