Gert Sibande TVET College, in partnership with AgriSETA, is inviting applications for new Apprenticeship Opportunities for 2026 in three important artisan trades: Welders, Mechanical Fitters and Electricians.
This is particularly relevant to young South Africans who have followed a technical education pathway through Technical Grade 11, N2 Engineering Studies or NC(V) Level 4 and now want to move towards practical artisan training.
The new intake also follows an earlier Gert Sibande TVET College and AgriSETA apprenticeship intake advertised in 2026 for Bricklayer, Carpenter and Plumber trades, showing continued collaboration between the college and AgriSETA around artisan development.
Applicants interested in this opportunity should also use the Edupstairs Career & Qualification Explorer to investigate the careers connected to these trades, the Edupstairs SETA Platform to explore apprenticeship and artisan-development pathways across South Africa’s 21 SETAs, and the Gert Sibande TVET College Explorer to research programmes offered by the college.
Quick Overview
| Information | Details |
| Programme | Gert Sibande TVET College & AgriSETA Apprenticeship Opportunities 2026 |
| Programme Type | Apprenticeship / Artisan Development |
| Training Institution | Gert Sibande TVET College |
| Partner | AgriSETA |
| Trades Available | Welder, Mechanical Fitter, Electrician |
| Minimum Qualification | Technical Grade 11, N2 or NCV Level 4 with relevant subjects |
| Application Method | Physical submission |
| Submission Venue | Skills Academy and Artisan Development Centre, Standerton |
| Closing Date | 18 September 2026 |
| Email Applications | Not accepted |
| Faxed Applications | Not accepted |
| Enquiries | 017 714 1594 |
The details above are taken directly from the apprenticeship advertisement supplied for this article.
Apprenticeship Opportunities Available
There are three apprenticeship trades included in this intake.
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Welder Apprenticeship
Applicants interested in becoming welders can apply for the Welder Apprenticeship.
Welding is a practical engineering trade involving the joining, fabrication, repair and maintenance of metal components and structures. Welders can work across manufacturing, engineering, construction, mining, maintenance and other industrial environments.
This is therefore much more than an opportunity to gain short-term workplace experience. An apprenticeship is part of the longer artisan-development route involving technical learning and practical workplace development.
Before applying, research the occupation through the Career & Qualification Explorer by searching for Welder and related qualifications.
Edupstairs has previously covered similar artisan opportunities, including engineering apprenticeships involving welding and mechanical fitting. For example, Chart Industries’ apprenticeship programme included Welder and Mechanical Fitter pathways, while other TVET apprenticeship programmes have also targeted welding, electrical and mechanical trades.
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Mechanical Fitter Apprenticeship
The second opportunity is for applicants who want to become Mechanical Fitters.
Mechanical fitting is associated with the installation, assembly, maintenance, inspection and repair of mechanical machinery, equipment and components.
Mechanical fitters can potentially find employment across industries such as manufacturing, mining, energy, processing, engineering maintenance and industrial production.
The Edupstairs Career & Qualification Explorer contains South African qualification records as well as OFO career information, allowing applicants to investigate how technical qualifications connect with occupations.
Search the Career & Qualification Explorer for Mechanical Fitter, Fitter, Fitter and Turner and related mechanical engineering qualifications.
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Electrician Apprenticeship
The third available trade is Electrician.
Electricians are required throughout the South African economy, from construction and manufacturing to infrastructure, mining, energy and industrial maintenance.
Applicants considering this trade should first research the Electrician career and related qualifications through the Edupstairs Career & Qualification Explorer.
Electrical artisan pathways are also supported through several SETAs depending on the industry. For example, the Edupstairs SETA Platform identifies artisan-development pathways across sectors such as energy and water, metals and engineering, mining and manufacturing.
Minimum Qualification Requirements
According to the official advertisement, applicants must have one of the following:
- Technical Grade 11 with relevant subjects
- N2 with relevant subjects
- NCV Level 4 with all relevant subjects
The phrase “relevant subjects” is important.
Applicants should not assume that having any Grade 11, N2 or NCV Level 4 qualification automatically makes them eligible. The subjects need to be relevant to the apprenticeship for which they are applying.
For example, an applicant applying for the Electrician pathway would normally need technical subjects relevant to the electrical trade, while applicants pursuing Mechanical Fitting or Welding need subjects appropriate to those trades.
The advertisement itself should remain the primary authority when determining eligibility.
What Documents Must You Submit?
The advertisement requires applicants to submit:
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Uncertified copy of identity document
- Uncertified copies of all relevant qualifications
- Uncertified identity document of a parent or guardian if the applicant is under 18
Pay particular attention to the word uncertified. The advertisement specifically requests uncertified copies.
