The Marsh Learnership Programme 2027 is giving young South Africans an opportunity to enter the insurance and risk-management industry through a structured 12-month workplace programme.
The opportunity is aimed at Matriculants aged 18 to 25 who want to build practical experience in insurance while working towards an Occupational Certificate: Insurance Underwriter at NQF Level 5.
Successful learners will receive on-the-job training, a monthly stipend during the programme and exposure to the professional insurance environment.
The programme is based in a hybrid working environment, with learners required to work from the office three days per week. Opportunities are available in Durban and Sandton.
The programme is scheduled to begin on 1 February 2027 and runs for 12 months on a fixed-term contract.
Marsh Learnership Programme 2027 at a Glance
| Programme detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Company | Marsh |
| Programme | Marsh Learnership Programme 2027 |
| Industry | Insurance and risk management |
| Programme duration | 12 months |
| Contract | Fixed-term |
| Qualification | Occupational Certificate: Insurance Underwriter |
| NQF level | Level 5 |
| Stipend | Monthly stipend |
| Locations | Durban / Sandton |
| Work arrangement | Hybrid |
| Office attendance | 3 days per week |
| Start date | 1 February 2027 |
| Age requirement | 18–25 years |
| Citizenship | South African |
| Minimum education | Matric / Grade 12 |
| Experience | Opportunity aimed at Matriculants |
| Programme length | 12 months |
What Is the Marsh Learnership?
The Marsh Learnership is designed to give young people an opportunity to combine formal learning with practical workplace exposure.
Instead of completing an academic qualification without workplace experience, learners can spend the programme developing an understanding of how insurance operates in a professional business environment.
The programme includes:
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- On-the-job training.
- Structured learning.
- Insurance industry exposure.
- A monthly stipend.
- An Occupational Certificate in Insurance Underwriting.
- Professional workplace experience.
- Exposure to a potential long-term career with Marsh.
The programme is therefore relevant to young people interested in insurance, underwriting, risk, financial services and business.
What Is Insurance Underwriting?
Insurance underwriting is an important part of the insurance industry.
An underwriter assesses information about a potential risk and helps determine whether and under what terms an insurer may provide insurance coverage.
Depending on the type of insurance, underwriting can involve considering factors such as:
- The nature of the risk.
- The likelihood of an insured event occurring.
- The potential financial exposure.
- Information supplied by the client or broker.
- Policy requirements.
- Risk-management measures.
- Applicable underwriting guidelines.
Underwriting is therefore closely connected to financial risk management.
For someone interested in financial services, learning how insurance companies evaluate and manage risk can provide a foundation for understanding how the industry operates.
Why an Insurance Career Can Be Financially Relevant
Insurance is a major part of the broader financial-services industry.
People and businesses use insurance to manage financial exposure arising from specified risks.
Insurance products can cover areas such as:
- Motor vehicles.
- Property.
- Businesses.
- Liability.
- Assets.
- Commercial operations.
- Personal risks.
Insurance professionals work across different parts of this ecosystem, including underwriting, broking, claims, risk management, sales, compliance and client service.
The Marsh learnership specifically focuses on Insurance Underwriting, giving successful learners an opportunity to develop knowledge in one of these areas.
Occupational Certificate: Insurance Underwriter NQF Level 5
One of the important benefits of the programme is the opportunity to work towards an Occupational Certificate: Insurance Underwriter at NQF Level 5.
This gives the learnership a qualification component in addition to workplace exposure.
The qualification can help learners develop knowledge relevant to insurance underwriting and the broader financial-services environment.
Applicants should understand that completing the qualification does not automatically guarantee permanent employment. Career opportunities after the programme depend on available positions, performance, qualifications and employer requirements.
Monthly Stipend
Successful learners will receive a monthly stipend for the duration of the 12-month learnership.
The supplied programme information does not state the exact stipend amount, so applicants should not assume a specific monthly figure.
A stipend should also be distinguished from a permanent employee salary.
Learners should therefore plan their finances carefully during the programme and avoid taking on financial commitments based on an assumed future salary.
How to Budget During a Learnership
A monthly stipend can be used to cover essential expenses while the learner develops qualifications and workplace experience.
Depending on individual circumstances, expenses could include:
- Transport.
- Food.
- Mobile data.
- Accommodation.
- Banking costs.
- Insurance.
- Personal expenses.
