TVET Trade Guide

Fitting, Turning and Boilermaking (TVET) in South Africa 2026

Study Fitting and Turning at a TVET college in South Africa. N1-N6 programmes for fitters, turners, and millwrights. Leads to an artisan trade test qualification.

19
Programmes
19
Colleges
Free
Application
Grade 9+
Entry Level

Fitting, Turning and Boilermaking (TVET) Programmes at SA TVET Colleges 2026

19 programmes listed across 19 TVET colleges. Free application. NSFAS funded.

NCV vs NATED: NCV (National Certificate Vocational) requires a Grade 9 pass. NATED (N1-N6 / Report 191) requires a Grade 9 pass, with N4-N6 needing N3 or equivalent. APS scores shown are indicative — TVET colleges do not use matric APS for admission.
TVET College Programme Entry Level Subject Requirements Career Paths
Port Elizabeth TVET College
TVET College
Fitting and Turning (N1-N6)
N1-N6 Certificate · 18 months - 3 years
16 Math Lit OK (L3+)
English L3+
Fitter and Turner, Millwright
Flavius Mareka TVET College
TVET College
Fitting and Turning (N1-N6)
N1-N6 Certificate · 18 months - 3 years
16 Math Lit OK (L3+)
English L3+
Fitter and Turner, Millwright
Goldfields TVET College
TVET College
Fitting and Turning (N1-N6)
N1-N6 Certificate · 18 months - 3 years
16 Math Lit OK (L3+)
English L3+
Fitter and Turner, Millwright
Motheo TVET College
TVET College
Fitting and Turning (N1-N6)
N1-N6 Certificate · 18 months - 3 years
16 Math Lit OK (L3+)
English L3+
Fitter and Turner, Millwright
Central Johannesburg TVET College
TVET College
Fitting and Turning (N1-N6)
N1-N6 Certificate · 18 months - 3 years
16 Math Lit OK (L3+)
English L3+
Fitter and Turner, Millwright
Ekurhuleni West TVET College
TVET College
Fitting and Turning (N1-N6)
N1-N6 Certificate · 18 months - 3 years
16 Math Lit OK (L3+)
English L3+
Fitter and Turner, Millwright
Tshwane North TVET College
TVET College
Fitting and Turning (N1-N6)
N1-N6 Certificate · 18 months - 3 years
16 Math Lit OK (L3+)
English L3+
Fitter and Turner, Millwright
Elangeni TVET College
TVET College
Fitting and Turning (N1-N6)
N1-N6 Certificate · 18 months - 3 years
16 Math Lit OK (L3+)
English L3+
Fitter and Turner, Millwright
Majuba TVET College
TVET College
Fitting and Turning (N1-N6)
N1-N6 Certificate · 18 months - 3 years
16 Math Lit OK (L3+)
English L3+
Fitter and Turner, Millwright
Thekwini TVET College
TVET College
Fitting and Turning (N1-N6)
N1-N6 Certificate · 18 months - 3 years
16 Math Lit OK (L3+)
English L3+
Fitter and Turner, Millwright
Umgungundlovu TVET College
TVET College
Fitting and Turning (N1-N6)
N1-N6 Certificate · 18 months - 3 years
16 Math Lit OK (L3+)
English L3+
Fitter and Turner, Millwright
Lephalale TVET College
TVET College
Fitting and Turning (N1-N6)
N1-N6 Certificate · 18 months - 3 years
16 Math Lit OK (L3+)
English L3+
Fitter and Turner, Millwright
Gert Sibande TVET College
TVET College
Fitting and Turning (N1-N6)
N1-N6 Certificate · 18 months - 3 years
16 Math Lit OK (L3+)
English L3+
Fitter and Turner, Millwright
Nkangala TVET College
TVET College
Fitting and Turning (N1-N6)
N1-N6 Certificate · 18 months - 3 years
16 Math Lit OK (L3+)
English L3+
Fitter and Turner, Millwright
Northern Cape Urban TVET College
TVET College
Fitting and Turning (N1-N6)
N1-N6 Certificate · 18 months - 3 years
16 Math Lit OK (L3+)
English L3+
Fitter and Turner, Millwright
Orbit TVET College
TVET College
Fitting and Turning (N1-N6)
N1-N6 Certificate · 18 months - 3 years
16 Math Lit OK (L3+)
English L3+
Fitter and Turner, Millwright
Vuselela TVET College
TVET College
Fitting and Turning (N1-N6)
N1-N6 Certificate · 18 months - 3 years
16 Math Lit OK (L3+)
English L3+
Fitter and Turner, Millwright
Northlink TVET College
TVET College
Fitting and Turning (N1-N6)
N1-N6 Certificate · 18 months - 3 years
16 Math Lit OK (L3+)
English L3+
Fitter and Turner, Millwright
College of Cape Town TVET
TVET College
Fitting and Turning (N1-N6)
N1-N6 Certificate · 18 months - 3 years
16 Math Lit OK (L3+)
English L3+
Fitter and Turner, Millwright

Frequently Asked Questions

What qualifications do I need to study Fitting, Turning and Boilermaking (TVET) at a TVET college?

For NCV (National Certificate Vocational) programmes you need a Grade 9 pass — no matric required. For NATED (Report 191) N1-N6 programmes, a Grade 9 pass is the minimum, though some colleges prefer Grade 10 or 11. This makes TVET colleges accessible to learners who have not yet completed matric and to those who want a practical, work-focused qualification after school.

Is a Fitting, Turning and Boilermaking (TVET) programme free in South Africa?

Application to all 50 public TVET colleges in South Africa is completely free. Tuition fees vary by college but NSFAS (National Student Financial Aid Scheme) covers tuition, accommodation, and a living allowance for eligible students. To qualify for NSFAS: South African citizenship and household income under R350,000 per year. SASSA grant recipients automatically qualify. Apply at nsfas.org.za.

How long does the Fitting, Turning and Boilermaking (TVET) programme take at a TVET college?

Programme durations: 18 months - 3 years. NCV programmes run over 3 years (Levels 2, 3, and 4). NATED N1-N6 programmes take 18 months to 3 years depending on how you complete the practical (18 months in-college plus 18 months workplace experience required for a trade test). Once you pass the DHET trade test you become a certified artisan.

What jobs can I get with a Fitting, Turning and Boilermaking (TVET) TVET qualification?

Career paths from Fitting, Turning and Boilermaking (TVET) programmes include: Fitter and Turner, Millwright, Maintenance Mechanic. Artisan trades are among the highest-demand occupations in South Africa. The construction, mining, manufacturing, and energy sectors have chronic shortages of qualified technical workers — meaning strong employment prospects and competitive salaries for qualified graduates.

Can I go to university after completing a TVET programme?

Yes. An NCV Level 4 with the right subjects is equivalent to matric and can be used to apply to university, though APS requirements still apply. Completing N6 and a trade test qualifies you as a certified artisan — you can then pursue a National Diploma or B-Tech at a University of Technology. Many TVET graduates also enter the workforce first and study further part-time.

Disclaimer: TVET programme offerings, entry requirements, and NSFAS eligibility may change annually. Always verify directly with the college before applying. Artisan trade test requirements are set by DHET and sector training authorities (SETAs).