THE OFFICIAL VOICE OF - qcto.org.za … · Sub-Framework (OQSF) of the National Qualifications...

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Striving towards the implementation of a National Quality Assurance System for Qualifications and Part Qualifications registered on the Occupational Qualifications

Sub-Framework (OQSF) of the National Qualifications Framework (NQF)

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), 25 years later

Since the dawn of the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO), the QCTO has helped shape malleable responses to labour market needs. It has ensured this by developing quality standards, from the development of Occupational Qualifications and Part Qualifications to the accreditation of Skills Development Providers, the provision of the External Integrated Summative Assessment (EISA), and the issuing of the certificate to the work-ready learner.

For the past 9 years, the QCTO has ensured that information sharing remained the backbone of its work through a number of initiatives such as workshops, roadshows, meetings with strategic partners, conferences, communication touchpoints (such as websites) and this newsletter, Ulwazi (meaning knowledge in IsiZulu).We have been producing this external newsletter since

2018 for our key target audience, ranging from Skills Development Providers, like Technical and Vocational Education and Training Colleges, to Assessment Partners. In addition, we target the Education, Training and Development Practitioners, especially those mandated by the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Act, Prospective Occupational Learners, Organised Business, Civil Society, Trade Unions, Government Departments, and lifelong learners that may benefit from the QCTO’s services, including those that are Not in Education, Employment and Training (NEET) etc.

This newsletter is for those that seek information about the QCTO’s services, systems and plans. In the same vein, it is an additional effort by the QCTO to demonstrate how the QCTO has been at centre stage to strengthen the links between the world of work and education and training.

In this edition, read about the success stories of Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) within the OQSF and gain an understanding of how the RPL works and how it has benefitted lifelong learners from their point of view.

Also, read articles about the QCTO’s efforts in capacitating its stakeholders with respect to our processes, systems and policies in a drive to ensure understanding of the QCTO’s uniqueness within the NQF and Skills Development space.

On that note, I would like to advise Skills Development Providers from the QAPs, such as SETAs and Professional Bodies not to use the ‘Letter of intent’ in terms of unit standards and skills programme applications for accreditation. Our QAPs (SETAs and Professional Bodies) are in the interim responsible for the accreditation applications for skills programmes and unit standards.

Happy reading!

Acting CEO, Mr Thomas Lata

Message from the CEO

In terms of the SAQA definition, RPL is a process through which formal, non-formal and informal learning are measured and mediated for recognition across different contexts and certified against the requirements for credit, access, inclusion or advancement in the formaleducation and training system or workplace.

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CONTENTS

EDITORIAL TEAMChief Content Officer: Tshepo MokonoAssistant Chief Content Officer: Skheto MakgarengiContent Contributors: Assessment Unit, Certification Unit, Occupational Qualifications Development Unit and Caretha Laubscher (SAIT)Writers: Skheto Makgarengi, Tshepo Mokono, Caretha Laubscher (SAIT) and Prue Leigh Chef AcademyPhotographers: Skheto Makgarengi, Prue Leith Chefs Academy and South African institute of Tax (SAIT)Layout & Design: Ideaology Communication & DesignContacts:Tel: 012 003 1837E-mail: [email protected]

QCTO’s Qualification Development Processes training

OQSF success story - Prue Leith Chefs Academy

QCTO’s digitisation project

QCTO’s certificates services

QCTO lauds SAIT

QCTO “TALK TO US”.

QCTO’s Skills Development Symposium

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The 2019 QCTO Skills Development Symposium, held at the Birchwood Hotel on 21 February 2019, served as a think tank for the skills sector and prepared an overarching national agenda for the implementation of skills programmes in Community Education and Training Colleges (CETC).

A first of its kind, the symposium lived up to expectations and demonstrated that good working relationships between the QCTO and the Education and Training Sector partners are vital. The symposium brought together under one roof key role players in skills development to share best practices, as well as to discuss how skills programmes can be used to curb the high rate of unemployment in the country, especially in rural areas.

