In the more traditional version of the story, a learner does well in maths and science and applies to a university. They complete a degree and enter the workforce as an engineer. While this is a clearly-defined path, it's also somewhat limited to a certain kind of learner.
At the same time, South Africa still faces a shortage of engineering skills. Projects stall as infrastructure ages, and companies struggle to find people who can step into roles and contribute without a long runway. This may point to a pipeline that is not working as well as it should.
There is more than one way into engineering. That has always been true. Technical and vocational routes have long formed part of the system, designed to produce people who can work with equipment, systems, and processes from day one. In practice, these pathways remain underused and, in some cases, misunderstood. TVET Technical and Vocational Education and Training colleges are central to breaking through the shortage.
