Goldfields TVET College is a public technical and vocational college in the Free State, based in Welkom. Its campuses are the Welkom Campus, the Tosa Campus in Thabong and the Skills and Innovation Centre, with a Centre for Entrepreneurship and a central office at 36 Buren Street, Flamingo Park, Welkom. The college offers the National Certificate (Vocational), occupational programmes, the Pre-Vocational Learning Programme and skills programmes. Applications are made online through the college website, and NSFAS funding is applied for separately.
This guide covers the campuses, the programmes by type, entry requirements, application timing, NSFAS funding, registration and the mistakes that cost applicants a place. The college website does not list a fixed closing date or fee amounts on its main page, so each section separates confirmed information from the usual TVET pattern that applicants must confirm with the college.
About Goldfields TVET College
Goldfields TVET College is registered under the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) and serves the Goldfields region of the Free State, an area built around gold mining, with Welkom as its main town. The college trains school leavers and adults for technical, business, hospitality and service careers, and works with local employers and industry for practical and workplace experience.
As a public college it charges no application fee, and its qualifications are registered on the National Qualifications Framework, so a certificate can lead to a job, an apprenticeship, further study or a university pathway.
Campuses and Contact Details
The college lists the following sites on its website. Programmes differ between sites, so check which campus offers the course before applying.
| Site | Location | Main role |
|---|---|---|
| Central Office | 36 Buren Street, Flamingo Park, Welkom, 9459 | Administration and enquiries |
| Welkom Campus | Welkom | NCV and Report 191 (N4–N6) programmes |
| Tosa Campus | Thabong, Welkom | Engineering and related trades with workshops |
| Skills and Innovation Centre | Welkom | Occupational and skills programmes |
| Centre for Entrepreneurship | Welkom area | Entrepreneurship support and training |
The central office telephone number is 057 910 6000 and the marketing email address is marketing@goldfieldstvet.edu.za. Office hours are Monday to Thursday from 07:30 to 16:15 and Friday from 07:30 to 14:00. The office is closed on weekends and public holidays.
Programme Types at Goldfields TVET College
The college website groups its offering into four main programme types.
- National Certificate (Vocational), NC(V): a three-year, full-time qualification at NQF Levels 2, 3 and 4. Students combine subjects in their chosen vocational field with compulsory subjects such as English, Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy and Life Orientation.
- Occupational programmes: trade and occupation-based qualifications with a practical and workplace component. Listings for recent intakes mention occupations such as plumber, welder, solar photovoltaic technician, tourist information officer, chef and office administrator. The list changes by year, so confirm the current programmes with the college.
- Pre-Vocational Learning Programme (PLP): a bridging programme for learners who need foundation skills before moving into a vocational pathway.
- Skills programmes: short courses that build a specific skill, often for adults and employed workers.
Many public TVET colleges also offer NATED Report 191 programmes at N1 to N6 in engineering and business studies. Third-party listings place full-time Report 191 (N4–N6) courses at the Welkom Campus. Confirm the current N-level offering with the college, because campus allocation can change between intakes.
Fields of Study
NC(V) and Report 191 programmes at Goldfields TVET College fall into fields common across the TVET sector. Applicants should confirm exactly which of these the college offers at the time of applying.
| Field | Typical subjects or programmes |
|---|---|
| Engineering and related design | Electrical infrastructure construction, mechanical and fitting trades, welding |
| Business and management | Office administration, finance, bookkeeping, management |
| Hospitality and tourism | Hospitality, tourism, food preparation |
| Transport and logistics | Transport operations and logistics |
| Occupational trades | Plumbing, welding, solar PV installation |
Entry Requirements
TVET colleges do not use a university-style APS score. Entry depends on the programme level.
- NC(V) Level 2: a Grade 9 certificate is the usual minimum, and the applicant is normally at least 16 years old.
- Report 191 N4 onwards: a Grade 12 certificate or the relevant N-level pass, with Mathematics or other subject requirements for engineering streams.
- Occupational and skills programmes: requirements vary by qualification and may include a minimum grade, a trade test or relevant experience.