Hosted under the theme “Skills Development for Livelihood and Employment”, the gathering aimed at improving skills programme offerings in the CETCs.

According to Mr Vijayen Naidoo, CEO of the QCTO, Community Education and Training Colleges should offer skills programmes that empower learners to be able to provide for their families and lead towards a full qualification or formal employment.

“The symposium created a platform for sharing experiences on a number of pilot projects and the research that have been conducted,” he commented.

These lessons will assist in the construction of skills programmes, as well as in determining the proper quality assurance system for them.

The CEO also indicated that the deliberations were necessary to feed into the development of the identified twenty five skill sets that will be handed over to the Minister of Higher Education and Training, Ms Naledi Pandor for implementation in the Community Education and Training Colleges.

Ms Rebecca Mabyalani, Quality Assurance Manager at ProServe South Africa was inspired by the different speakers coming from the Community Centres, which highlighted the importance of skills development in rural areas.

“It was very interesting to learn about the NGOs who are implementing skills programmes in rural communities, upskilling the communities in areas such as welding, brick laying, baking and community planning,” she said.

QCTO’s Skills Development Symposium lays foundation for the future of skills programmes in Community Education and Training Colleges

Caption: Skills development presenters with the Director for Occupational Qualifications Development, Sifiso Mkhonza.

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Caption: Part of the industry players in the skills development industry.

Caption: One of the skills development providers making his input at the 2019 QCTO Skills Development Symposium

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Caption: The LQDF members being taken through the qualification development process.

LQDFs trained on the QCTO’s Qualification Development ProcessesIn an effort to raise the standard and improve the quality of occupational qualifications that are submitted to the organisation for registration, the QCTO spent 3 days training Learner Qualification Development Facilitators (LQDFs) on processes to be followed when developing occupational qualifications.

The training, held from 18 to 20 March 2019, exposed the learners to the QCTO’s qualifications development model, which is critical towards qualification development.

The training was attended by LQDFs who were appointed during the QCTO’s drive to recruit facilitators who assisted in developing occupational qualifications for the QCTO in 2018. These learners form part of the signed Service Level Agreements between the QCTO and the appointed Development Quality Partners.

Speaking to Ulwazi, LQDF Training Coordinator, Mothusiotsile Segosapelo reiterated that the training was meant to capacitate the LQDFs and introduce standard approaches and processes that must be followed during occupational qualification development.

“The attendees are going to be involved in qualifications development and this training will empower them in understanding the QCTO Qualification Development Model before they start developing qualifications,” said Mothusiotsile.

The LQDFs were trained on how the QCTO’s qualification development processes work. They were also exposed to what documentations are needed to successfully develop an occupational qualification.

Ulwazi also reached out to some of the LQDFs who attended the training to get their reactions.

Caretha Laubscher, Head of Education and Standards at the South African Institute of Tax Professionals (SAIT) says the training helped her to understand the roles and responsibilities of Qualification Development Facilitators (QDFs) and LQDFs.

“As a registered Assessment Quality Partner (AQP) in the process of developing additional qualifications with the QCTO, the training prepared me to understand the processes, and become more competent and hands-on in current and future qualifications development,” she added.

She also indicated that the training will greatly assist LQDFs to be more proactive in the development of qualifications in reaction to the industry’s needs.

Another LQDF who was thrilled by the training opportunity offered by the QCTO is Nkosazana Ngidi, a Private Consultant for skills development in the workplace.

Her most important takeaway from the training is the knowledge on how to facilitate the development of qualifications.

“I got a broader view of what a QDF does and processes to be complied with to be a QDF for the QCTO,” she said.

Bringing the training closer to home, Nkosazana also believes that going forward she will be able to provide work of high quality standards guided by the QCTO’s qualification development processes.

“As we conclude this exercise, I am confident that I will be able to put together a pre-scoping document, and write a curriculum document for the knowledge, practical skills (simulations) work place experience and assessment modules,” she added.

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South African culinary history was made when the country’s first ever artisan chefs graduated at Prue Leith Chef Academy.

