MICT SETA Learnership Programme 2026

The Media, Information and Communication Technologies Sector Education and Training Authority (MICT SETA) supports learnership opportunities for unemployed South Africans who want to gain qualifications and workplace experience in fields such as Information Technology, media, advertising, telecommunications and digital technologies.

For the 2026/27 financial year, MICT SETA has set a target of 5,243 unemployed learners for learnership programmes across all nine provinces. This does not mean there is one national application form for 5,243 positions. MICT SETA funds and supports programmes, while approved employers and training providers normally recruit the individual learners.

MICT SETA Learnership 2026 Overview

MICT SETA explains that a learnership combines structured theoretical learning with practical workplace experience and leads toward a qualification registered on the National Qualifications Framework. (MICT)

Who Can Apply for MICT SETA Learnerships?

There is no single set of requirements for every MICT SETA learnership.

Requirements depend on the qualification and the employer or training provider recruiting learners.

Depending on the programme, applicants may need qualifications such as:

• Grade 12 / Matric
• A relevant certificate
• Diploma or other qualification for higher-level programmes
• Basic computer skills for some ICT programmes
• Good communication skills
• South African identification where required
• Availability to complete both classroom and workplace training

Always read the specific advert before applying.

Do You Need Work Experience?

Many learnerships are designed to help unemployed learners enter the workplace, so previous employment may not always be necessary.

MICT SETA says learnerships can give unemployed learners an entry point into the industry and improve their access to employment opportunities. (MICT)

However, requirements can differ from one programme to another.

MICT SETA Learnership Fields

MICT SETA supports skills development in the media, information and communication technology sector.

Some occupational qualifications recently registered as learnerships include:

• Software Engineer – NQF Level 6
• Software Tester – NQF Level 5
• Computer Technician – NQF Level 5
• Advertiser – NQF Level 5
• ICT Business Development Consultant – NQF Level 5
• Sound Operator – NQF Level 5
• Media/Programme Content Production Manager – NQF Level 6

The Department of Higher Education and Training has officially registered these qualifications as learnerships under MICT SETA. (MICT)

This means future funded programmes can provide opportunities in several different digital and media career paths.

How Many MICT SETA Learnership Opportunities Are Planned?

For the 2026/27 funding period, MICT SETA’s official Discretionary Grant plan includes:

5,243 unemployed learners targeted for learnership programmes across all provinces.

The same funding plan also targets:

• 2,200 TVET students for Work-Integrated Learning
• 1,000 university students for Work-Integrated Learning
• 2,600 unemployed learners for internships
• 1,400 unemployed learners for skills programmes
• 1,400 learners for short/vendor-specific programmes
• 500 unemployed learners for bursary programmes

These numbers are programme funding targets. They should not be interpreted as one public vacancy with thousands of positions available for direct application to MICT SETA.

How to Apply for MICT SETA Learnerships in 2026

This part is important.

MICT SETA states that although it helps facilitate and implement learnerships, the employer, service provider or training provider is responsible for recruiting learners. (MICT)

Step 1: Check the Official MICT SETA Learnership Page

Start by checking information published by MICT SETA.

MICT SETA Learnership Information

This page explains how learnerships work and how recruitment takes place.

Step 2: Look for Employers and Training Providers Recruiting Learners

Because learner recruitment is normally handled by participating employers or training providers, watch for legitimate advertisements that clearly state they are implementing an MICT SETA-funded or supported programme.

Before applying, check the employer or provider carefully.

Step 3: Read the Requirements

Do not assume every MICT SETA programme requires only Grade 12.

Look for information about:

• Qualification required
• Subjects required
• Location
• Employment status
• Programme duration
• Closing date
• Documents required
• Application method

Apply only when you meet the advertised requirements.

Step 4: Prepare Your Documents

It is useful to have the following ready:

• Updated CV
• South African ID
• Matric certificate
• Other qualifications
• Academic record where requested
• Proof of address where requested
• Proof of unemployment if requested

Only provide documents requested by the legitimate employer or training provider.

Step 5: Submit Through the Advertised Channel

Some programmes may use an online application form, while others may require applications through an employer or accredited training provider.

Follow the method stated in the specific programme advertisement.

Is There a Direct MICT SETA Application Form?

MICT SETA does not describe its normal learnership recruitment process as one direct national learner application.

Its official guidance says learner recruitment is the responsibility of the employer, service provider and training provider. (MICT)

This is important because advertisements claiming that everybody can apply directly to MICT SETA for a guaranteed learnership should be checked carefully.

What About the MICT SETA Learner Management System?

