Thousands of unemployed young South Africans are currently searching for opportunities to gain work experience and build careers. Learnership programmes remain one of the best pathways to enter the job market because they combine practical workplace experience with structured training that leads to nationally recognised qualifications.
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- Track Your Daily Career Score here
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- Practice Interview Questions and Answers for these Learnerships here
- View more 2026 Learnerships here
Right now, several major learnership programmes that only require a Matric certificate are closing soon in March 2026. If you have not applied yet, this is the time to act quickly before the deadlines pass.
Below is a quick overview of six learnership opportunities closing soon, along with what each programme offers and why they could be a powerful stepping stone for your future career.
Sasol Chemical Plant Operator Learnerships
Closing Date: 6 March 2026
The Sasol Chemical Plant Operator Learnership Programme offers unemployed youth the chance to enter the petrochemical and energy sector, one of South Africa’s most important industries.
This learnership is designed to train participants to become Chemical Plant Operators, professionals responsible for monitoring production processes, controlling equipment, and ensuring safe operations in chemical plants.
Key details
- Duration: 36-month fixed term learnership
- Location: Sasolburg
- Minimum requirement: Matric with Mathematics, English, and Physical Science
- Training includes both theoretical and practical workplace learning
Successful candidates will gain experience working inside real chemical production environments while completing structured training.
A Chemical Plant Operator qualification can open doors to careers in:
- Petrochemical plants
- Energy production facilities
- Industrial manufacturing
- Oil and gas operations
Because Sasol is one of the largest energy companies in the country, completing a learnership with them can significantly strengthen your CV.
Apply for this Learnership here
Transnet Yard Officials Learnership Programme
Closing Date: 6 March 2026
Transnet is offering a Trainee Yard Official Training Programme, aimed at preparing candidates for careers in rail logistics and transport operations.
A Yard Official plays a crucial role in the railway system by coordinating train movements within rail yards and ensuring that cargo operations run safely and efficiently.
Programme highlights
- Structured theoretical training
- Practical on-the-job learning
- Safety and operational training
- Opportunity to qualify as a certified Yard Official
Minimum requirements
- Grade 12 (Matric)
- Must pass medical and psychological assessments
- Physically fit
The logistics and freight transport sector continues to grow, which means trained railway professionals are always in demand.
This learnership can lead to careers such as:
- Yard Official
- Train Controller
- Rail Operations Supervisor
- Logistics Coordinator
For young people interested in the transport and logistics industry, this is a valuable entry opportunity.
Apply for this Learnership here
South West Gauteng TVET College & FoodBev SETA Learnerships
Closing Date: 13 March 2026
South West Gauteng TVET College, in partnership with FoodBev SETA, is offering learnership opportunities in the food and beverage manufacturing sector.
These programmes aim to equip learners with the skills required to work in food production environments such as factories, packaging plants, and processing facilities.
What the programme includes
- Classroom learning at the TVET College
- Workplace training with industry partners
- Skills development in manufacturing and food processing
Participants will learn about:
- Food production systems
- Quality control and safety standards
- Industrial machinery operations
- Packaging and manufacturing processes
South Africa’s food manufacturing sector employs thousands of workers, and completing a FoodBev SETA learnership can lead to employment in major food production companies.
Apply for this Learnership here
Clicks Youth Employment Service (YES) Learnerships
Closing Date: 5 March 2026
Retail giant Clicks is offering positions in the Youth Employment Service (YES) Programme, which gives unemployed youth practical experience in the retail environment.
This programme combines store-based training and classroom learning, leading to a NQF Level 2 Checkout Operator qualification.
Minimum requirements
- South African citizen
- Age between 18 and 29
- Matric certificate
- Currently unemployed
- Not enrolled in another learnership programme
Participants will gain experience in:
- Customer service
- Retail store operations
- Point-of-sale systems
- Merchandising and stock management
Retail experience is extremely valuable because it builds communication, teamwork, and customer service skills that are useful in many industries.
