Tshwane South TVET College graduates are looking to secure jobs as the institution shifts towards occupational qualifications designed to meet industry needs.
The issue took centre stage at the college’s 2026 Diploma Graduation Ceremony on 2 October, where hundreds of graduates celebrated their achievements and looked ahead to entering the workforce.
Speaking to Gauteng News, acting principal Goodman Mnisi said the college had expanded its scope to more than 50 accredited occupational qualifications as part of the shift towards workplace-oriented training.
The transition follows changes in the vocational education sector, with the college moving away from traditional NATED programmes towards qualifications governed by the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO).
“The shift represents a move from traditional, mainly theory-based programmes towards career-focused and workplace-oriented training,” Mnisi said.
“Occupational qualifications place greater emphasis on practical skills, workplace exposure, and competencies required by specific industries.”
However, Mnisi said securing enough workplace placements remained a challenge, as some occupational qualifications require students to complete a workplace component before they can qualify.
“A potential challenge is that occupational programmes require sufficient workplace placement opportunities and industry partnerships,” he said.
“If placements are limited, students may experience delays in completing the workplace component of their qualification.”
The need for stronger industry partnerships was also highlighted by the college’s overall top achiever, Kholofelo Tsebesebe, who completed a National Diploma in Financial Management with an average of 86%.
Tsebesebe said the award recognised the effort she had put into her studies, but her immediate priority was finding permanent employment where she could apply her financial management skills.
“Receiving this award proves that the long hours of dedicated study and practical preparation paid off,” she said.
“My immediate next step is to secure a permanent placement where I can apply my financial skills. The college gave us the foundational knowledge, but now we need industry partners to open their doors so we can prove our value in the economy.”
Tshwane South TVET College was formed in 2001 through the merger of the Atteridgeville, Centurion and Pretoria West technical colleges. Its campuses, including Odi, offer programmes across fields such as engineering, business and hospitality.
As vocational education moves towards occupational qualifications, the availability of workplace placements and opportunities for graduates to gain employment will remain important to the transition’s success.
