Learnership vs. Internship: What is the Difference? (The Complete Guide)

Key Takeaways: The “Qualification” vs. “Experience” Battle

• The Core Difference: A Learnership is a training programme that leads to a new qualification (e.g., a Certificate). An Internship is a work experience programme for someone who already has a qualification (e.g., a Degree).
• The Three Parties: A Learnership involves three parties: You, the Employer, and a Training Provider (College). An Internship is usually just between You and the Employer.
• The Stipend: Learnership stipends are strictly regulated by the government based on NQF credits (usually R3,500 – R5,000). Internship salaries are unregulated and decided by the company (can be R4,000 or R15,000).
• Tax Benefits: Companies prefer Learnerships because SARS gives them massive tax rebates (Section 12H). Internships offer fewer financial incentives to the boss.
• Which one for you? If you only have a Matric, you need a Learnership. If you have a Degree/Diploma but no job, you need an Internship.

In the South African job market, “experience” is the currency you need to buy a job. But how do you get experience if no one will hire you?

The answer lies in two government-backed vehicles: The Learnership and the Internship.

These terms are often used interchangeably by confused recruiters, but they are legally very different. Choosing the wrong one can waste a year of your life. For example, if you already have a BCom Degree, doing a “Business Administration Learnership” (NQF Level 4) is a step backward. Conversely, if you only have Grade 12, applying for an Internship is usually a waste of time because you lack the theoretical foundation.

Here is the definitive guide to the battle of the programmes.

1. What is a Learnership? (The “Study While You Work” Model)

Think of a learnership as a “working bursary.” It is designed for people who need a qualification but cannot afford full-time college.

The Definition

A learnership is a structured learning programme registered with the Department of Higher Education and a SETA (Sector Education and Training Authority). It combines theoretical training (classroom) with practical work experience.

The “Three-Way” Contract

Unlike a normal job, you sign a contract with three entities:

1. The Employer: (e.g., Clicks or Vodacom) – Where you work.
2. The Learner: (You).
3. The Training Provider: (e.g., a TVET College or Private Academy) – Where you study.

The Outcome

When you finish a 12-month learnership, you get a National Certificate (usually NQF Level 3, 4, or 5).

• Example: You work as a teller at a bank, but every Friday you go to class. At the end of the year, you get a “National Certificate in Banking Services.”

Who is it for?

• Matriculants: If you have Grade 12 but no money for university, this is your best route.
• Unskilled Workers: If you want to switch careers (e.g., from cleaning to reception) but lack the paper.

2. What is an Internship? (The “Graduate Boot Camp”)

Think of an internship as a “test drive” for graduates. It is designed to bridge the gap between the theory you learned at university and the reality of the office.

The Definition

An internship is a temporary position (usually 12 months) provided to graduates. It does not lead to a new qualification because you are supposed to already have one.

The “Two-Way” Contract

This is simpler. It is a contract between:

1. The Employer.
2. The Intern.There is no “Training Provider” or exams. You are there to work.

The Outcome

You do not get a certificate. You get a CV Reference and Work Experience.

• Example: You have a Marketing Degree. You join an ad agency as an intern. You don’t write exams; you write copy for real clients. At the end, you hopefully get a permanent job offer.

Who is it for?

• Graduates: People with a Diploma, Degree, or Honours who are sitting at home because every job advert says “Requires 2 years experience.”

3. The Money: Stipends vs. Salaries

This is what everyone wants to know.

Learnership Stipends (Regulated)

The government (Department of Labour) sets strict minimums for learnerships based on the “credits” of the course.

• Sectoral Determination 5: This law dictates that learners must be paid a minimum allowance.
• Average Range: Most learnerships pay between R3,500 and R6,000 per month.
• Reason: It is low because the company is also paying thousands of Rands for your tuition fees.

Internship Salaries (Unregulated)

There is no law setting a minimum salary for interns (other than the National Minimum Wage in some contexts). It depends entirely on the industry.

• Government Internships: Usually very good (approx R7,000 – R9,000 pm).
• Corporate Internships (Banks/Tech): Can be high (R15,000 – R25,000 pm).
• Small Business Internships: Can be low (R4,000 pm).

4. The “Tax” Secret: Why Companies Hire You

Why would a company hire someone who knows nothing? The answer is Tax Rebates.

Why they love Learnerships:

SARS offers a massive incentive called Section 12H.

• If a company registers a learnership, they can deduct up to R80,000 from their taxable income per learner.
• If the learner is disabled, this jumps to R120,000.
• Plus, they get huge points on their B-BBEE Scorecard for “Skills Development.”
• This is why you see so many learnerships advertised for people with disabilities.

Why they love Internships:

• The tax benefits are smaller (usually the Employment Tax Incentive – ETI).
• However, internships are “cheaper” to run in terms of time. The boss doesn’t have to release you to go to college once a week. They get a full-time worker for a junior salary.

5. Comparison Table: At a Glance

Feature	Learnership	Internship
Primary Goal	To get a Qualification.	To get Work Experience.
Entry Requirement	usually Grade 12 (Matric).	usually Diploma / Degree.
Duration	12 – 24 Months (Fixed).	6 – 12 Months (Flexible).
Structure	30% Theory (Class) / 70% Work.	100% Work (On-the-job training).
Qualification?	Yes (e.g., NQF Level 4 Certificate).	No (You use your existing degree).
Stipend	R3,500 – R5,500 (Regulated).	Varies widely (R4k – R20k).
Time Off	You must be allowed time to study.	Standard annual leave only.

6. The “Graduate Learnership” Anomaly

Recently, a hybrid has emerged. You might see an advert for a “Graduate Learnership.”

• What is it? This is for people who have degrees but are placed on a learnership contract.
• Why? Because the company wants the Section 12H tax rebate.
• Is it bad? No, but be careful. Ensure the qualification isn’t too low.
  • Bad Example: You have a BCom (NQF 7). They put you on a “Business Admin NQF 3” learnership. This is a waste of your brain.
  • Good Example: You have a generic IT Diploma. They put you on a “AWS Cloud Practitioner NQF 5” learnership. This adds value.

7. Which One Should You Choose?

Choose a Learnership If:

1. You have only Matric. You cannot get a white-collar job with just Matric anymore. A learnership acts as your “free college.”
2. You want to change industries. You studied Tourism but want to work in Banking. A “Banking Learnership” is the perfect bridge.
3. You need structure. You want a formal teacher to guide you.

Choose an Internship If:

1. You have a Degree. You spent 3 years studying; you don’t need more classes. You need to get your hands dirty.
2. You want a permanent job. Internships are often treated as “long interviews.” If you perform well, it is easier to convert an Intern to a Permanent Employee than a Learner (who still has to finish exams).
3. You want a higher salary. Generally, internships pay better than learnerships.

Summary: Read the Fine Print

When you see an advert, look at the Requirements.

• If it says “Must have Grade 12” -> It’s likely a Learnership.
• If it says “Must have a 3-year Diploma” -> It’s likely an Internship.

Action Plan:

1. Audit Yourself: Look at your highest qualification. Is it enough to get a job? If no, look for a learnership. If yes, look for an internship.
2. Check the SETA: If you apply for a learnership, ask “Which SETA is this registered with?” (e.g., BANKSETA, MICT SETA). If they can’t answer, it’s not a real learnership.
3. Update your CV: Make sure your CV clearly states your highest qualification at the top. Recruiters spend 6 seconds looking at it.

Disclaimer: Stipend amounts mentioned are estimates based on market trends and Sectoral Determinations. Individual companies may offer different amounts.