The college also uses a placement or admission assessment in numeracy and literacy to place applicants in a suitable programme. Applicants should confirm the assessment arrangements with the college after applying.
Application Dates for 2026/2027
The college website does not state a fixed closing date on its main page. Third-party listings for the 2027 intake mention an application window running from 1 September to 30 September 2026, but those listings disagree with each other and are not official. Applicants should treat this as a guide only and confirm the current opening and closing dates on the college website or by calling 057 910 6000.
The usual TVET pattern is that applications for the January intake open in the second half of the year and close in the final months of that year, with late applications accepted only where space remains. Applying early improves the chance of a place in popular programmes. A mid-year intake may be available for some programmes, but this is confirmed college by college.
How to Apply Online
- Go to the official college website at goldfieldstvet.edu.za and open the Online Application page.
- Read the Frequently Asked Questions page and the prospectus to choose a campus and programme.
- Complete the online application form with correct personal details, an active email address and a working cellphone number.
- Select the programme and the campus.
- Upload clear scans of the required documents.
- Submit the form and keep the reference or confirmation number.
- Wait for the college to contact you about the placement assessment, outcome and registration.
Use only the official college website for the application. The college does not charge an application fee, so any site asking for payment to apply is not the correct portal.
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Documents Required
- A certified copy of the South African identity document, or the birth certificate for younger applicants
- The latest school report or results (Grade 9, 10, 11 or 12, depending on the programme)
- The Grade 12 certificate or N3 certificate for N4–N6 applicants
- Proof of residence
- A parent or guardian identity document for applicants under 18
- A passport photograph, if requested
- Any qualification or certificate needed for the chosen occupational programme
Scans must be clear and complete. Documents that are cut off or unreadable delay processing.
NSFAS Funding at Goldfields TVET College
The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) funds eligible students at public TVET colleges. Applicants must be South African citizens with a household income of up to R350,000 a year, and students who receive a SASSA grant also qualify. Funding for eligible students covers tuition and, depending on the programme, allowances such as accommodation, transport, meals and learning materials.
NSFAS is a separate application from the college application. Applicants apply on the myNSFAS portal at nsfas.org.za when the funding window opens, normally around the end of the year. Being accepted by the college does not automatically mean NSFAS funding is approved. Students should apply to both on time and check the status regularly on the myNSFAS account.
Fees and Costs
The college website refers to a separate Class Fees page and does not list amounts on its main page. Fees depend on the programme, and no figures are quoted here because the current amounts must be confirmed with the college. Students not funded by NSFAS may pay fees directly, through a bursary, or by an arrangement with the college finance office. Students should budget for stationery, protective clothing for workshop programmes, transport and, where relevant, accommodation.
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Registration and What Happens After Applying
After the application is submitted, the college reviews it, schedules the placement assessment where required and sends an outcome. Successful applicants are told how to accept the offer and register. Registration normally requires the original documents, proof of funding or payment arrangements and the completed registration forms. Orientation takes place at the start of the academic year. Applicants who hear nothing should contact the central office with their reference number instead of reapplying.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Applying after the closing date or waiting until the last week
- Using an email address that is not checked regularly
- Uploading unclear or incomplete documents
- Choosing a programme without checking the entry requirements
- Assuming the college application also applies for NSFAS
- Paying a third party to apply on the applicant’s behalf
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Goldfields TVET College charge an application fee?
No application fee is charged. Apply only through the official college website.
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What is the minimum requirement for NC(V)?
A Grade 9 certificate is the usual minimum for Level 2, and the applicant is normally at least 16 years old. Confirm with the college.
Where is the college located?
The central office is at 36 Buren Street, Flamingo Park, Welkom. Campuses are in Welkom and Thabong.
Read also: Gert Sibande TVET College Courses, Application Dates, NSFAS & How to Apply 2026/2027
Is NSFAS applied for through the college?
No. NSFAS applications are made separately on the myNSFAS portal.
How can I contact the college?
Call 057 910 6000 or email marketing@goldfieldstvet.edu.za during office hours.