How to Write a CV for a Learnership (with Template)

When you're applying for a learnership, you probably don't have much work experience yet — and that's completely fine, because learnerships are designed for exactly that. Your CV's job isn't to prove you've done the work before; it's to show you're reliable, teachable and genuinely interested. Here's how to write a strong, honest, one-page CV even from a standing start.

Keep it to one page

Reviewers skim dozens of CVs. A clean, one-page document that's easy to read beats three cluttered pages every time. Use a simple font, clear headings, and plenty of white space. Save and send it as a PDF (named like Thabo_Mokoena_CV.pdf) so the layout doesn't break on someone else's computer.

The sections your CV needs

1. Contact details (top). Full name, city/town, a phone number you actually answer, and a professional email address (firstname.lastname@gmail.com — not a nickname). Add your ID number only if the advert asks.

2. Personal summary (2–3 lines). A short, specific statement of who you are and what you want. Not "hardworking team player seeking opportunities," but something real:

Motivated Grade 12 graduate with strong Mathematics results and a keen interest in IT support. Seeking a MICT SETA learnership to build practical, workplace skills and earn a recognised NQF qualification.

3. Education. Your highest qualification first. Include the school, the year, and — this is important when you have no work history — relevant subjects and symbols. If you got a B in Maths and you're applying for an engineering learnership, make that visible.

4. Skills. A short, honest list: computer literacy (Word, Excel), languages you speak, a driver's licence, any short courses or certificates. Only claim what's true — you may be tested.

5. Experience (broadly defined). You have more than you think. Include part-time or holiday work, volunteering, a church or community role, a school leadership position (class rep, sports captain), or a personal project. For each, add one line on what you did and what you learned.

6. References. Two people who can speak to your character or work — a teacher, a coach, a previous supervisor — with their role and current phone number. Ask their permission first.

A copy-paste template

Copy this into a document and replace the placeholders:

FULL NAME City, Province | 0XX XXX XXXX | firstname.lastname@gmail.com

PERSONAL SUMMARY [2–3 lines: who you are, your strongest relevant subject/skill, and the specific learnership you want and why.]

EDUCATION National Senior Certificate (Matric) — [School Name], [Year] Relevant subjects: [e.g. Mathematics (B), Physical Science (C), English (B)] [Any other course or certificate, with year]

SKILLS

• Computer literacy: [Microsoft Word, Excel, email]
• Languages: [e.g. English, isiZulu, Sesotho]
• [Driver's licence / short course / other]

EXPERIENCE [Role or activity] — [Organisation], [Dates]

• [One line: what you did and what you learned]

[Volunteering / project] — [Where], [Dates]

• [One line]

REFERENCES [Name], [Role, e.g. Life Orientation Teacher], [Phone] [Name], [Role], [Phone]

Three do-and-don't examples

• Do tailor the summary to the specific programme. Don't send the identical CV everywhere — reviewers can tell.
• Do list your matric subjects and symbols when you lack work experience. Don't pad the CV with fake jobs or exaggerated titles; it unravels at the interview.
• Do match the advert's keywords (if it says "customer service," and you've done it, say so). Don't use a fancy template with graphics that break when printed in black and white.

Before you send

• One page, saved as a PDF, sensibly named.
• No spelling errors — read it aloud, and ask someone else to check.
• Contact details correct (a wrong digit means they can't reach you).
• Matched to the specific learnership.

Should you add a cover letter or motivation?

Many learnership adverts ask for a short motivation letter — and even when they don't, a tight one helps. Keep it to a few short paragraphs: open by naming the exact programme, say why that field genuinely interests you, point to one or two things on your CV that back it up (a subject, a project, a volunteer role), and close by thanking them and confirming you meet the requirements. Avoid copying a template you found online word-for-word; reviewers read the same generic lines all day and skip past them. One honest, specific paragraph beats a page of buzzwords.

Tailoring your CV to each advert (in five minutes)

You don't rewrite the whole thing each time. Keep one master CV, then before each application: adjust the personal summary to name the field, re-order your skills so the most relevant sit first, and make sure any subject or experience the advert emphasises is easy to spot. If the advert says "good communication and customer service," and you've worked a till or volunteered at an event, make that visible. This small effort is often what separates a shortlisted CV from an ignored one.

Common mistakes to avoid

• A funky design that breaks. Graphics, columns and colour boxes often scramble when printed in black and white or opened in different software. Simple and clean wins.
• An unprofessional email address. Create a plain firstname.lastname@gmail.com just for applications.
• Listing referees without asking them. Always get permission and confirm their current number first.
• Leaving unexplained gaps or vague dates. Use month-and-year dates and briefly account for gaps.
• Overclaiming skills. Don't say "advanced Excel" if you can't do it — you may be tested.

Frequently asked questions

How long should my CV be with no experience? One page is ideal. Fill it with education, subjects, skills and any volunteer or project work rather than padding.

Should I include my ID number and a photo? Only include your ID number if the advert asks. A photo isn't required — a neat, well-structured CV matters more.

What if I failed a subject? Focus on your strengths and the subjects relevant to the field. You don't have to lead with weak results, but never falsify marks.

A good CV gets you to the next round; a good interview gets you the place. Read Learnership Interview Questions & How to Answer Them next, then browse open learnerships and start applying.