- Savings.
Because the programme has a fixed 12-month duration, learners should also consider their financial plans beyond the end of the learnership.
Hybrid Work and Office Attendance
The Marsh programme operates in a hybrid working environment.
However, applicants should understand that hybrid does not mean completely remote.
Learners are required to have an in-office presence three days per week.
This means candidates should live in or close to the relevant opportunity location.
The two locations identified are:
- Durban
- Sandton
Applicants should consider commuting expenses when deciding whether they can realistically participate in the programme.
Non High-Paying Remote Careers vs an Insurance Learnership
For people researching Non High-Paying Remote Careers, the Marsh opportunity provides a different route into the world of work.
Although the programme has a hybrid component, it is not a fully remote career opportunity.
Learners are expected to attend the office three days per week while completing their workplace training and studies.
The important distinction is that the Marsh programme offers exposure to a professional financial-services industry, specifically insurance underwriting.
This can be relevant to young people who want to build a career in areas such as:
- Insurance.
- Underwriting.
- Risk management.
- Financial services.
- Commercial insurance.
- Claims.
- Broking.
- Client service.
- Insurance administration.
Potential Career Development in Insurance
A career in insurance can extend beyond underwriting.
Depending on qualifications, experience and available opportunities, professionals can potentially develop careers in areas such as:
Insurance underwriting
Underwriters assess risks and help determine appropriate insurance terms.
Claims
Claims professionals deal with insurance claims and help manage the claims process according to policy conditions.
Insurance broking
Brokers can assist clients in identifying insurance solutions and dealing with insurers.
Risk management
Risk professionals help organisations identify, understand and manage financial and operational risks.
Client service
Client-facing professionals help maintain relationships and assist customers with insurance-related requirements.
Insurance administration
Administrative roles support policy processing, documentation, records and other operational activities.
The Marsh learnership can therefore be viewed as an entry point into a broader industry rather than simply a short-term training opportunity.
Why the Qualification Can Matter
For a young person entering the financial-services sector, combining a qualification with workplace exposure can be useful.
The programme provides an opportunity to develop:
- Insurance knowledge.
- Workplace communication.
- Professional conduct.
- Risk awareness.
- Administrative skills.
- Analytical thinking.
- Business understanding.
- Industry-specific knowledge.
These skills can be relevant when pursuing future positions in insurance and related financial-services environments.
Who Can Apply?
The programme is aimed specifically at young South Africans who meet the qualifying criteria.
Applicants must:
- Be a South African citizen.
- Be aged 18 to 25 years.
- Have Matric / Grade 12.
- Have English as a first or second language.
- Have Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy.
- Have proof that they passed Matric in 2025 or earlier.
- Be available to start on 1 February 2027.
- Live in or close to the relevant programme location.
- Not have previously participated in a SETA-funded initiative.
- Not currently be participating in post-Matric studies.
- Not be in formal employment.
Matric Requirements
Candidates must be in possession of a Matric certificate and/or statement of results as proof that they passed Matric in 2025 or earlier.
Applicants should have:
English + Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy
This is important because the programme involves insurance-related learning and workplace activities that may require communication and numerical understanding.
Previous SETA Participation
The programme excludes candidates who have previously participated in a SETA-funded initiative.
Applicants should therefore consider their previous learnership, internship or other funded programme participation before applying.
If there is uncertainty about whether a previous programme qualifies as a SETA-funded initiative, candidates should clarify the matter with the recruitment team before submitting false information.
Post-Matric Study Restriction
Applicants must not be participating in post-Matric studies while applying for the opportunity.
Furthermore, learners will not be permitted to participate in other post-Matric studies or initiatives while completing the Marsh Learnership.
This requirement is important because the programme involves both workplace training and formal learning.
Documents Required
Applicants must have the following documents ready for upload:
- CV
- Copy of South African ID
- Matric certificate and/or statement of results
The application instructions specifically state that applications without an ID copy and Matric certificate will be declined.
Candidates should therefore check their documents before submitting the application.
How to Prepare for an Insurance Learnership
Applicants can improve their preparation by understanding basic insurance terminology before the programme begins.
Useful concepts to become familiar with include:
- Insurance premium.
- Policy.
- Insured risk.
- Claim.
- Underwriting.
- Risk assessment.
- Excess.
- Coverage.
- Exclusions.
- Liability.
- Risk management.
