Q1 2026·Verified data

VUKA.

Section 8 · TVET, Trades & Learnerships

The TVET pathway is not a last resort

50 public TVET colleges. 50,572 N3/N6/NC(V) Level 4 completions in 2023. For technical trades, this is the optimal route — and the country's most under-supplied skill base.

TVET programmes — completion, employment, salary

Programme	Completion	Employment	WBL	Salary	Insight
N6 Business Studies (NATED)	67%	~60%	43.3%	R100K–R200K	Highest completion; strong for admin/finance/HR
N6 Engineering Studies	60%	~60%+	43.3%	R180K–R380K	Strongest TVET pathway — leads to Trade Test → artisan
N3 Engineering	50.8%	~51%	~35%	R100K–R180K	Entry to trades; progress to N6 strongly recommended
NC(V) Level 4	58.2%	~55%	41.6%	R80K–R160K	Vocational matric; ICT/Engineering NC(V) strongest
Electrical Trade (QCTO)	65%	>75%	High	R180K–R350K	Highest demand of all artisan trades — critical shortage
Plumbing Trade (QCTO)	60%	>70%	High	R160K–R300K	Infrastructure + housing backlog drives chronic shortage
Boilermaker / Welder	58%	>70%	High	R150K–R280K	Renewable energy creating new demand at scale
Motor Mechanic (Artisan)	62%	>70%	High	R120K–R260K	Toyota/VW/Mercedes dealer networks structure development
IT / Computer Studies (TVET)	55%	~60%	~35%	R150K–R300K	Supplement with vendor certs (CompTIA, Cisco, AWS)
Hospitality & Tourism	55%	~50%	~38%	R80K–R160K	WCape strongest absorber; seasonal employment risk

Source: DHET PSET Statistics 2023 · DHET Destination of TVET Graduates · QCTO

"
Workplace-based learning collapsed from 158,000 placements in 2019/20 to 87,915 in 2023/24. Tens of thousands of students cannot complete their qualifications.
— DHET Annual Report 2023/24

WBL placement crisis — 5-year timeline

2019/20

158,000

Pre-COVID baseline

2020/21

78,317

COVID collapse −50.4%

2021/22

90,000

Partial recovery +15%

2022/23

99,778

Best post-COVID +27.3%

2023/24

87,915

Concerning reversal −11.9%

Source: DHET Annual Report 2023/24 (Parliament, October 2024)

The 14 SETAs — sector & learnership map

Sector Education and Training Authorities fund learnerships and workplace placements. Match your interest to the SETA covering that sector — that is where employer-funded entry routes live.

MERSETA

Manufacturing, Engineering & Related Services

critical

Key learnerships: Automotive Assembler, Fitter & Turner, Toolmaker, Boilermaker
Strongest provinces: Gauteng, EC, KZN

CHIETA

Chemical Industries

high

Key learnerships: Process Operator, Lab Technician, Chemical Plant Operator
Strongest provinces: Mpumalanga (Sasol), Gauteng

EWSETA

Energy, Water, Waste

critical

Key learnerships: Electrician, Water Treatment Operator, RE Technician
Strongest provinces: All — RE focus

MICTS

Media, ICT & Telecoms

critical

Key learnerships: Software Developer, IT Support Tech, Network Engineer
Strongest provinces: Gauteng, Western Cape

FASSET

Finance & Accounting

high

Key learnerships: CA(SA) Articles, Tax Technician, Financial Officer
Strongest provinces: Gauteng, Western Cape

HWSETA

Health & Welfare

high

Key learnerships: Enrolled Nurse, Community Health Worker, Social Auxiliary
Strongest provinces: All provinces

CATHSSETA

Hospitality, Tourism, Sport

moderate

Key learnerships: Chef, Front Office Mgr, Tourism Guide
Strongest provinces: WC, KZN, Gauteng

FOODBEV

Food & Beverages Manufacturing

growing

Key learnerships: Food Quality Controller, Safety Officer, Production Supv
Strongest provinces: WC, KZN, Gauteng

CETA

Construction, Education & Training

high

Key learnerships: Bricklayer, Carpenter, QS Assistant, Plumber
Strongest provinces: Gauteng, WC, KZN

ETDP SETA

Education, Training & Development

stable

Key learnerships: Educator, Training Practitioner, ECD Practitioner
Strongest provinces: All provinces

AGRI SETA

Agriculture

growing

Key learnerships: Agri Technician, Farm Manager, Extension Officer
Strongest provinces: WC, KZN, Limpopo, FS

MQA

Mining & Minerals

high

Key learnerships: Mining Tech, Blasting Assistant, Mine Engineer
Strongest provinces: NW, Limpopo, NC, MP

TETA

Transport Education

growing

Key learnerships: Logistics Mgr, Transport Planner, Driver
Strongest provinces: KZN (Durban port), Gauteng

SERVICES SETA

Wholesale, Retail, Social Services

stable

Key learnerships: Retail Supv, Social Auxiliary, Security Officer
Strongest provinces: All provinces

Source: DHET SETA Landscape Review 2023 · QCTO