N Cape learners encouraged to apply now

Monday, March 20, 2017

Pretoria – Learners at three secondary schools in Kuruman, Northern Cape, have been encouraged to apply now at universities and TVET colleges through the 2017 Apply Now/Khetha Career Guidance Campaign.

Higher Education and Training Deputy Minister Mduduzi Manana has reiterated the call for learners to consider Technical Vocational Education and Training Colleges (TVET) as their alternative to university education.

“Post-School Education and Training (PSET) does not mean university education only. There are other opportunities like Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges, Community Colleges and many other skills opportunities provided by the Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs), such as learnership and apprenticeship programs,” said Deputy Minister Manana on Friday during the campaign.

The Apply Now Campaign, which runs nationally between March and September, is aimed at encouraging current matric learners to apply on time for admission to post-school institutions for the following year and thus avert possible stampedes and long queues that take place at the beginning of each academic year.

The Career Guidance component of the campaign seeks to inform learners from grade 9 to 12 about career choices available within the PSET sector.

During the campaign, the Deputy Minister interacted with learners from Phakane Secondary School, Galaletsang Science High School and KP Toto Technical and Commercial Secondary School in the Ga-Segonyana Local Municipality.

The Deputy Minister informed learners about Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs), which are responsible for learnerships and other skills programs especially intended for out of school youth and learners who cannot cope in mainstream education. 

He also shared information on the “100 Occupations in High Demand” list that was released by the Minister of Higher Education and Training in 2014.

The list of Occupations in High Demand, which was presented to the principals of the three schools, will assist learners to make informed career choices to avoid a situation where they too join a cohort of unemployed and unemployable graduates.

The learners were also informed on how they can access National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS), which is aimed at assisting poor yet academically deserving students to further their studies within the post-school system.

NSFAS has to date assisted more than 1.5 million beneficiaries who have since joined the ranks of the black middle class.

Deputy Minister Manana has encouraged learners to consider applying to more than one institution so that they improve chances of securing a space.

“Our caring government is expanding access in the PSET sector. For the first time in the history of this country, the Northern Cape boasts a state of the art university. However, there are other 25 public universities in the country and you are free to apply to any one of them,” the Deputy Minister said. – SAnews.gov.za