Apply for this Learnership here
Northlink TVET College & merSETA ARPL Programmes
Closing Date: 13 March 2026
Northlink TVET College, working together with merSETA, is offering ARPL (Artisan Recognition of Prior Learning) programmes aimed at helping individuals gain formal recognition for their technical skills.
These programmes are especially useful for people who already have practical technical experience but lack formal certification.
Participants may receive training in trades such as:
- Mechanical engineering
- Automotive technology
- Manufacturing trades
- Industrial maintenance
After completing the programme, candidates can pursue artisan certification, which can significantly increase employment opportunities in the engineering and manufacturing sectors.
Apply for this Learnership here
SPAR YES 4 Youth Learnership Programme
Closing Date: 6 March 2026
SPAR has partnered with the YES (Youth Employment Service) initiative to provide unemployed youth with valuable retail workplace experience.
The programme focuses on developing workplace skills that help young people become job-ready.
Participants will gain experience in areas such as:
- Retail store operations
- Customer service
- Stock management
- Merchandising
- Sales support
Retail learnerships are often a stepping stone to positions such as:
- Shop assistant
- Store supervisor
- Merchandiser
- Retail manager
For youth looking to build careers in the retail industry, the SPAR YES programme offers a practical starting point.
Apply for this Learnership here
How Edupstairs Helps You Prepare
At Edupstairs, we don’t just post opportunities—we help you win them.
Recommended Tools:
- Youth Employment Eligibility Checker
- SAPS / Metro / Traffic / DCS Eligibility Checker
- Edupstairs Internship / Learnership Eligibility Checker
- Edupstairs Financial Literacy Mini-School
- Grow your Confidence – 30-day Challenge
- SA Bursary Probability Checker
- Edupstairs Simple CV Builder Tool
- Edupstairs AI Cover Letter Generator Tool
- Edupstairs Learnership Application Checklist Tool
- Edupstairs Internship Application Checklist Tool
- Edupstairs Interview Q & A Coach Tool
- SA Youth Apprenticeship Readiness Quiz
- Edupstairs Learnership Stipend Calculator Tool
- NSFAS Funding Eligibility Checker Tool
- Edupstairs Qualification-to-Career Pathways Tool
- South African Salary Explorer Tool
- TVET College Enrolment Eligibility Checker Tool
- Edupstairs Career Personality Tool
- Daily Career Score Tracker
- Learnership and Internship Readiness Quiz
Why You Should Apply Before the Deadline
Many young people miss opportunities simply because they wait too long to apply. Learnership programmes often receive thousands of applications, and once the closing date passes, applications are no longer accepted.
If you meet the requirements, it is important to:
- Prepare your CV
- Gather your Matric certificate and ID
- Submit your application as soon as possible
Applying early also gives you time to correct mistakes or submit additional documents if required.
Edupstairs Advice for Applicants
If you want to improve your chances of being selected for learnership programmes:
- Apply to multiple opportunities at the same time
- Make sure your CV is simple and clear
- Always include your Matric certificate
- Use a professional email address
- Follow application instructions carefully
Most importantly, do not wait for only one opportunity. Apply broadly to increase your chances of success.
Our Conclusion
Learnership programmes remain one of the best ways for unemployed youth to gain real workplace experience while studying towards a qualification.
The six opportunities listed above are closing soon in March 2026, so if you meet the requirements, it is important to apply immediately.
Opportunities like these can become the first step toward building a stable and successful career in industries such as energy, logistics, retail, manufacturing, and engineering.
Young people who take advantage of learnership programmes today are investing in their future employment prospects tomorrow.
You can also:
- View latest Internships
- View latest Learnerships
- View Latest Bursaries
- View latest Government jobs
- View latest Company Vacancies
- View latest Municipality vacancies
- Visit the Edupstairs blog for daily updates
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