MICT SETA has a Learner Management System, but official notices explain that it is used largely by stakeholders implementing MICT SETA-funded projects to upload learner information and manage programme records. (MICT)

Do not confuse a stakeholder funding or learner-management portal with an open public learnership application.

Does the Learnership Pay a Stipend?

MICT SETA states that one benefit of learnership participation is receiving a monthly stipend while learning. (MICT)

However, there is no single universal 2026 stipend amount published for every MICT SETA learnership.

The amount can depend on the specific programme, employer, qualification and funding arrangement.

For this reason, avoid adverts promising figures such as “R5,000” or “R8,000 per month” unless the specific employer or programme officially confirms that amount.

Where Are MICT SETA Learnerships Available?

The 2026/27 funding allocation includes learnership targets for all provinces.

Opportunities could therefore be implemented in:

• Gauteng
• Limpopo
• Mpumalanga
• North West
• Free State
• KwaZulu-Natal
• Eastern Cape
• Western Cape
• Northern Cape

Actual locations depend on employers and training providers receiving funding and implementing programmes.

Recent MICT SETA Programmes

MICT SETA has continued funding and supporting learning interventions during 2026.

For example, a 2026 programme takeover in Thohoyandou, Limpopo involved Film and Television Production, while another MICT SETA programme involved an existing Film and Television Production Operations learnership in Johannesburg. (MICT)

These examples show that opportunities can be advertised for particular provinces, qualifications or groups rather than as one nationwide intake.

Difference Between a Learnership and Internship

A learnership combines structured learning and practical workplace experience and is linked to a formal qualification.

An internship mainly provides workplace experience to graduates or people who have already completed a qualification.

MICT SETA says internships commonly provide graduates with approximately eight to twelve months of structured workplace exposure, although the employer determines the exact duration and content. (MICT)

How to Avoid Fake MICT SETA Learnerships

Job seekers should be careful with posts circulating on Facebook, WhatsApp and other platforms.

Before submitting personal information:

• Check whether the employer or provider exists.
• Confirm the programme through official channels where possible.
• Check that contact details look legitimate.
• Do not pay someone who promises guaranteed placement.
• Never provide banking passwords, PINs or unnecessary personal information.
• Be suspicious of adverts promising unusually high stipends without an official source.

Official MICT SETA Links

Use these official sources when checking programmes:

MICT SETA Official Website

MICT SETA Learnerships

MICT SETA Learner Information

MICT SETA Career Opportunities Guides

Frequently Asked Questions

Are MICT SETA learnerships available in 2026?

MICT SETA’s 2026/27 funding plan targets 5,243 unemployed learners for learnership programmes across all provinces. Actual learner recruitment takes place through participating employers and training providers.

Can I apply with Grade 12?

Some programmes may accept Grade 12, but requirements depend on the qualification. Higher NQF-level programmes may have different entry requirements.

Do I apply directly to MICT SETA?

Usually not. MICT SETA says employers, service providers and training providers are responsible for learner recruitment. (MICT)

Do learners receive a stipend?

Yes, MICT SETA lists a monthly stipend as one of the benefits of participating in a learnership. The amount is programme-specific. (MICT)

Are opportunities available nationwide?

The 2026/27 funding target covers all provinces, although individual programmes may be offered only in selected locations.

What programmes can I study?

Possible pathways include IT, software development, software testing, computer technical support, advertising, media production and other MICT-related qualifications. (MICT)

Final Reminder

The MICT SETA Learnership Programme 2026 can help unemployed South Africans gain recognised qualifications together with practical workplace experience.

For 2026/27, MICT SETA is targeting 5,243 unemployed learnership participants across South Africa.

However, this is not one national vacancy where 5,243 people apply directly to MICT SETA.

The official MICT SETA guidance says participating employers, service providers and training providers recruit learners. (MICT)

Check the official MICT SETA website regularly and apply only when a legitimate employer or provider advertises a programme that matches your qualifications.

About the Author

Mr Josh writes simple learnership, internship, TVET and employment guides for Linkinn.co.za. His content focuses on helping South African young people understand requirements and find legitimate official application channels.

Editorial and Verification Note

This article was updated on 19 September 2026 using official MICT SETA information. The 2026/27 Discretionary Grant plan confirms a target of 5,243 unemployed learners in learnership programmes across all provinces, while MICT SETA’s official learnership guidance confirms that learner recruitment is normally handled by employers and training providers.

Disclaimer

Linkinn.co.za is an independent careers and opportunity-information website.

Linkinn.co.za is not MICT SETA, does not allocate MICT SETA funding, and does not recruit or shortlist learners. Applicants should follow the official recruitment instructions of the employer or approved training provider offering each programme.