You want a learnership but there are 21 SETAs and adverts use jargon. You are also scared someone will ask you to pay to be placed and you just want to know which SETA is yours.
What is a seta and why does it exist?
SETA stands for Sector Education and Training Authority. It is a public body that funds and quality-assures training for one sector.
It exists because of the Skills Development Act and Skills Development Levies Act. Employers with payroll over R500,000 pay 1% to SARS (South African Revenue Service) as a levy, and DHET (Department of Higher Education and Training) channels it to the 21 SETAs to fund learnerships and apprenticeships. You should not pay for placement.
The full list of 21 setas in south africa — what each one covers
Official DHET list. MQA is the 21st – lists that show 20 leave it out. Check the .org.za site.
1. AGRISETA – Agriculture Sector Education and Training Authority. Farming, forestry, fisheries. Example: Animal Production NQF 2.
2. BANKSETA – Banking Sector Education and Training Authority. Banking, microfinance. Example: Letsema Banking NQF 5.
3. CATHSSETA – Culture, Arts, Tourism, Hospitality and Sport Sector Education and Training Authority. Chefs, hotels, guides, sport, gaming. Example: Professional Cookery NQF 4 – Hogsback lodges.
4. CETA – Construction Education and Training Authority. Building, civil, plumbing, carpentry. Example: Building and Civil Construction NQF 3.
5. CHIETA – Chemical Industries Education and Training Authority. Chemicals, petroleum, pharma. Example: Chemical Operations NQF 3.
6. ETDP SETA – Education, Training and Development Practices Sector Education and Training Authority. ECD (Early Childhood Development), teacher assistants. Example: ECD NQF 4 – Butterworth.
7. EWSETA – Energy and Water Sector Education and Training Authority. Electricity, water, renewables. Example: Water Reticulation NQF 3.
8. FASSET – Finance and Accounting Services Sector Education and Training Authority. Accounting, auditing, bookkeeping. Example: Bookkeeping NQF 4.
9. FOODBEV SETA – Food and Beverages Manufacturing Sector Education and Training Authority. Food factories. Example: Food Packaging NQF 3.
10. FP&M SETA – Fibre Processing and Manufacturing Sector Education and Training Authority. Clothing, textiles, paper, furniture. Example: Clothing Manufacturing NQF 2.
11. HWSETA – Health and Welfare Sector Education and Training Authority. Health, social work, pharmacy. Example: Social Auxiliary Work NQF 4.
12. INSETA – Insurance Sector Education and Training Authority. Insurance, claims, risk. Example: Insurance NQF 4.
13. LGSETA – Local Government Sector Education and Training Authority. Municipalities. Example: Municipal Finance – Cathcart, Makhanda.
14. MERSETA – Manufacturing, Engineering and Related Services Sector Education and Training Authority. Automotive, metal, engineering. Example: Motor Mechanic – Komani.
15. MICT SETA – Media, Information and Communication Technologies Sector Education and Training Authority. IT, telecoms, film. Example: Systems Development NQF 4 – East London.
16. MQA – Mining Qualifications Authority. Mining, minerals. Example: Mining Operations NQF 2.
17. PSETA – Public Service Sector Education and Training Authority. National and provincial government. Example: Public Administration NQF 4.
18. SASSETA – Safety and Security Sector Education and Training Authority. Policing, security, legal. Example: Security Practices NQF 3.
19. SERVICES SETA – Services Sector Education and Training Authority. Admin, cleaning, hairdressing, real estate. Example: Business Administration NQF 3.
20. TETA – Transport Education and Training Authority. Road freight, taxi, rail, maritime, aviation. Example: Professional Driving NQF 3 – Mthatha.
21. W&RSETA – Wholesale and Retail Sector Education and Training Authority. Retail, wholesale, FMCG (Fast Moving Consumer Goods). Example: Retail Operations NQF 2 – Gqeberha.
Real learnerships end with QCTO (Quality Council for Trades and Occupations) certificate on NQF (National Qualifications Framework).
How do i know which seta is mine?
