Whispers of potential: Barriers to qualification completion of National Accredited Technical Education Diploma programmes in a selected TVET College

Abstract

This article investigates the systemic barriers impeding qualification completion for students enrolled in National Accredited Technical Education Diploma (NATED) programmes at a South African Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) college, focusing on the critical interplay between financial support and Work-Integrated Learning (WIL). Framed by Bean and Metzner’s Conceptual Model of Nontraditional Student Attrition, which highlights the impact of environmental variables on student persistence, a mixed-methods approach was employed. Quantitative data were collected through a survey of NATED Civil Engineering students and analysed using descriptive statistics, while qualitative insights were gathered via focus groups and interviews with college staff, National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) representatives, and student leaders, and analysed thematically. The findings reveal that inadequate financial support is the major impediment to qualification completion. While the NSFAS facilitates access to theoretical components, the absence of dedicated funding for mandatory WIL placements creates a major impediment. This lack of financial support, coupled with difficulties in securing suitable placements and administrative hurdles, leads to substantial delays in qualification completion and diminishes graduate employability. The article argues for a restructuring of funding models, including NSFAS and Sector Education and Training Authority (SETA) provisions, to incorporate comprehensive support for WIL-related expenses.

Contribution: Furthermore, it recommends strengthened institutional support for WIL placement coordination and enhanced collaboration between TVET colleges, industry, and policymakers. Addressing these systemic barriers is crucial to unlocking the unrealised potential of TVET students, improving qualification completion rates, and ensuring a more effective contribution to national skills development and economic growth.