On the eve of the release of Matric results for the Class of 2011, Minister for Higher Education and Training, Dr Blade Nzimande, has called on this latest group of Matriculants to consider various opportunities available to them and other out-of-school youth within the Post-School Education and Training system.
Dr Nzimande specifically emphasized the need to consider opportunities offered by public FET (Further Education and Training) Colleges where skills that are most required for driving South Africa’s economy at the moment are on offer.
Congratulating those who have passed while at the same time encouraging those who have not, Dr Nzimande, highlighted opportunities beyond Universities, in Learnerships, Artisan Training and Internships, public FET Colleges which offer both NC (V) and Nated (N) courses, as well as Nursing and Agricultural colleges.
“While it is good and well for those who choose to, and are infact accepted in Universities, our youth must start realizing that our post-school education and training system offers far more options than just what our universities have traditionally offered. Public FET Colleges in particular offer skills that are in line with the country’s growth and development imperatives. Even as we speak, our economy has a higher and more urgent demand for artisans, technicians, engineers and other scarce skills that can be sourced outside of universities,” says Minister Nzimande.
He said there was also financial assistance available for deserving students from poor families through the National Financial Student Aid Scheme (NSFAS). However, students that attend private higher education institutions do not qualify for government’s student financial aid.
Within the range of opportunities for post-school education and training in the country are the following:
1. Learnerships, Artisan and Internships
Out-of-school youth who wish to enter the world of work or need to increase their skills capabilities, can consider the options of Learnerships, apprenticeships and skills programmes based on NQF Registered Qualifications, funded via the SETAs. The Learnerships consist of a structured learning component and include practical work experience of a specified nature and duration.
2. Vocational and Continuing Education and Training
Further Education and Training (FET) Colleges are institutions of choice for the learners who wish to follow vocational career paths that offer the critical skills base the country is in dire need of. There are 50 Public FET Colleges all over the country, with about 264 campuses offering a range of programmes that cater for most students’ needs and interests.
The following options are available at FET Colleges for learners leaving at Grade 12:
- For those who have completed a Grade 12 Certificate with a minimum of a Higher Certificate achievement can consider studying further at a FET College for a National Diploma. It is available in a range programmes such as Engineering, Business Studies, Art, Music and Food Services. To complete the qualification, the student must complete a further 18 months of work placement. There are about 40 000 places available at FET Colleges linked to bursaries for those who are financially in need.
- Another option is for those who may wish to study towards an apprenticeship to become an Artisan. There are about 6000 places for those who wish to enrol for this as a career. These are in the Civil, Mechanical and Electrical career fields. After the completion of a minimum of an N2 (with 4 relevant subjects), successful candidates can apply to SETAs and Employers for possible selection into an apprenticeship. A further career path, after completing N3, could be to continue studies in N4. Bursaries are available for qualifying financially needy students who wish to attend these courses.
- Students who are enrolling for either the National Certificate Vocational (NCV) or the NATED programmes (N Courses); will be able to apply for bursaries at the college where they wish to study. R1, 7 billion is available for the 2012 college bursaries and is aimed at providing access to quality education and training at colleges for all students who are financially needy and therefore cannot afford to pay for their studies.
The DHET FET Colleges Bursary Scheme is administered and managed by the National Students Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) on behalf of the Department. The bursary will cover tuition and, where necessary, travel and accommodation costs for eligible students. In this way, the Department is certain that qualifying students are not only able to access education and training opportunities in the FET sector, but should also enable more students to be able to direct unfettered attention to their studies.
3. University Education
Universities will provide access to about 180,000 new entrants in 2012. This accounts for 20 percent of the expected enrolments at universities in 2012 and shows a steady increase in opportunities available since 2010. Approximately 30.2% (54,297) places will be available in business and management fields, 28.7% (51,601) in science, engineering and technology fields, 25.7% (46,207) in humanities, and 15.4% (27,688) in the field of education. This would therefore provide the necessary access into specific scarce skills areas which have been identified as critical areas for further study namely engineering sciences, animal and human health sciences, natural and physical sciences, and teacher education.
The NSFAS offers loans and bursaries for students enrolled in first undergraduate degrees and provide eligible students with the means to obtain a tertiary qualification. The Department has set aside an NSFAS allocation of approximately R2, 6 million for University Loans for 2012 which is approximately 50 percent of the total NSFAS allocation. In addition to this, final year students who qualify for NSFAS funding are reminded that they could have their total loan for the final year converted into a 100 % bursary if they complete their studies in the same year.
In doing so, students move more efficiently through the system, freeing up space within the system for additional students.
4. Private Higher Education Institutions and Colleges
While there are opportunities for post-school education in this sector, the Department, wishes to caution students to ensure that before they pay their money and register with private institutions, they check whether they are registered with the Department. This will help them in making sure that they do not get taken for a ride by some of the illegal “fly by night” institutions. To verify the status of private higher education institutions, students must call the department on: 0800 87 22 22. Students should further note that the government’s financial aid scheme, NSFAS, does not fund students in private higher education institutions.
Enquiries:
Vuyelwa Qinga
Cell: 076 883 4144
E-mail: Qinga.V@dhet.gov.za
