General Security Practices LeARNERSHip – nqf level 3

A 12-month, nationally accredited programme for ambitious individuals ready to build a meaningful career in the security sector.

The security industry is one of South Africa’s most essential and rapidly growing sectors and for those who are disciplined, committed, and looking for a stable career path, a learnership is one of the best ways to get started. We are now inviting applications for the General Security Practices Learnership at NQF Level 3, a structured programme designed to equip candidates with both the practical skills and formal credentials needed to succeed in this field.

This opportunity is perfect for recent matriculants and individuals already working in security who want to formalise their experience with a recognised national qualification.

“A learnership isn’t just training — it’s a career foundation. Candidates who complete this programme walk away with real-world experience, industry knowledge, and a qualification that opens doors.”

WHO SHOULD APPLY

This programme is aimed at motivated individuals who are serious about entering or advancing within the security sector. Whether you are fresh out of school or you have been working in the industry without a formal qualification, this learnership creates a clear pathway forward.

AVAILABLE LOCATIONS

The learnership is offered across seven sites nationwide. Applicants must reside in or near one of the following areas to be considered:

East London | Midrand | Bloemfontein | Ormonde | Port Elizabeth/Gqebera | Durban | Polokwane

The programme blends classroom learning with on‑the‑job training. On successful completion, learners receive a nationally recognised qualification that enhances employability within the security sector.

WHY CHOOSE A LEARNERSHIP

Learnerships in South Africa offer a unique combination of income, practical experience, and formal education all at the same time. Unlike full-time study, you earn while you learn, gaining real workplace skills that employers recognise immediately. For individuals entering the security industry, the NQF Level 3 qualification also provides a strong foundation for career progression into supervisory and management roles over time.

Candidates who hold a PSIRA Grade E or D will have an added advantage in this programme, but these are not requirements to apply. What matters most is your commitment, your willingness to learn, and your readiness to meet the professional standards of the security sector.

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. We encourage interested candidates to apply as soon as possible to secure their place. Availability is limited at each location.

READY TO APPLY

Submit your application now and take the first step towards a rewarding career in the security industry.

To apply for the learnership just email recruitments@africacosmos.co.za

For many businesses in South Africa’s banking and financial services sector, SETA registration is something that happens quietly in the background — a compliance checkbox, a monthly levy payment, and then… nothing. The funding sits unclaimed, the deadlines pass, and another year’s worth of skills development investment disappears.

If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. But it doesn’t have to be this way.

What Is the SETA and Why Does It Matter?

The Sector Education and Training Authority (SETA) was created to drive skills development across industries. Under the Skills Development Levies Act, businesses with a payroll above R500,000 contribute 1% of payroll toward skills development. What many businesses don’t realise is this:

A significant portion of that levy can be claimed back and even multiplied if you know how to access it properly

This isn’t just compliance! It is a funding opportunity to grow your workforce, improve your BBBEE score and build future talent pipelines.

Understanding Your Grants: Mandatory vs. Discretionary

Mandatory Grants – Your First Win

You can claim back up to 20% of your levy contributions by submitting:

• Workplace Skills Plan (WSP)
•  Annual Training Report (ATR)

These show your commitment to training and track your progress.

Sounds simple, but accuracy and timing are everything. Africa Cosmos has a proven track record for on time and approved WSP and ATR submissions.

Discretionary Grants – Where the Real Opportunity Lies

Discretionary grants are additional funding allocated by SETAs to support:

• Learnerships
• Internships
• Skills programmes
• Bursaries
• Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

These grants can be substantial, often far exceeding what you contribute in levies. But they require:

• A clear strategy
• Strong Applications
• Alignment with SETA priorities

With Africa Cosmos as your skills development partner, we do the heavy lifting, whilst you reap maximum rewards for your levy contributions.

Why So Many Companies Miss Out

The reality is that SETA funding processes can be complex, time-consuming, and easy to get wrong. Many businesses leave money on the table every year.

Common challenges include:

• Missing submission deadlines for WSPs and ATRs
• Incomplete or incorrectly structured documentation
• Lack of a formal skills development strategy aligned to SETA priorities
• No dedicated Skills Development Facilitator (SDF) in-house
• Uncertainty about which discretionary grant opportunities apply to them
• Limited awareness of what training interventions qualify for funding

The result? Hard-earned levy money that you already paid, simply goes back into the system.

The Africa Cosmos offers an End-to-End Management Solution

This is exactly where Africa Cosmos comes in. Africa Cosmos specialises in helping SETA-registered organisations unlock the full value of their skills development funding through a comprehensive, end-to-end management solution.

Here’s what that looks like in practice:

WSP & ATR Compilation and Submission

Our team handles the preparation and timely submission of your Workplace Skills Plan and Annual Training Report, ensuring accuracy and compliance.

SDF Services

Acting as your Skills Development Facilitator, Africa Cosmos fulfils all regulatory SDF obligations, so you stay compliant without adding headcount.

Ongoing Reporting & Compliance

From ongoing SETA correspondence to audit readiness, Africa Cosmos manages the relationship with the SETA on your behalf throughout the year.

