By Enith Gouws-Sibiya
The National Skills Fund (NSF) strengthened its commitment to advancing industry-aligned skills development through its participation in the Sedibeng Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) College at its Business Breakfast and Stakeholder Engagement session held on 27 March 2026 at Emerald Resort and Casino in Vanderbijlpark.
Held under the theme “Empowering Partnerships for Future Skills,” the engagement provided a strategic platform to strengthen collaboration between the college and industry partners. The session focused on aligning training programmes with labour market needs, strengthening partnerships, and expanding opportunities for student work placement..
The engagement brought together stakeholders from Sedibeng TVET College, the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO), the South African Public Colleges Organisation (SAPCO), Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs), community leaders, and students. This collective engagement reflects a shared commitment to bridging the gap between education and the evolving world of work.
As a catalytic funder in skills development, the NSF used the platform to engage with industry stakeholders, institutions, and the broader community on available funding opportunities, skills programmes, and pathways for youth development.
Students showcased their projects and innovations, providing industry partners with the opportunity to engage with emerging talent in fields such as Mechatronics and Robotics, Electrical Engineering (Industrial), Hairdressing, and Fitting and Turning. These exhibitions highlighted the tangible outcomes of collaborative investments in skills development.
Among the exhibition stalls, the NSF utilised the platform to engage directly with industry partners, institutional stakeholders, and the broader community on available skills development opportunities, including funded programmes and pathways for youth development.
The NSF further highlighted its investment in Sedibeng TVET College, amounting to R34,869,325.20 under the NSF TVET Capacity Building and Occupational Programmes Phase 3, benefiting 215 students between 2020 and 2024.
Through such initiatives such as these, the NSF continues to play a critical role in supporting the TVET sector by driving artisan development, supporting capacity building, enabling work-integrated learning (WIL) opportunities, and investing infrastructure that enhances training delivery.
