Meta Description: Minister Buti Manamela says South Africa must strengthen university, TVET, SETA and workplace pathways while measuring whether students actually complete studies and enter work.
South Africa is being urged to rethink how it measures success in higher education and skills development.
Higher Education and Training Minister Buti Manamela has called for greater attention to what happens to students after they enroll. The focus should not stop at counting admissions or completions. Government wants to know whether learners qualify, find employment, continue studying, start businesses or gain skills that improve their livelihoods.
The comments come as university leaders, government officials, academics, students and other stakeholders gather for the 4th Universities South Africa (USAf) Higher Education Conference, being held from 7 to 9 October 2026 at the CSIR International Convention Centre in Pretoria. The conference theme is “Co-creating a Resilient Future.”
Why Student Success Matters
For many young South Africans, getting into a university or college is only the beginning.
A student may enroll but later drop out, fail to complete a qualification or struggle to enter the labor market.
Manamela has argued that government needs better information about these outcomes.
This means measuring more than the number of people who enter a Programme.
The Department wants the system to provide a clearer picture of whether students:
- Complete their studies
- Obtain qualifications
- Find employment
- Continue into further education
- Start enterprises
- Gain useful workplace skills
The approach could give policymakers a better understanding of which programmes are producing meaningful outcomes.
Universities Are Not the Only Route
One of the biggest messages from the government’s broader post-school education strategy is that young people should not view university as the only route after matric.
South Africa’s post-school education and training system includes:
- Universities
- TVET colleges
- Community Education and Training colleges
- SETA programmes
- Learnerships
- Apprenticeships
- Internships
- Workplace-based learning
- Occupational qualifications
- Skills programmes
The Department has previously stressed that TVET colleges, SETAs and other training institutions should form part of a wider pathway into employment and further study.
This is particularly relevant for students who do not obtain university admission or who prefer practical and occupational training.
MORE NEWS ABOU STUDENTS WITH STUDENTNEWS.COZA
TVET Colleges Gain More Attention
TVET colleges are increasingly being positioned as important institutions for occupational training and artisan development.
Earlier in 2026, Manamela said government was working to reposition TVET colleges at the Centre of occupational training and artisan development.
The new approach is intended to connect classroom learning with practical workplace experience and create clearer routes from training into employment.
For young people interested in trades and technical careers, this can include pathways linked to areas such as engineering, construction, manufacturing, energy and other occupational fields.
SETAs Remain Part of the Pathway
Sector Education and Training Authorities, commonly known as SETAs, also form part of the country’s skills-development system.
SETAs can support training, bursaries, learnerships and workplace-based learning in different economic sectors.
The Department has previously reported more than 15,000 SETA bursaries for students who do not qualify for NSFAS, particularly those in the so-called missing-middle category and in scarce-skills areas.
This creates another possible route for students who need financial support or want to enter a sector through vocational and workplace training.
Learnerships Can Connect Study and Work
Learnerships are another part of the wider pathway being promoted.
Unlike a purely academic route, workplace-based programmes can combine structured learning with practical experience.
Government has identified apprenticeships, learnerships and internships as important forms of workplace-based learning that can support faster entry into the labour market while still allowing learners to continue developing their qualifications.
For young job seekers, this means it can be useful to search beyond traditional university applications.
What Students Should Do
The changing approach gives students more options to consider.
If university admission is not possible, students can investigate TVET colleges, SETA-funded programmes, learnerships, apprenticeships and occupational qualifications.
If a student is already at university, workplace experience through internships and other practical programmes can help connect academic learning with employment.
The key is to choose a pathway that matches the student’s interests, abilities and career goals.
A Bigger Focus on Employment
The shift towards measuring outcomes is also closely connected to South Africa’s employment challenge.
Enrolling thousands of learners is not enough if many struggle to complete their studies or cannot transition into work.
The government’s broader skills strategy therefore places greater emphasis on whether education and training produce useful qualifications and employment outcomes.
For students, this makes it increasingly important to consider what career a qualification can lead to, what practical experience is available and whether there are opportunities to continue learning after completing a Programme.
What This Means for Matriculants
Matriculants should avoid assuming that only one pathway represents success.
A university degree may be the right option for one student.
A TVET qualification, apprenticeship, learnerships or occupational Programme may be more suitable for another.
Students should compare:
- Entry requirements
- Costs and available funding
- Duration
- Practical training
- Workplace exposure
- Employment opportunities
- Further-study options
- Accreditation and recognition
This can help learners make decisions based on their actual career plans rather than pressure to follow one particular route.
The Bigger Picture
The 4th USAf Higher Education Conference comes at a time when South Africa’s post-school education system is facing pressure to expand access while improving student outcomes.
USAf says the 2026 conference is focused on building a resilient higher education system and includes discussions around student success, equity and inclusion, digital transformation, artificial intelligence, institutional resilience and sustainable funding.
For young South Africans, the broader message is clear: post-school education is becoming a wider ecosystem rather than a university-only journey.
Universities, TVET colleges, SETAs, employers and workplace training programmes all have a role to play.
What Students Should Watch Next
Students and job seekers should continue monitoring official announcements from the Department of Higher Education and Training, universities, TVET colleges and SETAs.
CareerNews.co.za will also continue covering:
- University applications
- TVET college opportunities
- NSFAS updates
- SETA bursaries
- Learnerships
- Apprenticeships
- Internships
- Graduate programmes
- Skills training opportunities
The most useful opportunity is not always the one with the most familiar name. Sometimes the better route is the one that provides the right combination of training, practical experience and a realistic path into work.
Important Notice from CareerNews.co.za: CareerNews.co.za is a free, independent information portal. We are not a recruitment agency and do not handle or process applications on behalf of any employer. Applications must be submitted directly through the verified official portals mentioned above. We strongly advise job seekers to never pay any fees for job applications or interviews.