The historical event, attended by private and public educators, the South African Chefs Association as well as the former Deputy Minister of Tourism, Elizabeth Thabethe, was the culmination of more than three years of hard work.

The National Artisan Moderation Body (NAMB) established a Technical Working Group (TWG) from private and public culinary training providers in 2015 to design the first ever chef trade test for South Africa. The trade test will be the summative practical and theory assessment for all students completing the new national QCTO qualification: Occupational Certificate Chef (L5), setting a new national standard for qualified chefs.

Speaking at the graduation ceremony, Prue Leith Chefs Academy managing director, Adele Stiehler-van der Westhuizen said it was not an easy process. “The TWG was concerned with the detail because we cared about both the standards and the accessibility of the national test,” she said. The test was piloted at the South African Chefs Association in 2016 with students from the National Youth

Chefs Training programme, after which further changes were made to the question bank that NAMB uses to compile the trade test.

Once the test was designed, NAMB approached Prue Leith Chefs Academy to register as the country’s first Chef Trade Test Centre, to conduct the first tests. Both NAMB and the QCTO verified that Prue Leith Chefs Academy complied with their trade test centre regulations and requirements, before the Academy was accredited.

The first students to complete the qualification did so through the process of Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and completed the trade test at Prue Leith Chefs Academy in October last year. The two-day test included one day of induction and a theory assessment, followed by a second day of practical assessment. Both NAMB and the QCTO attended and moderated the first chef trade test.

Stiehler-van der Westhuizen said it was an honour for Prue Leith Chefs Academy to be involved in this process, as it gave the school not only the opportunity to ensure culinary excellence for its own students, but also the South African chef industry. “We could contribute to raising the standards of our entire industry and help make South Africa a food destination where food experiences are on par with the view of Table

Mountain, the winelands and the big five.

“South Africa already produces world-class wines, cheese, olive oils and meat to name a few of our great ingredients. We hope that our three-year journey will also result in world class chefs for South Africa.”

The first graduates of the Occupational Certificate: Chef Qualification will become the first Chef Trade Tests assessors in South Africa and were represented by training providers nationwide. They include Carianne Wilkinson (Silwood School of Cookery), Elsu Gericke (South African Chefs Association), Fatima Stanley (Master Chef Academy), Adele Stiehler-van der Westhuizen (Prue Leith Chefs Academy), Tommie Hurter (Limpopo Chefs Academy), Shaun Smith (Fusion Cooking School) and June Steenekamp (Independent Hospitality Consultant). Marsha Solomon, from College of Cape Town, will be completing her trade test in February.

Chefs interested in achieving the Occupational Certificate: Chef through RPL can contact Adele at [email protected].

(This article was originally posted on the Prue Leith Academy website and permission was granted to reproduce it).

Caption: Group of artisan chef graduates with Former Deputy Minster of Tourism and the management of the Academy.

Yet another RPL within the OQSF success storyCulinary history made at Prue Leith Chefs Academy

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The Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO) has commenced with a project to digitise all records pertaining to qualifications registered on the Occupational Qualifications Sub-Framework (OQSF) of the National Qualifications Framework (NQF), including Trade Certificate information for learners who completed their trade test prior to 2013. All records pertaining to qualifications on the OQSF will be on a single platform for verification and replacement of lost certificate requests.

• In 2016 the QCTO initiated the digitisation project by requesting funding from the National Skills Fund (NSF). This was approved in April 2018 and the QCTO received funding to this extent for a 3 year project. Approximately 3 million paper-based documents, affecting more than 800 000 artisan records will be digitised and made accessible for verification for employment purposes, as well as for the issuing of replacement certificates for those that have been lost.

• The paper-based records are currently in a fragile state, which makes it imperative for them to be digitised for retention purposes.

• Records held by the Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs) for certificates issued by the SETAs and the previous Training Boards will be digitised into a single, standardised format

making it accessible to the QCTO in managing its sub-framework, the OQSF, as well as for the issuing of replacement certificates. Other SETA qualifications registered on the OQSF, which are already in electronic format will also be transferred to the single, standardised platform at the QCTO.

