South Africa's future workforce is shaped by organisations that invest in skills development, workplace learning, apprenticeships, innovation and industry collaboration.
The National TVET Excellence Awards South Africa 2026 recognises companies, employers, industry partners, training organisations and institutions that demonstrate a commitment to strengthening Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), improving learner employability, and creating meaningful pathways to employment. The Awards celebrate organisations whose contributions are making a measurable difference to learners, colleges, industries and communities across South Africa.
Participation provides an opportunity to showcase successful programmes, highlight innovation, share best practice and demonstrate leadership in developing South Africa's future workforce.
Institutional and Company Award Categories
1. Excellence in TVET Graduate Employment
Recognises a company that demonstrates exceptional leadership in recruiting, employing and developing TVET graduates, creating sustainable career pathways and showcasing the value of TVET talent in industry.
2. Excellence in Industry Support for TVET Infrastructure and Equipment
Honours a company that makes a significant and lasting contribution to strengthening TVET infrastructure, workshops, laboratories, equipment, technology or learning resources that improve the quality of practical training.
3. Excellence in Workplace-Based Learning
Celebrates a company that provides outstanding workplace-based learning opportunities, enabling TVET students to gain authentic industry experience, develop professional competence and transition confidently into the world of work.
4. Excellence in Skills Innovation and Future Skills
Celebrates a company that pioneers innovative technologies, digital solutions, methodologies or skills-development models that prepare TVET students for the evolving demands of the future world of work.
5. Excellence in Apprenticeship and Artisan Development
Honours a company that makes a distinguished contribution to apprenticeship and artisan development through structured training, expert mentorship and workplace learning that builds scarce technical skills for national economic growth.
6. Excellence in TVET Industry Partnership
Honours a private-sector organisation that has built an exemplary, high-impact and sustainable partnership with one or more TVET Colleges, strengthening industry-relevant training, expanding opportunity and advancing meaningful employment outcomes.
Registration and Submission Schedule
Important Notice
Due to the compressed timelines associated with the implementation of the Awards, submission deadlines cannot be extended. Entrants are encouraged to begin preparing their supporting documentation and Portfolio of Evidence immediately after registration, and to submit them well before the closing date.
Nomination and Submission Process
- View Award Categories
- Download the Companies and Institutions Information Guide
- Review Eligibility Requirements
- Register as a Nominee
- Receive and Accept/Reject a Nomination by a Third Party
- Prepare and Submit a Portfolio of Evidence
- Be Available for a Brief Virtual Presentation to the Adjudicating Committee
Nomination by Another Company or Person
Representatives of organisations (for the Company Awards) and individuals (for the Private Sector Individual Awards) nominated by a third party will receive an email from the Awards Management Team confirming their nomination.
- Nominees will have 48 hours from receipt of the notification to accept or decline the nomination.
- If the nominee accepts the nomination, they must complete the registration process (i.e., the Self-Nomination Form) to create their own profile and formally confirm participation.
- Once registration is complete, nominees may prepare and submit their Portfolio of Evidence (PoE) in accordance with the prescribed process and timelines.
Self-Nominations
Representatives of organisations entering the Company Awards and individuals entering the Private Sector Individual Awards through self-nomination may begin preparing their Portfolio of Evidence (PoE) after submitting their online registration and receiving registration confirmation from the Awards Management Team. All submissions must adhere to the prescribed process and timelines.
Should you have any questions please email us on:
awards2026@germanchamber.co.za
