South African businesses don’t just need training, they need measurable capability that lines up with B-BBEE, tax incentives and day-to-day performance.
That’s why Okiru offers online bursaries and online learnerships built for working adults, scaled delivery and audit-ready proof.
What we offer (in plain terms)
Online Bursaries (end-to-end):
We handle the entire bursary process, including:
Finding and screening eligible candidates
Placing learners with the right university or training provider
Managing onboarding and fee payments
Providing progress and retention support
Preparing full audit packs for both B-BBEE and financial reporting
(Available for all B-BBEE sector codes)
Online Learnerships (end-to-end):
We manage your learnerships from start to finish:
Identifying skills needs
Designing SETA-accredited programmes
Recruiting and onboarding learners
Delivering training online with ongoing support
Tracking attendance, assessments, and portfolios of evidence (POEs)
Preparing Section 12H tax documentation
Managing completions and providing verification-ready packs
Extra Benefit for Employers
Under Section 12H of the Income Tax Act, qualifying learnerships started before 1 April 2027 earn both annual and completion tax allowances. The amounts vary by NQF level and whether the learner has a disability. (Source: South African Revenue Service)
Why online is smart for employers and employees
- Flexibility without downtime. Staff can learn around rosters and peak periods; you don’t lose whole days to training travel. OECD evidence shows flexible and blended modes support access and persistence for adult learners. OECD+1
- Comparable (or better) outcomes, especially in blended. Large meta-analyses find online/blended can match or exceed traditional formats when well-designed. (And yes, quality design matters.) U.S. Department of EducationSRI
- Know what works, faster. Digital delivery + analytics let you see engagement and attainment early, so you can intervene before learners drop off. OECD’s lifelong learning work underscores the role of data to make programmes effective and inclusive. OECD
- Direct line to your scorecard. Skills Development is a priority element under the B-BBEE Codes (Code Series 400). Properly structured spend and outcomes translate into points and online delivery makes the evidence trail easier. DTIC+1
Where AI fits (and what to watch)
The upside:
- Adaptive content & feedback at scale (personalised pacing, practice, and support).
- Early-warning signals (flag at-risk learners for timely coaching).
- Admin relief (smart workflows for onboarding, tracking, and reporting).
The guardrails:
UNESCO’s GenAI guidance highlights essential safeguards: data privacy, age-appropriate use, bias and quality risks, and the need for human oversight in pedagogy and assessment. We build programmes with those controls by design (policy, process, tech). Table MediaEuropean School Education Platform
A reality check:
Not every study shows pure online always beats face-to-face, particularly for underprepared learners. That’s why we combine proper instructional design, human facilitation, and structured support instead of “content dumps.” Community College Research Center
How Okiru de-risks your investment
- Design for outcomes, not hours. We align learning aims to job skills, KPIs, and the exact Code 400 requirements that your verification agency will measure. Government of South Africa
- Evidence first. Attendance, assessments, spend, learner status, completion—all packaged for B-BBEE verification and audit. (No last-minute scramble.) DTIC
- Tax-ready. We prepare the documentation trail for Section 12H (annual + completion allowances) to reduce your net cost per learner. South African Revenue Service
- Retention & throughput. Proactive nudges, human coaching, and escalation rules—so people finish, not just enroll. OECD’s adult-learning research backs structured, flexible support as a driver of completion. OECD
Programmes we run (examples)
- Online learnerships across business, ICT, operations, customer service and analytics (SETA-registered; all sector codes).
- Online bursaries across SA universities and accredited providers, fitting shift work and study schedules, with retention support and employer reporting.
What success looks like
- Scorecard points safely banked (priority element compliance and evidence). DTIC
- Lower net cost via Section 12H and efficient digital delivery. South African Revenue Service
Let’s map your Online Bursaries & Learnerships plan.
Email contact@okiru.co.za or visit okiru.co.za to book a quick scoping call. We’ll size your targets, design the right mix of online programmes and give you a timeline + evidence plan you can take straight to verification.
Sources (selected)
- U.S. Dept. of Education meta-analysis on online/blended effectiveness. U.S. Department of Education
- SRI/Means et al. meta-analysis on distance education outcomes. SRI
- CCRC analysis of fully-online outcomes caveats. Community College Research Center
- OECD on flexible adult learning and lifelong learning policy. OECD+1
- UNESCO guidance on GenAI in education—benefits and risks. Table MediaEuropean School Education Platform
- SARS Interpretation Note: Section 12H learnership allowances (extended to 1 April 2027). South African Revenue Service
- B-BBEE Codes (General/Amended Codes; Code Series 400 Skills Development).
