SETAs — Sector Education and Training Authorities — are the organisations responsible for funding, registering, and overseeing learnerships across every industry sector in South Africa. Understanding how they work is the key to finding and successfully applying for the learnership opportunities they fund. This guide explains what SETAs are, which one covers your industry, and how to find the learnerships they register.
What Is a SETA and Why Do They Matter?
There are 21 SETAs in South Africa, each responsible for a specific economic sector. They are funded through a skills levy paid by employers — 1% of every company's payroll goes into the Skills Development Fund, and a portion of that is allocated to the relevant SETA. SETAs use this money to fund learnerships, bursaries, skills programmes, and workplace experience opportunities for South Africans in their sector.
The practical significance for a job seeker is this: every learnership you apply for is registered with a specific SETA. That SETA sets the qualification framework, determines the stipend guidelines, and accredits the training provider. Knowing which SETA covers the field you want to work in helps you find the relevant opportunities much faster.
The Main SETAs and the Sectors They Cover
| SETA | Sector | Website |
|---|---|---|
| MERSETA | Manufacturing, Engineering, Related Services | merseta.org.za |
| INSETA | Insurance | inseta.org.za |
| BANKSETA | Banking | bankseta.org.za |
| FASSET | Finance and Accounting | fasset.org.za |
| HWSETA | Health and Welfare | hwseta.org.za |
| MQA | Mining and Minerals | mqa.org.za |
| AGRISETA | Agriculture | agriseta.co.za |
| W&RSETA | Wholesale and Retail | wrseta.org.za |
| TETA | Transport | teta.org.za |
| MICT SETA | Media, IT, Communications | micteta.org.za |
| CATHSSETA | Tourism, Hospitality | cathsseta.org.za |
| CETA | Construction | ceta.co.za |
Stipend Amounts for SETA Learnerships
SETA stipend guidelines set a minimum monthly payment for learners based on their NQF level. Employers and training providers are permitted to pay above the minimum but not below it. Actual stipend amounts vary by SETA and programme. As a general guide: NQF Level 2-3 learnerships pay R1,500 to R3,500 per month. NQF Level 4 learnerships pay R2,500 to R4,500. NQF Level 5-6 learnerships pay R3,500 to R8,500. Some large company programmes pay significantly above these minimums.
How to Find Current SETA Learnerships
Visit the website of the SETA that covers your chosen industry. Look for a "learnerships" or "opportunities" section. Many SETAs maintain a database of currently open learnership positions that you can apply for directly. Alternatively, visit company career portals — large companies that run government-funded learnerships are required to advertise them transparently.
The Department of Employment and Labour's ESSA portal at essa.labour.gov.za also lists available learnership positions. Register your profile on ESSA — it is free and it connects you to a national database of learnership and employment opportunities.
💡 Register on ESSA first: Many SETA-funded learnership programmes require applicants to be registered on the ESSA portal. Set up your profile before the learnership you want opens applications — you cannot do it at the last minute and expect it to be processed in time.
The Difference Between a Learnership and a Skills Programme
Both are SETA-funded, but they are different products. A learnership runs for 12 to 24 months, leads to a full NQF qualification, and includes a monthly stipend. A skills programme is shorter — typically 30 to 120 hours of learning — and leads to a unit standard certificate rather than a full qualification. Skills programmes are useful for adding to your existing qualifications. Learnerships are better for people starting out who need a full foundation qualification in a field.
Find Current Learnerships Across South Africa
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