End of an era…

The end of June has come and gone – and with it the expiry of all 11 482 registered unit standards and all Seta legacy qualifications. The QCTO is here…..

At Thrive, we’re enjoying the new QCTO accreditation processes! More flexibility when it comes to content and programme delivery, less restrictions on our qualified human resources and nice, predictable timeframes. Every site visit to date has been successful, so we’re gaining confidence that we’re clear on the QCTO policies and guidelines and how we can assist to ensure SDPs aren’t only set up for success at site visit, but also that eventually your learners have every chance of being successful through their EISAs. We’re clear that this is how providers will be judged in the future – what percentage of your learners actually passed the EISA? An interesting shift!

By far our biggest concern with the new QCTO system, however, is the current lack of skills programme options. Over the last 20+ years, I estimate 60 – 70% of all our accreditation work has been with shorter skills programme providers – often pressurised into accreditation by corporate and government policies requiring it. These policies are products of best practice, BEE scorecard requirements, potential for funding etc. To date, we have enjoyed the mix ‘n match opportunities that 11 000+ unit standards afforded us and we’re now bound by the 105 QCTO skills programmes currently available. There will be many soft skills providers accredited for conflict management!! And there certainly are many SDPs who simply cannot shift to QCTO until there is something suitable there for them. We continue to engage QCTO on this concern.

Nevertheless, we’re here now and we’re here to help 😊  Why not sign up for a QCTO consultation and we can talk it through it together – or keep an eye out, there’s another free public webinar in the pipeline.

Stay warm and healthy, Thrive Tribe!

Yours in Skills,

Andrea

QCTO AND SETA NEWS

QCTO NEWS

The QCTO shared the guidelines to enable the process to develop, evaluate and recommend registration of qualifications/part-qualifications/skills programmes towards implementation of OQSF policy 2021. View guidelines here.

There are more QCTO qualifications out for public comment – check those out here.

LAST ENROLMENT DATE FOR PRE-2009 QUALIFICATIONS

The QCTO issued circulars on transitional arrangements in early 2022 relating to unit standard-based qualifications and legacy trades based on apprenticeship modules. The last enrolment date for the pre-2009 qualifications is 30 June 2024. This means that as from 01 July 2024, no new learners may be registered against the pre-2009 qualifications.

MICRO-CREDENTIALS IN HIGHER EDUCATION

The National Apprenticeship and Artisan Development Strategy aims to highlight the priority activities that will have a direct influence on the training of quality artisans. Read the Government Gazette here.

TETA SYSTEM MIGRATION AND NEWS

Teta is in the process of a system migration to a new Information Management System which is expected to go live from 1 July 2023 with system training for stakeholders scheduled for the period between 10 – 31 July 2023. Read more here, or catch up with the latest news from Teta here. 

OPPORTUNITIES

FASSET DISCRETIONARY GRANT

The Fasset Discretionary Grant open window is now live. Click here to view the requirements and download the application forms. Please be mindful of the closing dates for each programme to ensure you submit your application on time.

CETA DISCRETIONARY GRANT

CETA invites stakeholders and any other interested parties to apply for funding to implement skills development interventions in the construction sector. Applicants should take cognisance of Rural and Township Development, Youth, Women, People with Disabilities, Military Veterans, and NSDP 2030 transformation targets in their proposals. The closing date for applications is 15 July 2023. Read more here.

TETA FLAGSHIP PROPOSAL

TETA invite proposals from competent and credible service providers for submission of flagship proposals to address gaps in the 2023/2024 financial year to fully implement targets agreed upon/ approved in the Strategic Plan and Annual Performance Plan. The closing date is 30 September 2023. Read more here.

ENERGY AND WATER SETA DISCRETIONARY GRANT

EWSETA invites stakeholders to apply for the DG funding to implement skills development projects. The closing date is 25 July 2023. Read more here.

WHOOP WHOOPS

Congratulations to the following organisations for achieving their QCTO and Seta accreditations in May and June 2023, and well done to their accreditation partners.

• SKLE Solutions, Services Seta accreditation. Thanks to accreditation partner Belinda Beer.

   

• Forwardzone Media, Services Seta accreditation. Thanks to accreditation partner Izelle Swart.

   

• Knowledge to Motion Skills Development, Services Seta accreditation. Thanks to accreditation partner Alida van Heerden.

   

• Merchants SA, QCTO accreditation for Contact Centre Manager qualification. Thanks to accreditation partner Belinda Beer.

   

• Go for Gold Tuition, Services Seta accreditation. Thanks to accreditation partner Belinda Beer.

   

• JBenviroServices, Teta accreditation. Thanks to accreditation partner Alida van Heerden.

   

• Xperties Property Academy, Services Seta accreditation. Thanks to accreditation partner Izelle Swart.

   

• Our Time Training Academy, Services Seta accreditation. Thanks to accreditation partner Izelle Swart.

   

• Ayanda Mbanga Communications, Services Seta. Thanks to accreditation partner Izelle Swart.

   

• Ergon BE Consulting, QCTO accreditation for Conflict Management skills programme. Thanks to accreditation partner Belinda Beer.