Central Johannesburg TVET College (CJC) is a public technical and vocational education institution operating under the Department of Higher Education and Training. It serves students across several campuses in and around Johannesburg, including Parktown, Alexandra, Ellis Park, Crown Mines, Riverlea, Langlaagte, Troyeville, and Smit Street. Each campus tends to specialise in particular fields, so the programme a student wants often determines which campus they register at. This article sets out the courses CJC offers, how the fee structure works, and what students need to budget for when applying for the 2026 and 2027 intakes.
About Central Johannesburg TVET College
CJC is one of eight public TVET colleges serving Gauteng province and one of fifty public TVET colleges in South Africa. It falls under government oversight, which means its qualifications are accredited and quality-assured by Umalusi, the body responsible for maintaining national education standards. Because the college sits in the middle of Johannesburg’s commercial and industrial districts, its course offerings lean heavily toward fields with direct employment pathways in the city, such as engineering, business administration, information technology, and hospitality.
The college runs two main categories of qualifications: the National Certificate (Vocational), commonly written as NC(V), and the National Accredited Technical Education Diploma, commonly known as NATED or Report 191. A smaller set of occupational programmes, aligned with specific trades, is also available at some campuses.
NC(V) Programmes at CJC
The NC(V) qualification is structured for students who have completed Grade 9, 10, 11, or 12 and want a vocational alternative to the traditional academic route. It runs across three levels — Level 2, Level 3, and Level 4 — with each level typically completed in one academic year. A student who completes Level 4 holds a qualification broadly equivalent to a matric certificate, but with a strong vocational and practical component built in.
NC(V) programmes follow a semester-based academic calendar and combine classroom theory with practical workshop or laboratory training. Programmes offered under this stream at CJC include:
- Civil Engineering and Building Construction
- Engineering and Related Design – Electrical
- Engineering and Related Design – Fitting and Turning
- Engineering and Related Design – Motor or Welding
- Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
- Office Administration
- Finance, Economics and Accounting
- Management
- Marketing
- Hospitality
Admission into an NC(V) programme generally requires a Grade 9 certificate as the minimum entry point for Level 2, though many applicants enter with Grade 11 or Grade 12 results. Specific programmes, particularly the engineering streams, may set subject-related requirements such as a pass in Mathematics or Physical Science, so applicants should confirm departmental prerequisites before applying.
NATED (Report 191) Programmes at CJC
NATED programmes are aimed at students who already hold a Grade 12 certificate or an NC(V) Level 4 qualification. Unlike NC(V), which runs on a semester system, NATED follows a trimester structure with three examination sittings a year, allowing a student in some cases to complete N4, N5, and N6 within a single calendar year, provided they pass each level in sequence.
After completing N6, a student is required to complete a period of practical work experience — usually between 18 and 24 months, depending on the field of study — before a National Diploma is awarded. This means the full NATED pathway, from N4 through to the diploma, typically spans three to four years when the in-service training period is included.
CJC offers NATED programmes across three broad areas: Engineering Studies, Business Studies, and Humanities-linked vocational fields.
Engineering Studies (N1–N6):
- Building and Civil Engineering
- Electrical Engineering (Heavy Current and Light Current)
- Electronic Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Motor Trade Engineering
- Boilermaking
Business Studies (N4–N6):
- Business Management
- Human Resource Management
- Financial Management
- Marketing Management
Humanities and Vocational Fields:
- Cosmetology
- Haircare
- Clothing Production
- Hospitality
- Music Performance
- Art and Design
- Travel and Tourism
- Studio Work
Occupational Programmes
Alongside NC(V) and NATED, CJC also runs occupational programmes tied to specific artisan trades. These are shorter, skills-focused courses aimed at producing job-ready tradespeople rather than academic diploma holders. Depending on the intake and campus capacity, occupational programmes at CJC have included bricklaying, carpentry and joinery, plumbing, electrical work leading toward electrician status, fitting and turning, welding, motor mechanics, boilermaking, civil construction, and diesel mechanics. These programmes are often shorter in duration than NC(V) or NATED and are geared toward trade testing and artisan certification.