The Business Case: It’s Your Money

Skills development levies are a statutory obligation — you’re already paying them. The question isn’t whether to engage with the SETA; it’s whether you’re getting back what you’re entitled to. With Africa Cosmos as your partner managing your SETA grants, you can:

• Recover mandatory grants that directly offset your levy costs
• Access discretionary funding to upskill your workforce at little or no additional cost
• Meet B-BBEE skills development scorecard targets
• Demonstrate a commitment to employee development — improving staff retention and morale
• Stay fully compliant with the Skills Development Act and related legislation

Stop Leaving Money Behind

If your organisation is registered with the SETA and you’re not actively claiming your mandatory and discretionary grants, you’re effectively funding someone else’s skills development. Africa Cosmos exists to change that.

Contact Africa Cosmos today and find out exactly how much funding your business could be claiming — and how they can help you get every rand of it.

www.africacosmos.co.za

Founded in 2018, the Africa Cosmos Education Trust was established to be a beacon of hope for young South Africans who are unable to pursue their dreams of tertiary education due to financial and social barriers.
We are driven by a fundamental belief in the power of education to transform lives. In the words of the late President Nelson Mandela:

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”

Yet, in South Africa today, too many bright and capable young people are still denied access to higher education—not because they lack ambition or talent, but simply because they lack the means.

The Africa Cosmos Education Trust is committed to changing this reality. As a black-led, purpose-driven organisation, we are deeply invested in dismantling the structural inequalities that persist in our education system. Our goal is to empower the next generation of leaders with the tools, opportunities, and support they need to thrive.

What We Do?

Since 2021, we have:

• Funded 21 tertiary students
• Invested over R2.8 million in education support
• Ensured full compliance and impact through robust project planning, selection, monitoring, and reporting processes

But we do more than fund education — we walk the journey with our students.

Our holistic support programme includes:

• Financial assistance for tuition and study materials
• Mentoring by experienced professionals
• Life skills development to prepare learners for academic and professional success

Why It Matters?

South Africa’s greatest challenge — and its greatest opportunity — lies in unlocking the potential of its youth. Education is not a privilege for the few; it is a right for all. And when we invest in our young people, we invest in the future of our communities, our economy, and our nation.

The South African Police Service (SAPS) has provided updated information on the development of its new Firearms Control Management System (FCMS), including its collaboration with firearms associations, causes of project delays, and its commitments to transparency and stakeholder engagement.

As part of its mandate under the Firearms Control Act, the Central Firearms Registry (CFR) maintains working relationships with organisations across the firearms community. These include sporting, hunting and collector associations, which are responsible for verifying applicants’ credentials when applying for firearm licences under Sections 16 and 17 of the Act. Applicants must provide a certificate from a recognised association confirming their membership and active participation, and in the case of collectors, a categorised list of their collected firearms. The associations also endorse the suitability of a specific firearm for the intended purpose.

Additionally, CFR collaborates with the Professional Firearm Training Council (PFTC), an entity authorised by the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO). This partnership allows SAPS access to training records, ensuring that firearm applicants have completed the legally required instruction.

The development of the FCMS has, however, experienced technical delays primarily linked to scope changes during the design phase. According to SAPS, business processes originally planned for future phases were prioritised and brought forward into Release 01 of the system. This adjustment required extensive realignment and additional documentation, including more than 100 work sessions across six major process modules. The complexity and scale of these adjustments extended the timeline beyond initial estimates.

In terms of progress reporting and communication, SAPS is subject to a standing court order issued in August 2019, which compels the Police Ministry to submit bi-annual updates to the Deputy Judge President on the system’s development. These reports are shared with the South African Arms and Ammunition Dealers Association (SAAADA), a key industry body representing dealers, manufacturers, gunsmiths, and import/export licence holders.

Beyond the courtroom reporting requirement, SAPS has established a Project Steering Committee that includes representatives from SAPS Technology Management Systems (TMS), the State Information Technology Agency (SITA), and other relevant internal stakeholders. The FCMS Project Manager provides monthly progress updates to this committee, and any adjustments to the project timeline are communicated through formal Change Request Reports.

To enhance stakeholder involvement, SAPS established a Technical Work Team in September 2023, comprising industry representatives from dealers, manufacturers, and gunsmith associations. This team participates in user requirements workshops and will be involved in the testing of the system before each rollout phase is implemented.

The FCMS rollout will begin with a pilot phase in Gauteng, where the system will be trialled at three police stations. A dedicated learning and training programme is being developed to support the system’s implementation. This will include “train-the-trainer” sessions for SAPS staff in designated firearms offices across provinces, coordinated by the Firearms, Liquor and Second-Hand Goods unit, along with Human Resource Development and TMS divisions.

The broader public and other external stakeholders will be informed of implementation progress through official SAPS communication channels, including its website and other media platforms. The firearms licence application process will also be made available online as part of the new system’s public interface.

SAPS has reiterated its commitment to transparency and consistent engagement with all stakeholders throughout the development and implementation of the FCMS. The police service maintains that the system will not only modernise firearms licensing processes but also strengthen regulatory oversight across the country.

This uncertainty hampers planning, disrupts enrolment, and places pressure on training businesses already operating on tight margins.

This model, while comprehensive, requires providers to:

Yet many providers—especially in underserved or rural areas—lack the technical infrastructure, skills, or software to meet these demands effectively.

Providers have called for a more coordinated, transparent, and responsive engagement model to support their transition, especially those outside major urban centres.

Recommendations: Charting a Smoother Path Forward

To support the success of the QCTO transition, stakeholders must act collectively: