As South Africans plan their career options after school, those who aim to follow a path in the safety and security sector hear from the Safety and Security Sector Education and Training Authority (SASSETA), which advocates that TVET colleges offer an alternative to a university course for those seeking further education.
TVET Month promotes vocational education as a means of advancing learners’ skills for the benefit of the economy as a whole.
TVET colleges offer an option apart from university
TVET colleges are an alternative to university for learners who seek to study subjects more focused on vocational training.
TVET institutions equip students with skills for particular occupations; for graduates looking to pursue non-academic or technical work, a TVET college qualification does not preclude them from success.
When considering whether to pursue tertiary education in a TVET college or a university, students should be guided both by their personal and professional goals, as well as the entrance requirements for further studies and the occupation of their interest.
SASSETA bursaries apply to particular TVET qualifications
For safety and security hopefuls, these lines are drawn: students need to look at which qualifications fall under the purview of SASSETA, as a TVET bursary only applies to a qualification within the sector.
SASSETA bursaries are available for certain public TVET students.
For those interested in obtaining a TVET-qualification, the above should be taken into account before enquiring about SASSETA support; to qualify for a TVET bursary, students should ensure that the qualification they plan to study is both relevant to the TVET sector and that the TVET institution they attend meets the requirements of the bursary.
The relevance of TVET education to occupationally-qualified South Africans
TVET colleges play a specific role in the education cycle of a South African learner, which focuses on providing occupational training suited to prepare students for a career.
TVET colleges are relevant in terms of both addressing the shortage of trained workers necessary to boost the economy, and to suit individual learning preferences; those who prefer hands-on and vocationally-focused subjects may wish to pursue further education in a TVET college rather than a University of Technology.
For SASSETA, the importance of TVET colleges is pertinent to the youth interested in a career in the safety and security environment, a sector that requires highly-skilled people in a number of specialised fields.
What you should know about choosing an educational path
Those preparing to progress to tertiary studies do not have to pick an occupation just because it is popular – or just because a lot of people around them do.
However, before starting the application process, prospective students should ask themselves a set of questions to avoid disappointment in later years:
- Professional interests: Consider what field of work one would like to explore
- Qualification prerequisites: Know what subjects are needed in one’s preferred field of study
- Institutional entry requirements: Be sure the college or university one wishes to attend offers the desired qualification
- Educational financing: Investigate all bursary and funding options before registering for a degree course;
- Sector relevance: If exploring bursary options with SASSETA, be certain that one’s field falls in the category of that particular bursary;
- Application deadlines: Know the official application and approval dates for the specific bursary, degree, and college
By finding answers to the questions above, students can confirm that it is feasible to obtain qualifications in fields of interest, and save the disappointment of having to abandon a chosen degree in later years.
TVET colleges offer just one of many options after school
For those interested in furthering their studies after matric, the advice from SASSETA is simple: look at the options available and choose the one most suitable for one’s future and ambitions.
While a bright career may lie in a university, for some South Africans, the most suitable tertiary option may be a Technical and Vocational Education and Training College.
For SASSETA aspirants, researching the options will be an important activity – and knowing available funding options can be an integral starting point.
Important note about SASSETA bursaries
The above information says nothing about bursary cuts-off dates, amounts, qualifying programmes or applications procedures; therefore, students should not rely on unsubstantiated information on bursaries being circulated elsewhere.
Source
Source: SASSETA – Information provided as part of the organisation’s TVET Month awareness message concerning TVET education, career pathways and bursary opportunities for eligible students.
Editorial policy
This article has been independently written to provide useful information to South African learners and prospective students. Information provided by the source has been presented without adding unverified requirements, funding, amounts, deadlines or guarantees. Where specific application information has not been provided, it has not been invented.
Disclaimer
This article is for general educational and career-information purposes and is not an official bursary application notice. Eligibility, qualifying programmes, funding availability and application procedures may vary between bursary cycles. Students should confirm the latest information directly with SASSETA or the relevant public TVET college before applying or providing personal information.
Awareness for applicants
Be cautious of individuals or websites claiming to guarantee SASSETA bursaries, college admission or employment in exchange for payment. Always verify an opportunity through the relevant official institution and use the stated application process.
