The Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) has officially phased out all NATED (Report 191) programmes, marking a significant shift in South Africa’s vocational education system. This change is part of the government’s efforts to align skills development more closely with workplace needs through the new Occupational Qualifications Sub-Framework (OQSF).

What Has Changed?

NATED courses, previously offered widely across technical and vocational institutions, covered a broad spectrum of fields such as engineering, business, hospitality, and more. These qualifications, structured from N1 to N6 levels, have now been replaced by Occupational Certificates.

What Are Occupational Certificates?

Occupational Certificates are qualifications designed to provide learners with practical, workplace-based skills combined with formal theoretical knowledge. Key features include:

• Focus on Workplace Learning: Combining on-the-job experience with classroom instruction.

• NQF Levels 5 and Above: Reflecting more advanced, occupation-specific competencies.

• Industry-Aligned Training: Developed in partnership with employers to ensure graduates meet current labour market demands.

• Shorter Duration: Typically completed within 1 to 3 years, emphasizing core occupational skills.

Why This Transition?

This transition aims to:

• Address skills shortages by equipping learners with relevant, practical skills.

• Improve graduate employability and responsiveness to industry requirements.

• Simplify and clarify the qualifications framework by replacing older, overlapping programmes.

• Strengthen the link between education and economic needs via the Occupational Qualifications Sub-Framework.

What It Means for Learners and Employers

• Learners: Those planning to enroll in vocational programmes should now pursue Occupational Certificates instead of NATED courses. Workplace learning components are often mandatory, making practical placements essential.

• Employers: Can expect graduates to possess up-to-date, practical skills aligned with industry standards and workplace demands.

This marks a pivotal development in South Africa’s education landscape, focusing on producing a skilled, job-ready workforce for the future.

For more information about which Occupational Certificates replace specific NATED courses or guidance on registration, contact the Department of Higher Education and Training or accredited training providers.