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  • Learnerships 2026 – Open Applications in South Africa Right Now

    South Africa has thousands of learnerships open every year — but most young people don’t know where to find them or how to apply. This guide covers everything you need to know for 2026.

    What is a learnership? A learnership is a work-based learning programme that combines theory with practical experience. You earn a monthly stipend while studying toward a nationally recognised NQF qualification. Most learnerships last 12 months.

    How much do learnerships pay? Stipends typically range from R2,500 to R5,500 per month depending on the sector and SETA. The YES Programme pays R3,500/month. Some employers top this up with transport and meal allowances.

    Who can apply? Most learnerships require: SA citizenship, age 18–35, Matric or Grade 10/11 (depending on the programme), and no previous formal employment in that sector.

    Which sectors have the most open learnerships in 2026?

    • Retail (W&RSETA) — Shoprite, Pick n Pay, Checkers, Woolworths run thousands of retail learnerships every year
    • IT & Communications (MICT SETA) — Technical support, network admin, coding
    • Banking (BANKSETA) — Teller, admin, customer service learnerships at FNB, ABSA, Nedbank, Standard Bank
    • Health (HWSETA) — Healthcare assistant, pharmacy support, ward admin
    • Construction (CETA) — Site admin, safety, project support

    How to apply

    1. Visit the SETA website for your sector and look for “learnership opportunities”
    2. Check company career pages directly — Shoprite, Vodacom, MTN, and Capitec all post learnerships on their sites
    3. Use JobLaunchSA’s Learnerships page to find open applications updated weekly
    4. Apply early — most learnerships open in January and July and fill up fast

    Tips for a strong application

    • Write a clean, one-page CV (use our free CV Builder)
    • Include your ID, matric certificate, and proof of address
    • Write a short motivation letter explaining why you want this specific learnership
    • Apply to at least 5 different learnerships at once to improve your chances

    Don’t wait — learnerships change your life. Apply today.

  • NSFAS Application 2026 – Step by Step Guide for First-Time Applicants

    NSFAS (National Student Financial Aid Scheme) is the South African government’s bursary for students at public universities and TVET colleges. If you qualify, NSFAS covers tuition, accommodation, food, transport, and a personal care allowance. Here’s exactly how to apply in 2026.

    Do you qualify for NSFAS? You qualify if:

    • You are a South African citizen
    • Your household income is R350,000 or less per year (for university) or R122,000 or less (for TVET)
    • You are enrolling at a public university or TVET college
    • You have not previously received NSFAS funding and failed (returning students have different rules)

    What does NSFAS cover?

    • Tuition fees (paid directly to your institution)
    • Accommodation (on-campus or approved off-campus)
    • A monthly living allowance (food, transport, personal care)
    • Laptop allowance (for qualifying students)

    Step-by-step application process

    Step 1: Go to the NSFAS website — myNSFAS.nsfas.org.za

    Step 2: Register an account using your SA ID number and email address

    Step 3: Complete your online application — you’ll need:

    • Your SA ID document
    • Your parents’ or guardian’s ID documents
    • Proof of income (payslips, pension letter, or affidavit if unemployed)
    • Your matric results or latest school report
    • Proof of registration or acceptance at your institution

    Step 4: Submit and track your application status on the myNSFAS portal

    Step 5: If approved, NSFAS will contact your institution directly. Your allowances are paid monthly via the myNSFAS Wallet app.

    When does the 2026 application open? NSFAS applications typically open in September/October each year for the following academic year. Apply as early as possible — late applications are often rejected.

    Important tips

    • Apply even if you’re not sure you qualify — let NSFAS decide
    • Make sure your documents are certified copies
    • Keep checking your application status — NSFAS sometimes requests additional documents
    • If you’re rejected, you can appeal within 30 days

    For more bursary and funding opportunities, visit our Grants & Bursaries page at JobLaunchSA.

  • How to Write a CV With No Work Experience – South Africa 2026

    Just finished matric and have zero work experience? You’re not stuck — you just need to know what to include instead. South African employers hiring for learnerships, YES Programmes, and entry-level roles don’t expect you to have a work history. Here’s how to build a CV that gets you noticed.

    1. Start with a strong Personal Statement Write 3–4 sentences about who you are, what you’re good at, and what you’re looking for. Keep it simple and honest. Example: “Motivated matric graduate from Johannesburg with strong communication skills and a passion for customer service. I am punctual, a fast learner, and ready to work hard. Looking for an entry-level retail or admin role where I can grow.”

    2. List your Matric results Include your subjects and symbols. Strong marks in English, Maths, or Accounting are valuable to employers. Don’t hide poor results — just focus on what you did well.

    3. Include all experience — paid or unpaid Never did a formal job? That’s fine. Include:

    • Volunteer work (church, community, school)
    • Helping a family business
    • Babysitting or domestic work
    • School leadership roles (SRC, sports captain, debate team)
    • Any community projects

    For each, write: what you did, how long, and what you achieved.

    4. List your skills honestly

    • Microsoft Word / Excel / PowerPoint
    • Driver’s licence (code 8 or 10)
    • Languages you speak fluently
    • Customer service experience (even informal)
    • Any computer or social media skills

    5. Keep it to ONE page No work history = no need for more than one page. Use a clean, professional template. Avoid colours, photos, and fancy fonts. Black and white, simple layout, easy to read.

    6. Proofread everything Spelling mistakes kill applications. Read your CV out loud, then ask someone else to check it. One typo can cost you an interview.

    Use our free CV Builder at JobLaunchSA to create a professional CV in under 10 minutes — no design skills needed.