Applicants should therefore follow the instructions on the advert rather than automatically assuming that certified copies are required.
Clearly State Which Apprenticeship You Are Applying For
This is one of the most important instructions on the advertisement.
Clearly indicate the programme you are applying for on your CV.
For example, your CV should clearly identify the relevant programme as:
Welder Apprenticeship or Mechanical Fitter Apprenticeship or Electrician Apprenticeship
Do not simply submit a generic CV without making it clear which opportunity you want to be considered for.
How to Apply for the Gert Sibande TVET College & AgriSETA Apprenticeships
Applications must be physically submitted to:
Skills Academy and Artisan Development Centre
Standerton
The advertisement explicitly states: No faxed or emailed applications will be considered.
Applicants should therefore not email their CVs to random email addresses found online or send applications to individuals claiming to recruit on behalf of the programme.
For additional information about the opportunity, applicants can contact the Gert Sibande TVET College Skills Academy and Artisan Development Centre on 017 714 1594.
Closing Date: 18 September 2026
Applicants should submit their complete applications before the deadline.
What Happens After You Apply?
The advertisement states that applicants who do not receive any response within 60 days after the closing date should consider their application unsuccessful.
This means submitting an application does not guarantee placement.
Applicants should continue searching and applying for other apprenticeships, learnerships and skills-development opportunities while waiting for feedback.
Why an Apprenticeship Is Different From a Learnership
Although the terms are sometimes used interchangeably by applicants, an apprenticeship is particularly important for someone pursuing an artisan or recognised trade pathway.
Apprenticeships normally combine technical/institutional learning with substantial supervised workplace training and progression toward recognised trade competence.
The Edupstairs SETA Platform has a dedicated apprenticeship pathway designed to help users investigate these opportunities across different SETAs.
Applicants can therefore explore apprenticeships, learnerships, WIL programmes, bursaries and skills programmes through the Edupstairs SETA Platform.
How AgriSETA Fits Into This Opportunity
AgriSETA is the Sector Education and Training Authority associated primarily with agriculture and related industries.
On the Edupstairs SETA Platform, AgriSETA covers areas including farming, horticulture, animal and plant production, grain, sugar, seed, poultry, red meat, fibre, aquaculture and rural agricultural development.
Importantly for this opportunity, AgriSETA also supports artisan-development pathways.
The AgriSETA Artisan Development section on Edupstairs explains trade and apprenticeship development in agricultural workplaces, while the AgriSETA Artisan Development Programme guide describes multi-year workplace and trade development for learners entering agricultural trades.
This helps explain why trades such as mechanical fitting, welding and electrical work can be relevant to an agricultural SETA. Modern agriculture depends on machinery, processing facilities, electrical infrastructure, irrigation systems, equipment maintenance and mechanisation—not only farming occupations.
Explore Gert Sibande TVET College Before Applying
Applicants who want to understand the college itself can use the dedicated Gert Sibande TVET College Explorer on Edupstairs.
The Edupstairs college hub currently brings together 29 structured programmes across three programme categories, including NATED/Report 191, NC(V) and occupational programme information.
You can use it to investigate:
courses and programmes, admission requirements, campuses, NC(V) options, NATED/Report 191 programmes, occupational pathways, application resources, fees and NSFAS information, and past examination papers.
Students who want to compare Gert Sibande with other public colleges can also use the Edupstairs TVET Colleges Explorer to research South Africa’s 50 public TVET Colleges.
Already Have N2 or NCV Level 4? Research Your Career Before Applying
One of the biggest mistakes young applicants can make is applying for every apprenticeship without first understanding what the actual occupation involves.
Someone choosing between Welding, Mechanical Fitting and Electrical work should investigate the occupations separately.
Use the Edupstairs Career & Qualification Explorer to research South African careers, qualifications, OFO occupations, NQF levels and career-to-qualification connections.
The Explorer currently contains 1,511 OFO careers and more than 22,000 SAQA qualification records, providing applicants with a substantial research database for comparing pathways.
Search for terms such as Welder, Electrician, Mechanical Fitter, Fitter and Turner, Engineering, and related artisan occupations.
Related Apprenticeship Opportunities and Guides on Edupstairs
Applicants interested in these trades should not restrict themselves to one programme.
Edupstairs has previously covered several closely related artisan opportunities, including the Sekhukhune TVET College & merSETA Fully Funded Apprenticeship Programmes, which included Diesel Mechanic, Fitter & Turner, Welder and Electrician pathways; the South West Gauteng TVET College & FoodBev SETA Apprenticeship Programme, which included Fitter and Turner, Mechanical Fitter and Electrician opportunities; and the Komatsu Apprenticeship Programme 2026, which covered Fitter, Electrician, Welder, Boilermaker, Turner, Rigger, Millwright and other artisan pathways.
