TVET Colleges in Bloemfontein

Bloemfontein, the judicial and heartland of South Africa’s Free State Province, is renowned not just for its historical legacy but also as an educational hub. Among its post-school offerings, TVET (Technical Vocational Education and Training) colleges stand out as practical, skills-based institutions preparing young people for the workplace. 

TVET Colleges in Bloemfontein 

In this blog post we will be looking at the key TVET colleges in Bloemfontein, Free State province.

1. Motheo TVET College

Overview & Campuses

Motheo TVET College is a prominent public TVET institution in the Free State, delivering vocational education via three main Bloemfontein campuses—Bloemfontein Central, Hillside View, and Thaba 'Nchu—as well as satellite campuses in Botshabelo, Zastron, and Koffiefontein.

 The Bloemfontein campus supports business studies and offers specialized facilities for the deaf, blind, and physically impaired. Hillside View mainly focuses on engineering, while Thaba 'Nchu blends business and engineering offerings.

Course Offerings

Motheo caters to a wide range of fields across NC(V) (levels 2–4) and NATED Report 191 qualifications (N1–N6), covering areas such as:

• Engineering: Civil, Electrical (light/heavy), Mechanical (fitting/turning, motor/diesel), Metalwork, Panel Beating, and Spray Painting
• Business & Utility Studies: Accounting, Finance, Marketing, Human Resources, Office Administration, Management Assistant 
• ICT: Information Technology, Computer Science
• Hospitality & Tourism: Tourism, Hospitality and Catering Services (N4–N6) 
• Hair & Beauty: Accredited Hair Care, Beauty and Nail Technology 
• Other: Educare, Safety in Society, Transport & Logistics 

Facilities & Special Initiatives

Houses an Artisan Academy opposite South Park Cemetery in Bloemfontein. Launched as Motheo’s second National Artisan Development Academy, it is part of a national effort to train 30,000 artisans per year by 2030. It offers plumbing, electrical, welding, carpentry, bricklaying, boiler-making, and more, supported by R450 million from SETA 

Also hosts a Design & Manufacturing Incubator for fashion entrepreneurs, funded by SEDA.

The Engineering faculty ranked 2nd nationally (out of 50 TVET colleges) and 1st in the region, boasting an 84% pass rate.

Funding & Support

Most courses are NSFAS-funded, covering tuition for qualifying students 

The SIU oversight resulted in Motheo repaying R38.7 million to NSFAS for unallocated student funds (2017–2022), to be paid over five years 

2. Maluti TVET College (Bloemfontein Satellite Campus)

Overview & Campus Location

While Maluti TVET College’s main hubs are in Phuthaditjhaba (Bethlehem area), it runs a satellite campus in Bloemfontein serving students in the city. This campus brings the academic strengths of Maluti closer to urban learners.

Course Offerings

Maluti awards various NC(V) (National Certificate Vocational) qualifications (Levels 2–4), including:

• Engineering-related: Information Technology; Electrical Infrastructure; Civil Engineering; Engineering Design 
• Business-related: Marketing; Finance & Accounting; Office Administration
• Service industries: Tourism; Hospitality; Primary Agriculture; Education & Development; Primary Health 

NATED (Report 191) courses include:

• Engineering studies: Electrical; Mechanical; Civil Engineering (N1–N6) 
• Business studies: Business Management; Marketing; Financial Management; HR Management; Public Management; Management Assistant (N4–N6) 
• Utility studies: Hospitality; Clothing Production; Art (N4–N6)
• Short skills programmes (e.g., bricklaying, boiler-making, panel beating, welding) are also offered and target students with a minimum Grade 9, using unit-standard qualifications designed to boost employability

Admission & Funding

Applicants must have at least Grade 9 and provide certified ID and academic records plus complete a placement test . NSFAS supports tuition and other study costs for eligible students.

Strengths & Support

• Broad academic portfolio across technical, service, and trade sectors.
• Value-driven vocational training tailored to industry needs.
• Accessible via its Bloemfontein satellite campus; strength lies in regional hub network.

3. Flavius Mareka TVET College (Bloemfontein Area)

Overview & History

Formed in 2000 by merges of Sasolburg College, Kroonstad Technical, and Mphohadi College, Flavius Mareka covers the Free State, including community-focused satellite services near Bloemfontein.

Campuses

• Sasolburg (dual sites)
• Kroonstad campus
• Mphohadi campus

Programmes & Training Focus

Flavius Mareka TVET College offers NC(V) and Report 191 qualifications across Engineering, Business and hospitality faculties.

Mission & Values

Committed to innovation, entrepreneurship, and labour-market alignment, with a vision to be accessible and globally competitive. Emphasis on teamwork, integrity, responsiveness, and community partnership.

4. Goldfields TVET College (Welkom & Bloemfontein Satellite)

Overview & Campuses

Centered in Welkom (Matjhabeng Municipality), Goldfields TVET serves students across five local municipalities (~406,000 residents), also operating a Bloemfontein satellite campus.

Campus network:

Tosa Campus (Thabong): Focused on engineering specialisations.

Welkom Campus: Dedicated to business, hospitality, and edu-care.

Meloding (Virginia): Satellite locations.

Skills & Innovation Centre: Hairdressing, community skills

Programmes & Facilities

• Finance, Economics & Accounting
• Office Administration
• Tourism
• Hospitality
• Human Resources Management
• Management Assistant
• Business Management
• Educare
• Finance Management
• Marketing Management
• Information Technology & Computer Science
• Electrical Infrastructure Construction
• Engineering & Related Design
• Civil Engineering & Building Construction
• Drawing Office Practice
• Electrical Engineering (Heavy & Light Current)
• Civil Engineering: Plumbing
• Multi-Disciplinary Draughting Office Practice (MDDOP)
• Boiler-making
• Craft & Confectionery Baking
• Cosmetology / Beauty Therapy
• Hairdressing
• Baking & Confectionery
• Curtain Making
• Flower Arranging
• Garment Making
• Events Management
• Linen Making
• Fashion Design
• Manicure/Pedicure & Make-up
• End-User Computing
• PC Repair
• Upholstery
• Welding
• Carpentry
• Motor Mechanics
• Solar Energy Systems
• Green Economy & Aquaponics Training
• Entrepreneurship & SMME Start-up Training

Admission & Finance

Goldfields TVET College requires placement testing, Grade 9+ for NCV, and specific subject passes for NATED courses such as Math, Science, Technical subjects.

Full-time students must apply for financial assistance or pay an R850 deposit if self funded. NSFAS support is mandatory for those qualifying.

Vision & Community Impact

Goldfields aims to be a first-choice institution fostering employability, entrepreneurship, and industry alignment through transparent governance, professionalism, and continuous improvement.

Which Course is right for you in Bloemfontein 

Each of these TVET colleges offers strong, relevant vocational training: Here is a simple comparison. 

• Maluti TVET College: Wide-ranging NCV and skills programmes, ideal for a broad education base.
• Flavius Mareka: Excellent for community-centred vocational growth and flexible study options.
• Goldfields TVET College: A standout for engineering and hospitality, with valuable entrepreneurship support.
• Motheo TVET College: Motheo offers an exceptionally well-rounded, practical, vocational education, with strong options in technical trades, business services, hospitality, and creative fields.