Careers in the Services Sector

The Services Sector is one of South Africa's largest industries, offering diverse career opportunities across a wide range of professions. It includes services provided to businesses, communities, and individuals, from financial consulting firms and property services to beauty salons, cleaning companies, and many other service-based industries.

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To better manage skills development within these industries, the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) has allocated specific sectors to different Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs). While banking, insurance, and social services fall under their respective SETAs, all other service-related occupations are supported by the Services SETA.

Services SETA Qualification Areas

The Services SETA provides education and training programmes in the following fields:

• Personal Care Services
• Real Estate and Property Services
• Management and Business Services
• Labour and Collective Bargaining
• Communication and Marketing
• Cleaning and Hiring Services

Why Choose a Career in the Services Sector?

The services industry offers numerous employment and entrepreneurship opportunities. Skilled professionals are always in demand, and many occupations allow individuals to work for established organisations or start and manage their own businesses.

Trades and artisan-related careers, including hairdressing, beauty therapy, and fashion design, are recognised worldwide as valuable professions. These skills provide long-term career prospects and the flexibility to work in different industries or become self-employed.

This guide is intended to help individuals who are interested in building a career within the services sector by providing useful information about available qualifications, training opportunities, and career pathways.

Making Career Choices Easier

Choosing a career can be challenging due to the wide variety of options available. This information is designed to help young people explore different career paths, understand available training opportunities, and make informed decisions about their future.

Services SETA Learner Portal

The Services SETA Learner Portal has been developed to connect prospective learners with employers, training providers, and institutions offering Services SETA-funded learning programmes.

By registering on the portal, your profile becomes available to organisations seeking suitable candidates for learnerships, internships, skills programmes, and other training opportunities.

Benefits of Registering

Once registered, you can:

• Create your learner profile.
• View and update your personal information.
• Edit your contact details whenever necessary.
• Receive notifications and important updates from the Services SETA.
• Increase your visibility to employers and accredited training providers offering funded programmes.

How to Register

To create your learner account, complete the online registration process by providing:

1. A username of your choice.
2. A secure password.
3. Your personal email address.
4. Your South African ID number exactly as it appears on your ID document.

After registration, your information will be securely stored by the Services SETA and may be shared with employers, training providers, and partner organisations when suitable training opportunities become available.

Remember: Keep your personal and contact details updated to ensure you don't miss future opportunities.

Accessing the Learner Portal

You can access the Learner Portal by visiting the Services SETA website and selecting the Learner Portal from the homepage, where you can log in or register for an account.

What Learners Need to Know – Rights and Responsibilities

Once you are registered for a learnership or workplace-based learning programme, it is important to understand both your rights and your responsibilities. These programmes are governed by legislation such as the Skills Development Act, the Basic Conditions of Employment Act, and the Unemployment Insurance Act (UIA), which outline the obligations of both learners and employers.

Learning programmes are open to both employed and unemployed individuals. If you are employed, you may participate in a learnership through your employer or within your industry sector. If you are unemployed, you can apply through the Services SETA Learner Portal or an accredited Services SETA training provider in your area.

SETA Leanerships (X54 Career Opportunities)

Learner Rights

As a learner, you are entitled to:

• Receive a proper induction before beginning your workplace-based learning programme.
• Receive quality education, training, and workplace experience.
• Access all resources required to complete the learning programme successfully.
• Participate in internal assessments and receive feedback on your assessment results.
• Access the final external assessment required to complete the qualification.
• Receive a nationally recognised certificate of competence upon successful completion.
• If unemployed, receive the agreed monthly stipend or allowance for the duration of the programme.
• Submit written complaints or grievances to the relevant SETA regarding concerns about the quality of training or workplace learning.

Learner Responsibilities

During the programme, learners are expected to:

• Complete all workplace learning activities and practical assignments.
• Follow the employer's workplace rules, policies, and procedures.
• Attend and actively participate in all classroom training, practical sessions, and workplace experience.
• Complete logbooks, timesheets, assignments, and any required project work.
• Participate in all internal assessments leading up to the final external assessment.
• Attend the final occupational competency assessment at the scheduled date, time, and venue.

Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF)

Learners who receive a monthly stipend while participating in a learnership are generally covered by the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF).

A total contribution of 2% of the learner's monthly stipend is paid towards UIF:

• 1% is deducted from the learner's stipend.
• 1% is contributed by the employer.

These contributions allow eligible learners to access UIF benefits in accordance with the applicable legislation.

Why Choose an Accredited Skills Development Provider?

Skills Development Providers (SDPs) receive accreditation only after meeting strict quality assurance requirements. Choosing an accredited provider ensures that you receive recognised, high-quality training that meets national education standards.

Benefits of Using an Accredited Training Provider

By enrolling with an accredited Skills Development Provider, you can expect:

• High-quality training from a recognised and reputable institution.
• Training programmes that are approved by the relevant SETA and aligned with the National Qualifications Framework (NQF).
• Qualifications that are nationally recognised by employers.
• Employers to claim eligible skills development points towards their B-BBEE Scorecard.
• Employers to qualify for applicable SETA grants and SARS tax incentives, where applicable.

Verify an Accredited Training Provider

Before enrolling, it is recommended that you confirm whether a training provider is accredited by the Services SETA.

Only organisations accredited to offer Services SETA qualifications will appear on the official Services SETA accreditation database, ensuring that the training and qualifications you receive are recognised and meet the required national standards.

SETA Leanerships (X54 Career Opportunities)