Skills development programmes are not only delivered by large companies, but they are also conducted by independent ‘teachers’ and small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). SMEs who want to provide any skills development need to register with the Sector Education and Training Authority (SETA).
What is SETA?
SETA is a vocational skills training organisation in South Africa aimed at bridging the gap between education and work. There are 21 SETAs covering different economic sectors, responsible for implementing learnerships, internships, and apprenticeships to reduce unemployment and address skills shortages.
List of SETAs
- Here is a list of the current registered SETAs in South Africa.
- Agricultural Sector Education and Training Authority (AgriSETA)
- Banking Sector Education and Training Authority (BANKSETA)
- Chemical Industries Education and Training Authority (CHIETA)
- Construction Education and Training Authority (CETA)
- Culture, Arts, Tourism, Hospitality and Sport Sector Education and Training Authority (CATHSSETA)
- Education, Training and Development Practices Sector Education and Training Authority (ETDP SETA)
- Energy and Water Sector Education and Training Authority (EWSETA)
- Fibre Processing and Manufacturing Sector Education and Training Authority (FP&M SETA)
- Finance and Accounting Services Sector Education and Training Authority (Fasset)
- Food and Beverage Manufacturing Industry Sector Education and Training Authority (FoodBev SETA)
- Health and Welfare Sector Education and Training Authority (HWSETA)
- Insurance Sector Education and Training Authority (Inseta)
- Local Government Sector Education and Training Authority (LGSETA)
- Manufacturing, Engineering and Related Services Sector Education and Training Authority (merSETA)
- Media, Information and Communication Technologies Sector Education and Training Authority (MICT SETA)
- Mining Qualifications Authority (MQA)
- Public Service Sector Education and Training Authority (PSETA)
- Safety and Security Sector Education and Training Authority (SASSETA)
- Services Sector Education and Training Authority (SSETA)
- Transport Education Training Authority (TETA)
- Wholesale and Retail Sector Education and Training Authority (W&RSETA)
Key Aspects of SETAs:
- They implement the Skills Development Act (SDA) to increase skills levels
- SETAs are funded by skills development levies paid by employers
- They develop sector skills plans, approve workplace skills plans, and accredit training providers to ensure quality education
SETAs are a critical part of skills development efforts in South Africa. For any SMEs looking to become SETA-accredited, this article is for you. We will take you through what you need for accreditation through the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO).
What is the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO)?
The QCTO is a quality council established in 2010 in terms of the SDA. The council is responsible for the following:
- Establishment and management of the Occupational Qualification Sub-framework (OQSF)
- Accreditation of skills development providers
- Research and knowledge development
- Certification
- Occupational qualifications development and maintenance
- Accreditation of assessment centres
- Stakeholder management and advocacy
- Assessment
Accreditation Process Overview
The QCTO is responsible for the accreditation of Skills Development Providers (SDPs) to offer the following programmes and qualifications that fall under the Occupational Qualifications Sub-Framework (OQSF). These include:
- Occupational qualifications
- Old trades
- N4-N6 Programmes (NATED Report 191)
- Historically registered qualification
- Skills programmes
If you want to offer training in any of the above qualifications/ part-qualifications, you must seek accreditation from the QCTO and must comply with the minimum criteria for accreditation.
Accreditation Process
The accreditation process takes up to 90 days from application to approval. Note, the requirements are dependent on the type of qualification you want to offer. Below is a detailed overview of the accreditation process for occupational/part qualifications and skills programmes.
Step 1: Application Process
The application process for accreditation commences with the completion of online application forms. The online application forms link can be found on the QCTO website. Once the application has been submitted online, the prospective Skills Development Provider (SDP) will receive:
- An automated acknowledgement of your application
- A link to upload compliance documents, which will be sent to the applicant within the following calendar month of applications, as applications are downloaded at the beginning of every month
Step 2: Desktop Evaluation (Phase 1)
The Desktop Evaluation entails verifying the legal standing of the SDP applicant with regard to the following:
- Registration with the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) or proof of establishment (PTY, CC, NGO, NPO, CET, Public Institution)
- The latest tax compliance status (TCS). State entities like government schools, departments, universities, and TVET- and CET colleges are exempted from the above tax compliance requirement
- Curriculum Vitae (CV) of facilitators/assessors and certified copies of ID and Qualification certificates. Details of foreign personnel accompanied by their valid work permits authorising them to work within the Republic of South Africa, according to the Immigration Act
- Proof of financial stability (Financial Statements are valid for Institutions operating for more than a year; Business Plan for Institutions operating for less than a year)
- A valid Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) audit report issued by an authorised person
- Proof of ownership of the premises (Letter from Tribal Authority, municipal rates and taxes) or a lease agreement of the training premises
- Signed Workplace MoU, which clearly defines the deliverables according to the workplace component of the qualification as specified in the Curriculum document
Step 3: Programme Delivery Readiness (Site Visit – Phase 2)
The site visit will only be conducted if the SDP has fully completed and submitted the following:
- Site visit confirmation (Form 1)
- QCTO COVID-19 Checklist (Form 2)
- Programme Implementation Plan (Form 3)
- Learning Material Matrix (Form 4)
- Evaluation Tool for Programme Delivery Readiness (Form 5)
- QCTO Accreditation Application Checklist (Form 6)
The site visit will take place either on a virtual platform or physical depending on the availability of resources. No SDP/s will be considered for site visit if the SDP/s is/are not part of the approved site visit schedule.
Step 4: Programme Delivery Readiness
You need to meet the above criteria plus the following minimum requirements for programme delivery readiness:
- The checklist for knowledge components (Training Inventory list/use your own template) according to the curriculum document needs. Equipment will be checked against the list provided by the SDP
- The checklist for practical components (Training Inventory list/use your own template) according to the curriculum document. Equipment/machinery will be checked against the list provided by the SDP
- Check if there is learner uptake on these Qualification/s if no learner uptake the SDP must provide reasons why the institution is extending its scope
- Check if the venue/building is conducive for teaching and learning, as well as the quantity of training rooms/capacity
- Learning material aligned to the qualification/s applied for according to the curriculum document
- Detailed and functional organisational chart of the institution
- Implementation of effective quality assurance processes by management
- Learner Management Information System(s)(Computer & Internet facilities)
- Relevant policies to govern the management
- Occupational Health and Safety adherence as per the programme criteria and requirements
- Signed MoU which clearly defines the deliverables according to the workplace component of the qualification as specified on the Curriculum document, and must contain the contact person and contact details of the workplace
Note that accreditation is valid for a period of five years from the date on which the QCTO granted accreditation to the SDP or until the SDP is de-accredited by the QCTO.
The accreditation may be withdrawn by the QCTO if the SDP fails to perform its responsibilities as stipulated in the QCTO Accreditation Policy, and/or contravenes the provisions stipulated in the accreditation letter or acts in a way that is unlawful or unbecoming of an SDP.
Appeals
If your application is rejected and you want to appeal, you can send it to the following e-mail: accreditation@qcto.org.za. Your appeal will be evaluated using the same minimum evaluation requirements and criteria.
Skills development programmes are not only delivered by large companies, but they are also conducted by independent ‘teachers’ and small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). SMEs… Read More
