Metropolitan Life is offering a 12-month Learnership Programme for unemployed youth in the Eastern Cape, with opportunities available in Mthatha, King William’s Town and Port Elizabeth. The programme is scheduled to start in October 2026 and provides eligible applicants with an opportunity to gain practical workplace experience while working towards a Wealth Management NQF Level 4 qualification.
The learnership opportunities are aimed at young South Africans who are interested in sales, customer service, administration and building a career in the insurance and financial services industry.
Metropolitan Life Learnership Positions
- Learnership – Mthatha
- Reference: MMH260813-9
- Location: Mthatha, Eastern Cape
- Learnership – King William’s Town
- Reference: MMH260813-2
- Location: King William’s Town, Eastern Cape
- Learnership – Port Elizabeth
- Reference: MMH260814-3
- Location: Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape
The closing date for all three opportunities is 21 August 2026. Applicants are encouraged to verify the vacancies on the official Metropolitan career platform and submit applications before the deadline.
Metropolitan Life Learnership Programme 2026
Metropolitan is one of the oldest financial services brands in South Africa, with a 127-year legacy of serving communities through affordable financial solutions designed to support financial growth and security.
The organisation operates in South Africa as well as several other African countries, including Namibia, Botswana, Kenya, Ghana, Nigeria, Lesotho and Eswatini. Metropolitan provides financial wellness solutions such as funeral insurance, health solutions, savings, hospital cash-back cover, retirement solutions and life insurance.
The learnership programme is designed to give unemployed youth an opportunity to enter the workplace, gain practical experience and develop skills relevant to the insurance industry.
Learners will complete theoretical learning while gaining exposure to workplace activities. The programme also provides an opportunity to work alongside experienced professionals and gain knowledge about the financial services environment.
Available Learnership Opportunities
Three learnership vacancies are available in the Eastern Cape.
Learnership – Mthatha
Closing Date: 21 August 2026
Reference Number: MMH260813-9
Job Title: Learnership – Mthatha
Position Type: Temporary
Role Family: Operations
Cluster: Metropolitan Life
Location: Mthatha, Eastern Cape, South Africa
Remote Opportunity: None
The Mthatha learnership is intended for unemployed youth who meet the programme requirements and have an interest in sales, customer service and the insurance industry.
Learnership – King William’s Town
Closing Date: 21 August 2026
Reference Number: MMH260813-2
Job Title: Learnership – King William’s Town
Position Type: Temporary
Role Family: Operations
Cluster: Metropolitan Life
Location: King William’s Town, Eastern Cape, South Africa
Remote Opportunity: None
The King William’s Town opportunity forms part of the same 12-month programme and provides learners with theoretical education and workplace exposure.
Learnership – Port Elizabeth
Closing Date: 21 August 2026
Reference Number: MMH260814-3
Job Title: Learnership – Port Elizabeth
Position Type: Temporary
Role Family: Operations
Cluster: Metropolitan Life
Location: Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape, South Africa
Remote Opportunity: None
The Port Elizabeth opportunity is also aimed at unemployed youth interested in sales, customer service and developing a career in the insurance industry.
Role Purpose
The Metropolitan Life learnership programme provides unemployed youth with an opportunity to gain workplace experience while completing theoretical learning towards a Wealth Management NQF Level 4 qualification.
The 12-month programme is expected to begin in October 2026.
Learners will gain exposure to the insurance environment and have an opportunity to work closely with experienced professionals. The programme is particularly suitable for applicants who have completed Grade 12 and are looking for an opportunity to gain their first meaningful workplace experience.
The combination of formal learning and practical workplace exposure can help learners develop professional skills that may be useful when pursuing future opportunities in financial services, insurance, administration, sales and customer service.
Requirements
Applicants must meet the requirements listed for the learnership programme.
The minimum educational requirement is Grade 12 or an equivalent NQF Level 4 qualification.
Applicants must also meet the following criteria:
- Aged between 18 and 35
- South African citizen by birth
- Unemployed
- Belonging to a previously disadvantaged group
- People living with disabilities are encouraged to apply
Applicants should carefully check their eligibility before applying. The programme is specifically intended for unemployed youth, meaning employment status is an important requirement.
Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee selection. Applicants may be assessed according to the organisation’s recruitment and selection processes.
