| A(B)ET | Adult (Basic) Education and Training |
| B-BBEE | Broad-based black economic empowerment |
| CET | Community Education and Training |
| CLC | Community Learning Centre |
| CWP | Community Works Programme |
| DBE | Department of Basic Education |
| DHET | Department of Higher Education and Training |
| DoL | Department of Labour |
| EPWP | Expanded Public Works Programme |
| ESSA | Employment Services South Africa |
| GDP | Gross Domestic Product |
| GETCA | General Education and Training Certificate for Adults |
| HEI | Higher Education Institution |
| NASCA | National Senior Certificate for Adults |
| NCV | National Certificate Vocational |
| NGO | Non-Governmental Organisation |
| NQF | National Qualifications Framework |
| NSC | National Senior Certificate |
| NSF | National Skills Fund |
| OECD | Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development |
| PALC | Public Adult Learning Centre |
| PES | Public Employment Service |
| RPL | Recognition of Prior Learning |
| SAQA | South African Qualifications Authority |
| SETA | Sector Education and Training Authority |
| SME | Small and Medium-sized Enterprise |
| TVET | Technical and Vocational Education and Training |
| UIF | Unemployment Insurance Fund |