Job-hunting words explained

What is a learnership, and how is it different from an internship?

A learnership is a training programme where you study and work at the same time and finish with a registered qualification, while an internship gives you work experience, usually after you already have a qualification.

Learnership

A programme set up by a SETA under the Skills Development Act. It has a part where you learn, a part where you work, and it leads to a qualification registered with SAQA. You, the employer and a training provider sign an agreement. You are paid an allowance, which goes up as you earn credits.

Internship

A period of work experience with an employer, often for people who have finished a diploma or degree and need practice in their field. It does not lead to a qualification by itself. Whether it is paid, and how much, depends on the employer, so ask before you accept.

Apprenticeship

A learnership for a listed trade, such as electrician or plumber, that ends with a trade test.

SETA

A Sector Education and Training Authority. Each one looks after skills training for one part of the economy, such as banking, health or construction, and sets up and funds learnerships in it.

SDL (Skills Development Levy)

A levy employers pay to SARS on their payroll, once their pay bill passes a set amount. Most of it goes to the SETAs, which is part of how learnerships are paid for. You do not pay it yourself.

What does CTC mean on a job advert?

CTC means cost to company: the full amount the employer spends on you each month or year, which is more than the salary you take home.

CTC (cost to company)

Your salary plus what the employer pays on your behalf, such as its share of UIF, a pension or provident fund, or medical aid. If an advert gives a CTC figure, ask what the gross salary and deductions are.

Gross pay

Your pay before anything is taken off.

Take-home pay (net pay)

What is left after deductions, the amount that reaches your bank account. This is the figure to use when you compare job offers.

UIF (Unemployment Insurance Fund)

A fund run by the Department of Employment and Labour. Your employer takes 1% of your pay and adds 1% of its own each month. You can claim from it if you lose your job, and in some other cases, such as illness or maternity leave.

PAYE (pay as you earn)

Income tax that your employer takes from your pay and sends to SARS. Below a certain income, none is taken.

National minimum wage

The least any job may legally pay an hour. It is set by the Minister of Employment and Labour and changes every March.

What does NQF level mean?

An NQF level shows how advanced a qualification is, on a scale of ten levels, and matric is at NQF level 4.

NQF (National Qualifications Framework)

South Africa's system for ranking and recording qualifications, from level 1 up to level 10 for a doctorate. When an advert asks for "NQF 4", it means matric or another qualification at that level.

SAQA (South African Qualifications Authority)

The body that oversees the NQF and keeps the record of registered qualifications. You can ask it to check whether a qualification is real and registered.

Matric (National Senior Certificate, NSC)

The certificate you get when you pass grade 12. It is an NQF level 4 qualification.

Minimum requirements

The qualifications or skills an employer says you must have to apply. If you do not meet them, your application is often not read.

Words on adverts and in your CV

CV (curriculum vitae) or résumé

A short document that sets out your education, skills and any experience. In South Africa the two words mean the same thing. It holds personal information, so share it with care: see our privacy notice for how we handle yours.

Cover letter

A short letter sent with your CV that says which job you want and why you suit it.

Entry-level job

A job meant for people with little or no work experience.

Keywords

The words from the advert's list of duties and requirements that an employer looks for in your CV. Using the same words, where they are true of you, helps.

Soft skills and hard skills

Soft skills are personal qualities, like teamwork or being on time. Hard skills can be tested or measured, like typing or using a till.

Transferable skills

Skills from school, volunteering, sport or any job that are useful in other work too.

Recruitment agency

A company that fills jobs for employers. By law an agency may not charge you a fee for finding you work, so walk away from one that asks.

Programmes for young job seekers

EPWP (Expanded Public Works Programme)

A government programme of temporary public works jobs, usually for a fixed number of months. By law it may pay less than the ordinary minimum wage.

YES (Youth Employment Service)

A non-profit run jointly by business, government and labour that places unemployed young people in 12-month paid work experience with companies.

NYDA (National Youth Development Agency)

A government agency that supports young people with training, job-hunting help and small-business support.

Questions people ask

Is a learnership better than an internship?

It depends on what you have already. If you have matric but no further qualification, a learnership gives you one while you work. If you already have a diploma or degree, an internship gives you the experience to go with it.

Do I need matric for a learnership?

Not always. Each learnership sets its own entry requirements, and some are at NQF levels below matric. Read the advert's minimum requirements.

Should I pay to apply for a learnership?

No. Applying for a real learnership costs nothing. An advert that asks for an application fee is a warning sign of a scam.

How do I check a qualification is real?

Ask the provider for its SAQA registration and check it on SAQA's website.