FET colleges first

FET colleges first Estelle Greeff
Opportunities for further study
National certificate (Vocational)

The FET College sector is a result of the merger of the former 152 technical colleges into 50 FET Colleges with multi-campus sites.
These campuses are distributed throughout South Africa and serve rural, peri-urban and urban communities. The geographic distribution provides opportunities for communities to access skills development courses.

The Department of Higher Education and Training introduced the National Certificate (Vocational) at public Further Education and Training (FET) in 2007. The NC(V) offers programmes of study in a variety of vocational fields.

FET Colleges have become first choice institutions for further learning for many young people as the programmes directly respond to the priority skills demands of the South African economy. The FET
Colleges further offer theory and practical learning. After completion of the 3rd year qualification, there are many exit options for young people to choose.

The National Certificate (Vocational) is offered at Levels 2, 3 and 4 of the National Qualifications Framework (NQF). The practical component of the study may be offered in the workplace or in a simulated workplace environment. Students have the opportunity to experience work environment during the period of study.

The national certificate (Vocational) programmes

A relevant modern qualification offered by FET Colleges

The Structure and Rules of Combinations of subjects for NC(V).
The structure and combination of subjects is applicable at every level of study of the qualification, i.e. Levels 2 to 4.

Subjects

3 compulsory subjects:

  • First additional: This must be one of the official languages in South Africa an should be offered as a language of teaching and learing:
  • Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy;
  • Life Orientation.

4 vocational subjects:

These are subjects approved from the sub-field organisation of the NQF.

Sub-field Programmes offered in the qualification

These are 14 programmes. The subject combinations in each of the programmes provide a high degree of specialisation for a particular programme. It is important to note that of the 4 compulsory vocational subjects, the 4th subject may be chosen from any field to provide the student with high levels of specialisation.

National certificate (Vocational) programmes

There are currently 14 National Certificate (Vocational) programmes on offer. More programmes and subjects will be developed in the future. The NC(V) programmes are the following:

  • Management
  • 2. Marketing
  • Information Technology & Computer Science
  • Finance, Economics and Accounting
  • Office Administration
  • Electrical Infrastructure Construction
  • Civil Engineering and Building Construction
  • Engineering and Related Design
  • Primary Agriculture
  • Hospitality
  • Tourism
  • Safety in Society
  • Mechatronics
  • Education and Development
Entrance requirements to NC(V) programmes

For entry into the National Certificate (Vocational) at NQF Level 2, you require:

  • A year end school report for Grades 11 or 12 certificate; or
  • An NQF Level 1 qualification; or
  • An approved bridging programme designed for the specific purpose to access NQF Level 2; or
  • A Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) assessment to meet the basic requirements for access to NQF Level 2
  • Grade 9 and 10 will be considered only on exceptional cases.
What are exit opportunities at FET colleges?

Students will have the following options:

  • Access workplace opportunities in a work environment or sector relevant to his/her vocational specialisation (such as a bank/insurance company after doing the Financial, Economics &Accounting programme).
  • Access the workplace with the occupational specialization he/she might have opted for through the 4th subject option (such as motor mechanics after opting for Automotive Repair & Maintenance)
  • Progress into higher education
  • Pursue further training at the same/horizontal level
  • Self-employment.
DoE FET colleges bursary scheme

In order to facilitate access to the National Certificate (Vocational) qualification, the Department of Higher Education and Training has made bursaries available. The National Student Financial Aid Scheme administers the bursaries on behalf of the Department of Higher Education and Training.

Who may apply for the DoE FET college bursary scheme?

You are eligible to apply for a bursary if you are:

  • A South African citizen.
  • Enrolled or intending to enrol for the NC(V) programmes at any of the 50 public FET colleges in South Africa.
  • In need of financial assistance.
  • Able to demonstrate potential for academic success.
Where can a student apply for a bursary?

A student can apply for a bursary at any of the 50 public FET Collgest.

