Central Johannesburg TVET College (CJC) is one of Gauteng’s largest public technical and vocational colleges. It operates under the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) and runs eight campuses across the greater Johannesburg area. Students who want practical, workplace-focused qualifications in fields such as engineering, business, information technology, hospitality and the creative arts often consider CJC because of its size, its industry links, and its access to NSFAS funding.
This article sets out the courses CJC offers, the campuses that host them, the application windows for the 2027 academic year, the NSFAS funding process, and the exact steps to submit an application.
About Central Johannesburg TVET College
CJC was established on 11 September 2003, when the Further Education and Training (FET) sector was launched at the college’s Alexandra campus. It has since grown into one of the largest public colleges in the country, with more than 56 full-time study programmes spread across four schools. The college’s stated mission is to prepare students for employment and entrepreneurship through training that responds directly to the needs of employers in the Johannesburg region.
CJC’s programmes are accredited through Umalusi and the Council on Higher Education, and the college works with SETAs and industry partners to keep its curriculum aligned with current workplace requirements. Because CJC sits close to Johannesburg’s corporate, manufacturing and creative districts, several of its courses are shaped around local industry demand — for example, the Smit Street campus focuses on art, design and clothing production because of its proximity to Braamfontein and the Maboneng precinct.
CJC Campuses
CJC’s eight campuses each specialise in a different set of programmes. A student cannot apply generically “to CJC” — the application must specify the correct campus for the intended course, since facilities such as engineering workshops, design studios and computer labs are not duplicated at every site.
| Campus | Typical Focus Areas |
|---|---|
| Parktown (Central Office) | NATED business courses: Financial Management, Human Resource Management, Marketing Management |
| Ellis Park (Doornfontein) | Engineering and technical trades |
| Alexandra | Engineering, including Boiler Making and related trades |
| Smit Street (Johannesburg CBD) | Art & Design, Clothing Production, Music |
| Crown Mines | Business and general NCV programmes |
| Riverlea | Business and general NCV programmes |
| Langlaagte | Business and general NCV programmes |
| Trouville | Business and general NCV programmes |
Applicants should confirm the exact campus offering their chosen course directly with CJC before applying, since programme allocation can shift between intakes.
Courses Offered at CJC
CJC offers two main qualification pathways: the National Certificate (Vocational), commonly called NCV, and the NATED (Report 191) programmes. A third, smaller category covers short skills programmes and learnerships.
National Certificate (Vocational) – NCV The NCV is a three-year, full-time qualification split into NQF Levels 2, 3 and 4. It runs on an annual, January-to-December cycle and is designed as a vocational alternative to the final three years of high school. A learner can enter NCV Level 2 with a Grade 9 certificate, which makes it accessible to students who did not complete matric through the conventional schooling route. NCV subjects are grouped into a vocational specialisation plus supporting fundamental subjects such as Language and Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy. CJC offers NCV programmes across engineering and related design, information technology and computer science, business studies, hospitality, and finance, economics and accounting.
NATED (Report 191) – N1 to N6 NATED programmes are modular and sequential. Engineering streams run from N1 through N6, while business streams typically start at N4 and run to N6. Each level is a set number of months of theory, and most engineering diplomas also require a period of practical workplace experience before the National Diploma is awarded. NATED engineering programmes at CJC are offered mainly through the Ellis Park and Alexandra campuses and include fields such as Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering and Boiler Making. NATED business programmes, offered mainly at Parktown, include Financial Management, Human Resource Management, Marketing Management, Management Assistant and Public Management.
Skills Programmes and Learnerships CJC also runs shorter, non-formal skills courses and SETA-aligned learnerships. These are typically self-funded, do not carry NSFAS eligibility, and are aimed at students who want a specific occupational skill rather than a full diploma.
| Qualification Type | Duration | Entry Requirement | NSFAS Eligible |
|---|---|---|---|
| NCV (Levels 2–4) | 3 years (1 year per level) | Grade 9 (Level 2 entry) | Yes |
| NATED N1–N3 (Engineering) | Trimesters, roughly 3–4 months each | Grade 9 or equivalent | Yes |
| NATED N4–N6 (Business & Engineering) | Semesters or trimesters | Matric (NSC) or NCV Level 4 | Yes |
| Short Skills Programmes | Weeks to a few months | Varies by programme | No |
Entry Requirements
Requirements differ by qualification type and subject stream. For NCV entry, a Grade 9 report is generally sufficient, though some engineering-related NCV programmes prefer applicants who have passed Mathematics and Natural Science at that level. For NATED N4 to N6 programmes, a National Senior Certificate (matric) or an NCV Level 4 certificate is required. Business-stream NATED subjects such as Financial Management or Accounting usually require a matric pass that includes Mathematics or, in some cases, Mathematical Literacy with a strong result in the applicant’s home language. Engineering NATED programmes are stricter: Pure Mathematics and Physical Science are generally required, and Mathematical Literacy is not accepted for these technical streams.
