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Who and what is CIMAP?

The Chartered Institute for the Management of Assessment Practice (CIMAP) is a professional body supporting the needs of all stakeholders involved in Assessment, Moderation, and ETD Practice in South Africa. CIMAP is the ideal platform for the professionalization of assessors, moderators, and ETD Practitioners. CIMAP offers a professional recognition pathway, a Code of Professional Conduct and the management of continuing professional development (CPD) programmes. Industry is also able to validate the professional status of individuals. CIMAP is applying to SAQA for professional body registration – please see SAQA PB questions below.

Why must I join CIMAP?

CIMAP is a professional body supporting the needs of all stakeholders involved in Assessment, Moderation, and ETD Practice in South Africa. The benefits of CIMAP include professionalisation of assessors, moderators, and ETD Practitioners. CIMAP offers a professional recognition pathway, a Code of Professional

Conduct and the management of CPD programmes. CIMAP validates the professional status of individuals, providing credibility and

an advantage over those who are not registered and therefore possibly not committed to ethics and quality.

A further benefit of membership is that by belonging to CIMAP the individual member becomes part of a unified body that lobbies with statutory and regulatory bodies, protecting the rights of the industry as a whole.

Who are CIMAP’s partners?

Local We have formed local confederations called the South African Board for People Practices (SABPP) and the Association for Skills Development in South Africa (ASDSA). International CIMAP is proud to announce its affiliation with the Chartered Institute of Educational Assessors (CIEA) in the UK. Through this affiliation CIMAP will be able to offer its members a range of CPD programmes bearing international recognition.

How will it regulate the assessment industry?

CIMAP is committed to playing a key role in a multi-tiered approach to professionalizing the industry. CIMAP will facilitate the development of previous professional education programmes to drive professionalism and continuous professional development within industry as part of voluntary self-regulation. In doing so it will set individual members apart and will provide development opportunities that will make them desirable as professionals. The premise underlying self-regulation is to ensure that un- validated practitioners, trying to operate without credentials, will not be tolerated by clients and learners. This will ensure that the industry will be protected from rogue operators. CIMAP will promote an awareness of the importance of dealing with compliant practitioners. This will protect industry, practitioners and the socio-economic structure of the business region.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Do all assessors and moderators have to register? By law?

The intent of CIMAP is voluntary self-regulation of the industry. CIMAP is completing the process of applying to SAQA that will serve as the Quality Partner. Membership of CIMAP is voluntary and the fees are low to attract membership. The larger the membership, the stronger the unified voice. All ETDP practitioners are encouraged to apply for membership whilst we are in the process of registering.

How is the registration going to be monitored

Currently each member who joins is added to a database and registration will be monitored to ensure that registration is renewed annually. Through the database participation in CPD events will be evaluated and continued membership will be based on compliance.

How many CPD points must I gather every year

The CPD process is not intended to be exclusionary or burdensome. CIMAP also recognises that it has members who work full time and may not be able to attend workshops in the major cities. To accommodate everyone as far as we can, without compromising the integrity of on-going professional development we have set the following requirements for CPD:

120 hours in a 3 year rolling cycle; Two categories of CPD hours – verifiable and non verifiable; 60 hours must be verifiable and 60 hours may be non-verifiable;

A minimum of 20 hours must be recorded each year (these may be verifiable or non-verifiable)

How much is this going to cost me

CIMAP is a non-profit organisation. It will make every effort to negotiate the lowest possible prices for CPD activities for its members to make it accessible. The joining fee and cost for the first year of membership is only R 280, all inclusive. Continued membership will be R 400 per annum for registered assessors and moderators. CIMAP will make every effort to keep these fees as low as possible.

I only assess a few POEs a year – how am I going to afford workshops for CPD to attain points

CPD is not only about attending workshops. CPD activities encompass reading, attendance of conferences, roadshows, further study etc. Members will be provided with a range of CPD activities to choose from, some of which will be free of charge. The onus however will be for each member to maintain a "Portfolio of Evidence" to document participation in CPD activities. These documents will be evaluated annually prior to acceptance of further membership

Are the workshops accredited or can anyone create a workshop for points

In terms of accreditation, there seems to be a misconception that CPD involves only workshops. This is not the case. It could be attendance at a conference, a seminar, a workshop, formal study, mentorship of another person or reading a set piece with a short online assessment to follow. It should be noted that not all short courses are accredited. However, each CPD activity will go to a representative approval committee and will be approved against a set of criteria to ensure that standards are maintained. One of the key criteria of the CPD events will be that they MUST be highly affordable and therefore accessible for all members.

Do all training providers know about CIMAP

CIMAP is still in its infancy and as part of a drive to create public awareness of the organisation, it has a comprehensive communications plan in place. This plan will educate not only providers, but also learners and corporates about the activities and benefits of the professionalisation of the industry. As the relationship with all the SETAS develops there will also be an increased awareness of CIMAP.

