Colleges That Offer Learnerships & Accredited Courses in 2026

South African Colleges & Institutions Offering Learnerships in 2026

Looking for colleges offering learnerships for 2026? Whether you want online learning, short courses, or accredited programmes, there are options that actually give you real skills and recognised certificates. 

In this article, I’ll break down some of the colleges you should check out, what courses they offer, where they’re based, and how to apply — all the stuff that actually matters.

1. CTU Training Solutions (National)

CTU Training is one of the more established private training providers in South Africa. They run SETA‑aligned learnerships and short courses, often with practical workplace exposure or a structured simulation environment.

They have physical campuses in major centres: Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cape Town, Durban, and East London. Many learnerships can also start with blended or online components, but workplace placement tends to be where the learning happens in practice.

Learnerships & Courses (2026):

• Business Administration Learnership

• Contact Centre Operations Learnership

• Office Administration

• Finance and Accounting Learnerships

Application Requirements (typical):

• South African ID (original + copies)

• Latest school report or qualification (e.g., Matric or Level 4 certificate)

• CV or personal bio

• Sometimes an interview or placement test

• Proof of residence (municipal account / affidavit)

How to Apply (practical steps):

1. Visit their learnership page here: https://ctutraining.ac.za/corporate/learnerships/#LAPPLY

2. Complete the online application

3. Upload documents

4. Attend screening/interview if invited

They often have multiple intake dates in a year, which means you’re not forced into a once‑a‑year window.

2. Izithelo Strategic Partners 

Izithelo isn’t a “mega college”. It’s a specialised, boutique training provider that partners with employers and businesses. 

They offer learnerships that are more tightly connected to specific employers, which means the transition to work is often clearer.

Location:
Main base is Johannesburg, but some programmes and support can be done remotely or hybrid, depending on employer needs.

Learnerships & Courses (2026):

• Business Administration Learnership

• Project Management Support

• ICT & Office Support

• Customer Service and Contact Centre

What You Learn:

In the Customer Service Learnership, for example, you’ll be assessed on real call management systems, live interaction handling, and customer profiling — not just textbook communication theory.

Application Requirements:

• South African ID

• Grade 10 / Matric or equivalent (varies by programme)

• Basic computer literacy (for ICT and admin)

• Short personal statement or motivation letter

• Basic numeracy/communication assessment

How to Apply:

1. Go to their website: https://www.izithelostrategicpartners.co.za/

2. Find the “Learnership” or “Apply” section

3. Complete contact & qualification details

4. Submit a short motivation — because they often match learners with specific employer needs

If you don’t want a generic learnership but rather training tied to actual employer needs — and possibly a follow‑through placement — this is one of the better options.

Also look: Best Learnership Training Providers in South Africa

3. Gauteng City College (GCC) 

GCC is positioned as a multi‑discipline training provider, with formal accreditation and a reputation for short courses, certificates, and learnerships that align with national skills needs.

Based primarily in Gauteng (Johannesburg and surrounding areas).

Learnerships & Courses (2026):

• Business and Administration

• Office Management

• Health & Safety in the Workplace

• Information Technology basics

• Retail Management

What You Learn:
Take the Office Management Learnership:

• Electronic filing & documentation

• MS Office suite work

• Workplace correspondence

• Meeting coordination and minute taking

These are not theoretical subjects. They are structured so you can walk into a junior admin role with skills you can show.

Application Requirements:

• SA ID and proof of residence

• Latest school results (Grade 12 or lower for some programmes)

• Short interview with college admissions

• Some requirements vary by SETA funding criteria

How to Apply:

Apply here: Gauteng City College Learnership Application Form

1. Check current intakes here: https://www.gcc-sd.com/

2. Contact admissions (phone or in person)

3. Provide certified copies of documents

4. Attend placement interview

GCC has NSFAS/SETA‑funded spots for eligible learners — especially for Level 4 qualifications and lower — but spots are competitive, so applying early matters.

If you’re in Gauteng and want structured academic support plus workplace skill development, GCC is a long‑standing and credible choice.

Also look:

• Thandeka Vocational Education Trust Learnerships

• Training Force Learnerships & Courses - 2026 Applications

4. Skills College (National)

Skills College brands itself around employment‑linked skills development. Their content is very work‑oriented — meaning they build qualifications up from what specific roles actually require.

Skills College offers contact and virtual learning nationwide, which means you don’t need to be in a major city to study with them.

Learnerships & Courses (2026):

• Business Administration Learnership

• Contact Centre and Customer Experience

• Supply Chain / Procurement

• Office Support Learnership

• Front Desk & Reception Learnership

What You Learn:
In a Supply Chain Learnership, you cover:

• Inventory principles

• Logistics coordination

• Procurement documentation

• Communication with suppliers

That’s not “business theory” — that’s actual tasks job ads ask for.

Application Requirements:

• SA ID

• Grade 10–12 results depending on qualification

• CV

• Short skills assessment and interview

How to Apply:

1. Visit their learnership section: https://skillscollege.co.za

2. Fill enquiry or application form

3. Upload your documents

4. Attend assessment/interview

I often recommend Skills College to learners who want to bridge the gap between school and work — they focus less on academics and more on doing the day‑to‑day work that employers need.

Conclusion:

If you’re serious about getting skills and a recognised qualification, these colleges offering learnerships for 2026 are a good place to start. Check the courses, see what matches your goals, and get your documents ready. 

Learnerships aren’t just about certificates — they’re about setting yourself up for work and real opportunities.