FAQ

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Please find a list of questions and answers that maybe useful to you regarding False Bay TVET College and our operations during the COVID-19 the lockdown period.

Questions about the Academic Year

When will applications open for Nated / NC(V) 2021?
Applications open for 2021 Nated (post-Matric) and NC(V) (entry requirement grade 9) from August 2020.
To submit an application to study, you can download and upload an Application form from our website. Please attach certified copies of:
•    Birth Certificate/Identity Document (Proof of application for new ID/Passport)
•    Most recent Academic results
•    Certificates/Qualifications
•    Municipal billing document/other account statement (not older than 3 months)
https://www.falsebaycollege.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=63&Itemid=194

 What about T1 Exams?
Trimester 1 exams will definitely take place. There will be an adjustment in the calendar. There will most likely not be a Trimester 3. Trimester 1 students will go into Trimester 2 till the end of the year after writing their Trimester 1 exams.

Part -Time Studies
Part-Time classes for registered students have resumed.
Due to Covid-19 the academic calendar was amended. There will not be a Semester 2 intake for full-time, part-time and distance learning.
The College will be accepting applications for 2021 from August 2020. Please feel free to submit your application and supporting documents via our website.
https://www.falsebaycollege.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=63&Itemid=194

What are the entry Requirements for Trimester 2:
To apply, you can download and upload an Application form from our website. Please attached certified copies of:
•    Birth Certificate/Identity Document (Proof of application for new ID/Passport)
•    Most recent Academic results
•    Certificates/Qualifications
•    Municipal billing document/other account statement (not older than 3 months)
https://www.falsebaycollege.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=63&Itemid=194

I have applied online for Trimester 2, but no response. What do I do now?
Could you please call the campus where you made your preferred application for progress update?
Westlake Campus: 021 700 6400 / 021 701 1340 or Khayelitsha Campus: 021 361 3430 / 021 360 5000. For Distance Learning applications, call 021 021 701 1153. Thank you

Which programmes are available for Trimester 2?
Trimester 2 is only focussed to engineering programmes. You can apply for your National Certificate N1-N3 in the following programmes:
Fitting & Turning
Fabrication
Carpentry
Electrical
Motors
Welding
Plumbing
We do not offer Part-Time studies at this time. You can apply for full-time or distance learning study modes.
Click here for more programme information: https://www.falsebaycollege.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=88&Itemid=219

Are there NSFAS Bursaries for Trimester 2:
Please be advised that NSFAS bursaries for Trimester 2 2020 will be open from 15 July 2020 until 15 August 2020.  
For more information, click here: https://www.falsebaycollege.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=73&Itemid=202  or contact the False Bay College Financial Aid Campus Contact Details:  Khayelitsha Campus Financial Aid Office on Busisiwe.Mvinjelwa@falsebay.org.za  / 021 360 5065 or Westlake Campus Financial Aid Office: Wendy.Vergotine@falsebay.org.za /  021 700 6417

When do Trimester 2 Classes start?
Application for Trimester 2 Engineering Programmes N1-N6 are open.
You can submit your completed application form to the website.
Classes will be staggered to accommodate social distancing:
N1 and N4:    14 September - 20 November 2020
N2 and N5:     7 September - 13 November 2020
N3 and N6:    31 August -  6 November 2020

We are not ready for exams when we come back!  We still need to be taught! Are we going to have to do all the practical’s and what about the semester Internal Exams?
The only group that will start exams quite soon after returning will be the Engineering Trimester students.  They were almost ready to start to write their final external exams when lockdown started.  They will have a few days of revision on return and will then write.  Students will be supported with resource packs, past exam papers and marking guideline and study notes.

Semester students will return and go into focused class teaching and revision.  We are waiting to hear about the adjusted curriculum and ICASS, but students will be given support to finish any outstanding assessments.  There may be an adjustment in the ICASS, and the Internal Semester Exam could be adjusted or scrapped.  We will wait for the DHET to give clarity.  There will be extra classes and Saturday classes to help everyone catch up and be prepared for the exam.  Lecturers will hand out study notes and worksheets to help students be prepared for the examinations.  We will ensure that all students are prepared for the final examination.

Lecturers are sending too much work and the instructions are not clear.  Some staff have arranged zoom sessions and others have not.  We are worried about catching up with work and managing to finish all the work that has been sent to us.
Students are encouraged to engage with their various subjects for a minimum of 4 hours a day.  When we are back on campus, your lecturers will guide you on what needs to be done and support you with extra notes.  This is a difficult time for us all and we need to keep focus but also take time out to relax and do some healthy activity by spending some time relaxing or exercising, read a book or watch a movie.  Learn a new skill or try something creative like drawing a picture.  This helps to divert your mind from the anxiety.  We will be supporting you when we are back on campus.  There is also a number that has been published for you to send a WhatsApp message to if you need advice. 

Student Support Services: Covid-19 Online Support @ 060 608 3625 Operating Times: Monday to Friday 08:00 —16:00

Are there going to be changes in the curriculum and some work left out?

The DHET has indicated that there could be some changes in curriculum, but we are waiting for the final confirmation of this.  We will only focus on the most important topics when we are back at college so that all students are well prepared for the final examinations.

Will there still be an annual graduation ceremony this year?

There will unfortunately no graduation ceremony this year due to the COVID-19 Lockdown regulations.

Questions regarding NSFAS Bursaries and Payment of allowances

Will I receive my allowance during lockdown?

