What is the Difference Between Learnership Internship and Apprenticeship

The main difference between learnership internship and apprenticeship is the type of training they provide to trainees. Learnership programs include both practical work experience and a learning component, while both internships and apprenticeships focus on providing trainees with real-life work experience.

Learnership involves a structured learning component offered by a training institution along with practical work experience, while an internship is a training program usually offered for undergraduates, where they get the chance to acquire job-oriented skills and work experience in a specific field. On the other hand, an apprenticeship is a training program where apprentices learn a set of skills and receive first-hand training essential for them to perform well in a particular occupation or field.

Key Areas Covered

1. What is Learnership
      – Definition, Features
2. What is Internship
      – Definition, Features
3. What is Apprenticeship
      – Definition, Features
4. Similarities Between Learnership Internship and Apprenticeship
      – Outline of Common Features
5. Difference Between Learnership Internship and Apprenticeship
      – Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms

Learnership, Internship, Apprenticeship

What is a Learnership

A learnership refers to a learning program that includes a structured learning component offered by a training institution along with practical workplace experience. In such programs, the learner is employed in a government department, company, or business. Through a learnership, learners not only get qualifications but also get first-hand work experience, which increases their employability.

Moreover, if you wish to take a learnership, you do not have to pay anything for your participation and training. For unemployed learners, trainers usually offer a weekly learnership allowance to cover participating expenses such as travel and meal costs.

What is an Internship

An internship involves professional training experience offered to undergraduates by organizations and companies. Here, interns get the chance to get exposed to a practical work-related environment, which is most often connected to their field of study or career interest. In brief, an internship allows interns to work in their areas of interest and acquire the set of skills needed to pursue their future careers. At the same time, employers also get the chance to add new ideas and energy to their existing organizational atmosphere.

Most frequently, an internship involves full-time or part-time work with no more than 25% of clerical or administrative duties. This makes interns familiar with the organizational culture and proposed assignments. Furthermore, a healthy working atmosphere may provide interns with regular constructive feedback and would encourage them to grow and achieve their learning goals.

What is an Apprenticeship

An apprenticeship program is a training program offered to an apprentice that allows him to become more competent and skillful in a specific field or profession. An apprenticeship often involves both theatrical learning and first-hand workplace experiences. In general, technological or technical colleges and community colleges often offer such apprenticeship programs.

In contrast to learnership and internship, apprenticeship programs usually offer apprentices a payment and also allow them to get proper mentorship from highly qualified and experienced professionals. Generally, apprenticeships are considered ‘full-time work.’ Therefore, the apprenticeship programs are referred to as “learn while you earn” model type of training.

Similarities Between Learnership Internship and Apprenticeship

Learnership, internship, and apprenticeship are all training programs that allow trainees to acquire first-hand work experience.
Moreover, all three training programs allow trainees to improve skills essential to become competent in a particular profession or a field of interest.
These training programs give trainees entry-level experience.
In addition, learnership, internship, and apprenticeship are all considered professional experience, which is an added qualification for finding a full-time job.

Difference Between Learnership Internship and Apprenticeship

Definition

A learnership involves a learning program that includes a structured learning component offered by a training institution together with practical workplace experience. An internship refers to another training program usually offered for undergraduates where the interns get the chance to acquire job-oriented skills and workplace experience. On the other hand, an apprenticeship is a training program where apprentices learn a set of skills and receive first-hand training essential for them to perform well in a particular occupation or field.

Nature

Learnership programs include both practical working experience and a learning component, while both internships and apprenticeships focus on providing trainees with real-life work experience.

Payment

During an apprenticeship, companies usually pay apprentices, but interns or learners are usually not given any payment. However, interns and learners are sometimes offered meals or travel allowances.

Conclusion

The main difference between learnership internship and apprenticeship is that learnership programs include both practical working experience and a learning component, while both internships and apprenticeships focus on providing trainees with real-life work experience.

Reference:

1. “Internships.” Pomerantz Career Center , The University of Iowa.
2. Pretorius, Thiana. “What Is a Learnership?” Skills Academy.
3. “Benefits of Apprenticeships for Employers.” University of West London.