Overview
The National Certificate (Vocational), or NCV, is a vocational qualification offered at South African TVET colleges at levels 2, 3 and 4 of the National Qualifications Framework (NQF). Each level combines fundamental subjects with vocational subjects from the programme the student chose. The details below come from the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) policy document of 2011, so a college or DHET may have updated individual rules since.
Who can apply
For Level 2, the general minimum requirement is one of the following:
a Grade 9 certificate;
an Adult Education and Training (ABET) NQF Level 1 certificate;
another recognised qualification at NQF Level 1;
an approved bridging programme for access to Level 2;
a recognition of prior learning (RPL) assessment that meets the basic Level 2 requirements.
A college council may set extra admission requirements for particular programmes.
Levels or stages
Level 2: a full-time minimum of one year. The fundamental component is three subjects: an official language at First Additional Language level, Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy, and Life Orientation. Students also take vocational subjects (four in the Level 2 passing rules below).
Level 3: admission needs an NQF Level 2 National Certificate (Vocational) or a recognised equivalent at Level 1 or 2, a bridging programme, or an RPL assessment.
Level 4: admission needs a Level 3 National Certificate (Vocational) showing the minimum subject requirements were met, a registered equivalent at Level 3, a bridging programme, or an RPL assessment.
The policy lists vocational programmes at Levels 3 and 4, among them Civil Engineering and Building Construction, Engineering and Related Design, Electrical Infrastructure Construction, Finance, Economics and Accounting, Hospitality, Information Technology and Computer Science, Management, Marketing, Office Administration, Primary Agriculture, Tourism and Safety in Society.
Marking and results
For Level 2, promotion and certification need at least 40% in the language, 30% in Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy, 40% in Life Orientation, and 50% in each of the four vocational subjects. The policy allows a limited condonation (a small mark concession) for one fundamental subject.
How to apply
The policy document does not describe an application process. Apply to a TVET college that offers the vocational programme you want.
FAQs
What schooling do I need to start the NCV?
A Grade 9 certificate is the first route listed for Level 2. The policy also accepts an ABET Level 1 certificate, another recognised Level 1 qualification, an approved bridging programme, or an RPL assessment.