Des Squire's Blog (72)

I am trying to source or locate the author and title of the poem that goes as follows

“Who is it knocks so loud?”
“A lonely little sin.”
“Slip through,” I answered.
And soon all hell was in.

I will be conducting a three day assessor training during the month of May. Discount of 10% for Skills Universe members. Contact me on des@amsiandassociates.co.za for more information and quote.

Moderator training will be conducted during the month of June

Is there a difference between being qualified and being registered as a qualified assessor and/or moderator?

The answer is simply yes. All assessors and moderators must first and foremost be qualified as such.

To become a qualified assessor or moderator the candidate must first be trained on unit standard 115753 – Assess outcomes based assessment. Following training the candidate must produce a portfolio of evidence and must be assessed as competent. Following the assessment,…

 A time for giving, receiving and sharing

A time for reflection on all that has passed

A time to ponder, maybe just wonder

What might have been different, what could have changed?

 Reflect now and think - not of yourself

Of those in your life, you love even hate

Think of the good, forget all the bad

Forget all the hurt others…

Those who achieve this unit standard will be able to conduct assessments within their fields of expertise once they have been assessed as competent and have registered as constituent assessors with the relevant SETA. They will be able to assess performance against specific unit…

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When managers delegate they provide a framework and structure for employees. Employees know what is expected and what has to be done. It remains the manager’s responsibility to ensure each employee plays their part. Managers must select the right people for the right jobs, and assign them tasks that suit their skills and abilities. When managers delegate they must retain control and authority as they are still responsible and accountable.

Delegation is not empowerment

“I try hard not…

The loss of life uncalled for

Why did they have to die?

Families left behind

Children without fathers

Wives without husbands

Sadness all around

Dear God - what has become of us?

Why such disregard for life?

Why not discuss - not demand?

Violence to gain attention

Why do leaders incite this violence?

Who to blame?

Not the question

The question is

Who caused these deaths?

Those responsible - no matter who

Must pay the…

Job profiles which are also called job descriptions set out details of the functions, duties and responsibilities for a particular job.

One of the main objectives of a good job profile is to assist in the recruiting process. The profile if properly set out can be of great assistance to the manager conducting the interview and will assist in determining if the applicant is a good fit for the position.

In addition if the job profile outlines specific and key competencies required…

Recognition of Prior Learning and its relationship to the QCTO

Now is the time for companies to address the issue

Background and/or update

The review of the NQF on the recommendation of the Ministers of Education and Labour took place during the course of 2007/2008 and became law by means of the Skills Development Amendment Act No. 37 of 2008: and the National Qualifications Framework Act, No. 67 of 2008 thereby repealing The South African Qualifications Authority Act,…

I posted a suggestion yesterday that all members of Skills Universe should consider contributing a minimum of R100 to a fund for the improvement of one school in the Eastern Cape.

Sylvia has expressed her agreement and now I would like to know from others if they are prepared to contribute. I have suggested Sylvia manage the funds if she is in agreement to do so and those members in the Eastern Cape decide on what school is most deserving.

Join us in celebrating Madibas Birthday in…

I will be conducting an Assessor training course in late July in Johannesburg Ease Rand.

For more information or as an indication of your interest in attending send an e-mail to des@amsiandassociates.co.za

At a recent meeting of the Parliamentary Committee on Higher Education the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO) outlined its role and function.

In terms of it’s mandate the QCTO is required to advise the Minister on policy matters, design, development and maintenance of occupational standards, quality assurance of the qualifications, and promotion of the National Qualifications Framework.

The QCTO stressed that it wished to ensure that every qualification offered…

I read somewhere recently that “Culture is the playing field of innovation”

Innovation is in essence a means of creating value for customers. It is a means of developing a “lofty vision”. It is a means of fulfilling dreams and aspirations.

When this happens in a business environment the company must be open to ideas and be “fertile ground” for the seeds of ideas to grow.

A company, an environment or an individual that is empowering and flexible will welcome ideas and…

The people of South Africa have a right to expect the highest level of ethics, honesty and integrity in the behaviour of all leaders, Government Ministers, Politicians and any holder of public office. All should be expected to co-operate and abide by policies and procedures aimed at preventing and combating dishonest behaviour.

None of the above mentioned should steal, defraud, or take any other action whereby they seek to obtain any advantage for themselves, their family or…

A code of conduct is defined as a set of conventional principles and expectations that are considered binding on any person who is a member of a particular group. This definition is what would apply to company policies and procedures as related to conduct, discipline, Grievance policies, ethics policies and so on

The purpose of company policies and procedures is therefore to set out in a structured format the norms of behaviour acceptable of employees and management of the company. Note…

I was recently working at a company and was advised some of the delegates at the training course I was conducting could not attend as they had been called into a meeting by the General manager.

I asked – when they were notified – the response yesterday

I asked when my training had been scheduled – they responded three weeks ago

I asked why the GM had not been advised they had a prior training engagement? The response was – “we cant do that , well be fired”

What a…

The transition from being a manager who contributes to the ongoing daily running of a business to being the leader others want to follow is a make-or-break time in some careers. This is a period when the manager decided to go for broke by, it is a period of challenge, innovation and doing the unexpected.

This 140 page manual consisting of 9 Modules, 36 stand alone lessons and 9 workplace related projects helps you identify your priorities and to learn the essential everyday skills you…

I am delighted to advise that AMSI and ASSOCIATES has entered into an association with Bridgewater Learning to enable AMSI to deliver advanced e-Learning based solutions to our clients.

Bridgewater Learning is one of the leaders in e-Learning in South Africa, and has a growing number of blue chip and smaller clients. It offers a full range of e-Learning services to organisations of all sizes, enabling them to take advantage of the significant benefits of e-Learning to support their…