CET stands for Community Education and Training. You can think of CET Colleges as the “community workshops” within the national education system. While universities are like research labs and TVET colleges are specialized trade schools, CET Colleges are decentralized hubs designed to offer flexible tools (literacy, basic skills, vocational training) directly to adults and youth who need a second chance or tailored learning, ensuring that no one in the community is left without access to opportunities for personal and economic growth.
Find more about the CET College system in South Africa here.
There are 9 CET Colleges – one in each province plus 200 community learning centres and 1591 satellite learning centres.
Eastern Cape
Eastern Cape CET College
The Eastern Cape CET College offers AET levels 1 – 4.
Free State
Free State CET College
The Free State Community College provides education, training and Development for out of school youth and adults. Programmes offered:
– Adult Education and Trainnig (AET) Sub-level 1-3
– General Education and Training |Certificate (GETC) AET Level 4
– Senior Certificate
– Occupational qualification
– Non-formal programmes
Gauteng
Gauteng CET College
At Gauteng Community Education and Training College, we believe in unlocking potential through education. Our programs are designed to provide accessible, high-quality learning opportunities for everyone, empowering individuals to enhance their skills and pursue their dreams. With a focus on community engagement and personal growth, we offer a diverse range of courses tailored to meet the needs of our students. The Gauteng CET College offers a FREE Amended Senior Certificate course.
KwaZulu Natal
The KwaZulu Natal CET College
The purpos of the KZN CET College is to address the education needs of youth and adults in KZN communities who, for various reasons, did not complete their schooling or who never attended school. The College seeks to facilitate a cycle of lifelong learning in communities by establishing the development of skills (including literacy, numeracy and vocational skills) to enhance personal, social, family and employment experiences. It offers both academic and skills programmes. They offer Adult Education and Training (AET) levels 1 – 3 and the National Senior Certificate.
Limpopo
Limpopo CET College
The mission of the Limpopo CET College is to provide relevant skills through formal and non-formal programmes for the local and broader economy and for advancement of our communities. They offer AET levels 1 – 4, amended senior certificater programme, skills and occupational programmes and community development programmes.
Mpumalanga
Mpumalanga CET College
The Mpumalanga CET College targets post-youth and adults who wish to raise the base for further learning, improve their skills for employability and/or progression to opportunities in the TVET colleges and university education. In essence, community education and training offer programmes that contribute to improving community cohesion and social capital, and responsive to the geographic and sectoral needs and challenges. It offers ABET levels 1-4, amended senior certificate , National Senior Certificate for Adults (NASCA) and the General Education and Training Certificate for Adults (GETCA).
North West
North West CET College
Explore a wide range of opportunities for learning and growth at North West Community Education and Training Center. Whether you’re interested in honing your skills, making a career change, or pursuing lifelong learning, we offer a diverse array of programs designed to fit your needs. From Adult Education to specialized training courses, there’s something here for everyone. Browse through our offerings below to find the program that’s right for you. Click to check out course under each program. They offer AET programs, vocational skills programs and learnerships.
Northern Cape
Northern Cape CET College
The College has also been able to establish collaborative partnership with the two (2) TVET colleges namely Northern Cape Rural TVET College and Northern Cape Urban TVET College, and the Health and Welfare SETA. The College is the implementation Ageny for the mLab project in partnership with Sol Plaatje Municipality, Department of Economic Development and Tourism, Department of Science and Technology and mLab Southern Africa, and Tshipi-e-ntle in order to enhance service delivery at our Community Learning Centres. The College formed an infrastructure partnership with the Tsantsabane Municipality. Construction SETA, ETDP SETA, Hotazel Manganese Mine Education Trust. They offer AET levels 1-4, General Education and Training Certificate (GETC), National Senior Certificate and National Senior Certificate rewrites. They claim to be a zero tuition fee institute and are 100% FREE.
Western Cape
Western Cape CET College
In addition to vocational skills programmes and a matric-amended senior certificate programme, the Western Cape CET College offers AET (Sub-Levels 1–3) Entry-level learning for adults focusing on basic reading, writing, and numeracy. GETC-ABET Level 4 (NQF Level 1). This is a foundational qualification for adults equivalent to Grade 9, offering essential skills in communication, numeracy and life orientation.