I want to take this opportunity to congratulate all the Matriculants who have passed their examinations, and at the same time encourage those who have not. For both these two groups of people, and others who are out of school and unemployed, I want you to know that there are a lot of opportunities within the post-school Education and Training environment. This information is meant to help you make informed decisions about your future.
As the Minister for Higher Education and Training, my responsibility in this portfolio is to coordinate Outcome 5 of Government’s 12 performance outcomes, which calls on us in the department to deliver on “A skilled and capable workforce to support an inclusive growth path” for the country.
There are various opportunities available to you as you leave the schooling system. Although some may choose and be admitted to Universities, not everyone needs to go to University. Opportunities are many in the Post-School Education and Training system and include Learnerships, Artisan training and Internships. We have public Further Education and Training (FET) Colleges which offer both NC (V), as well as Nated (N) courses. Universities and Universities of Technology, also offer a range of courses in fields such as Business Management, Engineering, Commerce, Health, Social Sciences, etc.
In South Africa we have 50 Public FET Colleges spread across all provinces, comprising of over 263 campuses or teaching sites. Public FET Colleges offer vocational training courses and qualifications at various levels of study for learners who have a Grade 9 pass/certificate, an NQF level 1 qualification or a Grade 12 certificate.
Within the Post-School Education and Training system, we also have 21 SETAs (Sector Education and Training Authorities) who look after the skills needs of various productive sectors of the economy. Examples I can mention are the Bankseta for work within the Banking field or Merseta for work within the Manufacturing field. While SETAs by and large aim to increase the skill level of those employed in the sector, they also create opportunities for new entrants such as you to enter that particular sector the SETA is responsible for.
The National Skills fund also provides funding to various projects across the country to provide education and training to the unemployed. For students who come from poor and working class households, there is also financial assistance available in the form of the National Financial Student Aid Scheme (NSFAS). Those who get admitted to Public FET Colleges for NCV and N-Courses, and are proven to be from poor backgrounds, will NOT pay tuition fees at all at FETs.
The information we are giving you is meant to help those who have passed Matric, those who have not passed, others who did not even complete their schooling and also adults who need further education and training.
To the Class of 2011, I trust you will make use of this information as you take serious decisions about your future on the occasion of exiting the schooling system.
Message to the Class of 2011 from Minister Blade Nzimande
