Some clarity amidst the murky waters for Skills Development Providers

At the end of June 2024, Skills Development Providers (SDPs) were concerned about the way forward with QCTO qualifications, as many legacy qualifications had not yet been realigned. Some clarity was provided by the Minister of Higher Education when he released a directive in June 2024 about the implementation and transitional arrangements for pre-2009 qualifications.

The directive took effect on 1 June 2024 and noted that 1,101 pre-2009 qualifications and unit standards were to be deregistered. In addition, 374 pre-2009 qualifications had been extended for a minimum of one year and a maximum of two years for their last date of enrolment. These qualifications are in the process of realignment, development and evaluation, and will be recommended to SAQA for registration. The table below shows the legacy qualifications that have been approved for realignment to occupational qualifications.

More importantly, the QCTO has recognised various pre-2009 unit standards that have been used for regulatory programmes (under the Department of Employment and Labour) and will allow for the development of occupational skills programmes to replace the regulated unit standards. It was noted that the Pre-2009-unit standards that had been used for regulatory programmes will continue to be recognised provided that they are on the list to be realigned through the QCTO as occupational skills programmes to replace the regulated unit standards. Therefore, Occupational Health and Safety unit standard compliance training will still be valid until a QCTO skills programme becomes available.

The CETA has provided a list of Historical Qualifications that are due for realignment and what they will be realigned to as Occupational Qualifications. You can download this list by clicking here.

While this all seems to be a very slow process, what is clear is that this offers some reprieve for surviving Skills Development Providers who are stuck between two systems.

Heidi Kilian

Head: Training