Building a Future, One Stipend at a Time
In a small town in the Eastern Cape, a young woman named Zanele wakes up at dawn. She packs her tools, grabs a quick breakfast, and catches a taxi to the local training centre. Zanele is part of a bricklaying apprenticeship, funded by the Construction Education and Training Authority (CETA)—and like thousands of other South African youth, she’s not just learning a skill, she’s earning a stipend that helps her get by.
In a country where many young people face unemployment, apprenticeships like Zanele’s offer more than education. They offer hope and income. But one question comes up often among aspiring learners and their families:
“How much does a CETA apprenticeship actually pay?”
Let’s explore the facts, figures, and stories behind CETA stipends, and what learners can realistically expect while pursuing this valuable opportunity.
📘 What Is CETA and Why Does It Matter?
The Construction Education and Training Authority (CETA) is one of South Africa’s 21 Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs). Its role is to develop critical and scarce skills within the construction sector, which includes everything from carpentry and plumbing to bricklaying, tiling, and project management.
CETA achieves this by funding apprenticeships, learnerships, and skills programmes aimed at youth, unemployed adults, and workers looking to upskill.
But CETA’s work is more than academic. It’s practical, on-site, and hands-on—training people where the work happens. And part of making that possible is offering monthly stipends to help learners survive the training period.
💰 How Much Is the Monthly Stipend?
Let’s start with the basics:
Most CETA-funded apprenticeship stipends range from R3,500 to R5,500 per month.
However, the exact amount depends on a few key factors:
- The type of apprenticeship
- The training provider or host employer
- The region or province
- Any top-up contributions from employers or project sponsors
📍 Real-World Examples: What Learners Are Actually Receiving
- Bricklaying Apprenticeship in Engcobo (Eastern Cape):
- According to the Chris Hani Development Agency, learners received a R3,000 monthly stipend during their CETA-funded bricklaying apprenticeship.
- This programme focused on rural development, making it vital for youth in small towns.
- Edupage Learnerships:
- Some CETA-funded learnerships offered stipends of R3,500 to R4,200, depending on programme level and location.
- These typically include training in general construction, plastering, tiling, or plumbing.
- Top-Tier Training Centres in Gauteng or KZN:
- Learners in higher-level or more technical trades (e.g., civil engineering apprenticeships) have reported receiving stipends of up to R5,500, particularly when partnered with established construction firms.
- Edupstairs and Other Private Training Partners:
- These partners confirm that stipends may differ based on agreements with host employers, with some offering additional benefits like transport or meal allowances.
🔄 Apprenticeship vs. Learnership: Is There a Difference in Stipend?
Yes, there can be.
- Apprenticeships often involve more physical, long-term trade training, and may last 2–3 years. They tend to offer slightly higher stipends because of the time commitment and labour involved.
- Learnerships are usually 12-month structured programmes, combining theoretical learning with workplace experience. They are often linked to National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Levels 2–4.
Both types of programmes are funded to include a stipend, but the amount may vary due to the intensity and duration of the training.
🧾 What Does the CETA Stipend Cover?
A stipend is meant to help learners cover basic living costs while in training. It is not a salary—but it is often the only income many learners receive.
Typically, it is used to cover:
- Transport to training centres or construction sites
- Meals and daily essentials
- Mobile data or airtime for online training or communication
- Workwear and safety gear (although some employers supply this separately)
💼 Employer Contributions: Can It Be More Than the SETA Amount?
Yes! In some cases, employers involved in CETA programmes choose to top up the stipend. This often happens when:
- The work is labour-intensive or requires long hours
- The site is far from learner residences
- The company values employee retention after the apprenticeship
This top-up could be a few hundred rands to over R1,000 extra per month. It may also come in the form of:
- Transport allowances
- Lunch meals
- Safety boots or tools
- Housing for rural or remote projects
⏳ How Long Do Learners Receive the Stipend?
CETA stipends are typically paid monthly for the full duration of the apprenticeship or learnership.
- Learnerships: 12 months
- Apprenticeships: 18 to 36 months, depending on the trade
- Skills Programmes: 3 to 6 months
Payments may begin after formal registration and signing of Learnership Agreements and Contractual Documentation between the learner, employer, and training provider.
Note: Late payments can happen due to admin delays, but learners are often back paid to make up for the time lost.
🎓 Why Stipends Matter: Beyond the Numbers
Let’s look at what this stipend means in real life:
Sipho, a 22-year-old from KwaMashu, joined a plumbing apprenticeship funded by CETA. He received R4,000 per month. It wasn’t much, but it allowed him to:
- Pay for taxi fare
- Buy lunch on-site
- Send R500 home each month
- Save small amounts for tools
Three years later, Sipho is a qualified artisan. He’s now employed full-time, earning R9,000/month—and already mentoring a younger apprentice.
CETA gave Sipho more than a stipend. It gave him a skill, a job, and a future.
✅ What Learners Should Know Before Applying
If you’re considering applying for a CETA apprenticeship, keep this checklist in mind:
- Confirm stipend details early. Ask the training provider or employer for the exact amount.
- Budget wisely. It may not be a lot, but it can sustain you through the programme.
- Be aware of delays. First payments can sometimes take 4–8 weeks, so plan accordingly.
- Know your rights. Stipend payment is part of your contract—it’s not optional.
- Report unfair treatment. If you’re not being paid as agreed, contact your SETA representative or training provider.
📈 Stipend Trends in 2025 and Beyond
In response to inflation, rising transport costs, and increased competition for learners, some SETAs—including CETA—are reviewing stipend amounts.
Early 2025 discussions suggest:
- Increased minimum stipend thresholds
- More uniform guidelines for stipend payments
- Partnerships with the Department of Public Works to expand access in rural areas
This is part of South Africa’s broader plan to create 2.5 million skilled jobs by 2030, and CETA stipends will play a crucial part in that mission.
🌍 Why It All Matters
South Africa’s economy is under pressure—but its infrastructure, housing, and development projects are expanding. To grow, the country needs builders, electricians, tilers, and plumbers—not just engineers and managers.
CETA apprenticeships ensure that people from under-resourced backgrounds aren’t left behind. The monthly stipend is what makes it possible.
Whether it’s R3,000 in Engcobo or R5,500 in Gauteng, that monthly support helps a young person arrive at a worksite, hold a spade, learn a trade—and build a better life.
🏁 Final Thoughts: Earning While You Learn
The road to becoming a qualified artisan or skilled construction worker doesn’t need to be paved with debt. CETA’s apprenticeship stipends ensure that learning is accessible, sustainable, and transformational.
So, if you’re wondering whether the R3,500 you’ll receive is worth it, remember:
It’s more than money. It’s momentum.
Every stipend supports not just your studies—but your future.