Explain how the Assessment titles work? Will this affect what I can assess

A true professional exhibits three key elements: Academic knowledge Experience Behaviour

This means that a professional ETD practitioner needs to have a suitable qualification, be able to do the job and be recognised for how the job is done. The ability to fulfil all three requirements for professionalism is confirmed by passing the ultimate test of competence – achieving a professional designation. Whilst a qualification can never be taken away from an individual, a designation can i.e. if CPD is not maintained or there is a breach of ethics, the designation can be forfeited.

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Becoming a professional ETD practitioner will require dedication and commitment, but it is well worth the effort. A professional designation will communicate to clients, candidates and employers that an individual is committed to ethical conduct. This is how the process of membership and accreditation will work: The Chartered Corporate Membership is available to providers registered with the Department of Higher Education and Training as an FET or HET Provider. Chartered Corporate Members will participate in annual CIMAP provider quality awards, and may be awarded a series of quality grading confirmations. Providers that are not registered with DHET are only eligible for Affiliate Corporate Membership. Individual members that are constituently registered with any ETQA as an assessor may apply for individual membership. All initial applications are awarded an affiliate member designation. Affiliate members may indicate their designation status as follows: Ms. K. Kumalo (ACIMAP). Membership upgrades must be done online and are subject to professional designation requirements below - www.cimap.co.za Professional Designation Application Student Member - Open to anyone with an interest in assessment. Affiliate

Assessor (No status awarded); Affiliate Membership - is open to anyone with an interest in assessment,

and confirmation of achievement of the national assessor standard and is registered with at least one ETQA - (ACIMAP);

Practitioner Assessor - 1-3 years' experience in educational assessment, and must have achieved a National Diploma (NQF 5) (PCIMAP);

Fellow Assessor - Fellowship is available to the most experienced and expert practitioners in educational assessment (at least 5 years) and a NQF 6 level qualification (FCIMAP).

Chartered Assessor (CCIMAP). Master’s degree and five years of educational assessment experience.

Master Assessor (MCIMAP). Ph.D. degree and extensive assessment and moderation experience.

All members in good standing that seek to register with the Chartered Institute for Educational Assessment (U.K) will be in a position to do so from 01 June 2012 at CIMAP negotiated discounted rates for all membership grades.

Below are additional questions about professional bodies that arose during the road shows held by SAQA. These may assist you to understand the importance of CIMAP. Will all professional bodies, which include professional associations/institutes, be required to apply to SAQA for recognition on the NQF?

Professional bodies or associations must apply to SAQA for recognition if they would like to be involved in the education and training environment. They will also be required to co-operate with the relevant Quality Council (QC) in terms of qualification development and quality assurance. The three QCs are:

The Council on Higher Education (CHE) for the Higher Education sub-framework.

Umalusi for the General and Further Education and Training sub-framework.

The Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO) for the Trades and Occupations sub-framework.

What are the implications for a professional body that does not what to be recognised?

The professional body may continue to function as before, however the extent of its involvement in the formal education and learning environment will be limited.

Can a professional body register members on learnerships?

Professional bodies may register their members and employees on learnerships as long as the professional body is not the accredited provider of the qualification coupled to the learnership.

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Why may a professional body not be an accredited training provider?

Potential problems may arise when professional bodies have to quality assure their own programmes and assess learners. An additional area of conflict could arise when a professional body that is also an accredited provider, is required to accredit other providers for qualifications that it already offers.

In light of the fact that professional bodies may not be accredited as education and training providers, will professional bodies be able to continue offering training as part of their members’ continual professional development (CPD)?

Professional bodies will be allowed to offer training as part of their CPD offerings to members. However, where such training leads to a registered qualification or part qualification, the training must be conducted by an accredited provider.

How will SAQA manage the recognition of more than one body or association in a sector?

SAQA will encourage co-operation and collaboration between the different bodies or associations across a sector. If no resolution can be found in this manner, SAQA will consider each application on its own merit.

Can a designation be used by more than one professional body?

No, the policy requires that the same professional designations cannot be registered by more than one recognised professional body in South Africa.

Must the underlying qualification to a professional designation be an NQF registered qualification?

Yes, the underlying qualification to a designation must be an NQF registered qualification.

Can the registration of a professional designation take place in the absence of an underlying qualification/s?

No, there must be a registered underlying qualification/s in order for a designation to be registered on the NQF.

Can a part-qualification or/and NQF aligned skills programme be regarded as an underlying qualification?

The term qualification includes part-qualifications. This therefore implies that the underlying qualification of a designation can be linked to a part-qualification registered on the NQF.

Will a professional designation be registered at an NQF Level?

A professional designation will not be registered at a specific NQF level. However, the underlying qualifications of all professional designations will be registered at a specific NQF level.

Can a professional designation be linked to more than one underlying qualification?

