More than 300 students at Northern Cape Urban TVET College in Kimberley have been educated on bursary funding and skills development after a Services SETA activation campaign.
The Services Sector Education and Training Authority (Services SETA) rolled out the campaign in collaboration with Skills Development Promotion Organization (SAPCO) as part of its commitment to providing TVET students with information on bursaries and skills development.
The Kimberley activation comes after a similar campaign was held at the Northern Cape Rural TVET College in Upington, where students were also educated on the bursary funding and opportunities.
Students Receive Guidance on Bursary Funding
Students at the Northern Cape Urban TVET College who attended the activation included those studying plumbing, safety in society, carpentry, and bricklaying.
The students learned more about the Services SETA bursary package, including how they could access funding support and the role of SETAs (Sector Education and Training Authorities) in skills development.
They also got an opportunity to engage in a question-and-answer forum as part of the informative meeting.
Campaign Highlights Broader Role of SETAs
For many TVET students, the role of SETAs is not clear since different agencies handle skills development in various sectors of the economy.
The activation created awareness among participants on the role of various SETAs in promoting skills development.
It also opened their eyes to the existence of other SETAs beyond the one handling their field of study.
Students also learned more about the general bursary guidelines and benefits while pursuing their qualifications.
Bursary Beneficiary Calls for Better Communication With Students
One of the attendees was Onneile Sethlabi, a Services SETA bursary beneficiary studying NQF Level 4 Safety in Society.
According to Sethlabi, the forum helped her get a comprehensive understanding of the skills development landscape, including the roles played by the other 20 SETAs.
She also shared her suggestions for improving communication with students on bursary-related matters.
Sethlabi proposes having a better outreach strategy on bursary-related information, including informing students on the status of their applications and reminding them of monthly payments.
Why Bursary Communication Matters
For many students, bursaries, including the ones administered by Services SETA, play a critical role in ensuring they complete their qualifications.
As such, it is essential to have proper communication on matters relating to the bursaries.
Announcements regarding awards, including personal details of the recipients, should be made public.
The same applies to information on payment schedules and any changes to the terms and conditions of the bursaries.
This way, students who rely on funding support to enroll in and stay in college can plan their expenditures appropriately.
It is also a good way of keeping them informed, especially on how and when they can access the funds.
It is common for college students to seek bursary support to help fund their studies, especially with additional costs such as travel and learning materials.
TVET Colleges Remain Important to Skills Development
The activation highlights the role of TVET colleges in addressing the country’s skills development needs.
Apart from offering courses that lead to qualifications, they also play a critical role in training students in technical skills such as plumbing, carpentry, and bricklaying.
TVET colleges are also important in helping students make informed decisions regarding their career paths.
Some students might decide to pursue their tertiary studies in traditional universities while pursuing a career in plumbing, carpentry, or other technical jobs.
However, a student might have to consider attending a TVET college and completing a one-year certificate course to become a qualified plumber, carpenter, or bricklayer.
Looking Ahead
The Services SETA activation in Kimberley is part of a broader campaign whose aim is to educate students on bursaries administered by the organization.
The campaign held at the Northern Cape Urban TVET College in Kimberley saw more than 300 students educated on bursary funding and skills development.
The activation is also a reminder that students need to have access to bursary-related information, including funding decisions and monthly disbursements.
While many students rely on the internet to get information on bursaries and funding, it is sometimes necessary to have a physical meeting with the students.
