Learnership fees from unemployed learners are not allowed. Sector Determination 5: Learnerships make it unlawful to claim fees from unemployed learners.
Learnership Fees For Unemployed Learners Not Allowed
The unethical and illegal practice of collecting learnership fees from unemployed learners
It is alarming to hear that some employers and recruiting companies are collecting learnership fees from unemployed learners. This practice is not only unethical but also illegal, as it goes against the fundamental principles of learnerships.
Learnership fees from unemployed learners: a violation of their rights
A learnership is a vocational education and training programme that combines theoretical learning with practical workplace experience. It is intended to provide unemployed learners with the opportunity to gain skills and work experience that will make them more employable in the future.
However, some employers and recruiting companies have taken advantage of the high demand for learnerships and have started charging learnership fees. These fees can range from a few hundred to several thousand rand, and are often required upfront before the learnership even begins.
Don’t fall prey to the trap of paying learnership fees
Unemployed learners are told they are not entitled to stipends and must pay back all related expenses if they make employers unhappy. Greedy firms such as PSG Wealth and others illegally issue debt orders to unemployed victims who become trapped in debt. Under no circumstances may an unemployed learner pay money to an employer or training provider.
Why collecting learnership fees from unemployed learners is illegal and unfair
Learnership candidates are divided into two categories, employed and unemployed. If you were unemployed and placed on a learnership, pay careful attention!
This practice is not only unfair to unemployed learners who may not have the financial means to pay these fees but also defeats the purpose of learnerships. The purpose of learnerships is to provide unemployed learners with the opportunity to gain skills and work experience, not to extract fees from them.
Furthermore, collecting learnership fees is illegal under the Skills Development Act. The Act states that employers who participate in learnerships are responsible for all the costs associated with the learnership, including the training, assessment, and stipend of the learner.
The Department of Higher Education and Training takes action against collecting learnership fees from unemployed learners
The Department of Higher Education and Training has issued a warning to employers and recruiting companies who charge learnership fees, stating that they will be prosecuted if they are found to be in contravention of the Skills Development Act.
Unemployed learners who are asked to pay learnership fees should report the matter to the Department of Higher Education and Training. They can also contact the Sector Education and Training Authority (SETA) responsible for their industry for assistance and advice.
Learners may NOT pay back any money for the learnership training received.
Even if:
- resigning from the learnership
- they are dismissed
- they signed a contract that says they must.
Employers have no legal defence in claiming money from unemployed learners. If you paid money to an employer – it’s time to take action.
Learners who have been abused in this manner must complete the Keep Climbing Complaint form immediately. We will pursue action against these firms and the SETAs who allow them to operate.
Learnership Regulations Protect Learners
Learnership applicants must be aware of lawless providers and firms who deceive gullible inexperienced youth into believing they have no rights.
Keep Climbing is investigating if these firms gain BEE points and tax rebates from fraudulent interventions and obstructing youth development.
Check if your contract is legal
Please scan or use your phone to carefully photograph each page of your contract.
Complete the Complaints Form
Important Note:
- SETAs don’t always protect the interests of learners and we are already taking action against INSETA who covered up an investigation we forced them to conduct.
- SETAs do not monitor or take effective action against lawbreakers who abuse the rights of citizens.
- BANKSETA and WRSETA endorse unconstitutional recruitment practices and refuse to engage with the public.
- Many SETAs appear to be exploiters and bullies who believe the public has no voice.
In conclusion, collecting learnership fees from unemployed learners is unethical and illegal. Employers and recruiting companies who engage in this practice should be held accountable, and unemployed learners should be made aware of their rights and how to report such instances. It is important to ensure that learnerships remain accessible to all unemployed learners, regardless of their financial circumstances.
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Hi Nosiphiwo! Usually, this happens if you are applying for the same qualification you’ve already been awarded or if you are still listed as an active learner by the provider. If you have already been certified, contact Signa and ask them to close the record.
I was doing a learnership at Signa Academy in 2021 n I completed it but the problem now is that everytime when I’m applying for other learnerships they keep saying they can’t take me because I’m already in the system