When you enrol for NC(V) programmes at the college, you may apply for a bursary.

Detailed information on FET College NC(V) programmes, qualifications and contact details of colleges are available on the Department's website. The address is http://www.education.gov.za

Any questions on public and private FET Colleges may be directed to the Call Centre for the Department of Higher Education and Training listed below.

Call Centre Number: 012 312 5878 or
Fax: 012 323 8817/ 9838

Eastern Cape

  • Buffalo City FET College, East London 043 704 9201
  • East Cape Midlands FET College, Uitenhage 041 995 2000
  • Ikhala FET College, Queenstown 047 873 8843
  • Ingwe FET College, Mt Frere 039 255 1204/ 0346
  • King Hintsa FET College, Butterworth 047 491 3722
  • King Sabata Dalindyebo FET College, Umtata 047 536 0923/4
  • Lovedale FET College, King Williams Town 043 642 1331
  • Port Elizabeth FET College, Port Elizabeth 041 585 7771

Free State

  • Flavius Mareka FET College, Sasolburg 016 976 0815/ 0829
  • Goldfields FET College, Welkom 057 392 1027
  • Maluti FET College, Witsieshoek 058 713 3048/ 6100
  • Motheo FET College, Bloemfontein 051 406 9300

Gauteng

  • Central Johannesburg FET College, Parktown 011 484 1388
  • Ekurhuleni East FET College, Springs 011 736 4400
  • Ekurhuleni West FET College, Germiston 011 323 1600
  • Sedibeng FET College, Vereeniging 016 422 6645
  • South West FET College, Florida 011 984 1260
  • Tshwane North FET College, Pretoria 012 323 8623
  • Tshwane South FET College, Centurion 012 660 8581
  • Western FET College, Randfontein 011 693 3608

Mpumalanga

  • Ehlanzeni FET College ,Nelspruit 013 752 7105
  • Gert Sibande FET College, Standerton 017 712 9040/ 1458/ 1459
  • Nkangala FET College, Witbank 013 690 1430/ 3824

Limpopo

  • Capricorn FET College, Polokwane 015 297 8367/ 8389
  • Lephalale FET College, Lephalale 014 763 2252/ 1014
  • Letaba FET College, Tzaneen 015 307 5440
  • Mopani South East FET College, Phalaborwa 015 781 5721/ 5
  • Sekhukhune FET College, Groblersdal 013 269 0278
  • Vhembe FET College,Makhado 015 963 3156
  • Waterberg FET College, Mokopane 015 491 8581

KwaZulu-Natal

  • Coastal FET College, Amanzimtoti 031 905 7000/ 2595
  • Elangeni FET College, Pinetown 031 716 6700
  • Esayidi FET College, Port Shepstone 039 684 0110
  • Majuba FET College, Newcastle 034 326 4888
  • Mnambithi FET College, Ladysmith 036 638 3800
  • Mthashana FET College, Vryheid 034 980 1010
  • Thekwini FET College, Asherville 031 250 8400
  • Umfolozi FET College, Richards Bay 035 902 9503
  • Umgungundlovu FET College, Pietermaritzburg 033 341 2100

North West

  • Orbit FET College, Rustenburg 014 592 7014
  • Taletso FET College, Mmabatho 018 384 2346/ 7/ 9
  • Vuselela FET College, Klerksdorp 018 406 7800

Northern Cape

  • Northern Cape Rural FET College, Upington 054 331 3836
  • Northern Cape Urban FET College, Kimberley 053 839 2000/ 2061

Western Cape

  • Boland FET College, Stellenbosch 021 886 7111/ 2
  • College of Cape Town FET College, Cape Town 021 404 6700/ 8
  • False Bay FET College, Westlake 021 701 1919
  • Northlink FET College, Parow 021 930 9000
  • South Cape FET College, George 044 884 0359
  • West Coast FET College, Malmesbury 022 482 1143/ 79/ 95
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