If you are looking for funded training, a recognised qualification, and real workplace experience in 2026, the Services SETA could offer the opportunity you’ve been waiting for.
The Services SETA is responsible for funding and supporting skills development in South Africa’s services sector — one of the largest contributors to the country’s economy.
Through funded learnerships and accredited training programmes, learners can gain practical, employable skills in industries ranging from personal care and business management to marketing and real estate.
What Is the Services SETA?
The Services SETA operates under the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) and oversees skills development in service-based industries that fall outside banking, insurance, and social services SETAs.
The services sector includes businesses that provide services rather than physical goods, and it spans both small enterprises and major corporations.
This sector plays a critical role in job creation, especially for youth and entry-level workers.
Who Can Apply?
Services SETA programmes are open to:
- Unemployed youth
- Employed individuals seeking skills development
- Matriculants
- TVET graduates
- Career changers
If you are employed, you may register through your employer.
If you are unemployed, you can register through the Learner Portal or via an accredited training provider.
What Fields Does Services SETA Cover?
Services SETA qualifications fall into the following sectors:
Personal Care
- Hairdressing
- Beauty therapy
- Nail technology
Real Estate & Related Services
- Estate agency
- Property administration
Management & Business
- Generic management
- Office administration
- Business practice
Labour & Collective Services
- Labour relations support
Communication & Marketing
- Marketing coordination
- Public relations
Cleaning & Hiring Services
- Professional cleaning
- Equipment hiring services
Many of these qualifications are aligned with the National Qualifications Framework (NQF), meaning they are nationally recognised.
Why Services SETA Learnerships Benefit You
Unlike traditional academic routes, learnerships combine:
- Classroom learning
- Workplace experience
- Structured assessments
- A recognised qualification
For unemployed youth, this means:
- You gain work experience while studying
- You may receive a monthly stipend
- You improve your employability
- You build practical, income-generating skills
Many artisanal and service-based skills (like hairdressing, cleaning services, marketing support, and real estate assistance) are portable and entrepreneurial, meaning you can work for someone or start your own business.
In an economy facing high youth unemployment, this flexibility matters.
What Is the Services SETA Learner Portal?
The Services SETA Learner Portal is an online system that allows you to register as a potential learner.
Once registered, your information becomes available to:
- Accredited training providers
- Employers offering learnerships
- Partners running Services SETA funded programmes
Instead of waiting to see advertisements, you position yourself in a database where opportunities may find you.
How to Register on the Learner Portal
To create your profile, you will need:
- A username
- A secure password
- A valid email address
- Your South African ID number
After registration:
- Your details are stored by the SETA’s Project Coordination Unit
- You may receive communication about opportunities
- Your profile may be shared with approved partners
Important: Always keep your contact details updated.
Your Rights as a Learner
Learner agreements are guided by:
- The Skills Development Act
- The Basic Conditions of Employment Act
- The Unemployment Insurance Act
As a learner, you have the right to:
- Workplace induction
- Proper training and access to resources
- Internal assessments and feedback
- External summative assessments
- A recognised certificate if successful
- A stipend (if unemployed and agreed)
- Raise grievances regarding training quality
Understanding your rights protects you from exploitation.
Your Responsibilities as a Learner
You must:
- Participate fully in workplace activities
- Attend training sessions
- Complete timesheets and assignments
- Follow workplace rules
- Sit for final assessments
A learnership is a formal programme, commitment is essential.
UIF Contributions: What You Should Know
If you are an unemployed learner receiving a stipend:
- 1% is deducted for UIF
- 1% is paid by the employer
This means you are contributing to the Unemployment Insurance Fund system while gaining work experience.
Is a Services SETA Learnership Worth It in 2026?
If you are serious about:
- Building employable skills
- Earning while you learn
- Gaining recognised qualifications
- Improving your job prospects
- Starting your own service-based business
Then registering on the Services SETA Learner Portal is a strategic first step.
In a competitive job market, practical skills and workplace exposure give you an advantage that purely theoretical study often cannot.
