South African Artisans Face Years-Long Delays for Red Seal Certificates

Trade union Solidarity reported in South Africa that thousands of artisans, including Lebogang Molale, are waiting years for their Red Seal certificates, with some waiting over six years since passing their exams in 2020. This systemic delay by the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO), under the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), has created a significant backlog, preventing qualified individuals from securing permanent employment, higher salaries, career advancement, and international work opportunities. The issue affects a wide range of trades, from electricians to plumbers, and has been reported by multiple training academies and test centres, with one academy alone having over 700 students awaiting their certificates.