1. Introduction

Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges are public institutions that provide students with practical, technical and vocational skills. They prepare students for employment, further studies and self-employment. South Africa has 50 public TVET colleges spread across all nine provinces.

In simple terms, TVET colleges focus more on practical skills and job-related training, while universities generally place more emphasis on academic and professional education.

2. Purpose of TVET Colleges

The main purpose of TVET colleges is to give students skills that can be used in the workplace. They are also important in helping South Africa address skills shortages and unemployment.

Their main purposes include:

• Providing practical and technical education.
• Preparing students for employment.
• Training artisans and other skilled workers.
• Giving young people and adults opportunities to continue their education.
• Helping students develop skills needed by employers.
• Providing opportunities for self-employment and entrepreneurship.
• Giving students a pathway to further education.
• Providing training that supports the needs of the South African economy.

3. Types of Courses Offered

TVET colleges offer different programmes. The courses available depend on the particular college and campus.

National Certificate (Vocational) – NC(V)

NC(V) programmes combine classroom learning with practical training. They are offered from NQF Level 2 to Level 4.

Examples include:

• Engineering and Related Design
• Civil Engineering and Building Construction
• Information Technology and Computer Science
• Finance, Economics and Accounting
• Business Management
• Office Administration
• Marketing
• Tourism
• Hospitality
• Primary Agriculture
• Safety in Society
• Education and Development
• Transport and Logistics
• Mechatronics

NATED or Report 191 Programmes

These are commonly known as N-courses. Engineering programmes generally range from N1 to N6, while many business programmes start at N4.

Examples include:

• Electrical Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Civil Engineering
• Chemical Engineering
• Business Management
• Financial Management
• Human Resource Management
• Marketing Management
• Public Management
• Legal Secretary
• Management Assistant
• Hospitality and Catering
• Tourism

Occupational Programmes

TVET colleges also offer occupational programmes that prepare students for particular jobs. These programmes usually include practical training and, where required, workplace experience.

Examples include:

• Electrician
• Welder
• Plumber
• Bricklayer
• Boilermaker
• Carpenter and Joiner
• Mechanical Fitter
• Millwright
• Diesel Mechanic
• Pipe Fitter
• Rigger
• Motor Mechanic

Note: A course is not necessarily available at all 50 colleges. Students should check the specific college and campus before applying.

4. Geographic Location of the 50 TVET Colleges

South Africa’s public TVET colleges are located in all nine provinces.

Eastern Cape – 8 Colleges

1. Buffalo City TVET College – East London and surrounding areas.
2. Eastcape Midlands TVET College – Gqeberha/Uitenhage and surrounding areas.
3. Ikhala TVET College – Queenstown and surrounding areas.
4. Ingwe TVET College – Eastern Cape, including areas around Alfred Nzo and OR Tambo.
5. King Hintsa TVET College – Butterworth and surrounding areas.
6. King Sabata Dalindyebo TVET College – Mthatha.
7. Lovedale TVET College – Alice and surrounding areas.
8. Port Elizabeth TVET College – Gqeberha.

Free State – 4 Colleges

9. Flavius Mareka TVET College – Sasolburg and Kroonstad.
10. Goldfields TVET College – Welkom.
11. Maluti TVET College – Phuthaditjhaba and surrounding areas.
12. Motheo TVET College – Bloemfontein.

Gauteng – 8 Colleges

13. Central Johannesburg TVET College – Johannesburg.
14. Ekurhuleni East TVET College – Ekurhuleni.
15. Ekurhuleni West TVET College – Ekurhuleni.
16. Sedibeng TVET College – Vereeniging and Vanderbijlpark areas.
17. South West Gauteng TVET College – Soweto and surrounding areas.
18. Tshwane North TVET College – Northern Tshwane/Pretoria.
19. Tshwane South TVET College – Southern Tshwane/Pretoria.
20. Western TVET College – West Rand.

KwaZulu-Natal – 9 Colleges

21. Coastal TVET College – Durban and southern KwaZulu-Natal.
22. Elangeni TVET College – Durban and northern KwaZulu-Natal.
23. Esayidi TVET College – Southern KwaZulu-Natal.
24. Majuba TVET College – Newcastle and Madadeni.
25. Mnambithi TVET College – Ladysmith.
26. Mthashana TVET College – Vryheid and surrounding areas.
27. Thekwini TVET College – Durban.
28. Umfolozi TVET College – Richards Bay and northern KwaZulu-Natal.
29. Umgungundlovu TVET College – Pietermaritzburg.

Limpopo – 7 Colleges

30. Capricorn TVET College – Polokwane.
31. Lephalale TVET College – Lephalale.
32. Letaba TVET College – Tzaneen and Giyani areas.
33. Mopani South East TVET College – Phalaborwa and surrounding areas.
34. Sekhukhune TVET College – Sekhukhune and surrounding areas.
35. Vhembe TVET College – Thohoyandou and Sibasa.
36. Waterberg TVET College – Mokopane and surrounding areas.

Mpumalanga – 3 Colleges

37. Ehlanzeni TVET College – Mbombela and surrounding areas.
38. Gert Sibande TVET College – Gert Sibande District.
39. Nkangala TVET College – Nkangala District and surrounding areas.

Northern Cape – 2 Colleges

40. Northern Cape Rural TVET College – Upington, De Aar, Kuruman, Kathu and surrounding areas.
41. Northern Cape Urban TVET College – Kimberley.

North West – 3 Colleges

42. ORBIT TVET College – Rustenburg and Brits areas.
43. Taletso TVET College – Mahikeng and surrounding areas.
44. Vuselela TVET College – Klerksdorp and Potchefstroom areas.

Western Cape – 6 Colleges

45. Boland TVET College – Paarl, Worcester and surrounding areas.
46. College of Cape Town for TVET – Cape Town.
47. False Bay TVET College – Cape Town and southern peninsula.
48. Northlink TVET College – Cape Town and northern areas.
49. South Cape TVET College – George, Mossel Bay and surrounding areas.
50. West Coast TVET College – Western Cape West Coast.

5. Number of Colleges per Province

Province	Number of colleges
Eastern Cape	8
Free State	4
Gauteng	8
KwaZulu-Natal	9
Limpopo	7
Mpumalanga	3
Northern Cape	2
North West	3
Western Cape	6
Total	50

TVET colleges are an important part of South Africa’s education system because they provide students with practical and job-related skills. They offer different programmes, including NC(V), NATED/Report 191 and occupational programmes. The 50 public TVET colleges are spread across all nine provinces, making vocational education accessible to people in different parts of the country.