MQA — Mining sector

MQA mining learnerships 2026: how to apply

MQA funds learnerships across SA's mining houses — Anglo American, Sibanye-Stillwater, Harmony, Exxaro, Sasol Mining and more. Higher stipends than most SETAs, with a clear pathway to permanent mining roles.

Updated 17 May 2026 ·By GoCareers
Visit MQA learnerships
Non-artisan learnerships
24 registered
Stipend
R3,500 – R8,000 / month
Learnership duration
12–24 months
Engineering learnership
36–39 months
Apprenticeship
3 years (Red Seal)
Head office
Parktown, JHB · 011 547 2600

Who can apply

  • South African citizen
  • Typically aged 18–35 (MQA's broad range is 16–60, but mining employers usually cap at 35 for entry learnerships)
  • Grade 10–12 depending on programme (Grade 12 with Maths and Physical Science for engineering and technical streams)
  • Medical fitness — Certificate of Fitness under the Mine Health and Safety Act (issued by an Occupational Medical Practitioner)
  • No claustrophobia or severe vertigo for underground or shaft work
  • Clear criminal record and security clearance
  • Valid driver's licence preferred for some roles

What you'll need

  • Certified copy of green-barcoded SA ID (≤3 months old)
  • Certified Matric / Grade 12 certificate (or N2/N3/NCV for technical roles)
  • Detailed CV
  • Proof of residence
  • Driver's licence (if applicable)
  • Disability or medical disclosure where relevant
  • Tax number (for stipend processing)
  • Bank confirmation letter

Step by step

  1. Identify a live intake

    Applications go through mining company careers portals, MQA-accredited training providers, or SA Youth — not through MQA directly. The MQA Adverts page at mqa.org.za/adverts-3 lists current opportunities.
    Tip: See our <a href='/apply/sasol-careers' class='link'>Sasol</a> guide for one of the biggest mining-sector learnership routes.

  2. Confirm minimum requirements

    Match the advert exactly — Grade 12 subjects, age, location, medical fitness. Mining applications often require local feeder-community residence.

  3. Get all documents certified

    Certify ID, Matric, CV, proof of residence within the last 3 months. Any SAPS station certifies for free.

  4. Submit online via the employer portal

    Example: Sibanye-Stillwater at sbsess.sibanyestillwater.com. Each major mining house has its own e-recruitment portal.

  5. Pass the pre-screening and assessments

    Most programmes include online psychometric and aptitude tests, followed by an interview.

  6. Complete the pre-employment medical and security check

    This is where most candidates are filtered out. The medical includes heat tolerance (for underground), lung function, audiometry, drug and alcohol screening, plus the formal Certificate of Fitness.

  7. Sign your tripartite learnership agreement

    You + the mining employer + the accredited training provider. Programme starts with induction, then alternates between training centre theory and on-site practical work.

What MQA covers

MQA is the Mining Qualifications Authority — established in 1996 under the Mine Health and Safety Act and re-established under the Skills Development Act in 1998. Unique among SETAs, it has a dual mandate: skills development plus occupational health & safety qualifications.

Sub-sectors: gold, platinum (PGMs), coal, iron ore, diamonds, chrome, manganese, copper, zinc, ferrous and non-ferrous metals, jewellery manufacturing, diamond cutting/polishing, and mining services.

Major MQA qualifications

  • National Certificate: Mining Operations (Underground Hard Rock; Coal) NQF L2–4
  • National Certificate: Rockbreaking (Rock Drill Operator, Continuous Miner Operator)
  • National Certificate: Strata Control Operations
  • National Certificate: Mineral Processing
  • National Certificate: Metals Production
  • National Certificate: Chemical Operations
  • National Certificate: Laboratory Practice (General, Coal, Precious Metals)
  • National Certificate: Diamond Processing / Evaluation
  • National Certificate: Jewellery Manufacturing
  • National Certificate: Winding Engine Driving
  • National Certificate: Occupational Health, Safety and Environment
  • Engineering Trades (artisan): Fitter, Electrician, Boilermaker, Millwright, Diesel Mechanic, Rigger, Welder — all Red Seal trades

Major mining employers offering MQA learnerships in 2026

Confirmed 2026 intakes (verify each portal — windows close fast):

  • Anglo American — Kumba Iron Ore Engineering Learnership; Cybersecurity Learnership at Kolomela/Sishen
  • Sibanye-Stillwater — Miner Learnerships, multiple intakes (one closing 14 May 2026)
  • Harmony Gold — Rigger, Fitter, Boilermaker (closing 30 April 2026)
  • Exxaro — Student Hub at exxaro.com/careers/student-hub
  • AfriSam Zeekoewater — Fitter 18.2 (Mpumalanga 2026)
  • Dwarsrivier Chrome Mine — multi-field 18.1 learnerships 2026
  • Vergenoeg Mine — fluorspar

Other recurring employers: Anglo American Platinum (Amplats), Impala Platinum, Northam Platinum, AngloGold Ashanti, Gold Fields, Glencore (Hernic Ferrochrome), BHP, Rio Tinto, Thungela Resources, Sasol Mining.

