Bridging the Gap: UJ's New Research Initiative Tackles TVET Challenges Head-On

South Africa's Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges play a pivotal role in equipping young people with practical skills for the job market. Yet, these institutions have struggled with systemic issues that hinder their effectiveness. The University of Johannesburg (UJ) is stepping up with a freshly awarded R1.5 million grant from the Insurance Sector Education and Training Authority (INSETA). This funding positions UJ to lead groundbreaking research on TVET capacity building and AI-driven sustainability, promising to align vocational training with the demands of a rapidly evolving economy.

The grant, announced on February 27, 2026, underscores UJ's commitment to addressing national priorities through innovative research. Led by Professor Tankiso Moloi, Executive Dean of UJ's College of Business and Economics (CBE), the projects aim to transform TVET colleges into robust pipelines for skilled workers, particularly in the insurance and financial sectors. By integrating artificial intelligence (AI) and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles, this initiative responds to South Africa's push toward a Just Energy Transition (JET).

Understanding the TVET Landscape in South Africa

TVET colleges, numbering 50 public institutions across the country, enroll around 527,000 students annually. Despite this scale, the sector grapples with daunting challenges. Throughput rates—the percentage of students completing their full qualifications—linger at just 10 percent, while dropout rates exceed 60 percent, often within the first year. These figures reflect deeper problems like inadequate infrastructure, lecturer shortages driven by industry competition, underfunding, poor governance, and a lack of accountability.

Lecturer vacancies remain a critical bottleneck, with many qualified educators lured away by higher salaries in private sectors. Poor infrastructure, including outdated labs and unreliable internet, further hampers hands-on training essential for vocational programs. Government efforts, such as the Department of Higher Education and Training's (DHET) reforms, aim to phase out outdated N4-N6 courses and introduce occupational qualifications, but implementation lags. Only 15 of 50 public TVET colleges fully rolled out these new programs by 2023.

• Poor governance and accountability leading to mismanagement
• Chronic underfunding limiting program expansion
• Infrastructure deficits, especially in rural areas
• High dropout rates due to financial pressures and mismatched curricula
• Lecturer shortages exacerbating class sizes and quality

These issues not only affect students but also the broader economy, leaving a skills gap in high-demand areas like insurance, where digital transformation and sustainability are reshaping roles.

The INSETA Grant: Details and Strategic Focus

INSETA, established under the Skills Development Act, champions skills development in South Africa's insurance sector by funding training, bursaries, and research. The R1.5 million grant to UJ funds two interconnected projects under the banner 'Strengthening Institutional Capacity and Industry Alignment in TVET Colleges.' Professor Moloi serves as the Principal Investigator, bringing his expertise in AI, digital transformation, and risk management to the table.

This isn't INSETA's first foray into TVET; the authority regularly supports bursaries and learner programs at colleges and universities. However, this research grant marks a targeted investment in evidence-based solutions, linking insurance industry needs—such as AI for risk assessment and ESG compliance—with TVET outputs. For those pursuing careers in this space, opportunities abound; check out higher education jobs in research and training.

The funding arrives at a crucial juncture, as South Africa's post-school education system faces scrutiny amid 656,000 matric passes in 2025 but only 235,000 public university spots available for 2026. TVET must absorb more learners, making capacity building urgent.

Project Spotlight: Enhancing TVET Capacity for Insurance and Finance

The first project zeroes in on bolstering TVET colleges' institutional strength and alignment with industry. It examines how to produce graduates ready for insurance roles, incorporating AI for data analytics, predictive modeling, and automated claims processing. ESG factors, vital for assessing climate risks in policies, and JET skills—like renewable energy insurance—form core components.

Step-by-step, the research will map current TVET curricula against insurance job profiles, identify gaps, and propose reforms. This includes faculty upskilling, industry partnerships for work-integrated learning, and infrastructure audits. Concrete examples from past initiatives, like UJ's earlier €400,000 EU grant for digital education in TVETs, provide a blueprint. That project enhanced online learning tools, reducing dropout risks through personalized content.

Stakeholders, including TVET principals and insurance firms, will contribute perspectives, ensuring practical outcomes. As Prof Moloi notes, 'Strengthening the alignment between these institutions and the insurance industry ensures a sustainable pipeline of talent ready for the future of work.'

AI and ESG: Pioneering Sustainability in Energy Transition

The second project delves into AI's role at the nexus of ESG and South Africa's JET. As the country shifts from coal dependency—supported by an $8.5 billion international JET Partnership—insurance must adapt to new risks like renewable asset protection and carbon credit schemes. AI tools can forecast these risks, optimize portfolios, and promote sustainable practices.

Research will explore AI applications, such as machine learning for ESG scoring and blockchain for transparent JET financing. TVET implications include new modules on ethical AI use and green skills. For context, South Africa's JET Investment Plan emphasizes skilling 1.5 million workers by 2030, with TVET central. Programs like the Just Energy Transition Skilling for Employment Programme (JET SEP) have already trained hundreds in Mpumalanga TVETs for energy efficiency roles.

This project promises actionable frameworks, positioning TVET graduates as leaders in sustainable finance. Visit higher ed career advice for tips on entering green jobs.

UJ Leadership Driving Transformative Change

Professor Tankiso Moloi, with over 3,200 Google Scholar citations, specializes in digital finance, corporate governance, and AI strategy. His prior work on 4IR impacts equips him perfectly for this role. Complementing him is Professor Refilwe Phaswana-Mafuya, UJ's Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research and Innovation. An epidemiologist by training, she oversees society-centered research that tackles real-world challenges.

'This funding allows us to delve into the heart of South Africa’s developmental challenges,' says Prof Phaswana-Mafuya. 'It is a blueprint for national progress.' UJ's track record, including topping QS Sub-Saharan Africa rankings, bolsters credibility.

INSETA's Broader Mandate and TVET Synergies

INSETA manages discretionary grants for research aligning skills with sector needs. Its Sector Skills Plan 2026/2027 highlights AI and sustainability amid insurance growth. Partnerships like the recent MoU with the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) amplify impact.

By funding UJ, INSETA fosters TVET-industry bridges. For students, this means more bursaries; INSETA's Insurance Sector Student Fund (ISSF) supports thousands annually. Explore scholarships for similar opportunities.

Implications for South African Higher Education and Economy

This grant exemplifies university-SETA collaboration amid TVET reforms. With NSFAS funding 764,000 applicants for 2026, quality improvement is key. AI initiatives, like Microsoft Elevate training 2 million teachers and Ikamva Digital for TVETs, complement UJ's work.

Benefits include reduced dropouts via AI-personalized learning, greener curricula, and insurance-ready graduates. Challenges persist—funding shortfalls, resistance to change—but projects offer solutions.

Photo by Pavel Churiumov on Unsplash

Looking Ahead: A Sustainable Skills Revolution

Expected outputs include policy briefs, curricula prototypes, and pilot programs. Timeline: 18-24 months, with stakeholder workshops. Long-term, this could elevate TVET throughput to 30 percent by 2030.

For aspiring professionals, this signals demand in AI-ESG niches. Internal links: rate my professor for UJ faculty, higher-ed-jobs, university jobs, SA education resources. UJ's effort paves the way for a skilled, sustainable future.

For more on research careers, see how to write a winning academic CV.