Table of Contents Show
Company: Sanlam Group (Santam)
Location: South Africa
Closing Date: 31 May 2026
Finding an entry-level opportunity that provides both accredited training and real-world corporate experience can be a challenge. If you are an unemployed South African youth looking to break into the financial services sector, the Santam Learnership Programme for 2026 offers a structured pathway to launch your professional career.
Santam, a recognized market leader in the general insurance industry across Southern Africa, has officially opened applications for its nationwide learnership initiative. This 12-month contract program is designed to build a sustainable pipeline of talented individuals while addressing the skills gap within the insurance sector.
Programme Overview and Benefits
The Santam Learnership Programme is an entry-level transformation initiative. It provides successful candidates with a blend of theoretical knowledge and practical workplace experience. This combination ensures that participants develop the specific competencies required by the financial services industry.
Participants who successfully complete the 12-month program receive several key benefits:
- Accredited Training: Earn a formal qualification at NQF Level 4.
- Monthly Stipend: Receive a regular allowance for the duration of the 12-month contract.
- Practical Experience: Gain hands-on, real-world corporate experience at South Africa’s leading short-term insurer.
- Professional Alignment: The qualification, combined with the FSCA regulatory exams (RE5), allows learners to apply for professional membership with the Insurance Institute of South Africa (IISA) under the designation category of IISA Member (MIISA).
Important Dates and Details
- Location: Nationwide opportunities (with key administrative hubs in Johannesburg, Gauteng).
- Duration: 12-Month Fixed-Term Contract.
- Start Date: 1 September 2026.
- Closing Date for Applications: 31 May 2026.
Key Requirements: Who Can Apply?
Santam has established specific academic and demographic criteria for this intake. To be considered for the 2026 learnership, applicants must meet the following baseline requirements:
- Education: Must possess a Grade 12 (Matric) Certificate.
- Language Skills: A minimum pass mark of 50% for English and a Second Language.
- Mathematical Skills: A minimum pass mark of 40% for Mathematics OR a minimum pass mark of 60% for Mathematics Literacy.
- Citizenship: Must be a South African citizen.
- Employment Status: Must be currently unemployed.
- Age Limit: Between the ages of 18 and 28 years old.
- Exclusivity: Applicants must not be studying with any other institution while participating in the learnership.
- Prior Learnerships: Applicants must not have previously participated in a Short-Term Insurance Learnership through INSETA.
- Work Experience: Applicants must not have more than 1 year of formal work experience.
Medical Note for Applicants with Disabilities
Persons with a disability are encouraged to apply. To facilitate the application process, candidates must produce a medical note confirming the nature of the disability.
Exclusion Criteria: Who Cannot Apply?
To ensure the program targets individuals who need entry-level training the most, the following individuals are explicitly excluded from applying:
- People who already possess a post-matric qualification (e.g., Higher Certificate, National Diploma, Degree, or Honours degree).
- People currently studying towards any post-matric qualification.
- People with more than 1 year of prior work experience.
Application Documentation and Process
Santam enforces a strict documentation policy for the selection process. Failure to provide the required files will result in immediate disqualification.
Required Documents
Before beginning the online application, ensure the following items are ready:
- A comprehensive, updated Curriculum Vitae (CV).
- A clear copy of your Matric (Grade 12) results.
- Visit the official Santam Careers page or Sanlam Group recruitment portal.
- Search for the keyword “Learnership 2026” using the job search filters.
- Select the relevant nationwide listing based in Johannesburg/Gauteng or your nearest region.
- Click the “Apply now” button.
- Create a profile or log in to the talent community, upload your required documents, and complete the screening questionnaire.
