NEWSLETTER | 17 OCTOBER 2017 | QCTO CHANGES COMING

Bumpy roads ahead! 
QCTO changes coming….how will this affect you? What do you need to do next?

As you may have heard the QCTO accreditation requirements for all Skills Development Providers has started in earnest. But what does this all mean for you? And how can we respond to these changes within the new system?

The Thrive team has unpacked and discussed the QCTO communication doing the rounds (can be seen here) at length and we note with concern that single unit standard applications will not be allowed from March 2018, or sooner should Setas choose to move the deadline forward. How these thousands of skills programme providers will be accommodated in the new system isn’t clear at this stage – and how the peripheral legislated requirements of the BEE codes and discretionary grants for PIVOTAL programmes (including skills programmes) will adapt is also not clear. For now full qualifications are the way to go….either in the re-written QCTO format or in the unit standard “legacy” format if the qualification in question is not in process of being re-written by the QCTO.

 

But what can we do in the meantime:

Thrive is watching closely as things unfold and we will keep you in the loop with legitimate and accurate information – we will then respond with services, templates and consulting support as the system moves and evolves. Our team has a wealth of experience and knowledge and you are in very safe hands in what is bound to be a bumpy time of change.

  • If you are a currently accredited provider and are accredited for unit standards(s) or qualification(s) that aren’t currently being re-written by the QCTO then life will continue as-is for now and you can ask your Seta for an extension and new report until 2020. Remember that you need to ensure that you have maintained your status as an active provider by:
    • Assessing, moderating, uploading and certificating learners on each of your unit standards annually – at least in the last 2 years;
    • Annual QMS review with the associated quality committee minutes.
  • If you are considering accreditation or are in the process of applying for accreditation for single unit standards then we will need to check with your Seta if they have decided to stop accepting single unit standard applications with immediate effect, or only in March 2018. To date we have had conflicting information in this regard, we will continue to investigate.

We still have a few seats left at our Cape Town accreditation mini-workshop this Thursday the 19th of October! Details and registration forms here. We have adapted the workshop to include the QCTO changes and ways forward for providers within the new requirements. Please do join us.

TRAINING COURSE DATES:

Assessor course
Date: 23 – 24 November
Venue: Randburg, www.benvenuto.co.za
Registration form and further information here

Moderator course
Date: 26 – 27 October
Venue: Randburg, www.benvenuto.co.za
Registration form and further information here

SDF course
Date: 15 – 17 November
Venue: Randburg, www.benvenuto.co.za
Registration form and further information here

Join Thrive as we let our hair down and support https://khensaniscollection.org.za at the 90s show at the Cresta Barnyard on 1 November. Tickets can be purchased here.

We’re hoping to see you there!

Kind regards,
Andrea Kellett