Hey there, future forestry expert! 👋 Are you an unemployed South African youth looking for an awesome opportunity to kickstart your career? If you’re passionate about the outdoors and ready to learn valuable skills, then you absolutely need to hear about the SAFCOL Learnerships for 2026!
The South African Forestry Company (SAFCOL), a major player in our country’s green economy, is offering fantastic learnership programmes designed to equip you with the skills needed to thrive in the forestry sector. This isn’t just a job; it’s a chance to get accredited training, hands-on experience, and a monthly stipend while building a sustainable future!
What Learnerships Are Available?
SAFCOL has some exciting NQF-accredited Learnership Programmes lined up for 2026, offering you specialized training:
- Mechanised Harvesting (NQF Level 3)
- Forestry Silviculture (NQF Level 3)
- General Education and Training Certificate (GETC) in Forestry (NQF Level 1)
What Does It Cover?
These learnerships are all about developing your technical and entrepreneurial skills in the forestry industry. You’ll get the best of both worlds: accredited theoretical training at the SAFCOL Training Centre in Sabie, Mpumalanga, combined with practical, real-world experience. Think of it as learning by doing, with expert guidance!
The programme includes:
- Accredited theoretical training in Forestry (NQF Levels 1–3)
- Practical hands-on training in real forestry operations
- Exposure to professional mentorship and best workplace practices
- A monthly stipend to help you out financially
Once you complete the programme, you’ll walk away with an NQF Level 1–3 Certificate and valuable experience that opens doors to opportunities in forestry, environmental management, and even starting your own small business!
Who Can Apply?
If you’re eager to get started, here’s what you’ll need to be eligible for these life-changing learnerships:
- You must be a proud South African citizen.
- You need to be unemployed and aged between 18 and 35 years.
- You must have successfully passed your Grade 12 (Matric) exams.
- Most importantly, you need to be passionate about forestry and comfortable with outdoor work!
SAFCOL is also committed to employment equity, so they prioritize gender equality, youth empowerment, and including people living with disabilities. If you’re from communities where SAFCOL has signed Social Compacts, you might even get preference!
How to Apply?
Ready to jump in and apply? Here’s your step-by-step guide:
First, you need to download and complete the official SAFCOL Learnership Application Form. You can grab it right here:
Download SAFCOL Learnership Application Form (PDF)
Once you’ve filled it out, make sure to attach certified copies (these shouldn’t be older than 6 months) of the following documents:
- Your up-to-date Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Your Matric Certificate or Statement of Results
- Your South African ID document
Finally, send your completed application and documents via email to the specific address for the learnership programme you’re interested in:
| Learnership Programme | Email Address |
|---|---|
| Mechanised Harvesting (NQF 3) | [email protected] |
| Forestry Silviculture (NQF 3) | [email protected] |
| GETC in Forestry (NQF 1) | [email protected] |
For any questions or more info, you can contact Mr Tshilidzi Mavhungu at 078 803 3643.
There you have it! If a career in forestry sounds like your dream come true, don’t miss this incredible opportunity. The closing date is 14 November 2025, so get those applications in! Good luck, and remember to check out more amazing opportunities on Bursaries Room!