Applicants without a completed matric can still access CJC through the NCV route, since it does not require a full NSC. All prospective students, regardless of stream, are usually required to complete a placement or screening test before their application is finalised. This assessment helps the college match the applicant to a suitable programme and confirm readiness for the subject combination chosen.
Application Dates for 2027
CJC follows the standard DHET academic calendar, but exact dates shift slightly from year to year, so applicants should treat the figures below as a guide and confirm the current cycle on the college’s official application portal before submitting.
| Intake | Typical Application Window | Classes Start |
|---|---|---|
| NCV / NATED Full-Year Intake (2027) | Applications generally open around August–September 2026 and close by late November or early January | January/February 2027 |
| Engineering Trimester 2 Intake | Around April 2027 | May 2027 |
| Business Semester 2 Intake | Approximately April–May 2027 | July 2027 |
Because CJC’s website experiences heavy traffic on the day applications open, submitting early in the morning or late at night improves the chance of a successful upload. Late applications are considered only where space remains available in a given programme, and early submission is the more reliable route into a full-year NCV or NATED programme.
How to Apply to CJC
- Confirm your course and campus. Check the current list of available programmes on the official CJC application portal and identify which campus hosts that course.
- Prepare your documents. Applicants typically need a certified copy of their ID, their latest school results or matric certificate, proof of residence, and, where relevant, a portfolio of work (for Art & Design or Music applicants).
- Complete the online application. Applications are submitted through the college’s official online portal. Applications are free of charge, and CJC does not require payment from anyone to secure a place.
- Complete the placement test. Most applicants are asked to sit a screening or placement assessment that helps confirm suitability for the chosen programme.
- Track your application. CJC communicates outcomes by SMS or email, and applicants can check their status directly on the college portal.
- Apply for NSFAS separately. Admission to CJC and funding through NSFAS are two separate applications, so acceptance at the college does not automatically trigger funding.
NSFAS Funding for CJC Students
NSFAS (the National Student Financial Aid Scheme) funds tuition, learning materials and, depending on circumstances, allowances for transport or accommodation for students who meet the income threshold. For the 2027 academic year, NSFAS applications are expected to open around September 2026, in line with the standard national cycle.
Eligibility NSFAS is available to South African citizens whose combined household income is below R350,000 per year. SASSA grant recipients are treated as automatically meeting the income requirement, though they must still submit an application. Both first-time applicants and returning students who are progressing academically can apply.
What NSFAS Covers for TVET Students TVET college funding differs from university funding in a few ways. Transport allowances for TVET students are fixed amounts based on the college’s location rather than an actual-cost model, and TVET students living at home generally do not receive the same living allowance that university students in residence receive, since meals are assumed to be provided at home. TVET students who qualify for accommodation support receive a fixed monthly amount rather than a variable one tied to actual rental costs.
Funding Duration NSFAS funds a TVET qualification for its minimum registered duration plus additional years if a student needs to repeat a level, matching the same extended-funding principle long used for university students. This gives students some room to recover from a failed semester without immediately losing their funding.
How to Apply for NSFAS Applications are submitted through the official myNSFAS portal, separately from the CJC application. Required documents typically include a certified copy of the applicant’s ID (or birth certificate where an ID is not yet available), certified IDs of parents or guardians, proof of household income such as payslips or an affidavit of unemployment, and, for first-time applicants, a signed consent form authorising NSFAS to verify information with Home Affairs and SARS. Applications submitted without this consent form generally cannot be processed. Once submitted, evaluation of a complete application typically takes a few weeks, and applicants can track progress by logging into the myNSFAS portal.
Every CJC campus has a Financial Aid Office that can assist with NSFAS queries, follow up on stalled applications, and explain appeal procedures for students who are turned down but believe their circumstances were not fully reflected in the application.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does CJC offer courses for students without matric? Yes. The NCV pathway accepts applicants with a Grade 9 certificate and does not require a completed NSC.
Can I apply for more than one course at CJC? Yes, but each course requires a separate application, and each must specify the relevant campus.
Is NSFAS funding automatic once I am accepted at CJC? No. Admission and funding are handled through two separate applications, and a CJC acceptance letter does not guarantee NSFAS approval.
Do all CJC programmes qualify for NSFAS? Accredited NCV and NATED programmes qualify. Short, non-formal skills courses generally do not.
What happens if I miss the main application window? CJC accepts late applications where space remains, but places fill quickly, so applying within the standard window gives a better chance of securing a spot in a full-year programme.