As the class of 2025 comes to terms with their finals released earlier this week, AgriSETA’s acting CEO Fanny Phetla has congratulated matriculants and urged them to consider the wide range of opportunities available within South Africa’s agricultural skills ecosystem.
Mr Phetla said the end of matric should not be viewed as a single crossroads leading only to university, especially at a time when demand for university placement far outstrips available space.
“To the class of 2025, congratulations,” Phetla said.
“As you enter the next phase of your studies, remember that you have options. There is more than one road to success. Whether through an agricultural college or a TVET institution, agriculture offers young people the chance to build skills, create businesses and contribute to a sector that feeds the nation,” he said.
With thousands of qualifying learners unable to secure places at universities each year due to limited capacity, Phetla encouraged school leavers to explore agricultural colleges and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges, which remain critical but often undervalued pillars of South Africa’s post-school education system.
A proven pathway into farming and agribusiness
South Africa’s agricultural colleges, located across all provinces, have historically played a central role in training farmers, farm managers, extension officers and agribusiness leaders. Many of the country’s most successful commercial and emerging farmers began their careers at these institutions, combining classroom learning with hands-on practical training.
Over the past several years, agricultural colleges have undergone a process of revitalisation, aimed at modernising curricula, upgrading infrastructure and better aligning training with the needs of a changing agricultural sector. This has included stronger links with universities, where agricultural colleges can serve as a good base for transitional life-long learning. This allows for universities, where agricultural colleges can serve as a good base for transitional life-long learning, to source agricultural scientists, such as economists, researchers, agronomists and other disciplines, all of which forms part of the broader agricultural economy
“Agricultural colleges have produced some of our country’s best entrepreneurs and farmers, all of whom contribute meaningfully to our economy,” Phetla said.
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He noted that agriculture today is no longer limited to traditional farming alone. It spans a wide value chain that includes agri-processing, logistics, technology, finance, research and environmental management – all areas where specialised, skills-based training is essential.
TVET colleges filling a critical gap
Phetla also highlighted the growing importance of TVET colleges in equipping young people with practical, workplace-ready skills. TVET institutions offer qualifications that are often more accessible than university degrees, both in terms of entry requirements and cost, while still leading to meaningful employment or self-employment.
In agriculture, TVET colleges provide training in areas such as crop production, animal production, mechanisation, irrigation, food processing and business management. These qualifications are increasingly aligned with industry demand, helping graduates transition more smoothly into the world of work.
“TVET and agricultural colleges offer real, respected alternatives to universities,” Phetla said. “They are not second choices. They are smart choices.”
Agriculture needs young people
With youth unemployment remaining one of the country’s most urgent challenges, Phetla said agriculture must be positioned as a sector of opportunity for young people, particularly those from rural and peri-urban communities.
He stressed that the sector needs a new generation of skilled, innovative and entrepreneurial youth to ensure food security, drive economic growth and sustain rural livelihoods.
“AgriSETA is at your service,” Phetla said, pointing to the organisation’s role in supporting skills development, learnerships, bursaries and workplace-based training across the agricultural sector.
To help matriculants navigate their options, AgriSETA is encouraging the class of 2025 to make use of its career guidance podcasts and career guidance booklet, which outline the diverse careers available in agriculture and the different education and training pathways that lead into the sector.
These resources are available on the AgriSETA website and are designed to help learners and parents make informed decisions about post-school education.
Click here to access the resources.
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