The story of Motheo TVET College

Motheo TVET College is one of the four public TVET Colleges in the Free State, serving the Motheo and Xhariep Districts.  The College comprised of three campuses, a Central office and three satellites.

Central office and Bloemfontein campus are situated in the Bloemfontein Central Business District, Mangaung Metro within the Motheo district.  Bloemfontein campus focus mainly in the training of Business Studies NC(V)- and Report 191 programmes. Training of disabled students (deaf, blind and physically impaired) are catered for at this campus.

Hillside View campus serving Bloemanda Township which is 8 km from the Central office. The campus is more inclined towards engineering programmes both NC(V) and Report 191. Thaba’Nchu campus is in the semi-rural area of Thaba’Nchu, which is approximately 70 km from Bloemfontein CBD. This campus has a programme mix of both Engineering and Business studies.

In order to address the current local economic challenges such as unemployment, poverty and to address the need for upliftment, the College has established three satellites in strategically targeted areas. One in Botshabelo which is within Motheo district and two other satellites in Zastron and Koffiefontein in the Xhariep district.

College Principal Prof Dipiloane Phutsisi came up with the concept of establishing an Artisan Academy with the intention of fast-tracking the development and provision of artisans in line with the National Skills Development Strategy’s (NSDS) target of producing 30 000 artisans by 2030. The Academy is situated opposite South Park Cemetery in Bloemfontein. To be officially opened soon. 

The building of a new Artisan Academy along OR Tambo street leading to N6 to Eastern Cape Province as well as the SEDA funded “Design and Line Manufacturing Incubator” project in St Georges Street in Bloemfontein, showcase the intention to service the community for rendering maintenance services in terms of plumbing, electrical service and enhancing the building and construction sector.

The college has fostered partnerships with a spectrum of local business, industry, government institutions, municipalities and partners who assist with skills development where accreditation is not yet in place. International partnerships include Coleg Gwent (UK), Northlink TVET College in Cape Town, West-Lothian College in Scotland, Warwickshire College Group in Leamington Spa (UK).

 

Memoranda of Agreement are entered between University of Free State and Central University of Technology, Mangaung Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Bank Seta is the Lead SETA in the College. Motheo TVET College operates closely with SETAs e.g SERVICES, AGRI SETA and MERSETA. CHIETA, CETA LGSETA, W&RSETA amongst others. The college recently entered into a signed agreement with the MICTSETA in partnership with Digilab to train 50 ladies students to qualify as Satellite Installers.

The college also offers a broad number of Learnerships, accredited skills programmes and a number of community directed programmes. The College serves international students from the neighbouring state of Lesotho.

To respond to the Industrial revolution, the following programmes apply:

·   Introduction of Aviation at Hillside View aand Thaba’ Nchu campuses in partnership with Kopano Flying School.

·   Introduction of Maritime studies in Ministerial programmes such as Transport and Logistics, Hospitality and Tourism, Safety in Society, Engineering etc.

·   Provision of Renewable Energy for students at Hillside View and Thaba’Nchu campuses in partnership with GIZ and DHET.

·   Provision of Solar water heating in collaboration with DHET and Department of Energy.

Linking to the Vision of Motheo TVET College “The Gateway to Employability”, and the Mission to “Be a visionary and innovative provider of excellence, responsive to the needs of the community” the programme qualification offerings mix of the college is therefore addressing the economic needs of its service area and the intention is to be of more service to the industry, have closer links and producing the so much needed qualified artisans and a skilled workforce.