Programmes are offered in many fields, such as agriculture, arts and culture, business, building construction, commerce and management, education and training, engineering, manufacturing, technology, security and services. The courses vary in duration from short courses of a few hours to formal diploma courses of three years. Most courses require full-time attendance of classes, although some courses are offered via distance learning or through blended learning that combines attendance, electronic delivery and self-study.

The colleges mainly offer courses on Levels 1 to 4 on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF), although some colleges offer Higher Certificates on Level 5 with 120 credits.

The two main courses offered by TVET colleges are:

• National Certificate (Vocational) qualifications, the NC (V), and
• National Accredited Technical Education Diploma (NATED) programmes, also referred to as “Report 191” programmes.

TVET colleges offer the following additional qualifications and programmes:

• Selected UNISA and other qualifications registered on the NQF,
• Occupational work-integrated programmes: learnerships and apprenticeships, as well as trade tests,
• Skills programmes and non-formal short courses, and
• National Senior Certificate for learners who want to complete their school education.

The above-mentioned qualifications and programmes are described in separate sections below.

NQF Level