If you’re applying for learnerships in South Africa and you keep getting ignored, your CV is often the problem — not you. Most learnerships are designed for unemployed youth, first-time job seekers, and school leavers, so employers don’t expect years of experience. They do expect a CV that is clean, readable, honest, and “application-ready.”

This learnership CV template is built for 2026 learnership applications and works for common programme types like:

• Business Administration learnerships
• Call centre/customer service learnerships
• IT / digital learnerships
• Finance / accounting learnerships
• Government / SETA-funded opportunities

You’ll get:

✅ A free copy-and-paste template (Word/Google Docs)
✅ A complete example (Matric student)
✅ “No experience” tips that actually help
✅ A documents checklist for South African learnership applications
✅ Top disqualification mistakes to avoid
✅ A practical FAQ at the end

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Quick reality check: What a learnership CV must do

A learnership CV must do 3 things quickly:

1. Prove you qualify (age/education/unemployed status if required)
2. Show readiness (basic skills, communication, reliability)
3. Make it easy to shortlist (simple layout, correct documents, no confusion)

Recruiters often scan CVs in under 30 seconds. If your CV is messy, too long, or missing key info, you get skipped—even if you’re a strong candidate.

ALSO READ ABOUT Ultimate SETA Opportunities Guide South Africa (2026)

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What is a learnership in South Africa?

A learnership is a structured programme that combines:

• training (theory)
• workplace experience (practical)

It usually leads to a qualification registered on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF). Many learnerships are funded through SETAs and partner employers.

That’s why your CV must highlight:

• education
• willingness to learn
• communication
• discipline
• basic computer literacy (if relevant)

ALSO READ ABOUT How SETA Learnerships Work in South Africa (Step-by-Step) 2026

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Who should use this learnership CV template in 2026?

This template is ideal if you are:

✅ A school leaver (Grade 12 / Matric)

You have limited experience and need to show potential clearly.

✅ Unemployed youth applying for SETA learnerships

Many programmes require proof you’re unemployed or not currently studying full-time.

✅ TVET/college student applying for workplace exposure

You can adapt the “Education” section to include your NQF level, N-course, or diploma.

✅ Someone changing careers with no formal work experience

You can use volunteering, community work, and short courses to build credibility.

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Why people get disqualified (before interviews even start)

This is the part most applicants don’t understand.

You can be disqualified because:

1) Your CV is messy or unreadable

• too many colours
• bad formatting
• fancy templates that break on phones
• missing headings

2) Your CV is too long (4–6 pages)

Learnership CVs should be 1–2 pages. Anything longer usually gets ignored.

3) You lie (even “small lies”)

Lying about experience, certificates, or results gets you removed when documents are checked.

4) Your contact details don’t work

Wrong phone number or email = you miss verification calls.

5) You don’t match minimum requirements

Example:

• applying for an IT programme that requires Maths/CAT when you don’t have it
• applying for an advanced level when you only meet entry level

6) You submit an incomplete application pack

Many learnerships require certified documents. If you only send a CV and nothing else, you may be rejected.

See more Learnerships

Find Latest internships

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✅ FREE Learnership CV Template (Copy & Paste)

Copy this into Microsoft Word or Google Docs.

FULL NAME SURNAME

ID Number:
Cell Number:
Email Address:
Location (City, Province):
LinkedIn (optional):

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Personal Profile (3–4 lines)

Write a short statement that matches the learnership type.

Example:

I am a motivated and reliable South African youth who recently completed Grade 12. I am seeking a learnership opportunity to gain practical workplace experience and build professional skills. I learn fast, communicate well, and I am committed to completing training and workplace requirements.

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Education

School/College Name:
Highest Qualification: (Grade 12 / N6 / Diploma)
Year Completed:
Key Subjects/Modules: (list 5–8 relevant subjects)

Tip: Include subjects linked to the learnership you’re applying for.

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Skills

Choose skills you can prove.

