Introduction to Learnerships A learnership is a work-based learning programme that leads to a nationally recognised qualification that is directly related to an occupation, for example an accountant, operations planner and Supply Chain Manager. Learnerships combine a structured learning component with practical work experience that is acquired while being employed in a company, government department or small business. Learners in learnerships have to attend classes at a college or training centre to complete the classroom-based learning, and they also have to complete on-the-job training in a workplace. This means that unemployed people can only participate in a learnership if there is an employer that is prepared to provide the required work experience. Every Learnership must also: Provide a structured learning experience (that is, institutional leaning), Together with structured workplace learning - both of which will be determined by the qualification and associated unit standards Ensure that between 30% and 70% of the required credits are achieved through successful workplace performance On successful completion of the learnership, a national qualification is awarded to the learner. The SETA at which the learnership is registered will issue the certificates to the learners. A Learnership agreement is signed between the employer, training provider and learner (tripartite agreement). This is obtainable from the SETA at which the learnership is registered. Employers Responsibilities Employers need to be workplace approved and are required to meet the preregistration criteria as set by the relevant SETA. The process and time required can be obtained from the SETA where you are registered. Short-term employment contracts are signed between the employer and the learner if the learner is unemployed. The Employer funds the learnership, through its own budget, as well as possible discretionary grant funding obtained from the SETA. An employer would approach its primary SETA for discretionary grant funding for a learnership. This is not necessarily the SETA with which the learnership is registered. If the learner is not employed in a full time capacity, the employer is required to provide and allowance for learners to cover basic costs such as travel and meals. The employer is required to provide the learner with the necessary environment in order to conduct the workplace assessments. A coach who can work alongside the learner must be assigned to assist with the application of the learning. Once the learnership is completed, the employer can decide whether to sign the learner on for a new learnership, employ the learner or release the learner for future employment by another organization, if he/she was originally unemployed.
Benefits for Employers The employer is able to claim a range of grants for each time a learnership agreement is entered into: Employer receives a learnership grant to help cover costs for education, training and certification The employer is entitled to receive an additional grant to supplement the learner allowances in the case of unemployed learners Primary Employer Grant - only for member companies of that specific Seta Disability Grant Gainful employment Grant Tax rebates from the Receiver of Revenue Training Provider Responsibility The Learnership consists of a number of Unit Standards for which the learner will earn credits towards a full qualification. The Training Provider will provide formal training on all specific outcomes which make up each Unit Standard. Through our national network of facilitators, we are able to provide this training in major cities of South Africa. The learner is required to complete a Portfolio of Evidence for each Unit Standard and the Training Provider is required to provide registered Assessors and Moderators to assess the Portfolios of Evidence. Assessments are submitted to the SETA ETQA who is quality assuring the learnership (i.e. the SETA at which the learnership is registered) by the training provider Employer and Training Provider provide relevant learning and work experience, working closely to manage the learnership process; Learner is provided with support through mentoring and feedback Learner is assessed by a qualified assessor (formative and summative assessments) The learner must be registered with the relevant SETA for each completed Unit Standard Assessment Process A learnership requires that 70% of the learning is done in workplace. In order for this to happen, the learner needs to practice what they have learnt in the classroom in order to demonstrate that they are able to apply the learning. The assessment process happens concurrently to the learning process as the learner will build their Portfolio of Evidence throughout the programme and it is assessed and result recorded with the SETA. We use a combination of a formative and summative assessment approaches to ensure that this takes place. Learners are required to complete a combination of; Workplace application and Homework assignments Group activities and discussions Questions and answers room activities
Learnership Process Supply Chain Management 74149 Below are the steps to take to start the learnership process;
