Difference Between Learnership And Internship
If you are a recent graduate or student looking forward to obtaining practical experience in your chosen field, you must consider applying for either an internship or a learnership. While these two programs may be similar, there are also some vital differences between them.
This article will explore what learnership and internship are, their benefits, how they work, and their differences.
What is a Learnership?
A learnership is a training program (work-based training program) that combines practical and structured theoretical learning. Its goal is to provide individuals with a recognized certification of qualification that meet the industry standard.
Learnerships are for people who want to improve their skills or are new to the industry. Depending on the program and industry, it can last between 12 to 24 months. During the program, you will receive practical training in the workplace, attend classroom-based training, and complete assessments to facilitate your learning. Also, at the end of the program, you will receive a certification of qualification.
Benefits of Learnership
Many benefits are available for students looking forward to completing a learnership program. The following are some of the advantages to look forward to:
Earn a qualification
- Upon completing your learnership program, you will earn an accredited qualification. The qualification you will obtain will be nationally recognized and relevant to the future career you want to pursue.
On-the-job Training
- Learnerships offer unique on-the-job training and are an ideal opportunity to increase the outlook of your curriculum vitae. You’ll be able to prove that you have both the experience and qualifications for a job. Also, you will become equipped with outstanding workplace skills that employers look for in employees.
Learn While You Earn
- You will receive a stipend for the entire duration of your internship. However, the money you will get will depend on the company you work for. But in the estimate, it will cover your meal and travel expense.
Get to Experience Your Chosen Career Field
- It is noteworthy that every industry has different job sectors. A learnership will allow you to experience what it’s like to work in diverse sectors. By so doing, you’ll decide which job will suit you when it comes to when you want to apply for a permanent position.
Build Connections
- If you’re good at your job, the company will notify you. Even if they are not hiring now, you will be given a good recommendation to make waves into future career prospects in any other organization you choose. Hence, it could lead to employment opportunities.
What is an Internship?
An internship is a short-term work experience that will provide the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in a desired field of study. Internships are often aimed at recent graduates or students looking forward to building their resumes and gaining valuable experience to help them succeed in the workforce.
The program may last from a few weeks to six months (depending on the industry and the program), during which you will work with outstanding people in your chosen field and gain enlightenment in different aspects of the industry.
Benefits of internship
The unique benefits of internships are for both students and employees. Regardless of your place as an intern, you will be reinforced to apply what you learn in the classroom to real-world settings. Also, you will learn communication skills, time management, problem-solving skills, teamwork, willingness to learn, etc.
For students
The following are some of the benefits associated with interning in any organization:
Experience
- Internships will help college students to overcome the barrier of experience requirements when it’s time to apply for a job. It will give you the first experience of personal growth and the professional opportunities you need to start your career. Also, it will make you more competitive when applying for a job as you will gain relevant skills to showcase on your resume. And at the end of your internship, you may receive a potential job offer and a letter of recommendation.
Professional Network
- The internship will expand your professional network. This is because you will often report to senior-level or mid-level positions. The professionals you report to will guide you and provide advice to help smoothen your career path.
Real-world application
- Internships will help you apply the theoretical knowledge from the classroom to the workplace. You can gain practical and professional skills to enlighten you more about your field of study. Also, you will learn how to be an accountable professional who takes the initiative for work.
For employees
The following are some of the advantages and benefits of internships for employees:
Additional support
- As an employer, if you hire an intern for a specific job, they will be more than interested in gaining experience and be enthusiastic about jumping into the project. Thereby facilitating your work while you also help them prepare for a career.
Preparing future employees
- Running an internship is an ideal way to create a pipeline of outstanding future employees. You may hire interns to train them and to be familiar with their skill sets to know better where to place them. It is often a smooth transition for students to obtain jobs immediately after college.
Build more professional relationships.
- You will be a professional connection for interns regardless of whether they work for you after the internships or if they decide to work in another company. However, they may have an opportunity or a need at their company that could benefit from a partnership with yours.
Differences between learnership and internship
Although there are differences between learnership and internship, both are training programs that aim to provide practical work experience to individuals to prepare them for their careers:
The following is the difference between the programs regarding outcome, purposes, and duration.
#1. The difference in outcomes between internships and learnership
Learnership is often targeted at people who look forward to improving their skills or are new to the industry. The internship aims to provide individuals with experience in a particular field of study, which frequently may lead to increased employability or even a job offer. On the other hand, learnership aims to provide individuals with accredited certifications or qualifications that meet the industry standard.
#2. The difference in purpose between internships and learnership
Internships focus on providing work experience to recent graduates and students to help them build their curriculum vitae and develop their skills. However, learnership provides individuals with practical skills and theoretical knowledge to help them qualify in a specific field.
#3. Differences in duration between internship and learnership
Internships may take from a few weeks to about six months. However, learnership may last between 12 and 24 months. Hence, internships are often shorter than leadership.
Frequently asked questions
Which one is best between internship and learnership?
Internships and learnership provide young minds with the experience and skills needed to succeed in their career. However, learnership may offer more tax rebates, incentives, and advantages than internships.
What is the difference between learnership, internship, and apprenticeship?
The internship is often the shortest of these three programs, taking weeks and six months to complete. On the other hand, learnership is generally one year to two-year qualification. At the same time, apprenticeships can take up to three or four years. However, the three programs aim to provide on-the-job experience.
What’s the meaning of learnership?
Learnership is a training and vocational education program that facilitates the links between work experience and structured learning to give students a registered qualification.
What are the advantages of learnership?
There are many benefits of learnership, as it promotes access to training and education since students can work and get started on their careers while also studying for an educational qualification.
What are the types of internships?
There are paid, unpaid, partially paid, and virtual internships, Work Research, Virtual Research (graduation), or Dissertation.
Conclusion
Depending on how long you want your practical learning, you can opt for an internship or learnership. As stated in this prose, there are differences between learnership and internship. However, both tend to provide students with quality work experience and a practical approach to the theoretical knowledge gained from the classroom.
