TVET · Public · National · NSFAS funded
All 50 public TVET colleges in South Africa.
There are 50 public TVET colleges across the nine provinces, government funded and covered by NSFAS. They run NCV and NATED programmes that lead straight into trades and technical careers. Find your nearest college below, with a link to its official site and how to apply.
What a TVET college is, in plain terms
TVET stands for Technical and Vocational Education and Training. A public TVET college is a government run institution focused on practical, job ready skills rather than academic degrees. Fees are low, NSFAS covers students who qualify, and the qualifications are nationally recognised. It is often the faster, cheaper and more direct route into work than a university.
NCV (National Certificate Vocational)
Levels 2 to 4, you can start after Grade 9. A full time, school style qualification in a vocational field like engineering, IT, hospitality or business. Three years to complete Level 4.
NATED / Report 191 (N1 to N6)
Trimester courses in engineering, business and utility studies. N6 plus 18 months of relevant workplace experience earns a National Diploma. You can study while you build work experience.
Funding
NSFAS funds tuition and allowances for qualifying students (household income R350,000 a year or less) at all 50 public TVET colleges. Apply for NSFAS separately on the official channels.
How you apply
Directly to the college on its own site or at a campus, on that college’s dates. Some take applications through the DHET central online application service where it is available. Apply early.
2026 occupational trade qualifications
14 tradesFor 2026 the DHET lists these national occupational trade qualifications (Occupational Certificates) offered across the public TVET colleges. Each leads to an artisan trade. The number after each is how many colleges offer it; confirm the exact trade and intake on the college site.
Bricklayer
20 collegesElectrician
35 collegesMillwright
9 collegesBoilermaker
18 collegesRigger
2 collegesPipe Fitter
2 collegesPlumber
23 collegesDiesel Mechanic
12 collegesWelder
4 collegesMechanical Fitter
26 collegesAutomotive Motor Mechanic
20 collegesCarpenter
14 collegesFitter and Turner
18 collegesHairdressingNSFAS
37 collegesSource: DHET List of Occupational Qualifications Offered at Public TVET Colleges 2026. Each college card below shows the trades it offers.
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The 50 public TVET colleges by province
50 colleges · 9 provincesEvery public TVET college, grouped by the province of its head office. Each college runs several campuses, so check the official site for the campus nearest you and the programmes it offers.
Western Cape (6)
Boland TVET College
Stellenbosch · Western Cape · 5 campuses
2026 trades: Bricklayer, Electrician, Diesel Mechanic, Welder, Automotive Motor Mechanic, Hairdressing
Apply online on the college website or at a campus.
Official site College of Cape Town
Cape Town (Salt River) · Western Cape · 10 campuses
2026 trades: Bricklayer, Electrician, Plumber, Mechanical Fitter, Automotive Motor Mechanic, Carpenter, Fitter and Turner, Hairdressing
Apply online on the college website or at a campus.
Official site False Bay TVET College
Muizenberg (Cape Town) · Western Cape · 5 campuses
2026 trades: Electrician, Millwright, Boilermaker, Rigger, Diesel Mechanic, Mechanical Fitter, Automotive Motor Mechanic, Fitter and Turner, Hairdressing
Apply online on the college website or at a campus.
Official site Northlink TVET College
Bellville (Parow) · Western Cape · 7 campuses
2026 trades: Bricklayer, Electrician, Millwright, Boilermaker, Plumber, Mechanical Fitter, Automotive Motor Mechanic, Carpenter, Fitter and Turner, Hairdressing
Apply online on the college website or at a campus.
Official site South Cape TVET College
George · Western Cape · 5 campuses
2026 trades: Bricklayer, Electrician, Boilermaker, Diesel Mechanic, Automotive Motor Mechanic, Hairdressing
Apply directly on the college website or at a campus.
Official site West Coast TVET College
Malmesbury · Western Cape · 6 campuses
2026 trades: Boilermaker, Pipe Fitter
Apply directly on the college website or at a campus.
Official site Eastern Cape (8)
Buffalo City TVET College
East London · Eastern Cape · 5 campuses
2026 trades: Automotive Motor Mechanic, Hairdressing
Apply online via the college website or in person at a campus.
