Petition to DHET Minister - extension of legacy qualifications

Skills-universe has been approached to bring attention to a petition developed for submission to the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) - see link below. 

Skills-universe members will be well aware that qualifications and part-qualifications are registered on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) under the jurisdiction of the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA). 

https://www.saqa.org.za/services/registration-of-qualifications/

Previously - from the inception of the skills development infrastructure, the qualifications developed were based upon unit standards - these qualifications are now known as legacy qualifications.

The legacy qualifications registration period officially came to an end June 2023, with registration of learners up until June 2024, and teach-out - working through the delivery and assessment to certification - all to end by June 2027.

The Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO) manages the Occupational Qualifications Sub-framework (OQSF) of the NQF.

https://www.qcto.org.za/overview.html

Under the QCTO, the existing qualifications were either: 

• to be dropped - especially if there was minimal take-up; 
• or reworked into the new QCTO occupational qualification format; or alternatively, 
• completely replaced. 
• In some cases there were many versions of virtually the same qualification, and then they could be combined into a single new-format occupational qualification.

Now, as June 2024 approaches, there is substantial concern among service providers and skills development practitioners. 

Concerns expressed include, amongst others:

• Many qualifications have not been either reworked, or replaced; 
• the assessment process has changed to an External Integrated Summative Assessment (EISA), and in some cases learners have completed their programme but cannot be assessed as there is no EISA ready, or QCTO recognised provider to manage the EISA. Consequently learners - depending upon their personal circumstances: cannot seek work, progress their appointments, or be promoted;
• Where new qualifications have been developed in the new format and registered by SAQA on the NQF, skills development providers have not yet been accredited by the QCTO to deliver the new qualifications. Providers talk of months of delay via the QCTO, who simply do not have the capacity to undertake the processes required.  

For full and part qualifications see https://www.qcto.org.za/full---part-registered-qualifications.html

According to anecdotal reports, many skills development providers have apparently simply closed down. 

The petition on the link below seeks information on how practitioners and companies will be affected if there is no extension to the legacy qualifications. 

It is difficult to envisage the future of skills development, which is also complicated by changes to the Broad-based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) Codes. What will be the impact on the Skills Development Element if training expenditure suddenly drops significantly because there are either no relevant occupational qualifications available - or practitioners to deliver them? What of the changes to the Employment Equity Regulations, when employers are unable to progress employees according to their plans because the anticipated qualifications have ended and there are no completed and registered alternatives, or accredited providers? 

It would seem the the biggest question is: how seriously will the implications be for the South African economy and South African workplaces - of the inability to train employees? 

Please have a look at the petition questions on the following link:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd_qEtHb30pQo8ErUTPxzXt8amndtSarva89vkdzAcbrj2lJw/viewform?vc=0&c=0&w=1&flr=0