Building a resilient skills ecosystem: situational analysis report on the forward path of education and training in light of the pandemic and 4IR/5IR shifts in the ETD sector: technical and vocational education and training subsector

Abstract

The Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) sector in South Africa plays a vital role in developing skills and improving employability of youth. However, the sector has faced challenges including poor student performance, low throughput rates, and insufficiently qualified lecturers. The Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic further disrupted the sector, forcing a shift to remote learning which TVET colleges were ill-equipped to provide effectively. Key impacts of COVID-19 include closures of campuses and loss of learning time; inequities in access to resources needed for remote learning; and disruptions to critical work placements and skills development.