A skills programme is a set or cluster of unit standards gathered or combined to form a short programme bearing credits on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF).

The skills programmes are often implemented to meet the needs of the employer to enhance employees’ knowledge for a particular skill. Skills programme can culminate into a qualification when an interested learner continues to pursue the completion of the remaining unit standards. Training is offered by an accredited provider like CBA. 

At the end of the training learners receive a Statement of Results. Like learnerships, skills programmes are implemented by employers for both employed and unemployed learners

For the Learner:

• Provide easy access to learning;
• Increase access to employment opportunities;
• Assist in Career-Pathing and Self-development;
• Lead to the acquisition of a formal qualification; and
• Serve as an entrance into the industry for unemployed learners.

For the Employer:

• Provide skilled and experienced workers;
• Assist in the development of competent staff;
• Contribute to empowerment credentials and BB-BEE points for the company;
• Produce knowledgeable and competent employees who require less supervision;
• Lead to improved workplace productivity and quality outcomes;
• A vehicle to address employment equity targets; and
• Help fill identified skills gaps.

For the Industry:

• Help industry to become competitive in the global market;
• Build a pool of skilled, qualified and; more professional workforce; and
• Develop their people to world-class standards.

A learnership involves three main parties:

• The learner/s
• The training provider/s
• The employer/s