Thousands of artisans in South Africa who have passed their trade tests are waiting years for their Red Seal certificates. The certificate is a national qualification for artisans, including electrical work, welding, plumbing, and diesel mechanics. Without it, artisans face lower salaries, fewer formal employment options, and roadblocks to professional development.
The Red Seal certificate is issued by the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO) under the oversight of the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET). More than 100 QCTO-accredited test centers administer the exam, and training academies prepare students for the competency exam. However, after years of delays, these facilities have built up backlogs of hundreds, sometimes thousands of outstanding certificates.
Lebogang Molale, an electrician, passed his trade exam in 2020 but is still waiting for his Red Seal certificate over six years later. He struggled to get permanent employment without the certificate, highlighting the challenges faced by artisans in the country. Molale is one of thousands of artisans waiting for their certificates, which entitle them to salary increases, make them eligible for career advancement, and allow them to access work overseas.
The backlog of certificates is a national issue, with various training academies and trade test centers reporting significant delays. Olifantsfontein Artisan Academy has over 700 students still waiting for their certificates, with some students waiting since 2019. Other academies, such as Qualitas in Johannesburg and Sol-Tech in Pretoria, also have significant backlogs, with 200 and 400 outstanding certificates, respectively.
The union Solidarity has been representing its members facing these delays and believes the collective number of students waiting for their certificates across the country is "enormous". The trade union has contacted 149 trade test centers and reported a combined backlog of 6,000 certificates from seven training academies and trade test centers.
Minister of Higher Education and Training Buti Manamela emphasized the importance of qualified artisans for South Africa's industrialization, modernization, and global competitiveness. The country's youth unemployment rate has reached 47% in the second quarter of 2026, with President Cyril Ramaphosa describing it as South Africa's most pressing challenge.
The Red Seal certification process has undergone changes, with the previous standards phased out for new learners in July 2024. The new system is completely managed by QCTO, which includes overseeing accreditation, implementation, and certification of all occupational qualifications. However, some believe the new process has led to a bottleneck at QCTO, contributing to the delays in issuing certificates.
Key points
- Thousands of artisans in South Africa are waiting years for their Red Seal certificates.
- The delays are hindering career advancement and formal employment opportunities for artisans.
- The backlog of certificates is a national issue, with various training academies and trade test centers reporting significant delays.
