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SSACI has established itself as a transformative force in South Africa’s skills development sector. Through its innovative approach, policy influence, and strong partnerships, SSACI continues to shape the future of technical and vocational education, ensuring that young people are equipped with the skills needed for meaningful employment.

Activities

SSACI’s main activities focus on strengthening the TVET system and enhancing skills development through:

  • Providing policy and programmatic support to the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) and related institutions such as TVET colleges and Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs).
  • Initiating and managing technical and vocational training projects that enable unskilled and unemployed youth to transition into skilled employment.

SSACI collaborates with a wide range of implementation partners, including:

  • Government departments, TVET colleges, SETAs, universities, private-sector companies, and NGOs.
  • The organization's work is funded by the Swiss and South African governments, as well as foundations and private-sector companies.

SSACI collaborates with a wide range of implementation partners, including:

  • Training of TVET college staff in workplace-based experience (WBE) implementation and student assessments.
  • Training at 28 public TVET colleges for systematic workplace exposure for lecturers.
  • Development of essential resources, including:
  • A "how-to" manual and student materials for implementing WBE.
  • A lecturer's guide for continuous assessments during WBE.
  • A handbook on college-industry partnerships.
  • Work-integrated learning manuals for industry-based lecturer training.
  • Research reports on student WBE, college-industry collaborations, artisan training, and youth entrepreneurship.

The impact of SSACI’s projects has led to significant improvements in national skills development, including:

  • New national curricula for electricians, plumbers, and welders.
  • New qualifications and training programs in sectors such as agriculture, construction, early childhood development, hospitality, and tourism
  • Implementation of workplace-based experience in all 50 public TVET colleges, benefiting over 15,000 students annually.
  • Over 300 companies and organizations hosting college students for workplace-based experience.
  • Establishment of an inter-college learning forum to enhance curriculum development and share best practices.

SSACI has played a pivotal role in shaping the national skills development landscape through:

  • Integration of workplace-based experience into the DHET's monitoring and evaluation system for TVET colleges since 2012.
  • Development of a web-based national artisan database and tracking system for apprentices (established in 2013 with SSACI fundin
  • Contributions to the standardization of apprenticeship funding across all artisan trades.
  • Policy influence, including the adoption of work-integrated learning strategies and dual-system approaches for artisan training.
  • Professionalization of TVET college lecturers by incorporating workplace-based experience training into their qualifications.

Independent evaluations by Swiss and South African researchers have confirmed SSACI’s success in:

  • Enhancing youth employability by providing training that improves livelihoods and economic resilience.
  • Developing and testing workplace-based learning models for students and lecturers.
  • Aligning with national skills priorities and fostering stronger engagement between TVET colleges and industries.
  • Documenting and sharing learnings to continuously improve the TVET system and respond to evolving needs.
Learn More
accelerated artisan training

SSACI champions apprenticeships as a powerful tool for equipping young people with essential skills while addressing South Africa’s artisan shortage. Since 2008, SSACI has implemented fast-track apprenticeship models designed to be cost-effective, high-quality, and aligned with national training regulations.

Through a partnership with HWSETA, SSACI aims to train and place at least 100 unemployed youth from disadvantaged backgrounds in sustainable artisan careers. Over 2.5 years (2013–2015), trainees receive 24 weeks of intensive practical training, followed by 60 weeks of workplace-based training, leading to a national trade qualification.

Targeted trades include boilermaking, electrical work, plumbing, millwrighting, welding, and more. SSACI acts as the lead employer, handling recruitment, training placements, allowances, monitoring, and administration, while host companies provide workplace training. All funding is sourced from HWSETA.

All trainees are from disadvantaged backgrounds, under the age of 26 years and are currently under- or unemployed. To be selected, trainees must have:
  • Grade 12 qualification or equivalent
  • At least an N4 qualification in the relevant trade (or equivalent)
  • Passed trade theory subjects with at least 60%
  • A minimum of 50% in mathematics
  • Recruitment and Selection
  • 24 weeks institutional training
  • 60 weeks institutional training
  • 2 weeks trade-test preparation
  • Trade-test
  • Permanent employment as qualified artisan
Dual System Apprenticeship

South Africa’s Dual System Apprenticeship Reform

South Africa is reforming its apprenticeship system to develop highly skilled artisans. The dual system apprenticeship combines classroom learning at TVET colleges with hands-on industry training, ensuring apprentices gain both theoretical knowledge and real-world experience.

Since 2014, SSACI has been instrumental in implementing this system, managing pilot projects across various trades. In 2016, a new phase was launched to train 100 electrical apprentices, integrating the latest occupational qualifications.

This initiative enhances training quality, builds employer confidence, and strengthens the role of TVET colleges in artisan development.

Collaborate

South Africa’s Dual System Apprenticeship Reform

South Africa is reforming its apprenticeship system to develop highly skilled artisans. The dual system apprenticeship combines classroom learning at TVET colleges with hands-on industry training, ensuring apprentices gain both theoretical knowledge and real-world experience.

Since 2014, SSACI has been instrumental in implementing this system, managing pilot projects across various trades. In 2016, a new phase was launched to train 100 electrical apprentices, integrating the latest occupational qualifications.

This initiative enhances training quality, builds employer confidence, and strengthens the role of TVET colleges in artisan development.

Work at ssaci

SSACI champions apprenticeships as a powerful tool for equipping young people with essential skills while addressing South Africa’s artisan shortage. Since 2008, SSACI has implemented fast-track apprenticeship models designed to be cost-effective, high-quality, and aligned with national training regulations.

Through a partnership with HWSETA, SSACI aims to train and place at least 100 unemployed youth from disadvantaged backgrounds in sustainable artisan careers. Over 2.5 years (2013–2015), trainees receive 24 weeks of intensive practical training, followed by 60 weeks of workplace-based training, leading to a national trade qualification.

Targeted trades include boilermaking, electrical work, plumbing, millwrighting, welding, and more. SSACI acts as the lead employer, handling recruitment, training placements, allowances, monitoring, and administration, while host companies provide workplace training. All funding is sourced from HWSETA.