Official site Eastcape Midlands TVET College
Uitenhage (Kariega) · Eastern Cape · 6 campuses
2026 trades: Bricklayer, Electrician, Millwright, Diesel Mechanic, Mechanical Fitter, Automotive Motor Mechanic, Hairdressing
Apply online on the college website or at a campus.
Official site Ikhala TVET College
Queenstown (Komani) · Eastern Cape · 5 campuses
2026 trades: Hairdressing
Apply directly on the college website or at a campus.
Official site Ingwe TVET College
Mount Frere · Eastern Cape · 5 campuses
2026 trades: Bricklayer, Electrician, Mechanical Fitter
Apply directly on the college website or at a campus.
Official site King Hintsa TVET College
Butterworth · Eastern Cape · 5 campuses
Apply directly on the college website or at a campus.
Official site King Sabata Dalindyebo TVET College
Mthatha · Eastern Cape · 7 campuses
Apply directly on the college website or at a campus.
Official site Lovedale TVET College
King William's Town (Qonce) · Eastern Cape · 3 campuses
Apply directly on the college website or at a campus.
Official site Port Elizabeth TVET College
Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha) · Eastern Cape · 6 campuses
2026 trades: Electrician, Plumber, Diesel Mechanic, Automotive Motor Mechanic, Hairdressing
Apply online on the college website or at a campus.
Official site Northern Cape (2)
Northern Cape Rural TVET College
Upington · Northern Cape · 5 campuses
2026 trades: Electrician, Fitter and Turner
Apply directly on the college website or at a campus.
Official site Northern Cape Urban TVET College
Kimberley · Northern Cape · 3 campuses
2026 trades: Bricklayer, Plumber, Carpenter, Hairdressing
Apply directly on the college website or at a campus.
Official site Free State (4)
Flavius Mareka TVET College
Sasolburg · Free State · 3 campuses
2026 trades: Electrician, Boilermaker, Plumber, Mechanical Fitter, Hairdressing
Apply directly on the college website or at a campus.
Official site Goldfields TVET College
Welkom · Free State · 4 campuses
2026 trades: Electrician, Boilermaker, Plumber, Mechanical Fitter, Hairdressing
Apply directly on the college website or at a campus.
Official site Maluti TVET College
Witsieshoek (Phuthaditjhaba) · Free State · 6 campuses
2026 trades: Bricklayer, Electrician, Hairdressing
Apply directly on the college website or at a campus.
Official site Motheo TVET College
Bloemfontein · Free State · 6 campuses
2026 trades: Bricklayer, Electrician, Boilermaker, Plumber, Mechanical Fitter, Automotive Motor Mechanic, Carpenter, Hairdressing
Apply directly on the college website or at a campus.
Official site KwaZulu-Natal (9)
Coastal TVET College
KwaMakhutha (Durban) · KwaZulu-Natal · 8 campuses
2026 trades: Bricklayer, Electrician, Boilermaker, Plumber, Welder, Mechanical Fitter, Automotive Motor Mechanic, Carpenter, Fitter and Turner, Hairdressing
Apply directly on the college website or at a campus.
Official site Elangeni TVET College
Pinetown · KwaZulu-Natal · 9 campuses
2026 trades: Bricklayer, Electrician, Diesel Mechanic, Mechanical Fitter, Automotive Motor Mechanic, Fitter and Turner, Hairdressing
Apply directly on the college website or at a campus.
Official site Esayidi TVET College
Port Shepstone · KwaZulu-Natal · 6 campuses
2026 trades: Bricklayer, Electrician, Plumber, Diesel Mechanic, Welder, Automotive Motor Mechanic, Hairdressing
Apply directly on the college website or at a campus.
Official site Majuba TVET College
Newcastle · KwaZulu-Natal · 6 campuses
2026 trades: Bricklayer, Millwright, Boilermaker, Plumber, Mechanical Fitter, Fitter and Turner, Hairdressing
Apply online on the college website or at a campus.
Official site Mnambithi TVET College
Ladysmith · KwaZulu-Natal · 5 campuses
Apply directly on the college website or at a campus.
Official site Mthashana TVET College
Vryheid · KwaZulu-Natal · 4 campuses
2026 trades: Electrician, Hairdressing
Apply directly on the college website or at a campus.
