The South African farming learnerships is perfect for those passionate about agriculture as it allows them to gain practical experience in the industry. It involves training on the job which gives most of the people an opportunity to progress in their agricultural careers. If your interest is to practice crop farming, animal husbandry or agroprocessing, then a farming learnership is a very valuable one for you. To comprehend the relevance of this, here is how to prepare and apply for farming learnership in South Africa.
Get Familiar with the Farming Learnership Concept
This kind of fellowship program provides training for young people and allows them to work at the same time with employers within the agriculture. The duration varies between 12 and 24 months depending on the specialization and entire farming business. Working on a farm and doing things like planting, raising livestock, understanding the agriculture business side and learning to manage the farm are some of the activities covered under this.
These learnerships are particularly suited for people looking to gain work experience or those planning to change careers into the agricultural industry. Most learners will earn a National Qualifications Framework (NQF) qualification or certificate after completing the learnership, which is useful in the job market.
Check if You Are Eligible
Prior to submitting your application for a farming learnership, it is important to ensure that you satisfy the eligibility requirements. The criteria may differ with each provider or area of the farming sector but the following are the common requirements:
Age: The majority of learnership participants are between the ages of 18 to 35, but there are programs that may have age restrictions beyond these brackets.
Educational Qualifications: Most learnerships demand at least grade 9 to 12. There are some that are more specific with their focus in farming who might require more advanced qualifications.
Interest in Agriculture: It is very important to have a sincere interest in pursuing a career within agriculture. Many learnership providers look for candidates who have great motivation and show passion for building a career within the industry.
Health and Physical Fitness: Some pieces of farm work require a level of physical energy and endurance, therefore learners will need to meet an acceptable level of basic fitness and health for the work.
Research Learnership Opportunities
Different organizations provide farming learnerships such as non-governmental organizations, private agriculture companies, training institutions, and even government-funded projects. It is best if you chose an area of interest for farming that you would prefer like crops, livestock, or even agro-industry as each area has specific learnerships for them.
With that said, here are some of the NGOs and programs that are known to do farming learnerships in South Africa:
The DAFF has multiple agricultural training courses under their portfolio.
AgriSETA (Agricultural Sector Education And Training Authority) often has learnerships for anyone interested in getting into farming.
Most local farms and private agricultural companies such as Syngenta and Monsanto are also likely to take learners on.
Agricultural training and learning focusing on sustainable farming practices is often given by non-profit organizations such as Food & Trees for Africa.
Check for these organizations’ websites and other boards in your area, speak to agricultural colleges, and just about everywhere else to get more details concerning available learnerships.
Your Application Documents Should Be Set
After identifying the farming learnerships you would like to apply for, ensure that you have prepared the necessary documentation needed for the application. The following documents are common to nearly all applications:
Curriculum vitae (CV): Ensure that your CV is concise. Add your educational details, any relevant work experience, expert skills, and volunteer aid that is related to agriculture or farming.
Cover Letter: You need to write a personal cover letter detailing your reasons for applying for the learnership, including your motivation for farming and any skills and experience that make you a suitable candidate.
Qualifications: Include certified copies of any academic documents you have, such as your Grade 12 certificate or other qualifications that may be useful.
ID Copy: ID – A certified copy of the South African Identity Document.
Proof of Address: Some applicants may have to submit proof of residency.
References: Where possible, provide the names of these acquaintances so that they may vouch for your work, enthusiasm and experience with farming.
Make sure to follow the application guidelines and verify that all documents are properly formatted prior to submission.
Submit Your Application
Although a few programs may allow physical applications, most farming learnership applications are submitted online. Remember to submit your application prior to the date to capitalize on the opportunity. Be vigilant about the deadline dates since late submissions are not usually catered for.
As a selection procedure for some learnerships, you may be required to complete an online assessment or participate in an interview. You will need to be ready to prove your commitment to agriculture, your ability and willingness to learn, and how you can help the farming business.
Prepare for an Interview or Assessment
You may attend an interview or assessment session if your application is successful. The goal of the interview is for the learnership provider to assess your suitability for the program and to get to know you. To prepare:
Research the Organization: Find out about the incorporating company or organization of the learnership, especially its values, vision and the kind of farming practiced.
Review Common Interview Questions: Be prepared to answer your interest in agriculture, your anticipated career, and the reason you chose farming as a profession.
Be Passionate: Convince the interviewer that you look forward to working and learning in the agricultural industry. Focus on your work ethic, willingness to learn, and completing the learnership.
Commence Employment and Achieve
At this point, having been chosen to participate in the farming learnership, it is time to get your hands dirty. The hands-on experience you get from the training will be an asset in your career. Take initiative, make inquiries, and use the chance to socialize with seasoned professionals in the sector.
If you successfully complete the learnership, you will most likely be offered employment at the farm or organization that trained you, or you can seek new employment opportunities in the agricultural sector. The knowledge and experience you acquire will help you build a successful and exciting career in farming.
Undoubtedly, an ideal starting point towards developing a career in agriculture and acquiring relevant work experience would be enrolling in a farming learnership program. To maximize on opportunities, you will need to research the available options, ensure that you qualify, prepare all necessary documents, and do well at the interviews. In South Africa, the learnership will assist you develop important skills and offer you a range of career options in the agricultural industry. So do not hesitate any further, delve into the sphere of agriculture by taking the first step.
