Tshwane: Delays in issuing certificates to graduates of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges will soon become a thing of the past, as the Department of Higher Education and Training rolls out digitised systems to accelerate certification and workplace placements. This assurance was given by Higher Education and Training Deputy Minister, Dr. Nomusa Dube-Ncube, during Esayidi TVET College graduation ceremony, held at the Ugu Sports and Leisure Centre on Thursday.
According to South African Government News Agency, Dube-Ncube acknowledged the frustration experienced by many TVET graduates, who have had to wait extended periods to receive their certificates and secure workplace-based learning opportunities. She emphasized the department's commitment to ending these delays with the introduction of digitised, fast-tracked systems for certification and placement. These systems aim to bridge the gap between graduation and obtaining certification and employment opportunities.
The reforms are part of a broader programme to modernise administrative systems within the department, enhancing the transition from education to employment. Dube-Ncube highlighted the critical importance of timely certification and placement as essential to graduates' livelihoods and futures. She noted that faster certification would facilitate graduates' access to employment and empower aspiring entrepreneurs to engage in business opportunities without bureaucratic hindrances.
Dr. Dube-Ncube encouraged graduates to leverage their qualifications as "start-up capital" for establishing ventures in industries such as electrical contracting, welding, bakery, agriculture, and construction. She reiterated the government's dedication to strengthening the TVET sector, positioning colleges as pivotal to South Africa's economic growth strategy.
She also highlighted the ongoing demand in South Africa for artisans, technicians, and other mid-level technical skills necessary for infrastructure development, industrialization, and economic expansion. To address these needs, she called for stronger collaborations between colleges and industry, urging employers to engage actively in curriculum development and providing workplace learning opportunities.
Furthermore, Dube-Ncube challenged TVET institutions to aspire beyond merely meeting industry requirements and to become centers of applied innovation. She urged colleges to focus on leading applied research and problem-solving to contribute to the nation's innovation economy.
In her address, Dube-Ncube also advocated for lifelong learning, emphasizing the impact of artificial intelligence, automation, and digital technologies on the labor market. She encouraged graduates to view their qualifications as a foundation for continuous learning rather than a final achievement.
Finally, she dismissed the notion that rural TVET colleges offer limited opportunities. She praised institutions like Esayidi TVET College for producing highly competent graduates and emphasized that geographic location should not constrain ambition, as rural graduates possess unique resourcefulness and community understanding.