DHET and Services SETA Inject R90 Million Into Revitalisation of Community Colleges

Under the programme, each CET college will receive R10 million to upgrade facilities, improve teaching and learning conditions, and expand access to adult education and skills development opportunities.

South Africa's Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), in partnership with the Services Sector Education and Training Authority (Services SETA), has unveiled a major R90 million investment programme aimed at transforming Community Education and Training (CET) colleges into modern, technology-enabled learning hubs capable of addressing the country's growing youth unemployment and skills crisis.

The announcement was made by Deputy Minister for Higher Education and Training Dr Mimmy Gondwe alongside Services SETA Administrator Lehlogonolo Masoga during the official launch of a large-scale infrastructure revitalisation project at Emlandeleni Community Learning Centre (CLC) in Ndwedwe, north of Durban in KwaZulu-Natal.

The ambitious initiative will fund infrastructure upgrades, digital learning improvements and student support interventions across all nine CET colleges in South Africa — one in each province — marking one of the most significant investments in the adult education sector in recent years.

R90 Million National Upgrade to Modernise CET Colleges

Under the programme, each CET college will receive R10 million to upgrade facilities, improve teaching and learning conditions, and expand access to adult education and skills development opportunities.

The funding will benefit both the main campuses and their extensive satellite centres located in rural, township and underserved communities across the country.

Officials say the initiative forms part of a broader strategy to reposition CET colleges as central pillars of South Africa's Post-School Education and Training (PSET) system, while creating accessible "second chance" education pathways for young people and adults who have fallen outside the formal schooling system.

The project introduces a new model of community-centred education innovation focused on combining infrastructure renewal, digital inclusion, practical vocational skills and local economic participation.

Government Moves to Address South Africa's Growing NEET Challenge

Speaking at the launch event, Deputy Minister Gondwe stressed the urgency of addressing South Africa's escalating NEET crisis — referring to young people and adults who are not in employment, education or training.

South Africa continues to battle one of the highest youth unemployment rates globally, with millions of young people excluded from economic opportunities and formal education pathways.

"We know that our country faces a significant challenge with the NEET cohort, that is, young people and adults not in employment, education or training. We cannot ignore this problem," Gondwe said.

"CET colleges demonstrate that it is never too late to learn, rebuild and participate in the economy. Addressing youth unemployment and the lack of opportunities is urgent."

Education experts say CET colleges are increasingly being recognised as critical institutions capable of absorbing thousands of out-of-school youth and adults who require literacy, vocational skills, digital competencies and pathways back into employment or entrepreneurship.

CET Colleges Positioned as Engines of Inclusive Development

The revitalisation initiative is expected to significantly improve learning environments at CET colleges, many of which have historically struggled with aging infrastructure, limited digital resources and underinvestment.

Government officials believe the modernisation programme could help reposition CET colleges as engines of inclusive growth and community empowerment, particularly in rural and economically marginalised areas.

Services SETA Administrator Lehlogonolo Masoga described the investment as a deliberate intervention aimed at strengthening public education infrastructure and broadening access to learning opportunities.

"Services SETA has taken a deliberate decision to invest in the public education system as part of its contribution to skills development and inclusive access," Masoga said.

The programme also aligns with national efforts to build a more responsive skills development ecosystem capable of supporting industrialisation, entrepreneurship and community-based economic participation.

Emlandeleni Community Learning Centre Among First Beneficiaries

Emlandeleni Community Learning Centre, which currently serves more than 1 000 students, is among the first institutions to benefit from the national revitalisation programme.

The centre has received an initial R5 million allocation for urgent refurbishment and infrastructure improvements.

Planned upgrades include:

• Roofing repairs

• Refurbishment of ablution facilities

• Upgrading training workshops

• Classroom painting and renovations

• Installation of smart boards and digital learning technology

• General campus modernisation and maintenance

Officials say the upgrades are designed to create safer, more modern and technology-driven learning environments capable of supporting both academic and vocational education programmes.

Multi-Stakeholder Innovation Model Expands Support

In a significant show of collaboration across the education and skills sector, several institutions and private-sector partners announced additional support initiatives during the launch event.

The integrated support package includes:

• The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) donating five laptops to expand digital learning access.

• The Fibre Processing and Manufacturing (FP&M) SETA donating 10 sewing machines to strengthen vocational and entrepreneurial training.

• The Energy and Water Sector Education and Training Authority (EWSETA) pledging a borehole drilling truck to provide practical technical training while improving local water access.

• Old Mutual, in partnership with Services SETA, donating dignity packs to learners at Emlandeleni CLC.

The collaborative model is being viewed as an innovative approach to rebuilding community education by linking infrastructure development with practical skills training, digital access, social support and local economic development.

Digital Learning and Skills Development at the Core

A major focus of the revitalisation programme is the integration of digital learning technologies and practical workplace skills into CET education models.

Officials say this reflects growing recognition that future employability increasingly depends on digital literacy, technical skills and entrepreneurial capability.

The installation of smart boards and expansion of digital learning access are expected to improve teaching quality, learner engagement and connectivity to broader educational resources.

At the same time, practical training initiatives such as sewing machine donations and technical equipment support are intended to provide learners with hands-on skills linked directly to income-generating opportunities.

Restoring the Importance of CET Colleges

Deputy Minister Gondwe said the revitalisation effort goes far beyond infrastructure upgrades, describing it as part of a wider mission to restore the visibility and importance of CET colleges within South Africa's education system.

"The support is about reaffirming the important role of CET colleges and ensuring they are no longer forgotten in the PSET sector, but recognised as vital institutions in our education system," Gondwe said.

Analysts say the renewed focus on CET colleges could become a critical component of South Africa's long-term strategy to combat unemployment, reduce inequality and expand educational inclusion for millions of citizens who remain excluded from traditional higher education pathways.