Discover the top 10 artisan certificates in 2025. Learn their benefits, career paths, and funded learnership opportunities to secure your future.

Top 10 Artisan Certificates, Their Benefits, and Learnerships in 2025

In today’s fast-changing economy, Artisan Certificates skills remain one of the most reliable and rewarding career paths. Across South Africa, artisans are listed among the most scarce and critical skills in demand, making artisan certificates and learnerships highly valuable in 2025.

From electrical engineering to plumbing, welding, and automotive repair, artisans keep industries functioning and communities growing. If you are considering a career in the trades, here are the Top 10 Artisan Certificates, their benefits, and how their learnerships in 2025 can open doors to a successful future.

1. Electrical Engineering Certificate

Electricians are at the heart of modern living. Whether it’s lighting homes, wiring factories, or maintaining power plants, the role of an electrician is critical.

Benefits of Electrical Certificate:

• High employability across residential, commercial, and industrial sectors.
• Opportunities for self-employment as a contractor.
• Growth potential to become a master electrician or electrical engineer.

Artisan Certificates Learnerships in 2025: Offered through the Energy and Water SETA (EWSETA), TVET colleges, and companies like Eskom. Most programs include both classroom learning and practical on-site training.

2. Plumbing Certificate Artisan Certificates

Plumbing is a profession that touches every household and workplace. With housing projects expanding across South Africa, the need for plumbers continues to rise.

Benefits of Plumbing Certificate:

• Continuous demand due to housing, commercial, and industrial projects.
• Ability to start your own plumbing business with minimal capital.
• Internationally recognized skills that allow mobility abroad.

Learnerships in 2025: Accredited through CETA (Construction SETA) and private plumbing academies. Many municipalities also offer funded apprenticeship programs for young people.

3. Welding Certificate

Welders are highly skilled artisans who work in industries ranging from shipbuilding to automotive manufacturing. Welding is considered a global trade skill with excellent opportunities.

Benefits of Welding Artisan Certificates:

• High earning potential, especially in specialized fields such as underwater welding.
• Skills are in demand globally, opening opportunities for international work.
• Essential in industries like construction, oil and gas, and transport.

Learnerships in 2025: Supported by MERSETA (Manufacturing, Engineering and Related Services SETA). Companies in steel production and construction also provide in-house training.

4. Boiler Making Certificate

Boiler makers are artisans who construct and maintain boilers, tanks, and large vessels. Their work is crucial in power generation, mining, and heavy industry.

Benefits of Boiler Making Certificate:

• High-paying jobs in the steel and energy sectors.
• Strong job security in industries like mining and engineering.
• Transferable skills across industries.

Learnerships in 2025: Offered by Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges, as well as industry-funded programs under MecSETA.

5. Fitting and Turning Certificate

Fitters and turners are responsible for assembling and maintaining machinery. Without them, industries like automotive manufacturing and mining would struggle.

Benefits of Fitting and Turning Certificate:

• Highly sought-after in maintenance departments of factories.
• Provides opportunities for career growth in mechanical engineering.
• Offers job security in a wide range of industries.

Learnerships in 2025: Provided through MERSETA and accredited artisan academies. Many large industrial companies offer learnerships directly.

6. Automotive Repair Certificate (Motor Mechanic)

The transport sector depends on skilled mechanics to keep vehicles running smoothly. As car ownership grows, so does the demand for qualified motor mechanics.

Benefits of Automotive Certificate:

• Ability to work in dealerships, service centres, or start your own workshop.
• Constant demand for vehicle servicing and repair.
• Skills can extend to trucks, buses, and specialized machinery.

Learnerships in 2025: Accredited by MERSETA and automotive brands such as Toyota, Volkswagen, and BMW South Africa.

7. Bricklaying and Masonry Certificate

Bricklayers and masons are essential in construction, shaping the very foundations of homes and commercial buildings.

Benefits of Bricklaying Certificate:

• Strong demand in housing and infrastructure projects.
• Entry point into entrepreneurship through small construction businesses.
• Opportunities to specialize in decorative and structural masonry.

Learnerships in 2025: Supported by CETA and artisan training centres. Many construction firms take learners on-site for practical exposure.

8. Carpentry and Joinery Certificate

Carpentry is one of the oldest and most versatile trades. From roofing structures to furniture design, carpenters create both functional and decorative woodwork.

Benefits of Carpentry Certificate:

• Wide variety of career paths – from construction to custom furniture.
• Opportunities for self-employment and creativity.
• High demand in both residential and commercial projects.

Learnerships in 2025: Offered through CETA and accredited private colleges. Some programs focus on specialized joinery for interiors.

9. Diesel Mechanic Certificate

Diesel mechanics maintain and repair trucks, buses, and heavy-duty machinery. They play a vital role in logistics, transport, and mining.

Benefits of Diesel Mechanic Certificate:

• Strong career opportunities in transport and mining sectors.
• High salaries, especially for specialized skills in mining trucks and construction equipment.
• Skills are transportable across Southern Africa.

Learnerships in 2025: Provided by MERSETA, mining companies, and logistics firms. Many employers offer stipends while learners gain hands-on experience.

10. Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Certificate

With climate change and growing demand for cooling systems, refrigeration and air conditioning technicians are more important than ever.

Benefits of Refrigeration Certificate:

• Growing demand in residential, commercial, and industrial markets.
• Opportunities to work with supermarkets, cold storage facilities, and private clients.
• Excellent potential for self-employment.

Learnerships in 2025: Accredited by EWSETA and private technical academies. Many retail chains also provide training partnerships.

Key Benefits of Artisan Certificates in 2025

1. High Employability: Artisans remain on the national scarce skills list.
2. Job Security: Trades are less likely to be automated compared to other fields.
3. Global Opportunities: Artisan skills are recognized in many countries.
4. Entrepreneurship: Many artisans start successful small businesses.
5. Hands-On Learning: Learnerships combine theory and practical training.
6. Funded Programs: SETAs often cover tuition and offer monthly stipends.

How to Apply for Artisan Learnerships in 2025

1. Through SETAs: Visit websites of MERSETA, CETA, or EWSETA to check open programs.
2. TVET Colleges: Apply directly for accredited artisan programs.
3. Company Websites: Many mining, automotive, and construction firms advertise learnerships.
4. Job Portals: Platforms like Careers24, Indeed, and government job boards often list artisan learnerships.
5. Prepare Your Documents: Have a certified ID, updated CV, and school results (usually Grade 9–12).

Final Thoughts

In 2025, Artisan Certificates remain one of the best career investments for young South Africans. They provide practical skills, excellent job opportunities, and the chance to start your own business. Whether you want to become an electrician, a plumber, or a diesel mechanic, the path to success is open through artisan learnerships.

By choosing an Artisan Certificates, you are not just earning a certificate – you are building a future that is secure, flexible, and globally relevant.