What employers and skills development sponsors should review now
The Department of Employment and Labour has gazetted a notice increasing the National Minimum Wage – effective from 1 March 2026.
While annual increases are expected, their impact on Skills Development programmes is often overlooked.
The national minimum wage has been set at R30.23 per ordinary hour worked, applying to all employees.
Workers who have concluded learnership agreement contemplated in section 17 of the Skills Development Act, 1989 (Act No 97 of 1998), are entitled to the allowances contained in Schedule 2 of the Government Notice. Reflecting an overall adjustment of approximately 5 percent.
Impact on learnerships and skills development
For employers who implemented Learnerships, minimum Learnership allowances per National Qualification Framework level, the increase in stipend can be viewed in the table below.
Areas to watch
The Gazette that was published does not clarify how to apply Learnership allowances in respect to QCTO qualifications with duration exceeding 12 months. Until further guidance is issued, employers should proceed cautiously when reviewing existing Learnership allowances.
What employers should review now
- Existing Learnership and skills development budgets
- Compliance of learner stipends as per the latest adjustments Gazetted.
- Sector specific wage obligations
How Skills College supports compliance
As part of our commitment to supporting our clients, we continuously monitor changes in legislation. We encourage Employers to review their renumeration structures to ensure alignment with the latest minimum requirements affective from 1 March 2026.