• Communication (spoken and written)
• Teamwork
• Time management
• Basic computer literacy (Word/Excel/Email)
• Problem-solving
• Attention to detail

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Courses & Certificates (if any)

Examples:

• MS Office basics
• First aid
• Short online course (Google, Alison, etc.)
• Customer service certificate

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Work Experience (If you have any)

Company / Organisation:
Role:
Dates:
Key duties (2–4 bullets):

If you have none, use:

No formal work experience yet — actively seeking first opportunity.

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Volunteer / Community Experience

Organisation:
Role:
Year(s):
What you did (2–3 bullets):

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Languages

Example:

• English (Good)
• isiZulu (Home language)
• Sesotho (Basic/Good)

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References

Option 1 (recommended):

• Name + role + contact number (teacher, coach, community leader)

Option 2:

References available on request

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✅ Completed Example (Matric Student CV – 2026)

THABO MOKOENA

ID Number: 060505 1234 08 3
Cell: 071 234 5678
Email: thabo.mokoena01@gmail.com
Location: Soweto, Gauteng

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Personal Profile

I am a disciplined Grade 12 graduate seeking a Business Administration learnership. I am eager to gain workplace exposure, improve my computer skills, and contribute positively to a professional team. I am punctual, respectful, and willing to learn.

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Education

Orlando High School
Grade 12 (Matric) – 2025
Subjects: English, Mathematics Literacy, Business Studies, Economics, Life Orientation, Accounting (if applicable)

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Skills

• Microsoft Word and basic Excel
• Good communication skills
• Teamwork and reliability
• Fast learner
• Time management

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Volunteer Experience

Local Church Youth Programme – 2024

• Assisted with event planning and attendance registers
• Helped organise documents and communicate schedules to youth members

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Languages

• English
• isiZulu
• Sesotho

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References

Mr Dlamini (Teacher) – 072 555 7890

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🧠 How to write each section properly (so you don’t get rejected)

1) Personal Profile

Keep it short and relevant. Include:

• who you are
• what you’re applying for
• what you offer
• commitment to learning

Avoid:

• long stories
• personal problems
• unrelated hobbies

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2) Education Section

Put your highest qualification first. Include:

• year completed
• key subjects/modules

Match subjects to your target learnership:

• IT learnership → Maths/CAT/Computer modules
• Business/Admin → Business Studies/Economics/English
• Finance → Accounting/Maths/Financial modules

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3) Skills Section

Recruiters love skills that match work readiness:

• communication
• punctuality
• teamwork
• computer basics
• attention to detail

Tip: If you list “Excel,” be ready to explain what you can do (basic tables, typing, simple calculations).

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4) No experience? Here’s what to do instead

If you have zero work experience, use:

✅ school projects
✅ volunteering
✅ leadership roles
✅ sports team responsibilities
✅ family responsibilities (only if relevant and professional)

Example:

• Class rep
• Sports captain
• Helping organise school events
• Helping at community centre

These show responsibility and teamwork.

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📌 Documents checklist (most learnerships require this)

Even with a perfect CV, you can still be rejected if documents are missing.

Prepare these:

• Certified copy of South African ID
• Certified Matric certificate / latest results
• Updated CV (PDF)
• Proof of residence (sometimes required)
• Qualification certificates (if post-school)
• Bank confirmation letter (sometimes requested later)

Pro tip: Certify documents within the last 3 months.

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🚫 Common CV mistakes to avoid in 2026 (disqualification triggers)

❌ Using unprofessional email (e.g., sexyboy@…)
❌ Spelling errors and wrong company names
❌ Fancy templates with icons that break on mobile
❌ Copy-pasting one CV for every learnership
❌ Writing “I’m hard-working” 10 times with no proof
❌ Leaving big gaps with no explanation
❌ Adding false certificates

Keep it clean, honest, and easy to scan.

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✅ Best CV format for learnership applications

Use:

• Font: Arial / Calibri
• Size: 11 or 12
• Colour: black text
• Length: 1–2 pages
• Export as: PDF before uploading

This improves readability and helps when platforms scan documents.

✅ FAQ: Learnership CV Template (South Africa)