TVET Colleges Open for 2026 in Free State
If you’re sitting at home wondering what’s next after matric or thinking of restarting your career with practical skills, you’re not alone—and you’re not out of options. TVET College Applications for 2026 in Free State are opening soon, and this post is your no-fluff, easy-to-follow guide to getting into a Free State TVET College that fits your goals.
Let’s dive in.
Forget the old idea that TVET colleges are a “Plan B.” These colleges are built for people who want skills, not just theory. Whether you’re into fixing things, designing, managing businesses, cooking, coding, or building—TVET colleges are your gateway.
And here’s the big bonus: most of them partner with local industries, and NSFAS covers the costs for qualifying students. Free tuition, accommodation, transport, and meals? Yes, really.
The Following TVET Colleges Are Open for 2026 in Free State
- Maluti TVET College: 30 September 2025
- Flavius Mareka TVET College
- Goldfields TVET College
1. Maluti TVET College
Overview:
Maluti TVET College serves a largely rural student population, with campuses spread across towns like Phuthaditjhaba, Harrismith, and Bethlehem. The college plays a major role in making vocational education accessible in the eastern Free State. It’s well-regarded for its engineering, hospitality, and business programmes.
Student Support & Services:
Maluti TVET College offers various student support services through its Student Support and Development Services (SSDS) unit. These include academic support (like tutoring and study skills workshops), career guidance, counselling, and referrals for social services. The college also has partnerships with SETAs and employers to assist students with work-integrated learning (WIL).
Campus Life:
While not a party campus, student life is active. There are student representative councils (SRCs) at each campus, and various events and awareness campaigns are hosted throughout the year (e.g. mental health days, career expos, and heritage celebrations).
Unique Edge:
Maluti's strength lies in its geographical reach and commitment to uplifting under-resourced communities. Its campuses are often the heartbeat of the surrounding townships and towns, offering both education and local employment.
Application Window:
2026 Applications at Maluti TVET College will open on the 1st of September 2025. That gives you enough time to get your documents in order, polish your motivation, and apply with confidence.
When the date arrives, head straight to www.malutitvet.co.za. Their online portal is open to everyone—whether you're a high school learner, a job seeker, or someone changing careers.
Bonus tip: Make sure your email and phone number are working — this is how they’ll update you about your application.
2. Flavius Mareka TVET College
Overview:
Located in the northern part of the Free State, Flavius Mareka TVET College serves communities in and around Sasolburg, Kroonstad, and Mphohadi. The college blends urban-industrial and rural-community teaching through its multiple campuses. It’s especially strong in Engineering, Business Studies, and NATED (Report 191) courses.
Student Support & Services:
Flavius Mareka provides academic support, bursary guidance, and career services through its Student Support Centre. The college is also known for its involvement in life skills training, entrepreneurship initiatives, and community development projects. There’s an emphasis on soft skills like time management, communication, and emotional intelligence — crucial for workplace readiness.
Campus Life:
Expect an environment that’s structured but inclusive. Students can participate in SRC activities, educational competitions, and social awareness campaigns. The Mphohadi campus, in particular, often runs community programmes involving ECD training, youth development, and local outreach.
Unique Edge:
Flavius Mareka has a strong link to industry due to its proximity to Sasol, giving students in engineering and business-related fields access to better internship opportunities and potential career pipelines. It also has a dedicated Centre for Entrepreneurship.
Application Window:
At Flavius Mareka TVET College, applications for 2026 are expected to kick off in the first week of August 2025. This college often opens earlier than others, and spots fill up quickly — so the best advice? Be ready before August arrives.
Online applications will be accepted via their official website: www.flaviusmareka.net. It’s user-friendly and mobile-compatible.
3. Goldfields TVET College
Overview:
Situated in Welkom, in the heart of the Free State's gold mining belt, Goldfields TVET College is a growing institution offering a wide range of programmes in Engineering, Office Administration, Finance, and Information Technology. It mainly serves urban and peri-urban students.
Student Support & Services:
Goldfields TVET College takes student development seriously. The Academic Support Unit offers extra classes, study material, and preparation for exams. There are also services for students with disabilities, mental health counselling, career guidance, and workplace readiness training. The college has strong NSFAS support and assistance systems.
Campus Life:
Students can participate in sports (netball, soccer, athletics), SRC events, student debates, and entrepreneurship workshops. The college is gradually improving its infrastructure and student amenities to make campus life more vibrant and inclusive.
Unique Edge:
Goldfields has begun focusing more on digital transformation — with modern computer labs and plans for expanding e-learning capabilities. Its location also makes it well-suited for mining-related programmes and entrepreneurship support for local youth.
Application Window:
Goldfields TVET College is scheduled to open applications for 2026 from August 1st, 2025. This is your cue to be on high alert as early birds often grab the best programme slots and campuses.
Applications will be online at: www.goldfieldstvet.edu.za. Their system is simple to use, but you should still read through the application instructions carefully before submitting.
Keep checking your email after applying — updates and acceptance letters are usually sent digitally.
What to Expect in 2026
If you're planning to study at a public TVET college in the Free State next year, here’s some good news: all three major colleges—Maluti TVET College, Goldfields TVET College, and Flavius Mareka TVET College—are expected to open their applications for the 2026 academic year starting from 1st August 2025. This gives you ample time to prepare your documents, explore course options, and plan your next move.
These colleges cater to a wide range of students—from those fresh out of Grade 9 to matriculants and even adults seeking new skills.
Here’s what each college offers:
NC(V) Programmes (National Certificate Vocational)
These are full-time, three-year programmes that start at Grade 10 level and are ideal if you want a practical alternative to the academic high school stream. Instead of the traditional subjects, you’ll focus on career-specific fields such as engineering, office administration, tourism, hospitality, or finance.
You will still do some core subjects like Mathematics and Life Orientation—but the real value lies in the vocational training.
By the end of the three years, you’ll have both academic credits and hands-on experience, making you ready for work or further studies.
Report 191/NATED Programmes
These courses are more suited for students who have completed Grade 12, although some N1-level programmes may accept students with lower grades. They're divided into N1–N6 levels, and each level usually takes six months to complete.
After completing the theoretical portion, students are expected to do practical workplace training to qualify for a diploma.
If you’re interested in careers like electrical engineering, business management, marketing, or financial accounting, this path can fast-track you toward a recognised qualification while keeping things flexible and job-focused.
Skills Programmes and Occupational Courses
These are shorter, focused training sessions—sometimes just a few weeks long—designed for people who want to enter the workforce quickly or learn a new trade.
From plumbing and catering to office administration, computer literacy, and bricklaying, these programmes are perfect for anyone looking to upskill or reskill.
Many of them are aligned with industry needs, meaning you’re more likely to get hired once you’ve completed your training.
Final Thoughts: Choose Action Over Waiting
Here’s the truth: university isn’t the only path, and “figuring it out later” isn’t a plan. Free State’s TVET colleges are ready to train welders, bookkeepers, designers, farmers, marketers, technicians, and future entrepreneurs.
2026 applications are opening soon—so take that step. Pick your college, choose your course, and apply. You don’t need a perfect matric mark. You just need to start.
Good thing is all three colleges — Maluti, Flavius Mareka, and Goldfields — play a vital role in skills development, youth employment, and community upliftment in the Free State.
While they share similar core values, each one has a unique identity shaped by its geographic setting, campus culture, and academic focus. Whether you’re from a rural town or an urban center, there’s a place for you at one of these colleges.