• NATED data – N4 – N6 and N Diploma – available in electronic format will also be transferred to the QCTO database platform for ease of certification and verification. The QCTO would also look at historical records in this regard not in electronic format, and scan and digitise these records in the required format.

• The data thus accumulated on a single platform will make the transfer of data to the National Learners’ Records Database easier and fill in gaps of data not previously submitted.

The Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO) is the Quality Council established in 2010 in terms of the Skills Development Act, No. 97 of 1998. Its role is to oversee the design, implementation, assessment and certification of occupational qualifications, including trades, on the Occupational Qualifications Sub-Framework (OQSF). QCTO has the overall responsibility to set and maintain occupational standards for the occupational qualifications and

part qualifications, including trades it quality assures on the OQSF. In summary, the QCTO is responsible for:

1.1.1 Establishment and management of the Occupational Qualification Sub-Framework (OQSF);

1.1.2 Occupational Qualifications development and maintenance;

1.1.3 Accreditation of Skills Development Providers;

1.1.4 Accreditation of Assessment Centres;

1.1.5 Assessment;1.1.6 Certification;1.1.7 Research and Knowledge

Development; and1.1.8 Stakeholder Management and

Advocacy.

The QCTO is looking forward to engaging with a range of stakeholders to ensure that the project as envisaged is completed within the 3 year timeframe and ultimately ensure that all records are transferred to the National Records Database (NLRD) as maintained by the South African Qualifications Authority and that any learner can be supported to be able to apply for a replacement of a certificate, should this be lost, as well as for employers to be able to verify the achievement of qualifications without delays.

QCTO digitisation project to benefit more than 800 000 Artisan records

The vision of the QCTO is to qualify a skilled and capable

workforce.VISION MISSION

The mission of the QCTO is to effectively and efficiently manage the OQSF in order to set standards, develop

and quality assure national occupational qualifications

for all who want a trade or occupation and, where appropriate, professions.

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In many respects, the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO) through its issuing of trade certificates, has showed progress towards one of the National Development Plan’s goals, namely, providing 30 000 artisans per year.

One mechanism that has enabled the QCTO to achieve this milestone is its recent stakeholder engagement workshop with the Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs), Skills Development Providers, NAMB, and Trade Centres or Assessment Centres.

According to the director responsible for the unit, Annemarie Janse Van Rensburg, the purpose of this workshop was to ensure certification processes are maintained and to

comply with legislation, as well as to ensure cooperative and vibrant working relationships with its stakeholders.

“This workshop was a follow-up to monitor progress from the certification held by NAMB with SETAs in August 2018,” Janse Van Rensburg explained. “The workshop creates a platform for discussion and mutual understanding of the implementation of policies, processes and regulations.”

The QCTO ensured that the stakeholders have a common understanding of its certification policies, and general information on certification – which focused on document management and compliance.

The stage was also set for NAMB to give its presentation with a focus on trade test regulations and submissions of recommendations for certifications.

During the 2018 /2019 financial year, the QCTO issued trades certificates within a turnaround time of 21 days, and this success resulted from this kind of stakeholder engagement that helps in identifying challenges such as certificate backlogs and addresses them collectively.

One of the participants had this to say about the QCTO certification workshop: “My request is that the QCTO continues to keep us abreast of new developments through these kinds of platforms.”

QCTO heightens its certificates services

Caption: Director of Certification Annemarie Janse Van Rensburg unpacking the QCTO’s Certification processes

Caption: One of the Stakeholders encourages and supports the initiatives

Caption: J Bopape (NAMB representative) focuses on the Trade Test Regulations and Submission of Recommendation for Certifications

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After nine years of existence, the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO) has made progress in promoting the concept of Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) within the Occupational Qualifications Sub-Framework (OQSF).

It has successfully done that in partnership with its stakeholders, ranging from Assessment Quality Partners (AQPs), which include Professional Bodies and Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs), Accredited Skills Development Providers (SDP), Employers as well as Learners.

