10 November 2024
Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges particularly specialize in vocational and occupational training, equipping learners with the necessary skills that deem them fit for work in a specific trade. The ‘practical work in TVET colleges’ Technical Report highlights the importance of practical work in both NCV and NATED programmes. Manifesting the engineering discourse and STEM education with hands-on activities, learning from multiple sites and sources is crucial to construct meaningful knowledge and understanding.
The practical side of engineering requires real life examples in comparison to the contrived world of education. False Bay College has a TrainMe programme abbreviated for “Training Mechanical and Electrical”, the role of this programme is to promote the integration of artisan trades to align with the ever-changing industry demands and latest Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) developments. Speaking of 4IR, West Coast College has recently launched their new 4iR Building in May 2024 – one of 10 TVET colleges sponsored with the establishment of a 4IR Center of Excellence by the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI).
The revised QCTO occupational qualifications curriculum requires a half-half ratio in theory and practical, with practical extending in ratio over the years of study. In the TrainME programme, False Bay College went on a joint venture with the Department of Higher Education, Science and Innovation (DSI) and the German GIZ commissioned by the German Development Ministry and responsible for training of teachers in vocational education.
The DSI partnered with HUAWEI and Intel South Africa to provide 4IR ICT infrastructure such as well-equipped Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) laboratories. Meanwhile, the department’s entities – the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and the Manufacturing, Engineering and Related Services Sector Education and Training Authority (merSETA) – have also collaborated to establish 18 Industry-Partnered Learning Factories (IPLFs).
These robust STEM education infrastructure and investments allow students to easily perform experiments independently and improve their problem-solving skills as needed by the knowledge-based economy. Following consultations with industry stakeholders, tremendous learning material improvements that match industry and infrastructure investments are underway. We are now in the final stages in the development of occupational qualifications learning material for the revised QCTO TVET curriculum Collaborative partnerships between the public and private education sectors and industries are needed to successfully implement reforms that will adequately prepare future generations to meet the skill-intensive demands of the evolving world of work. Our pilot project aims to better equip trainers and facilitators and ultimately prepare learners with the skills aligned to the rapidly changing economy. If you’re looking for a promising career in engineering, look no further than your nearest TVET, they are well on their way to offering world class education with the delivery of occupational qualifications.