Learnership Components Supply Chain Management 74149 Core ID US Title NQF Level 252025 Monitor, assess and manage risk 5 8 32 8 24 336702 Analyse and apply Management practices 5 10 40 10 30 336706 336708 336710 336711 Establish a competitive supply Chain infrastructure Facilitate processes to ensure the integration of SC Develop and implement SC performance management systems Understand key elements in developing strategies to optimise operational supply 6 10 40 10 30 5 8 32 8 24 5 1 10 30 40 6 8 32 8 24 336712 Outline the philosophy of SCM 6 6 24 6 18 336719 Manage relationships between supply chain partners 5 10 40 10 30 Fundamental ID US Title NQF Level 252267 Negotiate with suppliers 5 12 48 12 36 335800 336709 336713 Apply values & ethics in the operational environment Evaluate influences of key components in a supply chain Demonstrate understanding of the supply chain environment 5 4 16 4 12 5 8 32 8 24 5 10 40 10 30
Lean manufacturing NLRD83989 Learnership Components Elective ID US Title NQF Level 336699 Understand principles of marketing 5 5 20 8 12 336701 Understand fundamental elements of the economy 5 8 32 8 24 336703 Design a distribution network 6 5 20 5 15 336704 336705 336707 336720 Prepare products for transportation; manage return of goods and warehousing Understand fundamentals of International trade & execute international purchases Understand key issues important for compliance with corporate governance principles & social responsibility Conduct demand forecasting & develop supply chain plans to meet demand 5 10 40 10 30 6 5 20 8 12 6 5 20 8 12 6 8 32 8 24 TOTALS Unit Standards 19 150 600 150 450
Methodology and Approach Recruitment of Learners We are able to provide a service to recruit and verify learners for the programme. Based on the level of the learnership, an assessment process will be used to ensure that the learners have the correct level of fundamental competencies before being invited to the programme. Assessments will be conducted by the recruitment team and only the best candidates will be selected for the programme. Accommodating Learning Styles All people have different ways of learning; nowhere is this more apparent than in the classroom environment. Every one of us has a unique learning style and ways of retaining information. This is the critical factor in learning and development that is most often overlooked. BIZZCO develops their learning material in a manner that addresses all learning styles, thus ensuring maximum knowledge retention and benefit to the learner and their company, especially when it comes to application. VARK caters to all learning styles be it VISUAL, AUDITORY, READ/WRITE OR KINAESTHETIC, in most cases it will be a combination of them. Induction of Learners Each company has its own organisational unique qualities. This will be evident in the Mission Statement and Vision of a company. It will also be highlighted in policy and procedure documents that are in use in the company. We believe that it is important to incorporate this into the learning process and will work with the employer to develop an induction programme for the learners prior to the unit standard aligned training beginning. Learners need to be made aware of the investment made in them by the employer and to have an appreciation of the value that this education programme can have on their lives. Mentoring and Coaching Mentoring and coaching is a very important factor to consider when embarking on the learnership process. The facilitator will meet with the learners at the workplace to assist with the application of the learning on an on-going basis. The recommendation is that the facilitator meets with the learners once a month.
Methodology and Approach Graduation Recognition of achievement at the end of the programme is really important to the learner. We strongly recommend that a graduation ceremony is held to recognize the achievements of the learners. This ceremony should be given the importance that it deserves, particularly if the employee will be employing the learners in a full time capacity once they have completed the programme. Project Management Every Learnership requires an element of administration and project management. This can either be done internally by the employer or can be out-sourced to BIZZPRO. Should you use BIZZPRO to manage the roll-out of the learnership, the costs associated will depend on the number of learners. Project Management responsibilities include; Management of project plan which includes; Contract of learner Registration of learners with SETA Training Schedule Coaching and Mentoring Schedule Portfolio s of Evidence Management of facilitators, mentors, assessors, learners Management of training material being delivered to the correct location nationwide Management of the Assessment and Moderation process Monitoring learners progress to ensure that they are not falling behind Reporting and feedback on attendance, submission of PoE s, facilitator evaluation Duration The learnership will take 1 year to complete, this will cover the structured classroom learning, the workplace application, the assessment of Portfolio of Evidence (PoE). The administrative functions which cover the initial SETA registration and the registration of the competence on the learner can add an additional 2 months to the length of the programme delivery. A complete plan will be drawn up prior to the learnership commencing to set aside days for training and days for mentoring and coaching.