Advanced Diploma in Technical and Vocational Teaching

The Advanced Diploma in Technical and Vocational Teaching is a professional teaching/lecturing programme that ‘caps’ an undergraduate degree or an approved diploma. Therefore, graduates who complete this programme will be deemed ‘professionally qualified’ by the Department of Higher Education and Training (Technical & Vocational Education & Training – TVET – Colleges) and the Department of Basic Education (Further Education and Training – FET – Schools).

For students who are employed as lecturers or teachers in the vocational sector and who are currently deemed ‘academically qualified and professionally unqualified’ can complete the programme within an extended timeframe (18 Month | 2 Year). This also includes those who are employed in business, commerce or industry and wish to become qualified TVET lecturers/vocational teachers. Students will be equipped with educational theory and methodology to supplement their experience and prior knowledge in the education context, so they may, upon graduation, be deemed ‘academically and professionally qualified’.

For those students who have completed their subject disciplinary studies (e.g., Tourism, Engineering, Commerce, etc.) and wish to join the college or vocational school sector, can complete the programme within the minimum timeframe (1 Year). The programme offers entry-level initial professional preparation for undergraduate degree or diploma holders who wish to be ‘professionally qualified’ as college lecturers and vocational classroom teachers in one chosen subject discipline in the vocational sector.

The Adv Dip (TVT) offers not only a progressive theoretical foundation in vocational education, but also an extensive Work Integrated Learning (WIL) experience that encompasses both the college and school contexts where teaching takes place in Teaching Practice (TP) engagements. It also offers a Workplace-based Learning (WBL) engagement, where students explore and are appraised in the world of work towards which they are/will be teaching.

The programme also offers opportunities for students to apply for recognition of prior learning, generally in the WIL components of the programme (TP & WBL).

Successful candidates in the vocational school sector may be registered with the South African Council for Educators (SACE).

 

WORK-INTEGRATED LEARNING

It is important to note that students will be required to enter the two workspaces indicated below for a total of 10 weeks over the duration of their studies. Upon application, students must ensure that there is a TVET College, or vocational school, as well as an employer workplace linked to their subject discipline within their geographic area where they are required to conduct teaching practice and workplace-based engagements as required by the relevant modules. Transport costs related to and from these venues are to the account of the student. Students are required to attend the school/college from Monday to Friday for the full duration of the day and attend assigned extra curricular activities for the duration of the teaching practice and workplace-based engagements.

Students who are completing the programmes within the extended timeframe and are employed must also ensure prior to application that their employers will allow them to be absent from work to attend these engagements. It is the responsibility of the student to arrange for leave from an employer for the required number of weeks for teaching practice in a TVET College, or vocational school and workplace-based learning engagements.
Students that are employed in a school or college must submit a letter of employment to the teaching practice department.

 

COLLEGE- AND SCHOOL-BASED TEACHING PRACTICE

Teaching practice is compulsory in the Adv Dip (TVT).
Teaching practice is an integral part of teacher education that provides students with the opportunity to experience the excitement of a classroom environment and contributes to their professional development as a teacher/lecturer. All students will be required to present lessons/lectures in the full spectrum of venues required by their subject discipline: classrooms, workshops, laboratories, studios, simulation venues, etc.

Various teaching practice assessment methods are used during this time to evaluate the student, including reports from the TVET College/vocational school, the School of Education (SOE) teaching practice assessor, the school/college mentors, and the student’s eventual Portfolio of Evidence. The SOE monitors and verifies the placement of all students at TVET Colleges or vocational schools. A student can only commence with teaching practice once the placement has been verified by the Teaching Practice Department of the SOE.

 

WORK-INTEGRATED LEARNING: TEACHING PRACTICE

1 Year:
During the first semester, students who are completing the programme within the minimum timeframe must complete four weeks (nonconsecutive) observations at one or more TVET Colleges/vocational schools. During the second semester, students must complete the required four-week consecutive teaching practice engagement in a school/college. In total, eight weeks teaching practice is required.

18 Month | 2 Year:
During the first year, students completing the programme in the extended timeframe must complete four weeks (non-consecutive) observations at one or more TVET Colleges/vocational schools. During the second year, students must complete the required four-week consecutive teaching practice engagement in a school/college. In total, eight weeks teaching practice is required.

 

WORK-INTEGRATED LEARNING: WORKPLACE-BASED LEARNING

All students will be required to engage with workplaces that generally employ students who graduate from the subject discipline they teach or lecture. It is the responsibility of the student to arrange for leave from an employer for the required number of weeks for these workplace-based engagements. Assessments will be conducted by STADIO staff in collaboration with TVET College or vocational school expertise and experts from relevant business, commerce, or industry, if required (mentors).

1 Year:
Students who are completing the programme within the minimum timeframe will enter the industry/business/commercial venture linked to their subject during the second semester, for a period of two weeks. In total, two weeks workplace-based learning is required.

18 Month | 2 Year:
Students completing the programme in the extended timeframe will enter the industry/business/commercial employer-space linked to their subject during the second year of study, for a period of two weeks. In total, two weeks workplace-based learning is required.

 

FURTHER STUDY OPPORTUNITIES 

A completed Advanced Diploma in Technical and Vocational Teaching may be presented:

1. As vertical articulation, for entry into a Post-Graduate Diploma or a Bachelor of Education Honours degree in a cognate field;
2. As horizontal articulation, for entry into an Advanced Diploma in Technical and Vocational Education and Training; and
3. As downward articulation, for entry into an Advanced Certificate in Technical and Vocational Education and Training.

The Adv Dip (TVT) is not a stand-alone qualification. The preceding degree or diploma and the Adv Dip (TVT) together constitute professionally qualified status as a TVET lecturer.

 

STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES FOR DISTANCE LEARNING

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• C4SS - CENTRE FOR STUDENT SUCCESS

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THE ADMISSION CRITERIA FOR THE ADVANCED DIPLOMA IN TECHNICAL AND VOCATIONAL TEACHING ARE:

 

• an appropriate 360-credit, NQF Level 6, Diploma (including a college or NATED diploma); OR

• an appropriate 360-credit NQF Level 7, Bachelor’s degree.

 

An appropriate diploma or degree is one that includes disciplinary learning in cognate, (i.e., similar, or related) and appropriate academic fields to enable lecturing a technical or vocational subject or field as taught in institutions offering TVET programmes.(NOTE: this definition includes TVET Colleges as well as Special, Commercial and Technical High Schools).

 

The underpinning disciplinary knowledge, or a substantial part thereof, in the prior qualification must have been studied at the exit level of the entry qualification (NQF Level 6 / NQF Level 7). Where disciplinary subject knowledge is insufficient, additional learning units/modules/courses may be required before the student may register for this qualification.

 

In addition, a prospective student’s conversational competence in an African Language as well as competence in computer proficiency will be assessed upfront on application, and if necessary, students will be required to complete additional modules to reach the required levels of competence.The credits related to these modules will not be included in the 120 credits for the programme.

You may download the Additional Application Requirements document HERE for full details.