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FINAL WORD
Vocational
training a viable
alternative to
Matric
Just like every year, there has been controversy
surrounding what many refer to as the pass
rate versus the ‘real’ pass rate. But as Gideon
Potgieter, CEO of Resolution Circle says, South
Africans may need to change their mindsets
that getting your Grade 12 qualification and
going on to university for a degree is the be-all
and end-all of finding a job.
P
eople tend to forget that having a Grade 9 allows a learner to
continue their studies in post-school education and training
that can be at a Technical and Vocational Education Training
(TVET) college. In fact, overseas it is an accepted course of action
with countries like The Netherlands and Germany taking great
pride in the skills gained at a TVET level. To the uninitiated, TVET
focuses on artisanal skills such as mechanics, carpenters, electricians,
plumbers, welders, hairdressers and chefs. Furthermore, TVET
also enables the learner to further their studies by opening more
opportunities to gain additional qualifications.
So, why does the perception persist in the country that learners
must matriculate, go to university for a degree and then find a job?
This is not an easy question to answer, but it can be attributed to
how parents and the learners themselves are not fully aware of the
potential of vocational training.
Certainly, if the learner wants to go into a specialist field such as
becoming an accountant, lawyer, doctor or engineer, this is the
required course of action. But if the focus is not on attaining such
a qualification, why go to university in the first place? Potentially,
this can leave the student (or parents) with significant debt and a
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