UNIVERSITY ISN’T YOUR ONLY OPTION
GATHER YOUR SKILLS
in a suitcase
Collect them one by one and take them wherever you go… Work hard, complete matric, enrol at a university, get your degree, then perhaps a higher degree, then get appointed to a job, settling into the workplace and starting your career… It’s easy to believe that this is the only path to career success. However, this is not the only way to further your education and climb the career ladder, writes Jamaine Krige.
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our parents and educators may be encouraging you to explore your options for pursuing a tertiary education after you complete your matric. But university isn’t for everyone, and a degree is not the only qualification that will help you find a job. For some careers, university is your only option – but not everyone wants to be doctor, lawyer or engineer. Many others have found that a degree is no longer a guarantee to a high-paying job, or even employment! In South Africa, there are many colleges and training institutions that can help you gain a recognised SETA- or QCTO-endorsed certificate, diploma or qualification that is NQF-accredited and unit standard-aligned.
It can be confusing when you first try to navigate the acronyms, abbreviations and terminology in the South African education and learning sector. SAQA manages a register of all the qualifications available in South Africa. Training institutions must, therefore, get themselves accredited and must
also get qualifications or programmes accredited if they want them to carry weight. A qualification that is not registered or accredited is not on the NQF. This means it will not be recognised nationally and you cannot get the credit for the qualification to study further.
NQF, SETA, QCTO, TVET… What does it all mean? Here is a list of what you need to know: • NQF: National Qualifications Framework • SAQA: South African Qualifications Authority • SETA: Sector Education and Training Authorities • QCTO: Quality Council for Trades and Occupations • T VET: Technical and Vocational Education and Training
THE ULTI MATE CAREER GUI DE SP R ING 2021
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