In line with one of the QCTO’s values – Empowerment and Recognition, the QCTO would like to take time to commend the South African Institute of Tax Professionals (SAIT) as its Assessment Quality Partner for the Occupational Certificate: Tax Technician (NQF 6) and for the Occupational Certificate: Tax Professional (NQF 8) for a job well done in assisting students through the RPL mechanism.

“We have assisted the students who have completed the knowledge and practical components of the qualification to complete their workplace experience (training logbook) using the RPL mechanism, assisting them in signing off their training logbook and preparing them for the Occupational Certificate Tax Technician (EISA),” explained the SAIT’s Head of Education and Standards, Caretha Laubscher.

Laubscher further said, “The University of Pretoria assisted in preparing the students for the QCTO’s EISA.”

According to the QCTO’s Director for Assessment Diane Kemp, the EISA is compulsory for the awarding of an NQF registered occupational qualification or part qualification.

Obtaining an occupational qualification or part qualification requires a formal teaching and learning environment, a practical/simulation environment (offered by accredited Skills Development Provider (s) as well as Employer (s)) and a national Standardised EISA conducted at an accredited assessment centre.

As Kemp explained, the formal teaching, learning, and practicals precede EISA. However, some candidates with competences, skills and knowledge, even if they have been gained through informal education or have been acquired in the course of their working lives or in participation in society and community activities outside formal places of learning can gain access to sit for EISA.

This alternative route into EISA has enabled a lot of students to avoid having to spend time, energy, and resources repeating training for what they already know.

One of the RPL beneficiaries through the SAIT RPL Mechanism Programme is Godfrey Williams, who began his RPL journey in 2017 when he commenced the Occupational Certificate: Tax Technician qualification.

According to Laubscher, Williams successfully passed his Occupational Certificate: Tax Technician EISA in April 2018.

“Upon successful completion of the knowledge and practical skills components, Godfrey completed his training logbook using the RPL mechanism, and was admitted to the EISA,” she explained.

Laubscher went on to say that Williams then articulated to the Occupational Certificate Tax Professional qualification and wrote the initial test of competence exam in July 2018.

“He then completed the workplace experience component using the RPL mechanism, which consisted of completing, signing off and submitting a training logbook. He also completed simulations in preparation of the EISA,” Laubscher further affirmed.

The good news is that in November 2018, Williams’ efforts paid off, as he successfully passed the Occupational Certificate Tax Professional EISA and qualification with an NQF 8 qualification and designation of Tax Advisor (SA).

Laubscher said that with the NQF 8 occupational certificate, Williams applied to the University of Pretoria to complete a Master’s in Taxation.

Williams had this to say, “Six months after completing my SAIPA articles, I started a new position at a multinational firm as their Tax and Compliance Manager and quickly realised that everything I had learned in my articles needed to be supplemented by membership with a Recognised Controlling Body (RCB).”

According to Williams, the first place he looked was the SAIT. Despite the fact that he was two courses short of completing his Bachelor’s degree, he made contact with them, as he required the designation and membership with a professional body to get a tax practitioner number.

“I was advised by SAIT to enroll for the Occupational Certificate Tax Technician qualification and the journey could not have been smoother! The team at SAIT were very hands-on and supportive throughout the journey. I had the pleasure of receiving support from the entire SAIT team, particularly Caretha and Wilna who would always lend an ear and help where they could,” Williams emphasised.

QCTO lauds SAIT for successfully preparing students for the External Integrated Summative Assessment (EISA) through the RPL mechanism

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During this process, Williams met his current mentor Annelie Laage who he regards as probably the best in the industry. He also had the opportunity to rub shoulders with many of the key players in the tax field such as Stiaan Klue and Piet Nel.

As aforementioned, Williams went further to complete his Occupational Certificate Tax Professional through the SAIT and received his Tax Advisor (SA) designation.

This RPL success story is one of the stories that SAIT managed to achieve through the Finance and Accounting Services Sector Education and Training Authority’s (Fasset) two grants in 2017 – 2019.

