Difference between learnership and apprenticeship
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The difference between a learnership, apprenticeship, internship and graduate programme
KNOWING the difference between a learnership, apprenticeship, internship or a graduate programme should be paramount when navigating towards your future career goals and aspirations.
It is essential to know the difference between the four so that you will be able to apply for an opportunity based on your knowledge or highest qualification, whether it’s a Grade 12 certificate or a degree.
According to online learning and training institute, Speccon, many people not only confuse the four, but also confuse a bursary with a learnership. Here is their list of differences between all four.
A learnership provides an employee with a good mix of opportunity and skills development. The company trains people into the kind of workers it requires, with the skills they need, while at the same time people gain highly desired skills for work opportunities. It would be advisable for candidates with Grade 12 as their highest education level to consider the following. These programmes are directly connected to a specific field of work. Candidates will gain on-the-job training to help them excel in a specific field. These programmes are usually structured in a way that teaches candidates theory and practical skills. The practical skills are usually catered for by an accredited learnership provider.
A learnership programme leads to a registered qualification and consists of a theoretical course, as well as practical training, which is done at the workplace.
Learnerships offer training in a specific field while earning money simultaneously, and is primarily for people with matric as their highest qualification. On completion of the programme, candidates will receive a certificate indicating their level of achievement and will be registered on the National Qualification Framework (NQF). The NQF qualification is nationally recognised and will enable candidates to look for a job or further their education in that specific field.
An internship is an opportunity for people with a degree or diploma to gain practical experience in a possible place of employment or in their field of study.
Different fields of expertise require various completion stages in their studies. Candidates have to familiarise themselves with the different internship options before choosing their field of study.
Internships can be paid or unpaid. Unpaid internships should be considered if they offer candidates the opportunity to establish relationships with potential employers, gain real world practical experience, add to their skills while getting an introduction to the culture and etiquette of the business world.
Most universities or colleges, degrees or diplomas do not provide all the skills and knowledge to prepare candidates for the real world. The practical skills and knowledge gained through an internship will give the candidate more self-confidence and understanding of their work environment. Internships can range between a week and 12 months, during which candidates will bridge the gap between the work environment and the academic know-how they gained at university.
Most times, an internship is required during your study course towards completion of your qualification. Just as with a learnership, you may get paid during an internship.
An apprenticeship is usually acquired in trades such as plumbing, engineering, electrical etc. It is trade-specific. An apprenticeship could last three to four years, depending on the duration of the programme. The experience and skills are gained through practical labour at a possible place of employment. It is possible to earn an authorised qualification during the course of an apprenticeship and possible employment after the completion of the programme.
Apprenticeships usually concentrate on more practical professions that require anything from three to six years of training. Candidates will have to ensure that they meet the requirements for the apprenticeship they wish to enter and because of the nature and long period of apprenticeships, there are often guarantees of permanent employment on completion.
Most large companies who employ graduates have graduate training programmes in place. These companies tend to invest thousands of rand in recruiting graduates who have demonstrated impressive academic ability and who have little or no experience in the world of work. A graduate training programme is a way of bridging the gap. Graduate training programmes ease candidates into the world of work and give them the skills necessary to become part of the company.