Duties and Responsibilities
Learners will be required to participate in both the theoretical and practical aspects of the programme.
One of the key responsibilities is to complete all theoretical learning associated with the learnership. Learners are expected to complete assigned learning activities and meet the requirements of the qualification.
Learners will also be required to complete administrative and reporting duties related to the programme within the required timeframes. This may involve maintaining records, completing documentation and providing information related to workplace activities.
Another responsibility is to collate, compile and distribute documents according to required standards and within defined timeframes. Accuracy and attention to detail are therefore important.
Customer service will also form part of the role. Learners will be expected to attend to queries professionally in order to provide an excellent client experience and contribute towards meeting service standards.
Learners may also be required to screen and route queries to the appropriate stakeholders and assist with the resolution of client queries.
Maintaining relevant office housekeeping standards is another responsibility. Learners are expected to contribute to an organised and professional working environment.
Competencies and Skills
Applicants should demonstrate a range of competencies that are relevant to administration, customer service and workplace operations.
Attention to Detail
Attention to detail is important when working with documents, reports and client-related information. Learners should be able to work accurately and identify mistakes.
Planning and Time Management
The programme involves both theoretical learning and practical workplace responsibilities. Good planning and time management skills can help learners complete assignments, administrative duties and other responsibilities within the required deadlines.
Numerical Reasoning and Analytical Skills
Numerical reasoning and analytical abilities are listed among the required competencies. These skills can assist learners when working with information, analysing basic data and completing tasks accurately.
Communication Skills
Fluent verbal and written communication in English is required. Learners may communicate with clients, colleagues and other stakeholders, making clear and professional communication important.
Stakeholder Engagement
The role requires an ability to engage with stakeholders and maintain professional relationships. Applicants should be comfortable interacting with different people and working as part of a team.
Computer Literacy
Computer literacy is another important competency. Learners should be comfortable using computers and willing to learn the systems and applications required in the workplace.
Benefits of Gaining Workplace Experience
For unemployed young people, gaining workplace exposure can be an important step towards developing a career.
A structured learnership allows participants to gain experience in a professional environment while completing formal learning. Learners can develop transferable skills such as communication, teamwork, administration, customer service, time management and problem-solving.
The programme can also provide exposure to the expectations of a professional workplace. This may include meeting deadlines, following procedures, handling information responsibly, communicating with clients and working with colleagues.
The Wealth Management NQF Level 4 qualification adds an educational component to the practical experience gained during the programme.
Although completion of a learnership does not automatically result in permanent employment, the knowledge and experience gained can strengthen a learner’s future applications for suitable positions.
Who Should Apply?
The opportunities are suitable for unemployed South African youth between the ages of 18 and 35 who have completed Grade 12 or an equivalent NQF Level 4 qualification.
Applicants with an interest in sales, customer service, administration, financial services and insurance may find the programme particularly relevant.
Applicants should also be prepared to participate in theoretical learning and workplace activities throughout the 12-month programme.
Because the opportunities are based in Mthatha, King William’s Town and Port Elizabeth, applicants should consider the location of the vacancy before applying.
Application and Verification
Applicants interested in the programme should check the official Metropolitan career platform for the latest vacancy information and application instructions.
The relevant reference number should be checked carefully when selecting a vacancy. Applicants interested in Mthatha should use MMH260813-9, while applicants interested in King William’s Town should use MMH260813-2. The reference number for Port Elizabeth is MMH260814-3.
Applicants should ensure that information provided during the application process is accurate and that any requested documents are submitted according to the official instructions.
The job advert includes a disclaimer advising applicants to verify the legitimacy of the opportunity on the company’s official career page before applying. This is an important step when submitting personal information online.
Closing Date
The closing date for the Mthatha, King William’s Town and Port Elizabeth learnership opportunities is 21 August 2026.
Applicants who meet the requirements should avoid waiting until the final day to apply. The application should be completed according to the official instructions, with all required information provided accurately.
The Metropolitan Life Learnership Programme offers eligible unemployed youth in the Eastern Cape an opportunity to gain practical workplace experience, develop professional skills and work towards a Wealth Management NQF Level 4 qualification.
Important: Applicants should verify the vacancy and application details on the official Metropolitan career page before submitting an application.