The purpose of the Fasset grant is to upskill a group of selected candidates (African Black candidates, Coloured Candidates from Western Cape or Northern Cape, and people with disabilities), who are employed in a finance environment, but without post-school taxation, in becoming professional tax technicians and professionals by obtaining a professional occupation certificate qualification developed by the QCTO as well as a professional designation with the South African institute of Tax (SAIT).

So far, 56 candidates qualified to be admitted to the EISA through the RPL mechanism, and 41 candidates passed the EISA Tax Technician, being able to register with SARS as tax practitioners.

In the same vein, 13 students were admitted to the Tax Professional EISA and 9 students successfully achieved the Occupational Certificate: Tax Professional and achieved the designation Tax Advisor (SA).

Laubscher also said that during the financial year of 2019/2020, 347 learners would have the opportunity to pursue the Occupational Certificate: Tax Technician and 53 learners will achieve the Occupational Certificate: Tax Professional.

“The same RPL methodologies will be followed to assist learners in gaining access to the EISA and successfully achieving the Occupational Certificate, designation and SARS practitioner number,” remarked Laubscher.

Caption: Caretha Laubscher of South African institute of Tax (SAIT) is proud of the hard work demonstrated by the RPL learners.

Caption: Godfrey Williams celebrates an amazing RPL journey

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1. Dear QCTOSubject #1: I refer to the QCTO workshop which took place last week, and will appreciate it if you can provide guidance on the following question:

I understand from my colleague (who attended the workshop) that the Portfolios of Evidence (as required by the SETAs), will no longer be a requirement when completing a QCTO qualification. However, can you please explain how one must deal with the Practical Skills Modules as well as the Work Experience Modules which form part of the QCTO qualifications? Must a skills provider not prove that these modules were addressed, especially if you take into account the section below which appears in the QCTO qualification?

ASSIGNMENTS TO BE EVALUATED EXTERNALLY

Assignments completed during the experiential learning phase will be submitted for evaluation by the AQP in accordance with the assessment model for this qualification.

Your assistance is much appreciated.

Kind regards

QCTO Feedback Dear Valuable Stakeholder

Thank you for contacting us.

The curriculum becomes the source document, indicating what the purpose and outcome of each module is (for Knowledge, Practical and Workplace), as well as the assessment criteria which should be covered when assessing that module. The QCTO has an open mind with regards to the form of the evidence, as long as the assessment criteria is met, as there are many different ways to assess the Practical Modules internally, for e.g. by means of a completed Rubric (and not just a Portfolio of Evidence).

Yes, the onus will be on the SDP (Provider) to have the proof of the final internal assessment used by the SDP for the result that was uploaded on the OQLMS (which will be available to all accredited SDPs) – this will have to be uploaded against the learner on the system. The workplace competencies that are found in the back of the

curriculum are what must be signed off by the supervisor in the workplace and handed in to the SDP to capture. Once all module results have been captured as “Competent/Pass”, the system will print the Statement of Results for admission to the EISA at an accredited Assessment Centre.

Kind regards

2. Dear QCTOSubject #2: I passed my trade test more than 3 months ago and have not been issued with my trade certificate.

Regards

QCTO FeedbackDear Valuable Stakeholder

Thank you for contacting us.

Enquire from your trade test centre/Indlela or the SETA as to when the applications for certification was made through NAMB to the QCTO. Once the certificate is issued, the learner should collect the certificate from the trade test centre. More information and contact details are available on the QCTO website.

Kind regards

3. Dear QCTOSubject #3: I know that one needs to register as an assessor with the various Setas.

Do I also need to register with you as an assessor? If so, please let me know what the criteria are as well as send me the form for completion.

I thank you for your time herein and await to hear from you in due course.

Kind regards

QCTO FEEBACKDear Valuable Stakeholder

Thank you for contacting us

The quality assurance regime used by the QCTO for occupational qualifications differs from the SETAs. We do not make use of constituent registered assessors/moderators, but rather facilitators complying with curriculum requirements employed by an SDP.

Kind regards

TALK TO US… to help you

CONTACT QCTO Tel: 012 003 1837 [email protected]

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