10 Ways To Make The Most Of Your Learnership
10 Ways To Make The Most Of Your Learnership. A learnership is a work-based learning programme directly related to an occupation or field of work that leads to an accredited NQF qualification, and are managed by the Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs). Here is how you can benefit if you choose to go this route.
1. Set Goals
Setting goals is one of the most important things when you take on a learnership. Don’t start the job with unclear expectations. Determine what you want to get out of the learnership and how that fits into the scope of the position.
2. Research The Company
You may not be able to learn everything you need to know about the company online, but it’s a good place to start. Study the company website and any other materials made available to you so you aren’t diving in completely blind.
3. Take Notes
There will be a lot of information coming at you from all directions and you will need to reference them at some point in time. It beats having to ask your supervisors to repeat themselves, and it looks good.
4. Do More
Don’t limit yourself to your job description. If there are other things you want to learn and you have time outside of your existing tasks, step outside the box and ask how you may get involved in certain projects or tasks of interest.
5. Beat Your Deadlines
Being in a learnership doesn’t give one the freedom of being mediocre. In fact this is an opportunity to prove yourself beyond reasonable doubt. Complete tasks before your boss need them to be done, opening doors for new projects. Just be sure to be efficient and thorough.
6. Get To Know Your Seniors
They sit where you want to sit, so ask about their daily tasks, where they’ve worked previously, what they did to get to where they are today, etc. People like to share their experiences and it will only help guide you toward where you want to be.
7. Network
Networking is important throughout your entire career, but it is particularly vital when you are first starting out. Your connections could influence the direction you take more than you realize.
8. Ask Questions
You’re there to learn, right? Your supervisor is there to teach and will expect questions. Clear up any points of confusion and feed your curiosity. This is your learnership, after all.
9. Ask For Feedback
This will not only show that you are open to doing what you can to do the job right, but that you want to be the best professional you can be. Don’t turn away from constructive criticism because it’s better to address negatives early than to carry them throughout your career.
10. Create Future Opportunities
When it is over, request a recommendation and make it known that you would like to keep in touch about future opportunities or potential referrals down the line.