Official site Thekwini TVET College
Durban · KwaZulu-Natal · 5 campuses
2026 trades: Hairdressing
Apply directly on the college website or at a campus.
Official site Umfolozi TVET College
Richards Bay · KwaZulu-Natal · 8 campuses
2026 trades: Electrician, Millwright, Boilermaker, Rigger, Plumber, Automotive Motor Mechanic, Fitter and Turner, Hairdressing
Apply directly on the college website or at a campus.
Official site Umgungundlovu TVET College
Pietermaritzburg · KwaZulu-Natal · 6 campuses
2026 trades: Electrician, Plumber, Hairdressing
Apply directly on the college website or at a campus.
Official site Gauteng (8)
Central Johannesburg TVET College
Johannesburg · Gauteng · 7 campuses
2026 trades: Plumber, Mechanical Fitter, Fitter and Turner, Hairdressing
Apply directly on the college website or at a campus.
Official site Ekurhuleni East TVET College
Benoni · Gauteng · 5 campuses
2026 trades: Electrician, Boilermaker, Plumber
Apply directly on the college website or at a campus.
Official site Ekurhuleni West TVET College
Germiston · Gauteng · 7 campuses
2026 trades: Electrician, Boilermaker, Diesel Mechanic, Automotive Motor Mechanic, Carpenter, Hairdressing
Apply directly on the college website or at a campus.
Official site Sedibeng TVET College
Vereeniging · Gauteng · 3 campuses
2026 trades: Electrician, Boilermaker, Diesel Mechanic, Mechanical Fitter, Automotive Motor Mechanic, Fitter and Turner, Hairdressing
Apply directly on the college website or at a campus.
Official site South West Gauteng TVET College
Roodepoort · Gauteng · 6 campuses
2026 trades: Electrician, Mechanical Fitter, Hairdressing
Apply directly on the college website or at a campus.
Official site Tshwane North TVET College
Pretoria · Gauteng · 6 campuses
2026 trades: Electrician, Plumber, Diesel Mechanic, Mechanical Fitter, Automotive Motor Mechanic, Carpenter, Fitter and Turner, Hairdressing
Apply directly on the college website or at a campus.
Official site Tshwane South TVET College
Pretoria (Centurion) · Gauteng · 5 campuses
2026 trades: Bricklayer, Electrician, Millwright, Boilermaker, Plumber, Mechanical Fitter, Carpenter, Fitter and Turner, Hairdressing
Apply directly on the college website or at a campus.
Official site Western TVET College
Randfontein · Gauteng · 6 campuses
2026 trades: Electrician, Mechanical Fitter, Fitter and Turner, Hairdressing
Apply directly on the college website or at a campus.
Official site Mpumalanga (3)
Ehlanzeni TVET College
Nelspruit (Mbombela) · Mpumalanga · 7 campuses
2026 trades: Electrician, Mechanical Fitter
Apply online on the college website or at a campus.
Official site Gert Sibande TVET College
Ermelo · Mpumalanga · 6 campuses
2026 trades: Bricklayer, Electrician, Millwright, Plumber, Mechanical Fitter, Carpenter, Hairdressing
Apply directly on the college website or at a campus.
Official site Nkangala TVET College
eMalahleni (Witbank) · Mpumalanga · 5 campuses
2026 trades: Bricklayer, Electrician, Millwright, Boilermaker, Plumber, Diesel Mechanic, Mechanical Fitter, Automotive Motor Mechanic, Carpenter, Fitter and Turner
Apply directly on the college website or at a campus.
Official site Limpopo (7)
Capricorn TVET College
Polokwane · Limpopo · 4 campuses
2026 trades: Electrician, Fitter and Turner, Hairdressing
Apply directly on the college website or at a campus.
Official site Lephalale TVET College
Lephalale (Onverwacht) · Limpopo · 2 campuses
2026 trades: Boilermaker, Mechanical Fitter
Apply directly on the college website or at a campus.
Official site Letaba TVET College
Tzaneen · Limpopo · 5 campuses
2026 trades: Bricklayer, Diesel Mechanic, Automotive Motor Mechanic
Apply directly on the college website or at a campus.
