There are currently over 50 registered Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges in South Africa and the department has put several measures in place to expand the sector in hopes of increasing student enrolment.
According to Higher Education Minister, Blade Nzimande, over the past 28 years university student intake has more than doubled.
Since the development of the DHET in 2009, the TVET sector has grown from just under 200,000 students to roughly 600,000 students.
However, he noted that the TVET college sector hasn’t grown as much as the university system, stressing that the sector should in fact be three or four times bigger than the university system.
By 2030, we need 2.5 million TVET students to grow the sector.
The minister stresses that it crucial for more young people need to be encouraged to attend TVET colleges, as this will also grow the sector.
New college campuses
Nzimande said that one way of combatting this problem is by expanding the TVET college sector and by building additional campuses.
As a result, the department has been hard at work putting plans in place to build a number of new TVET College campuses throughout the country.
The department has invested R2.88 billion in the development and refurbishment of 16 new TVET campuses, where already 10 campuses have completed and ready to receive students at the start of the year.
By the end of the 2023 academic year, the department hopes to have built the last of the 16 TVET College campuses.
Private sector partnerships
In addition, the department has also entered into a number of other partnerships with the private sector and various industries.
These partnerships aim to provide training and workplace experience to both TVET College students and lecturers.
Another method used by the department to encourage student enrolment is the establishment of entrepreneurship hubs at TVET Colleges. These hubs support students and equip them with the skills to move into self-employment after the completion of their programmes.
