“VUT’s IPSF 2025 conference spotlighted ground breaking research revealing major skills gaps in Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) education and its impact on South Africa’s industry.”
26 November 2025 | Story by: Nontobeko Moimane | Picture: Supplied
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A groundbreaking research presentation from the Vaal University of Technology (VUT) has placed a spotlight on one of South Africa’s growing industrial challenges: the widening skills gap in Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) education. Delivered during the 1st International Conference on Innovative Pathways for Sustainable Futures (IPSF 2025), the study drew widespread attention for its sharp analysis of how misalignment between higher education and industry standards contributes to national shortages in key technical fields.
While IPSF 2025 brought together global researchers to explore innovation across mathematics, science, education, and technology, it was VUT’s own work, led by researcher Ms Siyanda Nkwanyana, that stood out for its relevance to South Africa’s industrial development agenda.
Ms Nkwanyana’s presentation, titled “Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) Education Challenges in South Africa,” revealed that graduates entering the NDT field face significant confusion and career delays due to misaligned qualifications and inconsistent training pathways.
Her research showed that many students believe completing an NDT qualification automatically makes them NDT Level I or Level II practitioners, a misconception that leads to frustration, repeated training, and limited employability. Industry stakeholders echoed this concern, describing a noticeable decline in foundational scientific literacy and technical readiness among graduates. “The problem is not that students lack potential,” Ms Nkwanyana explained. “It is that the system does not prepare them adequately for real-world certification.”
One of the most striking sections of the presentation highlighted the disconnect between academic learning and workplace requirements. Industry partners reported recurring competency gaps, particularly in: Data interpretation, Mathematics and physics foundations, Exposure to advanced NDT techniques (such as ultrasonics and radiography), Scientific writing and report preparation, Hands-on experience with inspection tools
These shortcomings have forced companies to repeat training, an expensive and time-consuming cycle that limits South Africa’s competitiveness in manufacturing, mining, chemical engineering, and structural safety sectors.
Ms Nkwanyana’s research further revealed that collaboration between industry and academia remains weak, despite the growing demand for skilled inspectors. Companies rely heavily on in-house training instead of university partnerships, while universities struggle to secure placements for Work Integrated Learning (WIL). This disconnect extends to shared facilities and research projects, limiting innovation in NDT methodology and technology development.
The presentation did not stop at diagnosing the problem. It laid out a bold roadmap for national reform. Key recommendations included:
1. A National Professional Body for NDT Education – An independent body should standardise qualifications, align curriculum with certification requirements, and prevent inconsistencies across institutions.
2. Shared University–Industry Training Infrastructure – Joint facilities and equipment would ensure that students gain real exposure to current technologies before entering the workforce.
3. Regular Curriculum Updates – Continuous review of NDT programmes is needed to keep pace with global advancements and industrial needs.
4. Stronger Partnerships with Industry – Structured collaboration would enable research projects, workplace training, and innovation to flourish.
5. National Capacity-Building Initiatives – Short courses, refresher training, and research funding could strengthen South Africa’s NDT capability over time.
Although IPSF 2025 featured keynote presentations on sustainability, mathematics, and STEM integration, Ms Nkwanyana’s study resonated with a different but equally urgent challenge: building a future-ready workforce.
Her findings directly support:
· SDG 4: Quality Education
· SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
· SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
By confronting the gaps in a highly technical and nationally important field, VUT demonstrated the strength of its research capacity and its commitment to advancing South Africa’s industrial competitiveness.
The attention the presentation received underscored VUT’s growing reputation as a university that not only conducts research but also directly confronts the skills and innovation challenges facing the country.
As IPSF 2025 concluded, one message was clear: research like Ms Nkwanyana’s is essential for shaping South Africa’s industrial future, and VUT is leading that conversation.