Am I the only totally stupid training provider?
I have been a fully accredited provider with ETDPSETA for some years now – although working on small scale as compared to Learnership delivering providers. I have successfully presented developed and aligned learning programmes (of which one is the Develop and Design course) for approval, and I have regularly negotiated the increasingly bureaucratic quality assurance system to upload learners with success. (Without much hope that it really ensures quality learning...but that’s another conversation). I have also never been subsidised by SETA funding. I operate privately.
This year, I have very confidently applied for approval for ABET Literacy programmes on levels 1 and 2 (since March 2011), with Level 3 ready for submission as well. I was quite happy to negotiate the challenges of having ABET Literacy learning for the first time being rewarded through credit awards on compiling and assessment of a portfolio, as opposed to the writing of IEB exams and not receiving any reward until successful completion of all three learning areas in a level. It all seemed clear enough and I submitted in exactly the same format of Programme Strategy with alignment matrix, Learning material and a great Assessment Guide with Formative and Summative assessment for all aspects of Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing as I did in all previous successful-first-time-round applications.
HOWEVER, I have encountered a number of obstructions, resulting in re-submissions more than once, and still no idea whether I am even on the right target on the eve of wanting to submit Level 3. An abbreviated list of my troubles:
1. No public availability ever of submission dates or feedback dates. Last year’s info on website, also useless to ask for by e-mail.
2. First contact: Courier company delivers all submitted material with a report in an envelope. If programme is Not Approved, NO recommendations. Obviously also no action plan or way forward, and an anonymous evaluator.
3. The obvious route: Re-submit with some adjustments to the matrix and a lengthy explanation of the rationale of the Facilitator Guide, the nature of the learning resources (of which the Learner Workbook is one), and pointing out where the (most important request in report)- The Appeals form is actually included and why it is not part of the Learner Workbook.
4. Next point of contact: Courier company delivers the submitted material with a report in an envelope. Same story, same anonymous evaluator.
By this time I am having serious doubts as to my ability to explain information on paper, by graphic displays and sorting of information in a file with dividers!
5. Next submission in third quarter now. Not much adjustments to be done anymore, and I suggest an opportunity to meet with the evaluator to explain what goes where and why. I also go to the trouble to cross-reference every learner activity to the unit standard outcomes, the Facilitator guide as well, and the crowning glory – every checklist criteria is cross-referenced to unit standard outcomes too!
6. Numerous phone calls, e-mail requests to track progress – as it has an impact on next level submissions. (If the first is understood, the next dovetails... if not....)
7. One of the reasons for Non Approval is no assessor and moderators registered to assess the ABET unit standards. Application for extension of scope also submitted in March – but was returned to me in unopened envelope with learning material not approved. Re-submitted, then hard copies was lost, found, and reported that those unit standards were not on ETDPSETA’s Datanet system. (Quality Assurance since January 2011 the ETDP responsibility as per SAQA website). A visit to the ETQA manager did not help, a personal meeting with the man in charge of Assessor registrations has at least resulted in one Assessor being registered last week. The other, on urgent request today, was registered to assess ABET Practitioner Certificate... which was not part of the application at all!, but still no ABET unit standards... I am waiting response on reporting this matter of misreading.
8. A follow-up today with Programme Evaluation to check if the registered assessor can please be included in the consideration for approval before sending it back for the fourth time, results in me being informed that the reports are already being written and will be available next Friday – I assume by expensive Courier again. And I guess I know what the results will be...
I want to give up. My clients are not keeping the contract for me for a year. Lo and behold, the training need might have changed altogether with new perspectives brought by a new manager. I have no guarantees when I enter this laborious process of programme approval. No way of tracking it, of communicating successfully with the administration of the process, no opportunity to interact and explain where to find what I think is obvious but might not be so in the eyes of a non-subject expert (Languages).. I think.. is trying to evaluate the programme as a skills course. I don’t even have any guarantees that departments will coordinate and speak to each other. And still, I have hope to make a difference in this country by bringing innovative thought and practical solutions to the learning arena. I bite the bullet, work nights, drive my team nuts for perfection in what we deliver. I happily comply with all the requirements of a responsible training provider and MORE. I display it all in every verification visit, despite the fact that each verifier has different expectations than the previous one six months ago. And yet, I will NOT give up - I know what I have is excellent, and I know it is dearly needed out there.
