Young people in Gauteng and the Free State will have access to information on TVET colleges, occupational training, careers and work-place opportunities for the next week as part of a skills development campaign.
The TVET Drive-by Campaign kicked off today at Tshwane North TVET College’s Mamelodi Campus, and marks the end of TVET Month, which saw skills development activities across the country.
The campaign will continue to visit schools and communities before concluding on Friday, 4 September 2026 at Maluti TVET College in QwaQwa, Free State.
The emphasis is on getting young people to understand various post-school options in making informed education and career choices.
More post-school options
The TVET Drive-by Campaign is a skills development initiative that will see various education and training options brought to the communities.
Among the options that will be availed to learners include:
- TVET college qualifications
- Community Education and Training (CET)
- Occupational programmes
- Career pathways
- Workplace opportunities
- Skills development initiatives
For learners considering their options after school, the exposure will help them realise there is a range of opportunities beyond school.
TVET not the second best option
Speaking on the importance of exploring multiple avenues in education and training, the SETAs representative, Nephtaly Mokgotsane, Acting CEO merSETA, said young people need to understand the occupational landscape.
He said technical and vocational education and training should not be seen as the poor cousin to the broader spectrum of education.
TVET provides a variety of practical training depending on the learner’s interest, career aspirations and the relevance of the trade.
Know your career needs before choosing subjects
Education and training choices should not be based purely on personal preference but also on the relevance to the occupation and entry requirements.
Learners have the option to research their chosen career and consider the qualifications required before choosing their school subjects.
They should, for instance, identify the type of training they need to gain entry into a particular career.
For learners considering a more technical career path for instance, they should consider their options and what it will mean for their studies.
This way, they can be in a position to make informed education choices.
WIL provides opportunity for workplace learning
The TVET Drive-by Campaign also showcased a Work Integrated Learning (WIL) success story, indicating the value of such an initiative in educating young people on the need for experience in the workplace.
WIL provides students and trainees with the opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge and skills in a work-place setting.
This type of exposure helps learners to appreciate the work-place environment and prepares them for further studies and employment.
In addition, they stand a better chance to develop competencies such as communication, teamwork, leadership and responsibility.
Exhibition offers learners direct access to information
The TVET Drive-by Campaign involved a walkabout and an exhibition as part of the process of sensitizing communities about various education and training options.
The exhibition offers direct interaction and provides the opportunity for learners to ask questions about different options and identify areas of interest.
This is a useful exercise as it allows young people to interact with the different entities and understand their role in supporting education and training in the country.
The information garnered from such events is invaluable as it dispels myths around TVET and CET, and provides practical information on the options available after school.
TVET and CET are viable options
It is also important for learners to know that Community Education and Training (CET) and Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges are legitimate post-school options.
Both TVET and CET colleges offer a range of qualifications that can support learners in pursuing their career goals.
The choice between CET, TVET or university education will largely depend on individual interest and the requirements for a particular career.
Learners should, therefore, conduct research on the qualifications needed for their area of interest instead of choosing randomly.
More skills development activities
The skills development campaign will continue over the next four days as the team moves around Gauteng and the Free State, before concluding in QwaQwa.
The drive aims to bring stakeholders closer to learners by giving them access to information on education and training options.
TVET Month activities will conclude on 4 September 2026 with the closing ceremony in Maluti TVET College, QwaQwa.
What learners should research once they are certain of their choice
Learners who have identified their preferred career path should conduct further research to understand what is required to join their chosen field of study.
Some of the factors they should consider when researching include:
- The qualification or training required
- The subjects or academic requirements for the qualification
- The institutions offering the qualification
- The duration of the training
- The inclusion of work-place training
- Funding options available for the training
- The application procedure and deadlines
The requirements vary depending on the qualification, so it is important for learners to check the latest information from the various institutions.
TVET is a career option not the only career option
The TVET Drive-by Campaign is about creating awareness on the range of post-school options available to South African learners.
It is important for young people to understand that all the options have merit depending on personal interests and career aspirations.
Each learner should, therefore, look at their individual interests, the qualifications needed for a particular career and the requirements for different institutions.
The choice of TVET, CET, university education or workplace training should be based on the needs of the career and not on the general assumption that all TVET qualifications are the second best option.
Why this matters
For most learners, education choices after school are not only confusing but also intimidating.
The information provided by the campaign aims to help learners make informed decisions based on realistic expectations of their chosen fields of study.
As such, the TVET Drive-by Campaign provides valuable information that will assist them in choosing the most suitable education and training pathway.
Source
Source: News provided about the Gauteng and Free State TVET Drive-by Campaign, including the launch activity at Tshwane North TVET College’s Mamelodi Campus.
Editorial policy
This article was independently written for South African learners, parents, and education seekers using the above-supplied campaign information as its factual basis.
The article does not present the campaign as a recruitment, bursary, or learnership application but as a career guidance and education resource.
No additional stipends, qualification requirements, or application deadlines have been added.
Disclaimer
The campaign provides information and career advice but cannot guarantee admission, funding, employment, learnership, or an internship.
Learners should conduct their research on the requirements for any qualification or training they are considering applying for.
Learner awareness
Beware of unscrupulous individuals promising admission, bursaries, learnerships, or employment in return for payments. Do not part with your money to individuals or entities falsely claiming to offer such opportunities.
Verify information on bursaries, learnerships, employment, and admissions from official sources and never provide personal information to unverified entities.
