A week-long TVET awareness campaign got underway in the greater Tshwane area and surrounding towns and villages, after a briefing at Tshwane North College’s Mamelodi Campus on connecting young people with information about vocational education, careers and jobs.
The TVET Drive by Campaign, which draws on information from the post-school education and training sector, is concluding its week-long outreach drive on Friday, 4 September 2026 at Maluti TVET College in QwaQwa, Free State.
The campaign is being driven by the Marketing and Communication Forum of Gauteng and the Free State.
The campaign gets education info to communities
Usually, it has fallen upon young people to seek out information on post-school qualifications and careers.
But the Drive By Campaign is bringing information to communities, as a way of introducing learners to a range of education and training options, such as:
TVET college qualifications
Community Education and Training
Occupational programmes
Career opportunities
Workplace opportunities
Skills-development opportunities
For those at the end of their school careers, considering their post-matriculation options, knowing about the various education and training opportunities can help them in choosing their career paths.
TVET as a career path
Speaking on behalf of the sector development bodies, or SETAs, at the event, Mr Nephtaly Mokgotsane, Acting CEO of merSETA, urged young people to think about occupational qualifications and options early.
He said that TVET should not be thought of as “Plan B”.
Technical and vocational education and training can open doors to a wide range of occupations, depending on the programmes and qualifications one chooses.
The TVET Drive by Campaign encourages young people to think about their interests, capabilities and career goals, and the kind of post-school education and training that best suits them.
The importance of understanding career options early
It is never too early to start thinking about a career.
In fact, learners should do their research on occupations so that they know what qualifications and skills are required for a specific career choice.
TVET qualifications can give a person an occupational edge in a competitive job market.
By understanding what qualifications and skills are required, school learners can take note of the relevant programmes and the institutions that offer them.
This way, when the time comes to choose a career path, those considering technical and vocational education and training will know exactly which qualifications to pursue.
Work Integrated Learning
The TVET Drive by Campaign also highlighted Work Integrated Learning, or WIL, which is linked to an education and training provider.
In WIL, a student, apprentice or trainee is exposed to the working world, and learns skills and competencies in a work-like environment, depending on the programme.
WIL gives learners the opportunity to learn practical skills and work-related competencies, while also exposing them to the realities of the workplace.
For young people, the experience can be invaluable, as it complements their theoretical knowledge, and prepares them for the working world.
Education and training exhibition
As part of the Drive By Campaign, there was a walk-about and exhibition, where learners could interact with people and get more information on education and training.
This kind of one-to-one interaction allows young people to go beyond generic information, and get the specific information that they need to make informed decisions about their future careers and qualifications.
It can also allow learners to understand what they might need to follow up on after the campaign concludes.
TVET and CET as education options
The TVET Drive by Campaign is focusing on TVET and CET as education and training options.
TVET colleges offer technical and vocational education and training, whereas Community Education and Training colleges focus on making education and training opportunities available to communities.
Both kinds of colleges provide post-school education and training, but what one chooses will depend on one’s educational and career needs and goals.
It is therefore important for those thinking of studying at a college to do their research and understand what qualifications one wishes to pursue, what the requirements for the qualification are, what kind of institution offers that qualification, how long the qualification will take, whether it includes workplace experience, and whether there are bursaries, loans or grants that can assist in funding studies.
The campaign continues until Friday
The TVET Drive-by Campaign continues until Friday, 4 September 2026.
Its finale is slated to take place at Maluti TVET College in QwaQwa, Free State.
The Drive by Campaign provides an opportunity for education stakeholders to bring much-needed information to young people, who are considering post-school qualifications and careers.
What to do with the information?
Attending a career expo is only the beginning.
When considering a career or qualification, learners should do their research on that career or qualification.
Those who are considering a specific occupation or qualification should also learn about the requirements for that career, what institutions offer it, how long it takes, whether there are employment opportunities upon completion, whether there are bursaries, loans or grants to fund studies, and the application process.
It is always important to apply directly to the institution or training provider that offers the qualification one wishes to pursue.
TVET, CET, and occupational programmes can be accessed by applying directly to the institution, while workplace learning generally requires specific applications to employers.
It is therefore important for those considering post-school study to know the requirements for the qualification they wish to pursue.
TVET is not necessarily the best option
What the TVET Drive by Campaign illustrates is that, for some, TVET is not necessarily the best option.
There are a number of post-school education and training options in South Africa, such as universities, TVET colleges, CET colleges, occupational programmes, workplace learning, and so on.
It is important for those thinking of pursuing a post-school qualification to understand what options are available, and which best suits their needs.
Those thinking of going into an occupation that requires more practical skills and knowledge might find TVET a good fit.
Meanwhile, those that require a more academic qualification may have to consider other options.
An emphasis on making informed choices
The drive-by campaign in Gauteng and the Free State makes it clear that informed choice is the best choice.
For many young people, understanding one’s options can help in making informed choices about one’s future.
In addition to the information provided at the event, it is important to also remember that TVET, CET, occupational qualifications, workplace learning and other post-school options can open doors to a range of careers.
By considering one’s goals and what one wants, learners can make the best choice for their post-school studies.
Source
Information supplied regarding the TVET Drive by Campaign in Gauteng and the Free State, including the event in Tshwane and the closing event in QwaQwa.
Editorial policy
This article was independently written for South African learners, parents and job seekers, using the supplied information as a reference.
The article highlights the importance of the information shared at the event, and provides general information on education and training options available to South Africans.
The report does not promote any particular bursary, learnership, qualification or institution, and does not make unfounded claims about any particular opportunities, requirements, stipends, application dates or employment prospects.
Disclaimer
Participation in the campaign does not guarantee admission to a TVET college, CET qualification, occupational programme, internship, learnership or employment.
Specific qualifications, programmes, learnerships, bursaries or jobs have particular requirements.
It is important for young people to apply directly to the institution or training provider offering the qualification, programme or opportunity of interest.
Learner awareness
It is important for young people to be aware that anyone promising admission to a TVET college, CET qualification, occupational programme, internship, learnership or job in exchange for payment should be treated with caution.
Never pay to be admitted to a qualification, programme, learnership, bursary or job if one is not certain about the credentials of the organisation offering the opportunity.
