EW

ENERGYLEARNERSHIPS

ENERGY AND WATER SECTOR EDUCATION AND TRAINING AUTHORITY

A MESSAGE FROM EWSETA TO EMPLOYERS

To date, the Energy and Water SETA has registered the following Learnerships with the Department of Higher Education and Training:

UNIT STANDARD BASED ENERGY

• General Education and Training Certificate in Basic Technical Practice (Energy) • National Certificate in Electrical Engineering (Construction) NQF Level 1• National Certificate in Electrical Engineering (DX & TX) NQF Level 1• National Certificate in Electrical Engineering (Electrical Construction) NQF Level 1 • National Certificate in Electrical Engineering (Electrical Construction) NQF Level 2• National Certificate in Electrical Engineering (Electrical Construction) NQF Level 3• National Certificate in Electrical Engineering (Transmission) NQF Level 4• National Certificate in Electrical Engineering (Transmission) NQF Level 2• National Certificate in Electrical Engineering (Transmission) NQF Level 3• National Certificate in Electrical Engineering (Generation) NQF Level 4• National Certificate in Electrical Engineering (Generation) NQF Level 2• National Certificate in Electrical Engineering (Generation) NQF Level 3• National Certificate in Electrical Engineering (Distribution) NQF Level 4• National Certificate in Electrical Engineering (Distribution) NQF Level 2• National Certificate in Electrical Engineering (Distribution) NQF Level 3• Electrical Contracting and Entrepreneur Learnership NQF Level 4• National Certificate in Fossil Power Plant Auxiliary System Operation NQF Level 3• National Certificate in Hydro Power Plant Auxiliary System Operation NQF Level 3• National Certificate in Nuclear Power Plant Auxiliary System Operation NQF Level 3• National Certificate in Fossil Power Plant Operation NQF Level 3• National Certificate in Fossil Power Plant Process Control NQF Level 4• National Certificate in Nuclear Power Plant Operation NQF Level 5• National Certificate in Nuclear Power Plant Process Control NQF Level 4

• NQF Level 5 • NQF Level 4• Instrumentation NQF Level 5• Instrumentation NQF Level 2• Instrumentation NQF Level 3• Instrumentation NQF Level 4• NQF Level 5 • NQF Level 3• NQF Level 4• Gas Turbine Plants NQF Level 4• NQF Level 4•

NQF Level 3• NQF Level 5

These Learnerships range from one to multiple years in duration and each Learnership will be certified by EWSETA on completion. They represent a better, new and exciting form of workplace based training for the new dispensation. The Learnerships are Unit Standard based and are leading to Qualifications registered with the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) / QCTO. This will ensure your Company complies with the new Skills Development Act of 1998 as amended, the SAQA Act and the QCTO Policy.

Registering Learners in Learnerships will also give you access to incentives available from the EWSETA and the South African Revenue Services (SARS).

WHAT ARE THESE INCENTIVES AND HOW CAN I ACCESS THEM AS AN EMPLOYER?

An employer can claim the Discretionary grant for registering learners in the EWSETA recognised types of learning as indicated in the Discretionary Grants Funding Policy (refer to EWSETA Grant Policy). The grants are paid half on registration of the Learner and the other half on completion of Learnership programme.

Over and above the EWSETA grant, employers shall claim a Tax incentive from SARS for the same Learner as follows:

AT THE BEGINNING OF A LEARNERSHIP (EMPLOYED LEARNERS)

Once a Learnership agreement is registered with EWSETA, you may deduct from the Tax to be paid to SARS, 70% of the annual wages paid to that learner up to a maximum of R17 500.

AT THE BEGINNING OF A LEARNERSHIP(UNEMPLOYED LEARNERS)

Once a Learnership agreement is registered with EWSETA, you may deduct from the Tax to be paid to SARS, 100% of the annual Learnership allowance paid to that learner up to a maximum of R25 000.

ON COMPLETION OF A LEARNERSHIP

You will be able to claim again 100% of the annual wage or up to R25 000, whichever is lesser for both employed and unemployed learners.

The good news is, the incentives from SARS are also applicable to apprenticeships, where formal contracts have been entered into with EWSETA. Apprenticeship grants (R30 000) are also available from EWSETA if an employer registers a Learner in an apprenticeship contract.