Official site Mopani South East TVET College
Phalaborwa · Limpopo · 5 campuses
2026 trades: Bricklayer, Electrician, Boilermaker, Pipe Fitter, Plumber, Mechanical Fitter, Carpenter, Fitter and Turner, Hairdressing
Apply directly on the college website or at a campus.
Official site Sekhukhune TVET College
Groblersdal · Limpopo · 3 campuses
2026 trades: Electrician, Plumber, Welder, Mechanical Fitter, Automotive Motor Mechanic, Carpenter, Fitter and Turner, Hairdressing
Apply directly on the college website or at a campus.
Official site Vhembe TVET College
Sibasa (Thohoyandou) · Limpopo · 7 campuses
2026 trades: Bricklayer, Electrician, Plumber, Mechanical Fitter, Carpenter, Hairdressing
Apply directly on the college website or at a campus.
Official site Waterberg TVET College
Mokopane · Limpopo · 5 campuses
2026 trades: Plumber, Mechanical Fitter, Hairdressing
Apply directly on the college website or at a campus.
Official site North West (3)
Orbit TVET College
Rustenburg · North West · 3 campuses
2026 trades: Electrician, Plumber, Hairdressing
Apply directly on the college website or at a campus.
Official site Taletso TVET College
Mahikeng · North West · 3 campuses
Apply directly on the college website or at a campus.
Official site Vuselela TVET College
Klerksdorp · North West · 4 campuses
2026 trades: Bricklayer, Electrician, Millwright, Boilermaker, Mechanical Fitter, Automotive Motor Mechanic, Carpenter, Fitter and Turner, Hairdressing
Apply directly on the college website or at a campus.
Official site Apply safely and confirm before you pay
- Use the official college site only. Apply on the college’s own website or at a campus. We link to each official site above. Do not apply through a third party that charges a fee to "register" you.
- Public TVET colleges are free or low cost to apply. A public college will never ask you to pay tuition or registration into a personal bank account. If anyone does, it is a scam - walk away and report it.
- Confirm the programme and the dates. Each college sets its own application dates and each programme has its own entry requirements. Confirm both on the official site, because dates change every year.
- Apply for NSFAS separately. NSFAS is applied for on the official NSFAS channels, not through the college only. Confirm your funding before you register so you are not caught out.
AskSmarty does not process TVET applications. We list the official colleges and link you to them. You apply on the official site and apply for NSFAS on the official NSFAS channels. We never take payment.
TVET college questions
There are 50 public TVET colleges in South Africa, each with multiple campuses, spread across all nine provinces. They are funded by the government through the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) and NSFAS. This page lists all 50 by province with a link to each official website.
NCV (National Certificate Vocational) runs from Level 2 to Level 4 and you can start it after Grade 9. It is a full time, school style qualification across a vocational field. NATED, also called Report 191 or the N courses, runs from N1 to N6 in trades and business, usually mixing study with workplace experience, and an N6 plus 18 months of relevant work leads to a National Diploma. Both are offered at public TVET colleges and funded by NSFAS if you qualify.
You apply directly to the college you want, on its own website or in person at a campus, on the dates that college sets. Some colleges also take applications through the DHET central online application service where it is running. Apply early because popular NCV and NATED programmes fill up fast, and have your ID, your latest results, and proof of residence ready.
Yes. NSFAS funds qualifying students at all 50 public TVET colleges for NCV and NATED programmes, covering tuition and allowances, using the same household income rule of R350,000 a year or less that applies at university. You apply for NSFAS separately on the official NSFAS channels. NSFAS does not fund private colleges.
Not always. Many NCV programmes start after Grade 9, so you do not need a full matric for those, while some NATED and higher level programmes do need a National Senior Certificate. Each programme sets its own entry requirements, so check the exact programme you want on the college website before you apply.
Yes. Public TVET colleges are government institutions and their NCV and NATED qualifications are nationally recognised and registered on the National Qualifications Framework. A trade or technical qualification from a public TVET college is a real, employer recognised route into work, and you can also bridge into a university of technology later if you do well.
Where to next
AskSmarty is an independent national guide - not the DHET, NSFAS, or any college, and not affiliated with any of them. This list of public TVET colleges is compiled from official government sources; college websites, programmes, fees and application dates can change, so always confirm on the official college and NSFAS channels before you apply or pay. We never take payment and we never check or process applications for you.