Given the high prevalence of HIV and AIDS among students in tertiary institutions, this study investigates the availability and effectiveness of HIV and AIDS support mechanisms in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges. According to UNICEF (2016), 13.4 million children and adolescents globally are orphaned due to HIV and AIDS, leaving these orphans with either one or no parent. In South Africa, there are approximately 3.7 million orphans, half of whom have lost one or both parents (UNICEF, 2016). Focusing on two TVET colleges within the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan District (NMBMD), the study explores how the absence of structured HIV and AIDS support services leaves students vulnerable. This qualitative, phenomenological study employed Fineman’s theoretical framework and utilized semi-structured face-to-face interviews for data collection for this paper. Participants included two campus managers, four TVET lecturers (two from the National Certificate Vocational [NCV] program and two from the National Accredited Technical Education Diploma [NATED] program), one Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) representative, and one Eastern Cape Department of Health (ECDoH) representative. Findings revealed that students in these TVET colleges are either directly affected or infected by HIV and AIDS, compounding existing vulnerabilities such as financial instability, poverty, mental health challenges, and risky sexual behaviors. However, no formal HIV and AIDS support mechanisms were available within these institutions. The study recommends strengthening Student Support Services (SSS) to provide comprehensive HIV and AIDS interventions, expanding HIV and AIDS programs beyond campus boundaries, and fostering collaborations between TVET colleges, local health institutions, community leaders, and other key stakeholders. Strengthening these networks will enhance student well-being and promote sustainable community development.

Keywords: HIV and AIDS, Support mechanisms, TVET colleges, students, adolescents, vulnerability.