Hospitality Learnership SETA: How CATHSSETA Can Start Your Hotel & Tourism Career

Do you dream of working in hotels, restaurants, or tourism, but money for college is a problem? You are not alone. Many young people and unemployed adults in South Africa feel stuck after school.

A hospitality learnership can change that. It is a free training program that mixes classroom learning with real work in the industry. In hospitality, most of these programs are funded through CATHSSETA, the Culture, Arts, Tourism, Hospitality and Sport Sector Education and Training Authority.

With a CATHSSETA hospitality learnership, you can earn a small income, gain workplace experience, and complete a recognised qualification. At the end, you are much closer to a real job in hotels, guest houses, fast food outlets, and tourism companies.

What Is a Hospitality Learnership With SETA and CATHSSETA?

A learnership is a formal training program that combines theory with workplace experience. You study in a classroom or training centre, then you apply what you learn in a real job setting. When you finish, you get a qualification that is registered on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF).

In South Africa, learnerships are funded and guided by SETAs, which are Sector Education and Training Authorities. Each SETA focuses on a group of industries and uses skills levies from employers to fund training. CATHSSETA is the SETA that focuses on tourism, hospitality, sport, arts, and culture. You can read more about its role on the official CATHSSETA website.

 

In hospitality, CATHSSETA supports training for jobs like:

• Front-desk receptionist at a hotel
• Waiter or bartender in a restaurant or bar
• Food service worker in a fast-food chain
• Housekeeping staff in a lodge or guest house

Many 2025 hospitality learnerships funded by CATHSSETA are aimed at unemployed youth with at least Grade 10. Some programs are NQF Level 2 or 3, which are great entry points if you left school early but still want a formal qualification.

How CATHSSETA Learnerships Work in the Hospitality Sector

Most CATHSSETA hospitality learnerships run for 12 to 18 months. The time is split between:

• Classroom training, where you learn theory
• On-the-job learning, where you work in a real business

Host companies can include hotels, franchised restaurants, fast-food brands, guest houses, cruise ships, casinos, or spas. The CATHSSETA hospitality sub-sector page gives a good picture of the kinds of workplaces involved.

Learners earn a stipend while they train. It is not a full salary, but it helps with transport and basic needs. During training, you cover topics such as:

• Customer service and communication
• Food safety and hygiene
• Health and safety in the workplace
• Handling payments and simple admin
• Teamwork and problem-solving

In December 2025, a big example is the McDonald’s South Africa & CATHSSETA Hospitality Learnership. It plans to train about 1,400 unemployed youth, and you can see details on the McDonald’s CATHSSETA partnership page. There are also Food and Beverage Services learnerships with training providers and skills academies across the country.

Who Can Apply for a Hospitality Learnership Through CATHSSETA?

While each program has its own rules, most CATHSSETA hospitality learnerships ask for:

• South African citizenship
• Age between 18 and 35
• Unemployed at the time of applying
• Minimum of Grade 10 (some want Grade 12)
• Real interest in hospitality, tourism, or food service

Applications are usually free. Many are done online through platforms like Job Jack or through training providers that work with CATHSSETA. Some examples of accredited providers are listed on sites like hospitalitytrainer.co.za.

People with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply as well, and many programs have targeted places for them.

If you match most of these points and you enjoy working with people, you are a good candidate.

Benefits of a CATHSSETA Hospitality Learnership for Your Career

A hospitality learnership is not just “any job program”. It can be the first real step in a long-term career in hotels, tourism, events, or food service.

Earn While You Learn With Real Hospitality Work Experience

With a CATHSSETA hospitality learnership, you earn a monthly stipend while you learn. You are not just sitting in a classroom. You are on the floor, serving guests and working with real teams.

You might:

• Serve customers as a waiter in a busy restaurant
• Help guests check in at a hotel front desk
• Assist in the kitchen as a food prep or scullery assistant

This work experience looks strong on your CV. Employers like to see that you already know about timekeeping, teamwork, handling pressure, and dealing with customers. Many learners are offered contracts or part-time work at the same company when the program ends.

Get an Accredited Qualification Recognised Across South Africa

Every CATHSSETA learnership leads to an accredited qualification, recorded with SAQA and aligned to the NQF. You can see how learnerships fit into the system on the CATHSSETA learning programmes page.

In hospitality, common options include:

• National Certificate: Food and Beverage Services
• National Certificate: Hospitality Reception
• National Certificate: Hospitality Services or Operations

Having a recognised qualification helps a lot when you apply for jobs. Even if the company does not know you, they can see your level and trust what you learned. It also makes it easier to move on to higher-level courses later, such as supervisory or management learnerships.

Improve Your Job Prospects in a Growing Hospitality Industry

South Africa’s hospitality and tourism sector continues to grow, driven by local travel, international visitors, and events. Hotels, guest houses, restaurants, conference centres, and tour companies all need people with skills.

CATHSSETA funding focuses on building these skills and reducing youth unemployment. The AGSA & CATHSSETA Food & Beverage Services Learnership is one current example that targets unemployed youth in 2025.

Many employers prefer candidates who already understand:

• Basic hospitality standards
• Customer service language and behaviour
• Food safety and workplace hygiene

A learnership gives you all of that, which can place you ahead of other job seekers with no experience.

How to Apply for a Hospitality Learnership With CATHSSETA

You do not need “connections” to find these programs. You need information, some patience, and a plan.

Where to Find Current Hospitality Learnership Opportunities

Start with these steps:

1. Visit the CATHSSETA website and look for news, learning programs, or “Vacancies & Opportunities”.
2. Search online job boards and youth opportunity sites using terms like “CATHSSETA hospitality learnership 2025” or “food and beverage learnership Johannesburg”.
3. Check company websites for hotel groups, restaurant chains, and cruise companies. Many list learnerships under “Careers”.
4. Follow training providers and skills academies on social media. They often post new CATHSSETA-funded intakes.

Always read the advert carefully. Look at the location, closing date, entry requirements, and whether the program is for unemployed or employed learners.

Tips to Prepare a Strong Hospitality Learnership SETA Application

Once you find a suitable learnership, take time to prepare:

• Write a simple CV that lists your contact details, school history, and any part-time, volunteer, or customer service experience.
• Prepare documents like certified copies of your ID and school results.
• Write a short motivation that explains why you enjoy hospitality and working with people. Use your own words.
• Answer all questions on the form and check your spelling and numbers.
• Apply only if you qualify, so you do not waste time on programs that require skills you do not yet have.

For extra guidance, you can also read helpful articles such as this how-to-apply guide for CATHSSETA-funded opportunities.

If your first application does not work out, do not stop. Keep your documents ready and apply for the next intake or a similar program in another city.

Conclusion

CATHSSETA hospitality learnerships are free, structured programs that mix classroom learning and real work in hotels, restaurants, and tourism. They lead to recognised qualifications and give you the work experience employers look for.

If you are a young South African who meets the basic requirements, this is one of the strongest ways to enter the hospitality industry without paying college fees. Start today by searching for open CATHSSETA hospitality learnerships, updating your CV, and sending in your first application.

With steady effort, a learnership can be the first step from unemployment to a real career in hospitality, where your skills and attitude open doors across South Africa.