Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation Blade Nzimande has said that principals who do not promote work placement for students have no place in TVET colleges.
The minister explained that his department has made it a requirement for TVET college principals to have performance agreements with the department of higher education regarding the issues of work placement and partnerships with industry.
Nzimande said, “Any college principal who does not promote work placement has no place in our TVET college system”.
The minister was speaking during the WorldSkills South Africa (WSZA) National Competition in KwaZulu-Natal. The competition which will run from 7 to 10 June 2022, is viewed as an important mechanism to promote artisan skills as a viable career option for South Africans.
The competition also showcases the skills of TVET college students to open up potential partnerships with industry.
Earlier this year, Nzimande revealed that the government has committed to placing 15 000 TVET college graduates in workplace-based learning programmes.
TVET colleges provide students with courses that are vocational and occupational with a view toward a specific range of jobs, employment or entrepreneurial possibilities. Work-integrated learning is crucial for TVET students as it gives them practical experience on the job training for their chosen career path.
TVET college graduates can choose to further their education at a University of Technology should they choose to do so.
