The primary purpose of the Learning Programmes Department is to facilitate the development of learning programmes that address specific sectoral needs as identified in the Sector Skills Plan. The Learning Programmes Department advises government departments on the implementation of the indicated learning programmes as well as to do the monitoring and evaluation thereof

The Department also reports on the performance of the government departments implementing the learning programmes on a quarterly basis (Quarterly Monitoring Report) to the Department of Higher Education and Training

A Learning programme is any other prescribed programme which includes a structured work experience component, this includes a Learnership, Apprenticeship, Skills Programme, Internship, Recognition of Prior Learning, Bursaries and Work Integrated Learning (HET and TVET).