Skills Training Free in South Africa Can Help You Make More Money and Be Independent. It is possible that you are looking for employment opportunities or setting up your own business or even wanting to understand financial management.
Why Skills Development Matters for Grant Recipients
Nevertheless, the fact of the matter is that the grants awarded by SASSA cannot be regarded as being a matter of choice but of choicelessness. The amount provided by all grants has not proved to be adequate in terms of monthly payments made.
Learning to do even an extremely simple job will be how you will make additional income apart from the grant. Spending some hours as a freelance digital marketer, customizer, either from your home or in a call center will help you earn between R1000-R5000.
💻 Digital Skills
IT skills, marketing skills and data because these are some of the skills that can be done from anywhere as long as one has a computer and a mobile phone.
🔧 Trade Skills
Plumbing, electrical and beauty skills.
The courses that you may access could either be offered freely in South Africa because of the government’s sponsorship of such courses via SETAs, or the sponsorship could come from multinationals such as Google and Microsoft, or could be offered freely due to financial aid provided.
How to Get Back Into Employment
These skills are desirable in the labor market, hence enabling you to start earning money within a few months of gaining these skills.
Google IT Support Certificate
Google / CourseraResults: IT Support Specialist, Help Desk Technician, salary scale between R8,000 and R15,000 per month
Skills Covered- Computer troubleshooting
- Networking basics
- Cybersecurity fundamentals
- Operating systems
- Customer support
Google Data Analytics Certificate
Google / CourseraOutcomes: Junior Data Analyst, Business Analyst, earning between R15,000 and R25,000 monthly
Skills Covered- Excel & Google Sheets
- SQL basics
- Data visualisation (Tableau)
- Statistical analysis
- R programming intro
Google Digital Marketing & E-commerce
Google / CourseraOutcomes: Digital Marketing Coordinator, Social Media Manager, about from R8,000 to R18,000 per month
Skills Covered- SEO & SEM
- Social media marketing
- Email campaigns
- Google Ads
- E-commerce basics
- Analytics
Microsoft Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900)
Microsoft LearnResults: Cloud Support Technician position and IT entry-level job opportunities, with possibilities of further certifications
Skills Covered- Cloud computing concepts
- Microsoft Azure platform
- Cloud security basics
MICT SETA ICT Learnership
MICT SETA (Government)Outcome(s): IT Technician, Junior Developer with NQF Level 4 to 5
Skills Covered- IT support
- Software development basics
- Networking
- Database management
NEMISA Digital Skills Programme
NEMISA (Government)Outcomes: Digital jobs at entry-level, freelancing, administrative jobs
Skills Covered- Digital literacy
- Basic cybersecurity
- Social media for work
- Online communication
How to Start Your Own Business
Develop the skills that will help you be self-employed and earn money that is not dependent on your boss.
SEDA Business Development Programme
SEDA (Small Enterprise Development Agency)Results: Create and operate a registered small business with accounts
Skills Covered- Business planning
- Financial management
- Marketing basics
- Legal compliance for small business
- Accessing government tenders
Google Digital Skills for Africa
Google Garage (Learndigital)Outcomes: Engage in micro-business online, get orders through WhatsApp, advertise products on Facebook Marketplace
Skills Covered- Building an online presence
- Social media for business
- Email marketing
- Mobile-first website basics
- Getting found on Google
Digify Africa Digital Enterprise
Digify AfricaSuccesses: Manages small digital business, small business using phone
Skills Covered- Mobile money & payments
- Building a brand on social media
- Content creation
- Online selling basics
- Digital safety
SAB Foundation Tholoana Enterprise Programme
SAB FoundationResults: Upgrade the current micro-enterprise to SME with higher earnings
Skills Covered- Business finance
- Supply chain basics
- Staff management
- Growth planning
Financial Literacy: Learn Money Management
Understand how to handle your money through budgeting, saving, avoiding debt, and accumulating wealth in a gradual way.
Personal Finance for Beginners
Khan AcademyOutcome: Establish an emergency fund for 3-6 months and not borrow for basic needs
Skills Covered- Budgeting methods
- Emergency fund building
- Basic investing concepts
- Debt repayment strategies
Momentum Financial Wellness
MomentumOutcome: Make decisions on insurance and savings
Skills Covered- Understanding life insurance
- Retirement planning basics
- Medical aid for low income
- Managing debt
Stokvel & Group Savings Basics
National Stokvel Association of SA (NASASA)Results: Savings of the community and creation of an emergency fund for the community
Skills Covered- How stokvels work
- Starting a savings group
- Managing group finances
- Growing stokvel capital
Creative, Trade & High-Demand Skills
Such skills can be learned quickly, and most of them will need only a mobile phone or basic equipment.
Google UX Design Certificate
Google / CourseraOutcome: Junior UX Designer or freelance designer, earning around R15,000-R30,000 per month
Skills Covered- User research
- Wireframing
- Figma design tool
- Usability testing
- Portfolio building
Meta Social Media Marketing
Meta / CourseraOutcome: Social Media Manager /freelance content creator, earning between R8,000 to R20,000 per month
Skills Covered- Facebook & Instagram Ads
- Content strategy
- Community management
- Analytics
- Campaign planning
TVET College Skills Programmes
Public TVET Colleges (Government)Outcome: Trade apprenticeship and SAQA-certified trade qualification with high employment demands
Skills Covered- Plumbing
- Electrical installation
- Welding
- Hospitality
- Hair & beauty
- Bricklaying
Services SETA Learnership
Services SETA (Government)Outcomes: Customer Service Agent, Retail Supervisor, or Customer Service Representative with immediate job opening
Skills Covered- Customer service
- Retail management
- Call centre operations
- Tourism basics
How to Access Coursera Courses for Free
Best courses (Google, Meta, Duke University) are available on Coursera. You can avail yourself of these courses through financial aid. This is illustrated below.
Go to www.coursera.org and perform a search for the needed course.
“Click ‘Enroll for Free’ to sign up for a free account.”
On the payment page, choose “Financial Aid Available” from the bottom.
Click on “Financial Aid Available” at the bottom of the payment page.
Complete the short application form and give your true circumstances (such as unemployment and being a recipient of a grant).
After 15 days, approval is required. You will get an email notification that you have free access.
Course can be undertaken at your own pace, and you will get a certificate after completing it.