Impactful offers a Data Science Practitioner learnership leading to a nationally recognised Occupational Certificate at National Qualifications Framework Level 5. The 185-credit programme accepts learners with Grade 12 and supports careers in data analysis. Training is available in Johannesburg, virtually or on-site nationwide, but no stipend, duration or deadline is listed.
The programme targets school leavers, employees and professionals who want to build practical data skills. In addition, organisations can use the learnership to strengthen data and analytics capability across their teams.
The 2026 factsheet invites learners and employers to request enrolment information. However, it does not advertise a specific intake date or public application form.
What qualification will learners receive?
Learners who complete the programme successfully will earn the Occupational Certificate: Data Science Practitioner.
The nationally recognised qualification carries:
- SAQA identification number: 118708
- National Qualifications Framework level: 5
- Total credits: 185
- Learnership Q-number: 32Q320170251855
The qualification prepares learners to collect, transform and analyse data. Moreover, learners develop the ability to communicate findings that can support business decisions.
Potential entry-level career paths include Data Analyst, Data Technician and Junior Data Practitioner roles.
Who can enter the programme?
The minimum academic entry requirement is Grade 12.
The programme may suit:
- School leavers interested in data and technology
- Individuals starting careers in analytics
- Professionals moving into data-related roles
- Employees working with operational or business data
- Organisations building internal analytics capability
- Employers strengthening insight-driven decision-making
Although the entry requirement appears accessible, learners should expect technical content involving mathematics, statistics, computer systems and programming.
Which skills will learners develop?
The programme moves beyond basic computer literacy. Instead, it develops the skills required to organise raw information and turn it into meaningful insights.
Learners will develop the ability to:
- Collect structured and unstructured data
- Extract data from primary and secondary sources
- Clean and transform information into usable formats
- Apply statistical analysis techniques
- Identify patterns and trends
- Work with spreadsheets and analytical platforms
- Create dashboards, graphs and other visualisations
- Prepare descriptive analytics reports
- Communicate insights through data storytelling
- Support business problem-solving and decision-making
The curriculum also covers data governance, legislation, ethics, design thinking and future workplace skills.
How does the learnership combine theory and practice?
The qualification divides its 185 credits across three learning components.
Learners complete 66 credits of knowledge modules, which introduce the theories and concepts behind data science. These modules cover areas such as basic statistics, computing systems, programming, data analysis, visualisation and ethical data use.
They also complete 59 practical skill credits. During this stage, learners use software tools, spreadsheets and visual analytics platforms to work with data.
Finally, the qualification includes 60 work-experience credits. These modules allow learners to practise:
- Data collection and preprocessing
- Statistical data analysis
- Data visualisation and reporting
- A capstone project using an appropriate toolkit
This structure helps learners move from understanding concepts to using them in realistic workplace situations.
What does the workplace experience involve?
During the workplace component, learners observe experienced data professionals and complete supervised tasks.
Activities can include:
- Retrieving information from multiple sources
- Cleaning and reorganising datasets
- Identifying and correcting data errors
- Querying databases
- Developing data models
- Applying statistical tools
- Finding patterns in complex datasets
- Creating dashboards and graphs
- Presenting insights to non-technical audiences
- Monitoring data quality
- Producing reports for business stakeholders
The capstone project brings these abilities together. Consequently, learners must retrieve, analyse and present complex information in a way that supports future business decisions.
Itumeleng’s Insider Tip: Before enrolling, ask Impactful to confirm the next intake date, programme duration, funding arrangement, workplace placement and stipend position. The factsheet explains the qualification clearly but does not provide these intake-specific details.
How will Impactful assess learners?
Learners complete internal assessments across the knowledge, practical and workplace modules. Impactful also moderates these components in line with Quality Council for Trades and Occupations requirements.
After completing all programme components, learners must pass the External Integrated Summative Assessment to receive the qualification.
An accredited assessment centre conducts this final assessment under the oversight of an Assessment Quality Partner. The assessment may include written, practical and workplace-based methods.
Therefore, completing the training modules alone does not guarantee the certificate. Learners must also demonstrate competence against the qualification’s exit-level outcomes.
Where can learners complete the training?
Impactful offers three delivery options:
- Classroom-based training in Johannesburg
- Virtual instructor-led training
- On-site delivery for organisations nationwide
The different formats can accommodate individual learners and employers implementing workplace-based programmes.
However, learners should confirm which delivery method will accompany the next available intake. They should also ask whether virtual learners need specific computer equipment, software or internet access.
How can learners or employers request enrolment information?
The factsheet does not provide a direct application form or closing date. Instead, interested learners and organisations can request current enrolment details from Impactful.
Enquiries can be sent to impactful@lrmg.co.za. Alternatively, candidates can visit the Impactful programme website for further information.
Before committing, prospective learners should request written confirmation of:
- The next starting date
- The programme duration
- Available seats
- Funding or course costs
- Stipend availability
- Workplace placement arrangements
- Required application documents
- Computer and software requirements
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Final Thoughts
The Impactful Data Science Practitioner Learnership offers a structured route into data and analytics through a 185-credit Occupational Certificate at National Qualifications Framework Level 5.
With Grade 12 as the entry requirement, the programme may appeal to school leavers and professionals entering data-related fields. Learners can build practical skills in data collection, analysis, visualisation, reporting and business problem-solving.
However, the 2026 factsheet does not list a stipend, programme duration, intake date or closing date. Interested candidates should therefore contact Impactful for current enrolment information before preparing a submission.
