Kukhula Global Projects has opened its Learnership Programme 2026 intake, offering unemployed South African youth aged 18 to 35 a fully accredited, paid pathway into financial services, insurance and wealth management. If you have Grade 11 or 12 and are not currently studying full-time, this SETA-accredited learnership combines classroom training with real workplace experience. Applications close 31 October 2026, or sooner once cohort quotas fill.
About the Programme
Kukhula Global Projects runs structured, SETA-accredited skills development programmes designed to bridge the gap between a matric certificate and a real corporate career. The Kukhula Learnership Programme forms part of South Africa’s broader learnership system, which pairs theoretical NQF-aligned training with hands-on workplace exposure so that young people graduate with both a recognised qualification and actual work experience employers value.
This particular intake focuses on financial services, insurance underwriting and wealth management support – sectors that continue to hire steadily even as other parts of the economy contract. For youth who left school without a clear route into employment, a learnership like this offers something a plain qualification often can’t: a stipend while you train, a mentor inside a real company, and a qualification that speaks directly to what employers in financial services are looking for.
What You Will Learn
- Insurance underwriting fundamentals
- Wealth management support processes
- Financial services customer engagement
- Workplace administration and compliance basics
- SETA-accredited, NQF-aligned coursework
- On-the-job mentorship inside a financial services environment
RELATED: Absa Learnership Programme 2026: Monthly Stipend, Closes 30 November
Who Can Apply
- South African citizen with a valid RSA ID
- Aged between 18 and 35
- Minimum Grade 11 or Grade 12 (Matric) certificate
- Passes in Mathematics or Maths Literacy, and Accounting or English
- Currently unemployed
- Not enrolled in any other full-time tertiary studies
Required Documents
- Certified copy of RSA ID
- Certified copy of Grade 11 or Matric certificate/statement of results
- Updated CV
- Proof of unemployment status where applicable
- Proof of residence
How to Apply
- Confirm you meet the age, citizenship and qualification requirements
- Go to the official Kukhula application portal
- Complete the online application form with your personal and academic details
- Upload certified copies of your ID, Matric results and CV
- Submit your application before the closing date
- Keep your contact details up to date in case Kukhula needs to reach you for an interview
Apply at Kukhula Global Projects
The closing date for the Kukhula Learnership Programme 2026 is 31 October 2026, or once cohort quotas are filled, whichever comes first. No late applications will be accepted.
Why It Matters
With youth unemployment in South Africa sitting above 45% for people under 35, a learnership that pays a stipend while training you for an actual, hireable skill set is one of the most realistic routes into work available to Grade 12 leavers who can’t afford university. The Kukhula Learnership Programme targets financial services specifically, an industry that keeps recruiting entry-level talent even when the broader job market is tight.
Completing it gives a young person a SETA-accredited qualification, real workplace experience on their CV, and, for many learners, a foot in the door with the host employer once the programme ends. For someone stuck applying to jobs that all ask for experience they don’t have, this is exactly the kind of programme built to solve that problem.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need experience in financial services to apply?
No. This learnership is designed for unemployed youth with no prior work experience – training is provided from the ground up.
Is the Kukhula Learnership available nationwide?
Cohorts are run in multiple locations. Confirmed during the application process – check the specific intake location when you apply.
Will I be paid during the learnership?
Yes. Learnerships in South Africa include a monthly stipend during training, typically in the R2,000 to R6,000 range depending on the programme and NQF level.
What happens after I complete the programme?
Learners who complete the programme walk away with a SETA-accredited NQF qualification and workplace experience. Some may be considered for permanent roles with the host employer, depending on performance and availability.
