By Phanuel Chauke
EKURHULENI — Choosing a career path after high school can feel overwhelming. For many learners, university seems like the only option. But two recent campus tours at Ekurhuleni West TVET College showed that there's another route — one built on practical skills, real workshops, and direct links to the working world.
In April and May 2026, EWC hosted St Matthews Academy from Kempton Park and Ratshisase Secondary School from Venda. The goal was simple: let learners see, touch, and experience what studying at a TVET college actually looks like.
On 17 April, St Matthews Academy visited EWC's Germiston Campus. Campus Manager, Ms Seipati Zikhali welcomed the group and challenged a common myth. "TVET is not a backup plan," she said. "It’s a place where you gain skills that can take you straight into a job, or help you start your own business."
The learners got a breakdown of how TVET is changing. Marketing Official, Phanuel Chauke, explained the move from old NATED courses to new Occupational Programmes. These programmes are designed with industry input and include three parts: theory in class, practical training, and real work experience. Chauke also walked them through funding options like NSFAS and SETA bursaries that can cover fees, accommodation, and materials.
Then came the part everyone remembered: the tour. Learners stepped into a training restaurant and a professional kitchen where Hospitality students practice their craft. They also visited Mechatronics, Electrical, Automotive, and Fitting and Turning workshops — spaces filled with the tools and machines that artisans use every day. For many, it was their first time seeing these careers up close.
On 08 May, it was Ratshisase Secondary School's turn. The school, traveling from Venda as part of a Gauteng tour, chose Kempton Campus to learn about technical education.
Campus Manager, Ms Brenda Komati, told the group why that choice mattered. "The TVET sector is the backbone of our economy," she said. "Every road, house, car, and electrical system needs the kind of skills we teach here."
Ekurhuleni West TVET College Kempton Campus Manager, Ms Brenda Komati, welcoming Ratshisase secondary School learners.
Mr Mohale Mahlaba, Head of Fundamental Studies, explained that Occupational Programmes are replacing NATED courses because they better prepare students for the workplace. Staff from Engineering and Business Studies confirmed the shift. Mr Mandiwane Rudzane and Ms Wilhemina Malan both noted that learners should focus on Occupational options when choosing subjects, as several new courses are waiting for approval from the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations.
Student Support Officer, Ms Pershy Makwana. closed the session with practical help: how to apply, what documents are needed, and how to access NSFAS and SETA funding.
Ratshisase learners toured the Beauty Therapy classroom, Hospitality areas, and Electrical and Automotive workshops, getting a feel for the range of careers on offer.
South Africa has set a target to produce 30,000 artisans every year by 2030. Reaching it means changing how learners and parents view technical training. These tours do exactly that. They replace assumptions with experience.
After visiting EWC, learners from both schools left with more than brochures. They saw future technicians, chefs, electricians, and entrepreneurs in training. They saw that TVET is not about "working with your hands" instead of "using your head." It's about doing both.
Ekurhuleni West TVET College will open applications for 2027 Occupational Programmes later this year. For learners considering their next step, the message from both campuses was clear: there are many ways to build a career, and TVET is one of them.
In his closing remarks, David Muleele emphasised the importance of TVET colleges, stating that learners should not look down on them because they are a driving force behind the country's economy. He explained that students who graduate from TVET colleges are unlikely to go hungry because they possess practical skills that can help them earn a living, become self-employed, or create employment opportunities for others.