Match your job:
Bank teller -> BANKSETA, accountant -> FASSET, insurance -> INSETA, chef/waiter/guide -> CATHSSETA, cashier -> W&RSETA, cleaner/admin/hairdresser -> SERVICES SETA, welder/mechanic -> MERSETA, bricklayer/plumber -> CETA, IT -> MICT SETA, nurse assistant -> HWSETA, ECD -> ETDP SETA, farm -> AGRISETA, factory packer -> FOODBEV SETA, clothing -> FP&M SETA, chemical -> CHIETA, water/solar -> EWSETA, municipal clerk -> LGSETA, government clerk -> PSETA, security -> SASSETA, driver -> TETA, miner -> MQA.
Want retail in Gqeberha? Start with W&RSETA. Want lodge work in Hogsback? Start with CATHSSETA.
How does the stipend work and who pays you?
Unemployed learners get a monthly stipend. The host employer or provider pays you from the SETA grant.
No national fixed amount. It varies by SETA, NQF level and employer. It must be in the advert and your tripartite agreement. Confirm amount, pay date and UIF (Unemployment Insurance Fund).
UIF ceiling is R17,712 per month in 2026. National Minimum Wage is R30.23 per hour from 1 March 2026, about R5,240 on a 40-hour week, but learnership stipends follow the agreement. Never pay to access stipend.
How to apply for a seta learnership step by step
- Pick SETA from map above.
- Go to official .org.za site. Search “BANKSETA org za”.
- Check learner portals. CATHSSETA, SERVICES SETA and FASSET have portals. AGRISETA, MQA and TETA recruit via employers.
- Get accreditation number and QCTO qualification ID. Phone SETA to verify.
- Register on SAYouth.mobi and ESSA (Employment Services of South Africa). Set alerts. Steps: how to register on SAYouth and ESSA
- Know your contract. Learnership vs YES vs internship: learnership vs internship vs yes
Apply to 5-10 posts with 2-page CV, certified ID and results.
What should you check before you sign anything?
Accreditation. Provider letter, SETA number, SAQA ID, NQF level. If they dodge, leave.
Agreement. Must show qualification name and code, start/end dates, workplace address, hours, stipend amount, UIF, leave, termination. Photo every page.
Training plan. Days theory vs workplace? Where – East London, Makhanda or online? Transport paid?
Exit. National QCTO certificate plus reference, or just provider letter?
Why you should never pay to get placed on a learnership
Real SETAs never charge application or placement fees. “Pay R300 admin for W&RSETA in Butterworth” or “Pay to secure Hogsback lodge” is a scam.
Red flags: Gmail only, no address, e-wallet, urgent pressure, no interview. Protected under BCEA (Basic Conditions of Employment Act).
Check advert here: job scams south africa check – share in Cathcart and Komani groups.
What to do if the seta you need has no open learnership right now
Common outside metros. BANKSETA may have zero near Butterworth this month.
Set alerts on ESSA and SAYouth.mobi for your SETA keyword. Follow official SETA and 2 providers on Facebook.
Ask TVET college. TVET (Technical and Vocational Education and Training) – Ikhala in Komani, Lovedale near Hogsback and Buffalo City in East London post CETA, HWSETA and W&RSETA openings.
Try related SETA. Chef but CATHSSETA closed? Try FOODBEV SETA. Admin but SERVICES SETA quiet? Try PSETA or LGSETA.
Do free short course while you wait. Free digital basics help for MICT SETA and BANKSETA. Never pay private college to “reserve slot” – slots come from SETA-employer contracts.
Frequently asked questions
Do all seta learnerships pay the same stipend?
No. No single amount. Each advert and agreement must state exact stipend. Depends on SETA, NQF level and employer. Confirm in writing.
Can i apply without matric?
Some yes. W&RSETA, SERVICES SETA, AGRISETA, FP&M SETA and CETA have NQF Level 2-3 for Grade 10 or 11. BANKSETA Letsema and HWSETA Social Auxiliary usually need Grade 12. Check advert.
How long does a seta learnership last?
Most are 12 months. Entry Level can be 6-10 months. Artisan trades under MERSETA and CETA can be 18-36 months. Dates must be in agreement.
Next step
Pick one SETA that matches your job, open its official .org.za site now, and set an alert on SAYouth.mobi and ESSA for that SETA near East London, Mthatha or Gqeberha. Check it tomorrow again and apply the same day it opens – early applications get seen first.