Mining-specific medical and fitness requirements

Mining employers reject many applicants at the medical stage. Be ready for:

  • Certificate of Fitness — issued by a registered Occupational Medical Practitioner per the Mine Health and Safety Act (Section 13). Often called the "DMR Class A medical" in everyday speech, but the formal term is Certificate of Fitness.
  • Heat tolerance test for underground work
  • Lung function and audiometry baseline
  • No claustrophobia for underground; no severe vertigo for shaft and conveyor work
  • Drug and alcohol screening

Stipend

Mining pays better than most SETAs:

  • Entry learnership: R3,500–R8,000/month
  • Artisan / technical learnership at established mining houses: R7,000–R12,000/month

Exact figures vary per employer and aren't published centrally by MQA. Once qualified, mining artisans typically earn R25,000–R45,000+/month — well above the national average.

MQA Bursary

The MQA Bursary Programme offers 430 unemployed bursaries + 70 employed bursaries annually.

Fields: Mining Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Geology, Analytical Chemistry, Occupational Health & Safety, plus TVET trades (electrician, welder, boilermaker, plumber, mechanic).

Coverage: tuition, registration, residence/accommodation, books, meals, semester allowance (unemployed bursars); tuition + books only (employed bursars).

Household income cap: R600,000/year (unemployed bursars).

Apply at: sims.mqa.org.za.

2026 dates: First-time applications closed 31 July 2025. Continuation applications close 22 January 2026.

Preference: rural and mining communities, female students, persons with disabilities.

Apprenticeships and the Red Seal

Engineering apprenticeships in mining typically run 3–4 years and lead to Red Seal trade certification via the National Trade Test at INDLELA or an accredited Trade Test Centre.

Trades: Fitter, Electrician, Boilermaker, Millwright, Diesel Mechanic, Rigger, Instrumentation Mechanician, Auto Electrician.

Anglo American's Engineering Learnership runs 36–39 months and leads directly into mining-sector artisan employment.

Accredited training providers

MQA publishes a regularly updated Accredited Skills Development Providers List at mqa.org.za. Examples:

  • Xtract Training Services SA (Pty) Ltd — accredited since 2005
  • Murray & Roberts Cementation Training Academy
  • Colliery Training College (CTC)
  • Mining Industry Training Academy (MITA)
  • Sibanye-Stillwater Academy
  • Anglo American Technical and Sustainability training centres

Always verify current accreditation on the MQA SDP list before enrolling.

Common rejection reasons

  • Failing the medical or fitness assessment (most common rejection at major mines)
  • Missing subjects (no Maths / Physical Science for technical streams)
  • Outside the age range
  • Incomplete or uncertified documents
  • Failing psychometric or aptitude tests
  • Criminal record
  • Not from a feeder/host community (some mines prioritise local labour-sending areas)
  • Applying after the closing date

MQA scams

Scams are widespread in the mining sector. Warning signs:

  • Any request for upfront payment — MQA-funded learnerships are free
  • Promises of stipends well above R12,000/month
  • Gmail or Yahoo contact addresses instead of company domains
  • "Guaranteed" placement with no interview
  • Pressure to send ID or banking details urgently via WhatsApp
  • Provider not on the MQA Accredited SDP list or SAQA database
  • Fake "MQA approval letters" — verify by calling MQA directly

Contact

Frequently asked questions

How do I apply for MQA learnerships?
Via the host mining company's recruitment portal (Anglo American, Sibanye-Stillwater, Harmony, Exxaro, Sasol Mining) or an MQA-accredited training provider. Never apply directly to MQA — they accredit and fund, but don't recruit.
How much do mining learners get paid?
Typically R3,500–R8,000/month for entry learnerships. Technical and artisan learnerships at established mining houses pay R7,000–R12,000/month.
What qualifications do I need for a mining learnership?
Grade 10–12, plus Maths and Physical Science for engineering and technical streams. You'll also need a valid SA ID, medical fitness certificate, and to pass a security clearance.
How long is a mining learnership?
12–24 months for non-artisan learnerships. Engineering learnerships (e.g. Anglo American) can run 36–39 months. Full apprenticeships leading to Red Seal are 3 years.
Is the MQA bursary still open for 2026?
First-time applications closed 31 July 2025. Continuation applications close 22 January 2026. The next first-time cycle is expected mid-2026.
Does MQA give learnerships directly?
No — MQA accredits and funds. Employers and accredited Skills Development Providers do the actual recruiting and training.
What's the age limit for mining learnerships?
Typically 18–35 for unemployed entry learnerships. MQA's broad eligibility range is 16–60, but mining employers usually cap at 35.
Do I need to pay to apply for a mining learnership?
Never. Any payment request is a scam. Real MQA-funded learnerships are 100% free to apply for.
Can I do a mining learnership without Matric?
Some NQF L2 mining operations programmes accept Grade 10–11. Engineering and artisan trades require Matric (with Maths and Physical Science) or N2–N3.
What's the difference between a mining learnership and an apprenticeship?
A learnership is a SAQA-registered NQF qualification combining work and study (12–24 months). An apprenticeship is a 3-year trade-test-leading programme ending in the Red Seal — the artisan certification.

Related guides

How to apply for Sasol jobs

Sasol Mining runs MQA-accredited learnerships at Secunda and Sasolburg.

MERSETA learnerships

Engineering learnerships and Red Seal apprenticeships — the trades MQA also covers.

How to apply for Eskom jobs

Engineering bursary and Engineer-in-Training programmes overlap with mining engineering.

Last updated 17 May 2026. We review and refresh this guide regularly — if something here is out of date, let us know.