Key Takeaways: Goldfields Essentials
- Location: Welkom & Virginia (Free State Goldfields).
- Campuses: 3 Main (Welkom, Tosa, Meloding).
- Specialty: Engineering (Mining focus), Business Studies, and Education.
- Context: The primary training ground for the massive Harmony Gold mines and local industry.
- Application Mode: Online Only (Coltech).
- The Split: Business students go to Welkom (CBD); Engineering students go to Tosa (Thabong).
In the heart of the Free State lies Welkom, a city built on gold. While the mining industry has fluctuated, the need for skilled artisans—electricians, boilermakers, and fitters—has never stopped. Goldfields TVET College is the engine that keeps this industrial machine running.
However, Goldfields is not just a “Mining School.” Over the last decade, it has expanded aggressively into Business, Tourism, and Information Technology to diversify the local economy.
For the 2026 intake, the college is strictly enforcing its online application system. Gone are the days of queuing outside the gate at Tosa Campus at 4 AM. If you want a seat in a classroom, you must secure it digitally.
This comprehensive guide breaks down the campus geography (which is often confusing for outsiders), the admission requirements for the popular N4 Engineering courses, and the fee structure for 2026.
1. The 3 Campuses: Where Must You Go?
Goldfields TVET College is split geographically based on the type of course. Applying to the wrong campus is the #1 reason for rejected applications.
1. Welkom Campus (The Business Hub)
- Location: 36 Buren Street, Welkom CBD.
- Focus: Business Studies, Utility Studies, and NCV.
- Vibe: This is the “City Campus.” It is located right in the middle of town, close to the taxi rank and shopping centers.
- Who goes here? Future accountants, HR managers, secretaries, and tourism consultants.
- Key Courses: Financial Management, Marketing, Office Administration, Tourism.
2. Tosa Campus (The Engineering Powerhouse)
- Location: 14107 Ndaki Road, Thabong (Township).
- Focus: Engineering Studies (NATED & NCV).
- Vibe: Industrial. This is a massive campus equipped with heavy workshops, simulation rooms, and technical labs.
- Who goes here? Future artisans. If you want to wear an overall and fix machines, this is your home.
- Key Courses: Electrical, Mechanical (Fitting & Turning), Boilermaking, Civil Engineering.
- Residences: Tosa has the largest student accommodation facilities.
3. Meloding Campus
- Location: Virginia (Meloding Township).
- Focus: Skills Training and NCV.
- Vibe: Community-focused. A smaller campus serving the Virginia/Hennenman area.
- Key Courses: Marketing, Office Admin, and bridging programs.
2. Admission Requirements 2026
Goldfields TVET follows the Department of Higher Education (DHET) standard, but they are strict on Mathematics for engineering due to the rigorous demands of the trade tests.
A. National Certificate Vocational (NCV) – Level 2
- Who is this for? Grade 9, 10, or 11 learners who want to leave school and learn a trade immediately.
- Requirement: Grade 9 Pass.
- Math Requirement: You must have passed Grade 9 Mathematics to enter the Engineering or IT streams. If you failed Math, you will be directed to Business or Hospitality.
B. Report 191 (NATED) – N4 Level
- Who is this for? Matriculants.
- Requirement: National Senior Certificate (NSC) or NCV Level 4.
- Engineering N4:
- Maths: You need NSC Mathematics (Pure Math) with at least 40%.
- Science: Physical Science is highly recommended (and often mandatory for Electrical).
- The “Math Lit” Problem: Students with Math Literacy are usually NOT accepted into N4 Engineering directly. You will be placed in the N3 or N2 class to build your foundation first.
- Business N4:
- NSC with a pass in English.
- Accounting is not mandatory for HR or Management Assistant, but it is essential for Financial Management.
C. Pre-Vocational Learning Programme (PLP)
- What is it? A bridging year for students who don’t meet the entry criteria for Level 2 (e.g., failed Grade 9 Math).
- Focus: Foundational Math, Science, English, and Life Skills.
- Success: If you pass PLP, you get automatic entry into NCV Level 2 the following year.
3. Course List: Specialized Programs
Goldfields offers the standard NATED courses, but their specific trade offerings are tailored to the Free State economy.
Engineering Studies (NATED N1 – N6)
- Available at: Tosa Campus.
- Electrical Engineering (Heavy Current): Focuses on power generation, transformers, and industrial wiring (Mines/Eskom).
- Mechanical Engineering:
- Fitting & Turning: Fixing machinery.
