Learnerships are a new approach to education, training and development. The learnership system has been administered by the Department of Labour's 23 Sectoral Education and Training Authorities (SETAs) until 31 October 2009. In the reconfigured government administration, the SETAs will now be part of the newly created Department for Higher Education and Training.

For example, the Tourism, Hospitality and Sport Education and Training Authority (THETA) offers learnerships in professional cookery, nature guiding and tourism reception. An advantage of the system is that you “earn while you learn". You sign a contract with an employer and a training provider; the contract requires the learner to work for the employer, in return for earning a monthly allowance while being trained. The learnership system places emphasis on authentic workplace experience in which learners can put theory into practice and consolidate their knowledge and skills. The Department of Labour has also set up Employment Skills Development Lead Employers (ESDLEs) in the provinces to create additional access to learnerships. For details on the SETAs, visit www.labour.gov.za.

A “gap year” between leaving school and entering higher education can be a valuable way to earn a living and expand your knowledge of the world of work, while learning about yourself, your strengths and your preferred career and field of study. A gap year often involves doing quite “menial work” (such as being a chef’s assistant, a fruit picker, a child minder, a cashier, for example) and offers the opportunity of being independent and gaining experience of other cultures and places. Taken seriously, a gap year can be quite a steep learning curve but a very useful way to help you prepare for a field of study and a career.

Typically, entrepreneurs want to be their own boss, in charge of their own future. They are dynamic and enthusiastic about their ideas, and are prepared to put in much passion, time and effort in order to succeed. To be a successful entrepreneur, you need a good idea, to fulfill a demand that exists in the marketplace, and a plan to establish and develop your business. While there are some sources of loan funding, there is not sufficient for everyone who would like to be in business. This means that entrepreneurs often have to start off with a very small business and grow it gradually.

Entrepreneurship initiatives
South Africa still lags behind most other developing countries in terms of its number of entrepreneurs. However, a growing range of initiatives aims to support those wishing to start their own businesses. The Entrepreneurship 2010 Campaign was launched in 2004 to address factors that hinder start-up businesses and growth of existing entrepreneurs. And the Umsobomvu Youth Fund (which is part of the National Youth Development Agency) supports young entrepreneurs with access to information and financial assistance. Its portal, www.youthportal.org.za, provides information about getting a job, starting your own business, learning new skills, and generally making informed decisions about your life. There is lots of institutional support for budding entrepreneurs. So let’s get busy!

If you finish school but are unable to study further or get a job, one of the most effective strategies is to volunteer your services. This means finding a place where you can work without any form of payment. Volunteers often learn a great deal in the world of work, and many volunteers get noticed by others in the workplace or the community. This often leads to opportunities for training or even employment. More information on government’s National Youth Service can be obtained from the National Youth Development Agency.