Briefing by the Minister of Higher Education and Training Minister Buti Manamela
South Africa’s post-school education and training system is undergoing a major restructuring as Higher Education and Training Minister Buti Manamela confirmed during a media briefing on Wednesday, 10 June 2026, that 1,475 pre-2009 qualifications are being deregistered as part of the modernisation of the National Qualifications Framework. And as the government pushes ahead with a broad transition to occupation-based learning.
The government says 948 occupational qualifications and part-qualifications have already been registered, marking a rapid expansion of the new system intended to replace outdated legacy programmes.
“What we are introducing are qualifications that guarantee practical experience and workplace placement,” Manamela said.
“It is about modernising the system to make the Skills Revolution a reality.”
The department said the transition is part of a wider effort to improve alignment between education and labour market needs, strengthen accountability in the skills system, and expand workplace-based training opportunities.
The focus now is on ensuring a “structured and orderly” transition that protects learners while advancing a more modern, work-focused qualifications system.
South Africa’s Skills Revolution, as outlined by Minister Buti Manamela, is a comprehensive reform of the education-to-employment pipeline that emphasises:
- occupational, industry-relevant qualifications
- embedded workplace learning
- apprenticeships and artisan development
- public-private collaboration
- systemic institutional reform
- digital and future skills readiness
- measurable impact and accountability.
This means learners must be careful when choosing the college to enrol with, given the number of unaccredited and fly-by-night institutions in the market that might still be offering qualifications already de-registered.
Gervase from APS, your SAICA-accredited training provider
Visit our website for more information: www.alertsprofessionalservices.co.za or contact us by email: Gervasem@alertsprofessionalservices.co.za; WhatsApp: +27 72 490 8099