- Boilermaking / Welding: Structural steel work.
- Motor Mechanics: Vehicle repair.
- Civil Engineering: Bricklaying, Plumbing.
Business Studies (NATED N4 – N6)
- Available at: Welkom Campus.
- Human Resource Management.
- Financial Management.
- Marketing Management.
- Management Assistant (Office Admin).
- Public Management (Government admin).
- Educare (Early Childhood Development).
NCV Programmes (Level 2 – 4)
- Information Technology & Computer Science. (Robotics & Coding).
- Tourism.
- Transport & Logistics.
- Safety in Society (Policing foundation).
4. How to Apply Online (The Coltech System)
Goldfields TVET uses the Coltech / i-Enabler student system.
Step 1: The Compulsory Placement Test
- Warning: You cannot apply without this.
- Go to the college website (www.goldfieldstvet.edu.za).
- Click on “Online Application” or “Student Portal”.
- Look for the “Placement Assessment” link.
- Register and complete the test. It assesses your Numeracy and Literacy to ensure you are picking the right career path.
Step 2: Create Your Profile
- Select “New Applicant”.
- Enter your ID number.
- Create a Password/PIN.
Step 3: The Application Wizard
- Log in.
- Click “Submit Application”.
- Select Year: 2026.
- Select Campus: Remember—Business = Welkom; Engineering = Tosa.
- Select Course: e.g., “National Certificate: Electrical Engineering N1”.
Step 4: Upload Documents
- Certified ID Copy.
- Certified Results: Grade 11 Final Report (if currently in school) or Matric Certificate.
- Proof of Residence: Important for hostel allocation.
Step 5: Check Status
- You will receive an SMS regarding your status.
- If accepted (“Provisionally Accepted”), you will need to return to the portal in January 2026 to register your subjects.
5. Fees and Funding (Estimates)
Goldfields is a public college.
- Tuition Fees:
- Engineering (Trimester): Approx. R2,500 – R3,500 per trimester.
- Business (Semester): Approx. R3,000 per semester.
- NCV (Year): Approx. R11,000 – R15,000 per year.
- NSFAS:
- Status: Fully accredited.
- Allowances: Transport allowances are crucial as Tosa Campus is far from the CBD. NSFAS pays this directly to your bank account (or via a partner service).
- How to Apply: Apply via myNSFAS. Do not wait for the college to do it.
6. Residence and Accommodation
Tosa Campus Hostel:
- Located on-site at the Engineering campus.
- Capacity: Limited (approx. 500 beds).
- Who gets in? Priority is given to NCV Level 2 and N4 students who live more than 40km away.
- Cost: Approx. R25,000 per year (usually covered by NSFAS accommodation allowance).
Welkom Campus:
- No on-campus hostel.
- Students typically rent private flats or rooms in the Welkom CBD.
- Warning: Ensure your landlord is accredited by the college if you want to use your NSFAS allowance to pay rent. Unaccredited landlords will not be paid.
7. 2026 Application Dates (Estimates)
- Semester 1 (Business):
- Opens: September 2025.
- Closes: 30 November 2025.
- Trimester 1 (Engineering):
- Opens: September 2025.
- Closes: 30 November 2025.
- Late Applications:
- Often open in the second week of January 2026 (e.g., 10-15 Jan) for specific unfilled courses.
- Tip: Watch the Goldfields TVET Facebook Page closely in January. They post “Walk-In” dates or specific links for late online applications.
FAQ: Goldfields TVET College
Q: Do they offer part-time classes?
A: Yes. The Welkom Campus has a strong part-time program for Business Studies (evenings). This is popular for people working in the municipality or local businesses who want to upgrade their qualifications.
Q: Can I change from Tosa to Welkom?
A: Only if you change your course. You cannot study Electrical Engineering at Welkom Campus because the workshops are at Tosa.
Q: Is there a registration fee?
A: If you are NSFAS funded, No. If you are a cash-paying student, you are usually required to pay a 20% deposit (approx. R1,500 – R2,000) on the day of registration to unlock your timetable.
Conclusion: The Gold Standard
Goldfields TVET College is the most direct route to employment in the Lejweleputswa district. Whether you want to fix the giant excavators on the mines or manage the finances of a local logistics firm, this is where you start.
Action: If you are aiming for Engineering at Tosa, ensure your Math marks are solid. The competition for the Electrical and Fitting trades is intense. Apply early.
Disclaimer: Course offerings and fees are subject to change. Always verify with the official Goldfields TVET College Prospectus 2026.