A professional designation can be linked to multiple underlying qualifications. It is the responsibility of the professional body to determine which NQF registered qualification(s) are suitable to be regarded as underlying qualification(s) for the designation.

What is the role of the Quality Councils (QCs) in recognising professional bodies on the NQF?

SAQA is the only body that recognises professional bodies and registers professional designations. If a professional body wishes to contribute to qualification development and quality assurance it must co-operate with the relevant QC. The relevant QC will be determined by the type and level of the qualification.

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Will the Organising Framework of Occupations (OFO) be used to determine titles of professional designations?

It is the professional body that will determine the titles of designations. However, the titles of underlying qualifications for professional designations in the Trades and Occupations sub-framework may be aligned to the OFO.

Can a person hold more than one professional designation and will all of these be recorded on the NLRD?

A person can hold any number of professional designations, each awarded by a different professional body. The NLRD will be able to record more than one designation per person.

Different professional bodies are at different stages of development. Will SAQA be able to assist either aspiring or newly created professional bodies in terms of establishing themselves and adhering to the criteria of recognition?

SAQA will be able to give advice to aspiring or newly created professional bodies.

What will the costs to the professional body be in terms of applying to be recognised as a professional body and registering professional designations on the NQF?

SAQA will not charge professional bodies for the recognition of professional bodies or registration of professional designations on the NQF. However, SAQA reserves the right to recover costs in instances where unnecessary and wasteful costs are incurred.

Can a professional body that regulates an industry apply for recognition as a professional body on the NQF?

A professional body that regulates an industry and wishes to be involved in the education and training environment can apply for recognition as long as it adheres to the criteria. It will, however, be critical to demarcate the different roles the professional body will play, so that members and other organisations understand the different roles, who performs each role, and what the parameters of the locus of control is for each function.

Will internationally recognised professional designations be registered on the NQF by SAQA?

If an internationally recognised professional designation adheres to the policy and criteria it can be registered on the NQF by SAQA.

Will international qualifications which are not registered on the NQF be recognised as underlying qualifications for professional designations?

The underlying qualification for a professional designation must be an NQF registered qualification. Professional bodies using international qualifications must therefore take the necessary steps to ensure that these qualifications are registered on the NQF.

To what degree will good corporate governance be measured when considering an application by a professional body for recognition on the NQF?

SAQA will, during the evaluation of an application for recognition, assess, amongst other things, the governance structure, the management structure and the sustainability of the professional body.

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What will happen to a registered professional designation once a recognised professional body is either de-recognised or ceases to exist?

The designation/s of a professional body that loses its recognition status will be de-registered. The records of the holders of the designation will reflect a de-registration date and no new records will be added against the specific designation. Records of holders of de-registered designations will not be removed from the NLRD.

Will an applicant to a designation be able to apply for recognition of prior learning (RPL) to achieve the underlying qualification?

An applicant can achieve the underlying qualification through RPL. However, the RPL of the underlying qualification/s must be managed by an accredited provider.

Will Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs) play a role in recognising professional bodies and registering professional designations?

SAQA is the only organisation that can recognise professional bodies and register professional designations for the purposes of the NQF Act. SETAs may however opt to support its members where appropriate.

How will the data uploads to the NLRD take place?

Professional bodies will be required to regularly upload data against the “Specifications for Professional Bodies’ Load Files for the National Learners’ Records Database”. EduDex, a data validation utility, will be provided free of charge to professional bodies by SAQA and workshops will be offered on how to implement the load specifications.

Will SAQA be verifying for third parties the data related to professional bodies and professional designations?

No, the responsibility of verifying the awarding of a designation to its members remains the responsibility of the professional body.

What will happen to professional designations which have already been registered on the NQF as qualifications?

SAQA will interact with the professional body in instances where professional designations have already been registered as qualifications on the NQF to correct the problem.

How will SAQA manage the process if public comment in regard to applications for recognition is received from third parties?

SAQA will interact with the applying professionalbody and, if necessary, the relevant sector as a whole, should comments be received during the public comment phase. The SAQA Board will however make the final decision and an appeal process will be put into place.

What will happen when a registered qualification which is coupled to a professional designation is changed?

SAQA will put measures in place to notify professional bodies of changes that providers may make to underlying registered qualifications.

What is the difference between statutory and non-statutory professional bodies?

The primary difference between the two is that statutory bodies are mandated by legislation. However, in terms of recognition under the NQF Act, both statutory and non-statutory bodies may apply to SAQA.

What are the timeframes for the recognition and registration process?

The pilot process takes place between August 2011 and March 2012. The pilot process will guide further development of the recognition and registration processes. Applications for recognition by professional bodies not involved with the pilot project will commence from April 2012.

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Will there be a continuous monitoring system of the professional bodies once recognition and registration has taken place?

Regular data uploads to the NLRD will be required and monitored by SAQA. Complaints will also be investigated by SAQA. In addition, professional bodies will be expected to keep SAQA informed of changes to the professional body or its registered designations.