These related articles are useful even when their application periods have passed because they show the qualifications, technical subjects and recruitment requirements that frequently appear across South African artisan programmes.
Latest Learnerships Published on Edupstairs
Applicants should continue applying elsewhere rather than waiting for the outcome of a single application.
At the time of this research, the Edupstairs Learnerships section shows several newly published opportunities from the last few days.
These include the Metropolitan Human Capital Learnership Programme 2026, a 12-month opportunity aimed at unemployed Matric youth; Ekurhuleni West TVET College & CHIETA Data Lab Project 2026, a six-month Data Science and AI programme with a stipend; Buffalo City Sekunjalo Culinary Programme 2026, a 12-month opportunity for unemployed youth, aspiring chefs, farmers and food entrepreneurs; Ntabankulu Local Municipality Learnership Programme 2026, offering 49 opportunities for unemployed youth; and the Clover YES Programme 2026, providing 12-month workplace experience opportunities for unemployed Matric youth.
Applicants can keep checking the Edupstairs Learnerships page for the newest opportunities as new programmes are published.
Tools you may find useful:
- SETA Platform
- RDP / BNG Housing Eligibility Checker
- SASSA Grant Eligibility Checker
- SAPS / Metro / Traffic / DCS Eligibility Checker
- Youth Employment Eligibility Checker
- SA Bursary & NSFAS Eligibility Checker
- UIF Benefits Eligibility Checker and Payment Estimator
View Other Employment Opportunities here
Need Help?
Edupstairs Advice
If you meet the minimum requirements, do not wait until 18 September to start preparing your application.
First, decide whether you are applying for Welder, Mechanical Fitter or Electrician. Then check that your Grade 11 Technical, N2 or NCV Level 4 subjects are relevant to that trade.
Prepare your CV, ID copy and qualification documents and make sure the programme name is clearly indicated on your CV.
Because applications must be physically delivered in Standerton, applicants who live some distance away should also plan their submission early rather than discovering transport or document problems on the final day.
Most importantly, think beyond simply “getting an apprenticeship.” Research the actual occupation you want to enter through the Career & Qualification Explorer, investigate artisan-development programmes through the SETA Platform, and explore further technical study options through the Gert Sibande TVET College Explorer.
The goal is not merely to secure training—it is to build a sustainable artisan career.
Frequently Asked Questions
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When do applications close?
Applications close on 18 September 2026.
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Which apprenticeships are available?
There are three advertised trades: Welder, Mechanical Fitter and Electrician.
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Can someone with N2 apply?
Yes. The advertisement lists N2 with relevant subjects as one of the minimum qualification routes.
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Can NCV students apply?
Yes. Applicants with NCV Level 4 with all relevant subjects may apply.
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Can I apply with Grade 11?
Yes, but the advert specifically requires Technical Grade 11 with relevant subjects.
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Where must applications be submitted?
Applications must be submitted at the Skills Academy and Artisan Development Centre in Standerton.
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Can I email my application?
No. The advertisement specifically states that no faxed or emailed applications will be considered.
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Must the documents be certified?
The supplied advertisement specifically asks for uncertified copies of the ID and relevant qualifications.
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What if I am under 18?
You must also submit an uncertified identity-document copy of your parent or guardian.
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Do I need to state which trade I am applying for?
Yes. Applicants are instructed to clearly indicate the programme they are applying for on their CV.
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When should I consider my application unsuccessful?
According to the advertisement, if you have not received a response within 60 days after the closing date, you should consider the application unsuccessful.
You can also:
- View latest Internships
- View latest Learnerships
- View Latest Bursaries
- View latest Government jobs
- View latest Company Vacancies
- View latest Municipality vacancies
- Visit the Edupstairs blog for daily updates
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Disclaimer
Edupstairs is an independent education, career and employment information platform. Edupstairs is not Gert Sibande TVET College or AgriSETA and does not recruit or select candidates for this apprenticeship programme.
Never pay anyone who claims they can guarantee you an apprenticeship, learnership, internship or job.
Editorial Integrity
This Edupstairs guide is based primarily on the official Gert Sibande TVET College and AgriSETA apprenticeship advertisement supplied with the opportunity. Additional Edupstairs research has been included to help applicants understand the relevant TVET, career, SETA and artisan-development pathways.
Where Edupstairs provides career guidance or contextual explanations, these should not be interpreted as additional official eligibility requirements.
Applicants should always follow the requirements and submission instructions contained in the official advertisement.
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