Ourpower

merSETA Learnerships 2026

Manufacturing, Engineering and Related Services Sector Education and Training Authority · Manufacturing and Engineering sector · Verified 2026-05-18

The largest SETA by learner volume. Funds artisan trades (boilermaker, millwright, fitter, electrician), engineering learnerships and manufacturing-related skills.

Official website: merseta.org.za
Sector: Manufacturing and Engineering
One of: SA's 21 SETAs (Sector Education and Training Authorities)

Industries merSETA covers

  • Metal and engineering
  • Auto manufacturing
  • Motor retail and component manufacturing
  • New tyre manufacturing
  • Plastics

Major employers running merSETA-aligned learnerships

The following are well-known SA employers in the manufacturing and engineering sector that have historically run learnerships aligned to merSETA. Where we have a dedicated company page, the link goes through to it.

How merSETA learnerships work

  • You apply through an employer, not the SETA. merSETA does not place learners directly. Apply via the employer's official careers portal.
  • The qualification is national. On completion you receive a SAQA-registered qualification on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) - it's the same qualification regardless of which employer you did the learnership with.
  • Most run 12 months. Some artisan and engineering learnerships run 2-4 years to a Red Seal trade test.
  • You earn a monthly stipend. SETA-funded programmes must pay at least the DHET minimum learner allowance for your NQF level. Most employers pay above the minimum.
  • You can only do one SETA-funded learnership at a time. Employers check this when you apply.

Avoid scams

Legitimate merSETA learnerships are never advertised through WhatsApp groups, SMS, or Facebook posts asking for "processing fees" or "placement fees". SETAs and accredited employers do NOT charge to apply. If a learnership listing requires payment to a personal bank account, it is a scam.

Frequently asked questions

What does merSETA stand for?
merSETA is the Manufacturing, Engineering and Related Services Sector Education and Training Authority. It is one of South Africa's 21 SETAs (Sector Education and Training Authorities), established under the Skills Development Act of 1998 to fund and accredit skills development in the manufacturing and engineering sector.
What learnerships does merSETA fund?
merSETA funds learnerships, internships and skills programmes across Metal and engineering, Auto manufacturing, Motor retail and component manufacturing, New tyre manufacturing and more. The qualification you receive on completion is registered with SAQA on the National Qualifications Framework.
How do I find a merSETA-funded learnership?
Apply directly through employers in the manufacturing and engineering sector - examples include Toyota SA, BMW SA, VW SA, Mercedes-Benz SA. merSETA does not place learners directly; it funds and accredits the programme. Always apply via the employer's official careers portal - never pay any fee to "secure" a learnership.
What is the merSETA levy and how does it work?
Employers in SA pay a 1% Skills Development Levy on payroll to SARS each month. SARS distributes 80% of that to the relevant SETA, which uses it to fund learnerships, bursaries and skills programmes in its sector through Mandatory and Discretionary Grants. The remaining 20% goes to the National Skills Fund.

Other SETAs

See all 21 SETAs →

SETA details verified against the SETA's own website and the DHET register on 2026-05-18. For the authoritative SETA register see dhet.gov.za/SETAlinks. We are not affiliated with merSETA - apply through the SETA's own portal or through employer careers portals.

Subscribe to our telegram channelClick here to join our telegram channel and stay up to date with load shedding and related news!
Copyright Ourpower 2026, All Rights Reserved.HomeFAQPrivacyAPIContactPower OutagesWater OutagesRoad ClosuresDam LevelsLoad ReductionJobsCareMapSpecialsToday