Dept of Correctional Services: Learnership Programme 2024/2025

Dept of Correctional Services: Learnership Programme 2024/2025

Closing Date: 02 June 2024 at 15:45
Duration: 12 Months
Stipend: R3500.00
The DCS is looking for persons from various communities, interests and with appropriate qualifications to enter into a Further Education and Training Certificate in the Corrections Services Learnership (NQF Level 4). The function of these trainees shall be to contribute towards the rehabilitation of offenders through correction and human development in secure, safe and humane detention or under the community-based correctional supervision. English will be used as a medium of instruction.
Basic enlistment requirements

• South Africans who are in possession of a Grade 12/Standard 10 Certificate; or
• South Africans who have successfully completed the National Certificate in Vocational Studies (NQF Level 4); or
• South Africans who have successfully completed a Further Education and Training Certificate NQF (Level 4).

NB:
Candidates with additional qualifications (s) such as  diploma or degree related corrections / penology / criminology shall be given a preference. Unemployed graduates who have completed other post school qualifications relevant to the correctional  services environment are also encouraged to apply. Additioinal qualifications shall not be recognised for the stipend paid or for future remuniration purposes.
Furthermore, applicants must be South Africans who

1. Are between 21 and 35 years of age;
2. Have a strong character;
3. Disclose information and be prepared to undergo personal suitability checks related to their background, citizenship, qualifications and criminal record
4. Are law-abiding citizens and are without criminal records (particulars of the pending criminal cases must be provided during the selection process).
5. Are prepared to subject themselves to selection process conducted by DCS.

The FET Certificate In Corrections Services Learnership

The learnership is outcome-based and is intended to contribute towards addressing the skills shortage in South Africa. The Corrections Services Learnership is based on a legally binding agreement between the employer, learner and service provider.
The Learnership Programme shall be presented for a period of one year consisting of:
The learnership comprises of ±30% of work which is theoretical or instructional learning and ±70% which is workplace learning in nature. the portion of the training will also include exposure to the correctional centres.
Theory
A ± 30% intensive instructional learning theory, which is inclusive of firearm, physical and self-defense training, which will take place at designated accredited DCS colleges. Free accommodation, meals, training material, uniform (field wear and tracksuit) shall be provided during this training phase. The obligatory theoretical training strictly requires the learner to be accommodated at the Training College on a full-time basis.

Workplace Training

This is a ± 70% workplace learning phase that shall take place at the Correctional and Social Reintegration Centres/Units. Please note that this will entail duties related to the rehabilitation and provision of security to offenders. During this phase, learners shall continue receiving a stipend. The learners shall be responsible for their own accommodation, meals and transport. No pension fund, housing allowance, housing subsidy, danger allowance, medical aid or overtime shall be paid by the employer during the theoretical as well as during the practical training phases. The learner shall be declared competent after the successful completion of the instructional learning phase, the workplace learning phase, the final submission of the Portfolio of Evidence (POE) and the successful external verification by SASSETA. Any contravention or deviation from the learnership agreement during the twelve months period shall be dealt with by the DCS in accordance with Sections 17 and 18 of the Skills Development Act, 97 of 1998. It should be borne in mind that after succesful completion of the learnership, succesful learners will receive an FET certificate in Correctional Services (NQF Level 4). However, the DCS does not guarantee permanent employment on the completion of the qualification.

How To Apply

Complete the application form in your own handwriting. The “Application for Admission to a Learnership in DCS” form is obtainable from all Correctional Services Offices or the DCS website. The e-DCS website is www.dcs.gov.za. Just click under Internships, the form can be found there. Please take note that these forms are not for sale. Report any form of corruption to either the Department Investigation Unit Hotline 0800 701 701 or use fax number 012 323 7901.
Specify the learnership post which you are applying for (e.g. DCS Corrections Service Learnership: Gauteng Region: Leeuwkop (Ref E02). The application must be signed by the applicant (neither by a proxy, agent nor representative of the applicant).
Attach certified copies of your certificates and ID that are not older than 3 months.
Neither late, incomplete nor unsigned application forms shall be accepted. Furthermore, no photocopies of completed forms, faxed nor e-mailed applications shall be accepted.
Taking into consideration that you have to provide your own transport and accommodation during your experiential learning, you are therefore advised to apply for learnership enrolment within the Region or Management Area closest to your place of residence. The application forms with the accompanying documents can be hand-delivered or posted to the following addresses:
In the case of Western Cape applications, please use the address of the relevant management area.