But what more can I do to have my SETA cheer me on???
Add a Comment
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Comment by Margaret Becker on August 29, 2011 at 17:19 -
Well done Zerelde. I had just heard your name mentioned by my friend Carmen Emanuel who met with you last week. She was very impressed by you and your work and suggested I contact you as well. I believe double coincidences need following up. We may be able to be of support to one another as I am involved in assessing people for learnerships with companies. Communication and reading difficulties in English are a huge problem in youngsters who have good development potential. Well done again on your persistence.
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Comment by Deepak Ramnath on August 17, 2011 at 11:53 -
Greetings Zerelde
Take the only route you have - Keep all reports safe so that you have proof and - report their ineffeciencies to the DHET and watch heads roll... I'm sure your future queries will handled with the utmost of respect.
Regards
Deepak
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Comment by Werner Rossouw on August 17, 2011 at 11:24 -
So it's not just my SETA? Ha Ha. Yes, indeed. We submitted 2 qualifications a year ago. After 4 resubmissions one was finally approved last week - and only because we threw SAQA Policy at them. Their requirements and SAQA Criteria and Guidelines did not match up. Very frustrating!! Hang in there, this too shall pass.
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Comment by Gizelle Mc Intyre on August 15, 2011 at 11:51 -
Dear Zerelde
I am so sorry that you like the rest of us have to deal with so much paperwork when we should be doing what we do well - training! Just a note - I understand and hope you will keep going!
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Contributor Comment by Jacqui Baumgardt on August 15, 2011 at 11:08 -
Hi Solomon
I tried doing surveys on survey.com a couple of years back - usually only valid in the USA! I think it's actually a scam to see if they can get your banking details.
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Comment by Solomon Modipa on August 15, 2011 at 10:52 -
Friends
I received an invitation as SSETA registered member from Surveys.com to conduct some surveys and be paid, which involves big Companies around the world. I am a bit hesitant to agree as i'm not sure of its sincerity. Is there any member who can ascertain the intergrity of the project/
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Comment by Marguerite Sacco Turner on August 14, 2011 at 16:35 -
I had same type of frustrations and eventually threw in the towel - am no longer accredited, and do my work in joint ventures with accredited companies - much less stress. One thing however that does work is to make yourself heard - phone and yell. I did, and I got what I needed (after a year of to and fro!) Don't give up. Just keep on yelling.
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Comment by sylvia hammond on August 14, 2011 at 9:35
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Hi Zerelde, The essence of administrative law and administrative justice that you have a right to be heard - to make representations, and when a decision is made against you, you have a right to be given the full reasons for that decision. Therefore, in applying for accreditation you submit documentation. If the accreditation is refused, you have a right to the detailed reasons why it has been refused. You then have the chance to correct or supplement the material submitted.
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Contributor Comment by Zerelde Uys on August 13, 2011 at 21:54 -
Wilma, the scary part is that I did submit an appeal somewhere earlier in the process, but I don't think that they have any consistant system in place on how to recognise or process it. I was just told to re-submit - which is now becoming my frustration, that I am just thrown into the same cycle - start at the beginning everytime. This is now my plight to make someone aware of the absolutely impractical processing system. I suppose we can't always expect a perfect programme submission first time round, but goodness, they way it plays out is just ridiculous. If I could have had an opportunity to do a presentation of the complexity of the material, I believe a lot of issues would have been solved right at the start. But I also perceive few staff members with the will to take ownership of such solutions.
I will report back on my progress. I am determined to make a point and hopefully a difference somewhere.
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Contributor Comment by Wilma de Villiers on August 13, 2011 at 21:32 -
Zerelda, the processes and admin are frustrating. One year it happened to us with one of our programmes. Eventually I contacted the SETA and said that I want to submit an appeal, can they please explain to me what to do. A week later three people from the SETA visited us and went through the learning material in our presence. Finally it was approved.
What frustrated me is that we implemented the recommendations and then when the next report came, there were new recommendations.
Hope that you will receive good news!
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