Shukela Training Centre runs Learnership programmes for Junior Farm Managers and farm workers. The programmes can be financed by AgriSETA, therefore offered free to employers.
The Learnership programme offers considerable tax concessions available to those employers who are participating.

What is a learnership?

A learnership is a work-based approach to learning and gaining qualifications and includes both structured work experience
(practical) and structured institutional learning (theory). Criteria, as set out in the Skills Development Act, indicate that a learnership must:

• Include a structured learning component
• Include a practical work experience
• Lead to a qualification
• Relate to an occupation

Importance of Learnerships

• The learner interacts within the working environment (practical).
• The learner interacts with clients and obtains an understanding of workplace dynamics.
• Assessment occurs at various stages and is based on the learner's competence (learner - centred).
• The qualification is recognised both nationally and is benchmarked against international standards.
• The learner can be able to start from NQF level 1 (which is equivalent to grade 10) up to NQF level 4 (one year certificate after grade 12)
  

Who are the parties that will be involved?

Parties involved               

• The trainee
• The employer
• Shukela Training Centre
• AgriSETA
  

  NB: The practical on-the-job training will be on the employer's farm.

What is the duration of a Learnership?

The Learnership training programme runs over one year with a few weeks of contact training at STC and the rest on farm.

STC currently offers the following Learnerships:
Plant Production NQF level 4 (known as the Farm Manager Course)

• 12 Months programme
• Has 70% practical & 30% theory
• Practical done on farm, theory done at STC
• Theory has 3 different sessions of 3 weeks each       
• Practical is done in-between the theoretical sessions
• A learner required to compile a POE with the      assistance of the Mentor/Supervisor
• Programme has 35 Unit Standards
• A learner should have experience in Plant production preferably Sugarcane
• A learner should have done Grade 12
  

Plant Production NQF level 1 (known as the Elementary Farm worker Course)

• 12 Months programme
• Has 70% practical & 30% theory
• Practical done on farm, theory done at STC
• Theory has 3 different sessions, each session have 2 weeks
• Practical is done in-between the theoretical sessions
• Learner required to compile a POE with the assistance of the Mentor/Supervisor
• Programme have 35 Unit Standards
• Learner should have basic knowledge Plant production
• Learner should have done Grade 10
  

Other learnerships

STC can also offer NQF level 2 and 3 if the farmer request for it.

Funding

• STC is accredited by the AgriSETA as a skills development provider; thus a farmer can do the application for funding through AgriSETA.
  
• Applications are open from the 01 September to 31 October each year.
  
• A farmer can apply for both the learnerships or/and skills programmes.
  Farmer can access the application from the STC website of call or email Sanele Mbili or Petro Mcaulife at STC at 031 508 7753 or email: Sanele.Mbili@sasa.org.za 
  or Petro Ashington (McAuliffe) on 031 508 7706 or email: petro.mcauliffe@sasa.org.za
  
• Farmers can get funding through the use of the Learnership Tax Incentive (more information on this from SARS)

Unit Standards NQF level 4