Central Johannesburg TVET College Fees
CJC does not publish a single flat fee for all students, since costs depend on the qualification type, the specific programme, the level of study, and whether a student studies full-time or part-time. Engineering-related programmes generally cost more than business or humanities programmes because they require workshop access, tools, and consumable materials. The table below gives a general picture of what students can expect to budget for, based on typical ranges published by the college for recent academic years.
| Programme Type | Fee Structure | Approximate Annual Range |
|---|---|---|
| NC(V) Business & General Studies | Charged per academic year | R2,000 – R10,000 |
| NC(V) Engineering & ICT | Charged per academic year | R8,000 – R20,000 |
| NATED Business & Management | Charged per trimester/term | R1,500 – R8,000 per term |
| NATED Engineering | Charged per trimester/term | R2,500 – R12,000 per term |
| Occupational Programmes | Charged per course/intake | Varies by trade and duration |
| Registration Fee | Once-off, per academic year | Separate from tuition |
These figures are indicative rather than fixed. The college reserves the right to adjust fees annually, subject to approval from its Governing Council, and the exact amount a student pays depends on the specific programme code they register for. Prospective students should always confirm the current fee schedule directly with their intended campus or through the college’s official channels before finalising their budget.
Payment Structure and Registration
Students who are not funded through the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) are generally required to pay an initial deposit at registration, often calculated as a percentage of total annual tuition, with the remaining balance settled in instalments across the academic year. Part-time students, where part-time study is offered for a particular programme, usually pay a higher rate than full-time students and are required to settle the full amount at the point of registration, since part-time provision is offered on a self-funding basis.
In addition to tuition, students should budget for a separate registration fee, which is charged once per academic year and is not part of the tuition amount. Some programmes also carry additional costs for practical materials, protective equipment, or textbooks, particularly in the engineering and hospitality streams, where consumables form part of the coursework.
Funding Options
Most students at CJC who qualify financially apply for NSFAS funding, which covers tuition, and in some cases a living allowance, for those who meet the household income threshold set for TVET college applicants. Students who do not qualify for NSFAS, or who apply after the funding cycle has closed, can still register as self-paying students, provided they meet the minimum deposit requirement at registration. The college’s Student Services department assists students with identifying other funding opportunities, including bursaries linked to specific industries such as engineering and construction, where sector-specific funders sometimes sponsor students in exchange for future work placement.
How to Apply to CJC
Applications for NC(V) programmes generally open toward the middle of the year for the following academic intake, while NATED applications open closer to the start of each trimester. Because CJC coordinates its NCV application timeline with the NSFAS application cycle, deadlines for both tend to move together, and late application windows are sometimes opened in January for programmes that still have space. Applicants apply either online through the college’s official portal or in person at their chosen campus, submitting certified copies of identification documents and the relevant school or qualification certificates.
Choosing the Right Campus
Since CJC spreads its programme offering across eight campuses rather than housing every course at one site, applicants need to check which campus delivers their chosen programme before applying. Engineering-heavy programmes are concentrated at Ellis Park, Alexandra, and Riverlea, where workshop infrastructure supports practical training. Business, finance, and administration programmes are based mainly at Langlaagte, Troyeville, and Parktown. Creative and personal-care fields such as cosmetology, art and design, and music performance are based at Smit Street. Confirming the correct campus in advance avoids delays during registration.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Central Johannesburg TVET College a government institution?
Yes. CJC is a public TVET college registered under the Department of Higher Education and Training, and its qualifications are accredited by Umalusi.
What is the minimum requirement to apply for NC(V) at CJC?
A Grade 9 certificate is the minimum entry requirement for NC(V) Level 2, though most applicants apply with Grade 11 or Grade 12 results.
Can I study NATED at CJC without a Grade 12 certificate?
Generally no. NATED N4 requires either a Grade 12 certificate or an NC(V) Level 4 qualification as the entry point.
Does NSFAS cover CJC fees?
NSFAS funds eligible students at CJC based on household income thresholds set for TVET colleges. Students who qualify can have tuition, and in some cases a living allowance, covered.
How long does it take to complete a NATED diploma?
Including the mandatory in-service training period after N6, the full pathway to a National Diploma typically takes three to four years.
Are CJC fees the same across all campuses?
No. Fees depend on the specific programme and qualification level rather than the campus, though certain campuses only offer certain programmes, which indirectly affects what a student at that campus will pay.