NB: To access these grants, an Employer must be a Levy payer to the Energy and Water SETA.

AS AN EMPLOYER WHAT DO I NEED TO DO TO REGISTER A LEARNER?

• Be a levy payer or legally exempted (with proof)• Identify a Learner.• Identify an Accredited Training Provider (contact EWSETA if you need help).• Get a Learnership agreement from EWSETA.• Sign the Learnership Agreement with the Learner and the Training Provider.• Submit the Learnership agreement to EWSETA together with the contract of

employment for the Learner, which should not be less than the period of the Learnership programme.

• The SETA shall register the agreement and inform you of the outcomes within 30 days.

• Training can now commence and you can claim your Learnership grant from the Energy and Water SETA, and a Tax incentive from SARS.

A MESSAGE FROM EWSETA TO LEARNERSThe Government has introduced new training programmes called Learnerships. Learnerships are workplace based training programmes that have replaced the Apprenticeship system of vocational education. These training programmes are open to people who are employed, and those who are unemployed.

WHAT IS A LEARNERSHIP?

A Learnership is a learning programme that leads to an occupational qualification. Learnerships include classroom-based learning at an EWSETA accredited college or training centre and on the job training in a workplace/company. For you to participate in a learnership, there must be an employer willing and able to provide you with the required work experience.

WHO CAN APPLY FOR A LEARNERSHIP?

Anyone can apply for a learnership. This means that Learnerships should be available for young people leaving school and colleges, and for unemployed people, as well as for people already in jobs. Learnerships are not restricted to any age group.

HOW MUCH WILL IT COST?

There is no charge for a person to go on a learnership. The employer must pay everyone selected for a learnership programme a learner allowance. The precise amount depends on the type of learnership and on the employer. The Minister of Higher Education and Training has stipulated the minimum level of allowances and conditions of employment of Learners, but an employer can pay more. The allowances and conditions are agreed with each learner before the programme begins.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE?

The length of a learnership will differ, but will not be less than one year.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR ME IF I GO ON A LEARNERSHIP?

If you are accepted for a learnership you will have to sign a legal agreement with the employer. The person or organisation that provides the theory part of the training also has to sign this agreement. The legal agreement spells out what is expected of you and what you will have to do.

WHO IS INVOLVED IN A LEARNERSHIP AND WHAT ARE THEIR ROLES?

1. The learner is placed in a Learnership, signs a legal agreement with an employer, stating the rights and responsibilities of the learner, and follows the learning

programme.2. The employer provides the work experience part of the learnership and signs the

same legal agreement stating the employer’s right and responsibilities, including agreements on the level of the learnership allowance.

3. An accredited training provider shall provide the training and sign the same legal agreement stating the training provider’s right’s and responsibilities.

4. EWSETA will organise and facilitate the funding of Learnerships and ensure that the training is up to industry standard (quality assurance).

5. Department of Labour (DoL) recruits, selects and refers unemployed people who meet the minimum criteria for a particular learnership to employers looking for learners. The employer makes the final decision.

WHAT WILL I GET AT THE END OF A LEARNERSHIP?

If the learnership is completed successfully, you will have a qualification that is recognised in South Africa and abroad. To prove that you have the qualification, you will be given a National Certificate. This certificate will show the skills and knowledge which you have obtained.

WILL I GET A JOB AFTER COMPLETING A LEARNERSHIP?

If you are unemployed when the learnership begins, there is no guarantee of a job at the end. The employer who provides you with training does not have to offer you a job. But with a qualification and work experience, you will be in a better position to get a job than before. You might also want to think about getting more qualifications or starting up a business on your own.

HOW DO I APPLY FOR A LEARNERSHIP IF I AM UNEMPLOYED?

• Register as a work seeker at your nearest Department of Labour centre.• The Labour Centre will then contact you if you meet the minimum criteria for the

learnership of a specific employer.• If you meet the criteria you may be called in for a briefing session and possible

assessment prior to final selection.• Also look out for Learnership advertisements in newspapers and apply if you meet

the requirements

CONTACT DETAILS

Reception: 011 274 4700

www.eseta.org.za

Ernegy and Water Sector Education and Training Authority(EWSETA)

Sunnyside Office Park, 2nd & 3rd floors - Sentinel House32 Prince of Wales Terrace, Parktown

P.O. Box 1273 Houghton 2041