As we approach the 1st of July, significant changes are on the horizon for the Skills Education Training Authorities (SETAs) and the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO). The 30th of June marks the last day for enrolment in SETA-accredited legacy qualifications, meaning that the 1st of July is the official beginning of the QCTO system.
While there has been much debate and controversy around the de-registration of hundreds of legacy qualifications, there has been little in the way of a practical explanation as to the practicalities of what the shift next week entails. What will happen to the SETAs? What will the QCTO system look like? What will happen to training providers? Where does the new system leave existing learners? What is in store for new learners? And what is next for sectors and industries?
Maccauvlei Learning Academy’s General Manager, Mapule Kgwete, and Practice Leader, Paula Teigao, answer these questions, explain the details behind the transition and tell us what to expect as we enter July.
What are SETAs and what is the QCTO?
SETA stands for Skills Education Training Authorities. Every job and industry in South Africa is represented by one of the 21 SETAs.
These organisations were established in 1998 to ensure that skills development and training are aligned with the needs of various industries in South Africa. Each SETA is responsible for developing skills within specific sectors, such as transport, retail, health, and education, by accrediting qualifications and ensuring quality training standards.
QCTO, or the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations, was introduced to oversee the design, implementation, and quality assurance of occupational qualifications. The QCTO aims to streamline the process of vocational training into one overarching system, as opposed to 21 self-contained bodies, as well as to ensure that graduates possess the practical skills required by the workforce.
Despite being established in 2010, the QCTO system has taken almost 15 years to move to implementation. There has been significant pushback to the change and multiple extensions have been lobbied for and granted.
Why the change?
The switch from SETA to QCTO is part of a broader strategy to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of vocational and occupational training in South Africa.
The QCTO focuses more on practical, occupation-based qualifications, addressing the gaps that were observed in the unit-standard-based approach of the SETA system.
“QCTO focusses more on doing the work, while SETA tended to lean more towards classroom-based learning, which may have implications for people entering the workforce without the workplace skills needed to excel and perform. The shift is a good thing if it turns out to effectively achieve these objectives,” said Kgwete.
It also aims to streamline quality assurance practices as policing the quality of 21 separate SETAs has been too resource-intensive and complicated.
Is there an upside to the switch?
Yes, there are several benefits. The QCTO system emphasises practical skills and workplace competence, which can lead to a more skilled and job-ready workforce. This shift is expected to enhance the quality of training and ensure that learners can meet the demands of their respective industries more effectively. Additionally, the introduction of standardised exams under QCTO can provide a more consistent measure of competency.
What could have been done better?
One of the main criticisms of the transition is the lack of adequate preparation time and support for training providers. Many providers left the development and accreditation of new materials to the last minute, resulting in a backlog of applications and delays. Better communication might have eased the transition, allowing providers more time to adapt to the new requirements.
Practical Implications for July 1st
On the 1st of July, several key changes will take effect:
- For Training Providers: Providers who have not received QCTO accreditation for their programmes will no longer be able to offer legacy qualifications that have been de-registered. They need to ensure their programmes are accredited or risk shutting down. However, many organisations may have some breathing room if they have sufficient learners enrolled for SETA qualifications before the 1st of July, giving them time to develop courses in-line with the QCTO requirements and submit them for successful approval.
- For Existing Learners: Learners enrolled in SETA-accredited programmes by June 30, 2024, can complete their qualifications during the teach-out period set as June 30, 2027.
- For New Learners: All new learnership registrations will be under the QCTO system. New learners will need to enrol in QCTO-accredited programmes to ensure their qualifications are recognised. They will be required to sit and pass national exams in addition to the current requirements for the submission of a portfolio of evidence.
- For Sectors and Industries: Industries will need to adjust to the new qualifications framework and ensure their training partners are QCTO-accredited. This shift may initially cause some disruptions but is expected to result in a better-trained workforce in the long run.
SETAs’ role in the new system
It’s important to clarify that SETAs will not cease to exist with the introduction of the QCTO system. Instead, their role will evolve to support the new framework.
SETAs will continue to manage annual submissions of Annual Training Reports (ATR) and Workplace Skills Plans (WSP), allocate grants and funding, and oversee learnerships. Additionally, they will play a crucial role in quality assurance as they take on responsibilities such as Degree Qualification Profile (DQP) and Assessment Quality Partners (AQP) for occupational qualifications under the QCTO.
“In simple terms, SETAs used to accredit and perform quality assurance. QCTO will now be responsible for the accreditation, while SETAs will continue to be involved in assuring quality,” said Kgwete. “Having the QCTO as an overarching body responsible for accreditation can be viewed as a step forward, because ultimately, you can’t effectively police yourself.”
This ensures that while the focus shifts towards a more practical, occupational-based training approach, the infrastructure and support provided by SETAs will remain integral to the system’s success, aiding in the smooth transition and ongoing development of South Africa’s vocational training landscape.
Will there be chaos in July?
There is likely to be some disruption as the system changes over. Some training providers may struggle to meet the new accreditation requirements in time, and learners may face uncertainty about their qualifications. However, these challenges are expected to be temporary as the new system stabilises. Unfortunately, it is anticipated that some training providers will be unable to adapt to the QCTO system and may go out of business.
Impact on course content and approval
Reworking course content to meet QCTO standards has been a significant task. Training providers have spent considerable time and resources to align their programmes with the new framework. The approval process for new applications has varied, with some qualifications taking months to get approved, leading to delays in implementation.
“The first qualification we submitted was approved quickly, it took less than a month. But subsequent applications have taken more than three months and we are still waiting for a site visit from QCTO which is a requirement for approval,” said Teigao.
Concerns about Life and Functional Skills courses
One significant concern with the transition to the QCTO system is the apparent exclusion of Life and Functional Skills courses from the QCTO curriculum. These courses, which cover essential skills such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving, are crucial for the holistic development of learners.
Without these foundational skills, technical proficiency alone may not be sufficient for success in the workplace. “Technical skills cannot thrive without life and functional skills. They have got to find a way to include them into the curriculum going forward,” said Kgwete.
The absence of these courses in the new framework could lead to a workforce that, while technically skilled, lacks the soft skills necessary to adapt and thrive in a dynamic work environment. Addressing this gap is critical, as integrating life and functional skills into the curriculum would ensure that learners are not only competent in their trades but also equipped to handle the interpersonal and practical challenges of their professions.
Extensions
A Government Gazette issued on 3 June made allowances for an extension period of between one and two years for select courses. More details on the qualifications included in this directive can be found on the QCTO website.
“Some of the SETAs are mandated to redesign current programmes into QCTO-aligned programmes. Some have experienced delays which is why there has been a need that some programmes be extended,” said Teigao.
Final thoughts
The transition from SETA to QCTO marks a significant shift in vocational training in South Africa.
“There are some gaps in terms of critical skills and content that hasn’t been included in the QCTO framework, but I am hopeful that these will be highlighted and addressed as the implementation of the new system progresses,” said Kgwete.
While there are challenges and uncertainties, the ultimate goal is to create a more competent and skilled workforce.
“I encourage new learners who are worried about having to sit exams to not look at the new requirements as a negative change. Ultimately, we want people to exit our courses being fully equipped to do their jobs, not to just walk out with a piece of paper,” said Teigao.
Stakeholders, including training providers, learners, and industries, need to embrace these changes and work collaboratively to ensure a successful transition.