Abstract
Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges are crucial in South Africa. The National Certificate Vocational (NCV) Engineering and Related Design (ERD) course prepares students for several mechanical engineering jobs. The academic program integrates theory and practice to teach mechanical engineering holistically. Students are prepared for professional demands with the skills and techniques they need. Students can work in their field after completing Level 4 or apply to universities of technology. TVET colleges' workshops are vital to the academic curriculum because they host students' practical evaluations. Each college needs enough, well-maintained equipment. The recognition that TVET equipment is outdated and does not match mining equipment led to the creation of the problem statement. Due to obsolete equipment, TVET colleges and mining companies have different hands-on learning experiences. Thus, graduates have trouble finding work because mining companies prioritize the development of their own skilled artisans and technical staff, most of whom have only completed Grade 12.
The needs of mining industry students require TVET reforms due to technological advances. Three TVET institutes in different South African provinces were studied. ERD workshops and course documentation were examined. Workshop equipment was evaluated based on its capability, modernity, and maintainability. The research shows that TVET colleges use traditional machinery and technology for practical operations. It also showed that students' practical tasks are not revised every four years. Research shows that college workshop machinery produces less power than mining machinery. This difference is primarily due to universities using traditional machinery whereas miners use automated machines. The research also found that TVET colleges lack the funding to buy Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) equipment, despite their enthusiasm to use it. The study will inform policymakers, government officials, industry analysts, and academics about the need to incorporate Fourth Industrial (4IR) technology into education. Implementing these technologies into TVET curricula and infrastructure can considerably increase vocational education quality and applicability.