Case study demonstrates that robust student support services improve retention and throughput rates in vocational colleges, highlighting the academic necessity of targeted institutional assistance.
Recent studies have demonstrated a decline in numbers of students graduating within the allotted time at various institutions of higher learning. Despite several current discussions in the Technical and Vocation Education and Training (TVET) sector to unpack the role of colleges and their responsiveness to the labour market, students’ retention, success and throughput rates are still a matter of concern. This article explores and considers the advantages and benefits of student support services (SSS) within the TVET College context. The crucial features of an effective SSS model are outlined. A case study of seven TVET Colleges in South Africa was conducted. Lecturers and students formed part of the sample. Findings confirm that colleges require efficient and effective SSS to enhance their success and throughput rates. It is also evident that poor SSS negatively affect the academic progress of students in colleges. The results confirm that a lack of appropriate student support services negatively affects students’ performance in various academic ways.
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Mashiloane et al. (2026) studied this question.
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