All NSFAS allowances will continue to be paid during lockdown.

How do I apply for a NSFAS Bursary?

Students who apply study at the College will be assisted to apply for a NSFAS bursary. Visit the NSFAS website, www.nsfas.org.za, for latest information and updates on how and when to apply.

NSFAS applicants can also submit queries to the NSFAS Virtual Contact Centre:

NSFAS is available to assist you through TWITTER and NSFAS Connect:

1. log onto www.nsfas.org.za

2. Click the myNSFAS tab and loginto your myNSFAS account

3. Click  the NSFAS Connect Tab and submit your query 

NSFAS is accessible on the below platforms from 08h30 to 17h00, Monday to Friday: 

• Email: info@nsfas.org.za
• Facebook: National Student Financial Aid Scheme 
• Instagram: myNSFAS 
• NSFAS Connect: www.nsfas.org.za and log into your myNSFAS account. 

Questions regarding Internships

Will interns get paid?

Our partners have provided the College with a clear directive with regards to the payment of stipends. Cathsseta is the only SETA that has indicated that no stipends should be paid to students during the lockdown. The College will continue to engage with Cathsseta in this regard.

The UIF funded students unfortunately will not receive their stipends. The College is awaiting its funding from the UIF to be able to pay-out stipends. We are in continuous contact with the UIF officials and will rectify the situation once the College has received money from the UIF. Thank you for your commitment to our studies. We are looking forward to having you back at the campus once the lockdown has been lifted.

 I have completed my 18 months’ work integrated learning process, what is the next step to apply for my National Diploma during this lockdown period?

All applications for National Diploma must be done via the candidate's examination centre, which is the campus where you completed your course. Applications will resume when campuses are operational.

Make sure the following is in order: Logbook completed fully and get a completion letter from the host employer stating what you have covered as well as the duration of your internship.

How will the lockdown effect my placement duration- will I have to stay an extra month or two to get my logbook up to date?

The College is currently in the process of discussing these matters with the various SETAs and will provide guidance once these protocols are established.

 Will I still receive my stipend if I do not submit an attendance register?

The College understands that students will not be able to submit an attendance register. You are requested to submit a letter from your employer indicating that it’s business is closed during the lockdown and or that the business is operating with a skeleton staff.

Learners who are able to work during lockdown period will have to complete the necessary attendance registers and submit via the relevant WIL Officer. CATHSETA is the only SETA that will not be paying any stipends during this period, as they only pay upon receipt of attendance registers for reporting purposes

 If students are receiving their stipends during the lockdown, will this mean they have to volunteer to catch up on their logbooks?

The College is in the process of discussing these matters with our funding partners and will provide clarity once guidelines have been received and clarity provided by our funders.

 What should I do if my host employer does not adhere to COVID-19 safety regulations and I feel my health and wellbeing is threatened?

According the COVID 19 Health and Safety Regulations, all employers are to be implementing hygiene protocols for all staff that are or have returned to work. Please address the lack of implementation with regards to these protocols with your supervisor. If there is no improvement, please alert your relevant WIL Officer or Programme Head

Should I return to work if I have underlying health issues? If not, would I be granted extension to complete my internship period post COVID-19?

It is important to inform your host employer about your health-related matters to reach an agreement.

What if my host employer can only accommodate me on a short time basis (half days or certain days of the week), will I be moved to a different employer or should I remain with this employer?

It is important to inform your relevant WIL Officer or Programme Head of any changes in working hours. The College will contact your current host employer and advise you on the way forward. 

 IMPORTANT CONTACT DETAILS

CONTACT DETAILS OF PROGRAMME HEADS

 CONTACT DETAILS OF WIL STAFF

GENERAL QUESTIONS

How will attending a public TVET College benefit me?

As a False Bay TVET College student, you will gain integrated theoretical and practical experience, exposure to your chosen industry as well as a meaningful qualification as part of an affordable education – to which every South African has a right. This is true not only if you are just starting your career-focused education, but also if you are an adult of any age interested in additional training in the career you are following – or even interested in making a complete career change! A False Bay TVET College programme helps you to master skills to build your future.

Are TVET College programmes expensive?
Public Technical and Vocational Education and Training college fees compare very favourably with the private sector institutions. Student loans are available for disadvantaged students from the Western Cape through the DHET Bursaries which is supported by the National government. Various banks will also consider study loans to performing and deserving students.

Bursaries are available from various institutions but especially from NSFAS which is a bursary fund solely for college students. All of the above are subject to certain conditions which are available from our campuses.

Where do I receive Career Guidance and Student Support?
Student support services are an integral part of each college and their various campuses. A career interest assessment may be conducted to help you in this regard. Student support also assists with counselling, academic development, health and social issues as well as job placement.

What practical experience will you have after completing one of the programmes?
All of the programmes have a very large percentage of practical components. These components may be done either at the college or at commerce and industry itself, thus insuring that the training is relevant and up to date.

Are these programmes flexible?
Public TVET programmes offer you the opportunity of exiting at the end of a specific NQF level with the relevant certificate, enabling you to return at a later stage to complete your next level. False Bay TVET College offers full-time and part-time vocational, occupational and skills programmes.

What about learnerships and skills?
The Public TVET college sector offers many learnerships in partnership with various SETA’s, department of labour as well as commerce and industry.

Where can I stay while studying?
False Bay TVET College also has affordable residence at the Westlake Campus for occupational students only.