Last week, The Department of Basic Education released the National Senior Certificate (NSC) examination results for the Class of 2022.
As is the case every year, pupils have no doubt been stressing that their marks will not be good enough to enrol at a university, private college or a technical and vocational education and training college.
The really positive news is that even if your marks are a little disappointing, this is not the end of road. Many of these young people will be given a second chance to improve their marks through the Department’s innovative Second Chance Matric programme which provides that second chance to meet the requirements of the NSC or SC and obtain a Grade 12 matric certificate.
The Retail Motor Industry Organisation (RMI) strongly supports this programme. Louis van Huyssteen, RMI National Training Director says of the 923 460 pupils who wrote their National Senior Certificate exams at the end of 2022, many may be keen to take up the Second Chance programme option. “For those that are successful, we encourage you to consider one of the many qualifications being offered at TVET colleges around the country.”
There are 50 registered and accredited public TVET Colleges in South Africa which operate on approximately 364 campuses spread across the rural and urban areas of the country. Matrics are encouraged to visit the Khetha career portal https://www.careerhelp.org.za/. of the DHET. The various TVET colleges offer an array of qualifications and sought-after artisanal qualification.
Higher Education and Training Minister, Dr Blade Nzimande confirmed in a media report that most Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges have commenced with their teaching and learning, including practicals, following the successful online registration process.
“Some of the colleges are still accepting students in areas where the enrolment targets are not met and the department’s TVET branch is monitoring the developments at each college,” Nzimande said.
Community colleges opened on 11 January 2023 for inland provinces and 18 January 2023 for coastal provinces.
The Minister advised prospective students to go to their colleges of choice for registration for the academic year 2023.”
Van Huyssteen says in the retail motor industry sector specifically, the sector is urgently looking for skills and young South Africans who want to focus on motor related trades such as petrol or diesel mechanic, spray painter, motor body repairer, welder, auto electrician as a career of choice and are willing to embrace apprenticeships so they can earn whilst they learn.
Van Huyssteen says the opportunities to specialise are exciting allowing young people to explore sought after expert areas including colour mixer and matcher; application of waterborne and 2 and 3 stage pearlescent paint; passenger and commercial vehicle technicians; vehicle engine remanufacturing; diagnostic and fault-finding technicians; coded welding, and steering geometry and advanced driver-assistance systems. “University is definitely not for everyone and a TVET qualification offers an excellent alternative,” says Van Huyssteen.
Rasheed Adhikari, Facilitator at College of Cape Town for Centre of Specialisation Motor Mechanic Programme (3 years) concludes, “Not every learner has the dexterity, technical or cognitive ability to do a modern motor mechanic apprenticeship, but for those that have the skill our artisan programmes are an excellent entry point into the workplace and the learner is virtually guaranteed employment when he/she qualifies. The reality is that qualified Tradesmen are well respected all over the world and in many European countries even earn more than doctors or lawyers.”
