South African youth looking for practical, income-generating skills now have a new opportunity. Mthashana TVET College has officially opened 2026 online applications for fully funded skills training programmes supported by Bank SETA and the National Skills Fund (NSF). These programmes are designed specifically for unemployed individuals who want to gain practical skills quickly and enter the job market or start small businesses.
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The training is short, targeted, and aligned with real labour-market needs. Even more importantly, participants receive stipends during training, and no registration or tuition fees are required.
Quick Overview
Institution: Mthashana TVET College
Funding: Bank SETA & National Skills Fund (NSF)
Programmes:
- Cellphone Repair Skills Programme
- Entrepreneurship Skills Programme
Who can apply: Unemployed South Africans
Funding coverage: Fully funded (no fees)
Stipend: Paid monthly during training
Application method: Online only via student portal
Required documents: ID, school results, proof of residence
Closing date: 11 March 2026
Available Skills Training Programmes
1) Cellphone Repair Skills Programme (Funded by Bank SETA)
This programme focuses on practical training in mobile device diagnostics, maintenance, and repairs — a high-demand skill across South Africa.
Training Sites
- Maputa Campus
- Vryheid Business Campus (only residents of Vryheid & eDumbe may apply)
- Emandleni Campus (Ulundi)
- KwaGqikazi Campus (Nongoma)
Entry Requirements
Applicants must have:
- Grade 10, Grade 11, Grade 12, or Matric certificate
OR - An NQF Level 2 qualification
Programme Duration
- 4 weeks (1 month)
This is a fast-track technical skills programme designed to equip learners with the basics needed to start offering cellphone repair services.
2) Entrepreneurship Skills Programme (Funded by NSF)
This programme is designed for individuals who want to start and manage their own businesses.
Training Site
- Nguthu Campus
Entry Requirements
- Grade 12 OR
- NQF Level 4 qualification
Programme Duration
- 3 months
Participants learn:
- Business planning
- Financial basics
- Marketing fundamentals
- Small enterprise management
- Startup readiness
Stipends and Funding
Participants will receive:
- Monthly stipends during training
- Fully funded tuition
- No registration fees
- No consumable fees
This ensures that financial constraints do not prevent youth from gaining valuable skills.
Required Documents
Applicants must prepare:
- Certified copy of ID
- Certified copy of highest school results
- Proof of residence
Incomplete applications may be rejected.
Application Process
Applications must be submitted online via the student portal.
Steps:
- Register online on the student portal.
- New applicants must create a student account.
- Existing students can log in using their credentials.
- Create a student profile.
- Select the correct year on the portal dashboard.
- Choose a campus.
- Select the workshop-based skills course.
- Apply for your preferred programme.
For enquiries:
- Occupational Programmes Unit: 034 980 1010
How Edupstairs Helps You Prepare
At Edupstairs, we don’t just post opportunities—we help you win them.
Recommended Tools:
- Youth Employment Eligibility Checker
- SAPS / Metro / Traffic / DCS Eligibility Checker
- Edupstairs Internship / Learnership Eligibility Checker
- Edupstairs Financial Literacy Mini-School
- Grow your Confidence – 30-day Challenge
- SA Bursary Probability Checker
- Edupstairs Simple CV Builder Tool
- Edupstairs AI Cover Letter Generator Tool
- Edupstairs Learnership Application Checklist Tool
- Edupstairs Internship Application Checklist Tool
- Edupstairs Interview Q & A Coach Tool
- SA Youth Apprenticeship Readiness Quiz
- Edupstairs Learnership Stipend Calculator Tool
- NSFAS Funding Eligibility Checker Tool
- Edupstairs Qualification-to-Career Pathways Tool
- South African Salary Explorer Tool
- TVET College Enrolment Eligibility Checker Tool
- Edupstairs Career Personality Tool
- Daily Career Score Tracker
- Learnership and Internship Readiness Quiz
Edupstairs Advice
If you are serious about building a career, this opportunity should not be treated as just another short course.
Here’s how to maximize it:
- Choose a programme aligned with your long-term goals
- Build a portfolio during training
- Network with facilitators and peers
- Start offering services while training
- Apply for additional SETA opportunities after completion
Cellphone repair and entrepreneurship are high-impact skills because they allow income generation even without formal employment.
Use this training as a stepping stone, not a final destination.
Career Growth Path After Completing the Programme
These programmes are not just short courses — they are entry points into real career pathways.
After Cellphone Repair Training
You can:
- Work at cellphone repair shops
- Offer freelance repair services
- Start a home-based repair business
- Sell accessories and refurbished devices
- Progress into advanced electronics training
After Entrepreneurship Training
You can:
- Launch a small business
- Apply for youth funding programmes
- Join incubation hubs
- Participate in enterprise development initiatives
- Pursue further business qualifications
These skills align with government employment frameworks and support long-term economic participation.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Who qualifies for these programmes?
Unemployed South Africans who meet the entry requirements.
- Are these programmes free?
Yes. Fully funded by Bank SETA and NSF.
- Will participants receive a stipend?
Yes, stipends are paid monthly during training.
- Can I apply offline?
No. Only online applications are accepted.
- Is a placement test required?
No. Placement tests are not compulsory.
- Can employed individuals apply?
Priority is given to unemployed applicants.
How long does training take?
- Cellphone Repair: 1 month
- Entrepreneurship: 3 months
What happens after training?
Participants can pursue employment, self-employment, or further training.
CLOSING DATE: 11 MARCH 2026
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
Application Outcome Tracker (anonymous)
No names collected. This helps future applicants understand real-world timelines.
Have you applied for this opportunity?
Disclaimers
- Programme availability depends on funding allocation.
- Meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee acceptance.
- Stipends are subject to attendance and programme rules.
- Only online applications will be considered.
- Application closing date must be strictly observed.
Always verify details on the official college portal before applying.
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