Santam, South Africa’s leading short-term insurer, has officially opened applications for its Learnership Programme 2026, offering unemployed young South Africans an opportunity to gain industry-recognised qualifications, workplace experience, and professional skills within the financial services sector.

The nationwide programme is designed to help address skills shortages in the insurance industry while creating career pathways for young people seeking to enter the workforce. Successful candidates will receive accredited training, practical work experience, and a monthly stipend over a 12-month period.

Applications close on 31 May 2026.

About the Santam Learnership Programme

The Santam Learnership Programme is an entry-level transformation initiative aimed at developing future talent for the insurance and financial services sectors. The programme combines structured classroom-based learning with practical workplace exposure, enabling participants to gain valuable industry experience while working toward a recognised qualification.

Learners will complete an NQF Level 4 qualification and prepare for the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) Regulatory Examination RE5, a key requirement for professional development within the insurance industry.

Upon successful completion, participants may qualify to apply for professional membership with the Insurance Institute of South Africa (IISA) under the designation category of IISA Member (MIISA).

Programme Benefits

Participants selected for the programme will receive:

Accredited NQF Level 4 training
Monthly stipend throughout the programme
Practical workplace experience
Exposure to the insurance and financial services industry
Professional development opportunities
Potential career pathways within Santam and the broader insurance sector

Eligibility Requirements

Santam is inviting applications from unemployed South African youth who meet the following criteria:

Must possess a Grade 12 (Matric) Certificate
Minimum 50% pass mark in English and a Second Language
Minimum 40% pass mark in Mathematics, or 60% in Mathematical Literacy
Must be a South African citizen
Must be unemployed
Must be between 18 and 28 years old
Must not be studying at another institution during the learnership period
Must not have previously participated in a Short-Term Insurance Learnership through INSETA
Must have no more than one year of work experience
Applicants with disabilities must provide medical documentation confirming the nature of the disability

Who Cannot Apply?

The programme is not open to individuals who:

Hold any post-matric qualification, including Higher Certificates, Diplomas, Degrees, or Honours qualifications
Are currently studying toward a post-matric qualification
Have more than one year of work experience

Programme Details

Key information about the programme includes:

Location: Nationwide across South Africa
Contract Duration: 12 months
Programme Start Date: 1 September 2026
Application Deadline: 31 May 2026

Applicants are advised that only submissions including both a Curriculum Vitae (CV) and Matric results will be considered.

About Santam

Santam is recognised as the market leader in the general insurance industry across Southern Africa. The company serves more than one million policyholders, including individuals, businesses, specialist enterprises, agricultural clients, and major institutions.

Santam’s client portfolio includes approximately 80 of the top 100 companies listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE). Beyond South Africa, the company continues to expand its operations into emerging markets across Africa and Asia.

The organisation has also been recognised by the Top Employers Institute as a Top Employer 2025, marking the ninth consecutive year it has received the distinction for excellence in people practices.

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

Santam emphasises its commitment to transformation, diversity, equity, and inclusion. The company encourages applications from candidates of all backgrounds, including persons with disabilities, and promotes a neuro-inclusive workplace culture where employees can thrive.

The organisation’s recruitment processes are aligned with the employment equity objectives of the broader Sanlam Group, supporting the development of a diverse workforce reflective of South Africa’s population.

Why Apply?

The Santam Learnership Programme offers a valuable opportunity for young South Africans to gain recognised qualifications, practical workplace experience, and professional exposure in one of the country’s most established financial services organisations.

For individuals seeking to launch a career in insurance, financial services, customer support, or related fields, the programme provides an important stepping stone toward long-term employment and professional growth.

Application Deadline

Closing Date: 31 May 2026

Interested candidates should ensure that their applications include both an updated CV and Matric results before submitting their application.

VISIT OFFICIAL WEBSITE TO APPLY

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Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the organization offering this opportunity. For any inquiries, please contact the official organization directly. Please do not send your applications & CVs to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails, we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.