What is an Internship?
An Internship is a programme designed to give University and FET College graduates an opportunity to extend their
academic qualifications through structured workplace exposure and specialised training. Participants are placed on a
full-time basis for a period of eight to twelve months in stakeholder companies and government organisations,
the purpose of which is to provide the learner with workplace experience that builds on the qualification.
The MICT Seta utilises the concept of Internships to fast track high level skills, to offer needed work experience to unemployed graduates
and to empower graduates with practical knowledge commensurate with their qualification.
In summary, an Internship focuses on practical training; the employer determines the duration and content of the Internship,
so it can vary greatly; and the specific outcomes are not defined or regulated as in the case of Learnerships.
Internships are ideal for graduates or those with tertiary qualifications but who lack experience. The primary
benefit for the graduate learner includes obtaining “real world” workplace experience.
Why Internships?
- To fast track high level skills.
- To offer unemployed graduates with needed work experience.
- To empower graduates with practical knowledge levelling with qualifications.
Facilitating Learnerships
A learnership is a work based learning programme that leads to an NQF registered qualification. Learnerships are directly related to an occupation or field of work, for example, electrical engineering, hairdressing or project management. Learnerships are managed by Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs).
They were introduced by government to help skill learners and to prepare them for the workplace.
Learnership programmes can help you to gain the necessary skills and workplace experience that will open up better employment or self employment opportunities. Learnerships are based on legally binding agreement between an employer, a learner and a Training Provider.
This agreement is intended to spell out the tasks and duties of the employer, the learner and the Training Provider. It is designed to ensure the quality of the training and to protect the interests of each party.
A learnership requires that a learner enter into a fixed term employment contract with the company whilst studying towards a qualification registered on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF), which is in line with the learnership (the cost of the qualification falls to the Company). Once the qualification is completed, the learnership will also end.
