Higher Education Minister Buti Manamela will unveil the implementation timeline for a major overhaul of vocational qualifications affecting learners and employers across the country.
Higher Education and Training Minister Buti Manamela is set to announce major changes to the South African education landscape as the government looks to phase out pre-2009 qualifications.
Ministers will brief the media on Wednesday, 3 June 2026, regarding the implementation of transitional arrangements, which will fundamentally change the way post-school education and training operates in the country.
The change is part of a wider move towards professional qualifications, designed to replace outdated certification categories that have been in place for almost two decades.
The Ministry confirmed that the briefing will address the direct impact on learners currently enrolled in programs as well as training providers, employers and various institutions across the region.
According to an official statement, the change aims to strengthen the alignment between the education system and the real needs of the South African labor market.
Minister Manmela will be supported during the briefing by the leadership of the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) and the Quality Council of Trade and Occupations (QCTO).
Both of these agencies are the primary implementing bodies responsible for managing the transition away from the old system.
The department said the move towards vocational qualifications supports a dual model of skills that combines structured learning with workplace-based training and practical experience.
This model aims to help learners acquire skills that are directly relevant to employment and economic participation.
The briefing will take place at 08:00 on Wednesday morning in the Imbizo Media Center at Parliament, Cape Town.
Minister Manamela is expected to provide a detailed update on the specific categories of qualifications being phased out and the exact implementation timelines associated with the process.
Government's focus on skill revolution for Youth Month
The ministry highlighted that this change is part of the government's broader skills revolution agenda, which aims to modernize the post-school education and training system.
As the country celebrates Youth Month this June, the Minister intends to highlight how these new vocational qualifications will expand opportunities for young South Africans.
The change aims to ensure that young people can receive industry-relevant training and the workplace experience needed to improve their prospects for permanent employment.
The Department argues that the justification for this change lies in the need for a more modern and efficient education system that responds to the demands of a changing economy.
Education sector stakeholders are expected to closely monitor the Minister's updates on the rationale and timelines to ensure they remain in line with the new regulatory framework managed by QCTO and SAQA.