Understanding these basic concepts can make it easier to follow insurance-related workplace discussions.
Financial Literacy and Insurance
An insurance career can also expose young professionals to broader financial concepts.
For example, insurance professionals need to understand that a policy is a financial contract with specific conditions.
Consumers should consider factors such as:
- Premiums.
- Policy limits.
- Excesses.
- Exclusions.
- Waiting periods where applicable.
- Benefits.
- Terms and conditions.
The cost of insurance should also be considered alongside other financial commitments.
A cheaper premium does not necessarily provide the same level of cover as another policy, so consumers should compare the actual benefits and exclusions rather than price alone.
Career Growth Beyond the Learnership
The 12-month programme can provide an initial step into the insurance industry.
After gaining workplace exposure and completing the qualification, candidates may investigate further opportunities in areas such as:
Insurance Underwriting → Senior Underwriting → Specialist Underwriting → Management
or
Insurance Operations → Client Service → Broking → Account Management
or
Insurance → Risk Management → Commercial Risk
Actual progression varies according to qualifications, performance, employer opportunities and industry requirements.
Important Financial Considerations
Applicants should remember that a learnership is not the same as a permanent job.
Before starting, candidates should consider:
- The amount of the monthly stipend.
- Transport costs.
- The cost of travelling to the office three days a week.
- Accommodation requirements.
- Data and communication expenses.
- The 12-month contract period.
- Their financial plans after the programme ends.
The long-term value of the opportunity may include both the stipend received during the programme and the qualification and workplace experience gained.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Marsh Learnership Programme?
It is a 12-month fixed-term learnership designed to provide Matriculants with workplace exposure and training in insurance.
What qualification can learners earn?
The programme offers an Occupational Certificate: Insurance Underwriter at NQF Level 5.
How long is the programme?
The learnership lasts 12 months.
When does it start?
The programme is scheduled to start on 1 February 2027.
Where is the programme based?
Opportunities are available in Durban and Sandton.
Is the programme fully remote?
No. It uses a hybrid work environment, with office attendance required three days per week.
How much is the stipend?
The programme offers a monthly stipend, but the supplied information does not specify the exact amount.
Who can apply?
South African citizens aged 18–25 who meet the Matric, language and Mathematics/Mathematical Literacy requirements and the other qualifying criteria can apply.
Can I apply if I am studying after Matric?
The programme excludes candidates currently participating in post-Matric studies.
Can I study while completing the learnership?
No. Learners will not be permitted to participate in post-Matric studies or other initiatives while completing the Marsh Learnership.
Can someone who previously participated in a SETA-funded initiative apply?
The supplied criteria state that applicants should not have previously participated in any SETA-funded initiative.
What documents are required?
Applicants need:
- CV.
- ID copy.
- Matric certificate and/or statement of results.
Applications without an ID copy and Matric certificate will be declined according to the supplied information.
Is this an insurance career opportunity?
Yes. The programme is specifically focused on Insurance Underwriting, making it directly relevant to the insurance and broader financial-services sector.
Final Takeaway
The Marsh Learnership Programme 2027 offers young South Africans an opportunity to enter the insurance industry through a structured 12-month programme.
The opportunity combines on-the-job training, a monthly stipend and an Occupational Certificate in Insurance Underwriting at NQF Level 5.
Unlike many entry-level opportunities, the programme provides exposure to a specialised financial-services field where participants can learn about insurance, underwriting and risk management.
The key requirements include Matric, English, Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy, South African citizenship and an age between 18 and 25. Applicants must also have passed Matric in 2025 or earlier, must be available from 1 February 2027, and must not have previously participated in a SETA-funded initiative.
The programme is hybrid rather than fully remote, with learners required to attend the office three days per week in Durban or Sandton.
Application Checklist
Programme: Marsh Learnership Programme 2027
Duration: 12 months
Qualification: Occupational Certificate: Insurance Underwriter NQF Level 5
Stipend: Monthly stipend
Locations: Durban / Sandton
Work arrangement: Hybrid, three office days per week
Start date: 1 February 2027
Age: 18–25
Education: Matric with English + Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy
Citizenship: South African
Documents: CV, ID copy, Matric certificate/statement of results
Applicants should ensure that all required documents are available before submitting their application and carefully review the eligibility conditions, particularly the restrictions on previous SETA-funded programmes, post-Matric studies and formal employment.
