SASSETA Skills Development, Learnerships, Work Integrated Learning (WIL), Bursaries, Internships and Apprenticeships

The Safety and Security Sector Education and Training Authority (SASSETA) is one of South Africa's 21 Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs), established under the Skills Development Act to develop the knowledge, skills, and competencies required within the safety and security sector. SASSETA works closely with employers, government departments, public entities, private security companies, training providers, universities, and TVET colleges to strengthen the country's workforce through quality education and workplace training.

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Through a wide range of learning opportunities—including Skills Development Programmes, Learnerships, Work Integrated Learning (WIL), Bursaries, Internships, and Apprenticeships—SASSETA helps unemployed youth, students, graduates, and employed individuals gain recognised qualifications and practical work experience that improve their career prospects.

What is SASSETA?

SASSETA serves the Safety and Security Sector, which includes both public and private organisations responsible for protecting people, property, and the country. The authority identifies scarce and critical skills, develops sector skills plans, funds learning programmes, and supports workplace training to improve service delivery and economic growth.

The sector includes:

• South African Police Service (SAPS)
• Department of Justice
• Department of Correctional Services
• South African National Defence Force (SANDF)
• Private Security Industry
• Legal Services
• Intelligence Services
• Metro Police and Traffic Law Enforcement
• Community Safety organisations

SASSETA Skills Development Programmes

Skills Development Programmes are designed to provide learners with occupational knowledge and practical competencies that meet industry demands. These programmes may consist of short courses or unit-standard-based training and are offered at various National Qualifications Framework (NQF) levels.

Learners who successfully complete individual unit standards receive credits that may later contribute toward a full qualification, making it easier to continue learning or transition into different career paths.

The programmes help participants to:

• Gain industry-relevant skills
• Improve workplace competence
• Earn nationally recognised credits
• Increase employability
• Prepare for further education or qualifications

SASSETA Learnerships

Learnerships are among SASSETA's most popular programmes because they combine classroom learning with structured workplace experience.

A SASSETA learnership:

• Includes theoretical training
• Provides supervised workplace experience
• Is based on a formal agreement between the learner, employer, and training provider
• Leads to a qualification registered on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF)

Learnerships give participants the opportunity to gain valuable practical experience while working toward a nationally recognised qualification in the safety and security sector. Employers who wish to host learners must obtain workplace accreditation before registering learners.

Work Integrated Learning (WIL)

Work Integrated Learning (WIL) enables students and learners to gain practical workplace experience related to their studies.

SASSETA's WIL programme focuses particularly on learners from Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Colleges, helping them obtain the workplace exposure required to complete their qualifications and improve their employability.

The programme also supports the development of skilled artisans and other technical professionals by placing learners with participating employers where they receive supervised practical training.

SASSETA Bursaries

Higher education can be expensive, and many deserving students struggle to afford tuition and study costs. SASSETA partners with Universities and Universities of Technology registered with the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) to provide bursary opportunities for qualifying students.

These bursaries may assist with:

• Tuition fees
• Registration fees
• Prescribed textbooks
• Study materials
• Other approved academic expenses

SASSETA bursaries are generally offered in fields aligned with the safety and security sector, including:

• Corrections
• Defence
• Justice
• Legal Services
• Police
• Private Security
• Secret Service and Intelligence
• Metro Police and Traffic Law Enforcement

Bursary opportunities are advertised periodically, and applicants should monitor official SASSETA announcements for application dates and eligibility requirements.

SASSETA Internships

Internships provide graduates with structured workplace experience after completing their studies.

These programmes help graduates:

• Apply academic knowledge in the workplace
• Develop technical and professional skills
• Gain industry experience
• Improve employability
• Build professional networks

Internships are offered through participating employers, government departments, and organisations operating within the safety and security sector.

SASSETA Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships focus primarily on skilled trades and technical occupations.

Like learnerships, apprenticeships combine theoretical learning with practical workplace training. However, apprenticeships place greater emphasis on trade occupations and require learners to complete a trade test before qualifying as certified artisans or professionals.

Benefits include:

• Practical hands-on training
• Mentorship by experienced professionals
• Industry-recognised qualifications
• Improved employment opportunities
• Development of scarce technical skills

These programmes contribute significantly to addressing South Africa's shortage of skilled artisans in the safety and security sector.

Benefits of SASSETA Learning Opportunities

Participating in SASSETA-funded programmes offers numerous advantages, including:

• Nationally recognised qualifications
• Practical workplace experience
• Professional mentoring
• Improved employability
• Career development opportunities
• Exposure to real working environments
• Skills aligned with industry requirements
• Increased opportunities for permanent employment

These programmes are designed to develop a skilled workforce capable of meeting the current and future needs of South Africa's safety and security sector.

Who Can Apply?

Eligibility requirements differ depending on the programme, but applicants generally need to:

• Be South African citizens
• Meet the academic requirements for the specific programme
• Be enrolled at an accredited institution (where applicable)
• Meet employer or training provider requirements
• Be available for workplace-based learning

Certain programmes target unemployed youth, while others support employed individuals seeking to improve their qualifications and professional skills.

How to Apply

SASSETA opportunities are usually advertised through:

• The official SASSETA website
• Government departments
• Universities and Universities of Technology
• TVET Colleges
• Accredited training providers
• Participating employers

Applicants should:

1. Monitor official advertisements regularly.
2. Check all eligibility requirements.
3. Prepare certified copies of required documents.
4. Submit applications before the closing date.
5. Follow all application instructions carefully.

SASSETA plays a critical role in strengthening South Africa's safety and security sector by investing in education, workplace training, and professional development. Through Skills Development Programmes, Learnerships, Work Integrated Learning (WIL), Bursaries, Internships, and Apprenticeships, the authority creates pathways for learners to gain recognised qualifications, valuable workplace experience, and long-term career opportunities.

Whether you are a school leaver, TVET student, university graduate, or employed professional looking to enhance your skills, SASSETA programmes provide an excellent opportunity to build a rewarding career in South Africa's safety and security sector.

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