Generation / Revision of Qualifications and Unit Standards.

Circular no: Q8/01/02, 20 November 2009: To all CETA stakeholders (as per circulation list)

With a view to fast track the generation and revision of NQF based Industry Qualifications and Unit Standards, SAQA has proposed that the work formerly undertaken by Standards Generating Bodies (SGBs) be in future conducted in accordance with a new arrangement regulated by a Joint Implementation Plan (JIP) and funded by the respective SETAs.

In order to enable CETA to take ownership together with its Stakeholders of the Qualifications required by the Construction Sector an alternative, but JIP aligned, concept has been developed which has been approved by both the CETA Board as well as SAQA. 

The future process will therefore be overseen by a joint CETA / Stakeholders / SAQA Co-ordinating Committee and the generation / revision of each qualification and its constituent unit standards will be undertaken by a separate Technical Reference Committee comprising subject matter experts nominated by interested stakeholders including former SGB members. Each of these Technical Reference Committees will be facilitated by a NQF specialist contracted by CETA.

In order to accommodate the specific requirements of industry, the SAQA format / template will be adapted to include all of the following:

• Occupation / Qualification Scoping / Curriculum outline
• Industry standards, best practices and statutory requirements
• National assessment criteria
• Structuring of the qualification in compliance with the four routes leading to Artisan status as gazetted by the Department of Labour.

The challenges facing the construction sector require that this initiative be taken forward without any undue delay. CETA therefore wishes to invite the respective stakeholders concerned to nominate subject matter experts in accordance with the criteria outlined below for the occupations / qualifications stated. Experts thus nominated will be considered for appointment to the Technical Reference Committee to which they have been nominated. Whilst CETA cannot remunerate Committee Members, consideration may be given to compensate persons who will forfeit income as a result of their participation in a Technical Reference Committee.

Composition of Technical Reference Committees

• Employer representatives 6 (Maximum)
• Labour representatives 2
• Accredited providers 1 to 2
• FET institutions 1
• SAQA staff 1
• Department of Education 1
• Department of Labour 1
• Indlela    1
• Inter Seta stakeholders 2
• CETA staff 1 to 2
• NQF facilitator 1

Note: At least one of the persons serving on a Technical Reference Committee should have been a member of an SGB

Occupations / Trades / Qualifications

Annexure 3

The following 20 Qualifications have been considered as an amendment to the JIP as the original list of qualifications (Annexure1) has been completed.

Unless otherwise stated, all these qualifications are to be reviewed.

Criteria for the nomination of Subject Matter Experts to Technical Reference Committees:

• Ideally nominees should be formally qualified in the occupation / trade concerned or be recognised by industry as subject matter experts;
• Nominees should have extensive experience in the occupation / trade concerned;
• Nominees should be knowledgeable with regard to the theoretical and / or practical aspects (including industry standards, best practices and statutory requirements) of the occupation / trade;
• Nominees must be willing and able to attend a limited number of meetings / workshops, at CETAs expense, in Gauteng which will be of a two to three days duration; and to interact / respond within specified time lines by mail / electronically with the CETA office / facilitator;

Nominations must reflect the following details:

Name of nominee
Postal / delivery, telephone, facsimile, email details of the nominee
Occupation / trade to which the person is nominated.

It will be appreciated if nominations can reach Ms Kentse Mathiba, CETA Qualifications and Unit Standards Development Facilitator, by not later than 12 January 2010.

Norman Sekotlong | Chief Operations Officer | CETA