merSETA Inter-chamber Conference: QCTO’s role in qualifications development and quality assurance

1. merSETA Inter-chamber Conference:QCTO’s role in qualifications development and quality assurance John April 15 February 2018

2. merSETA CEO & Chamber Members On behalf of the QCTO CEO, I would like to convey his sincere appreciation for the opportunity to make a presentation at this Inter-chamber Conference and thank you for your continued partnership in skilling a capable workforce. Mr. Vijayen Naidoo Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

3. Introduction • “The Fourth Industrial Revolution has transformed production industries with unprecedented speed and scale. Driven by macro and industry trends, global production value chains are shifting. This impacts workers and the types of skills needed in production industries ranging from textiles to chemicals and automotive. As a result, a new geography of production employment is emerging. An estimated 16 percent of jobs are susceptible in the five production industries analysed by the project in 2017: Automotive, Textile, Electronics, Chemicals and Industrial Equipment. The percentage is small when compared to what similar studies have predicted, but still represents nearly 50 million people across the globe. Significant skilling and re-skilling efforts are urgently needed to help workers transition towards geographies and production value chain segments where new jobs will emerge.  • The scale of upskilling and reskilling needed to meet the demand in production sectors and unlock the full potential brought by the Fourth Industrial Revolution will require sweeping change. This change must be fuelled by multi-stakeholder support and governance along with new approaches to deliver training programmes rapidly to millions of workers affected by the ongoing transformations. Bringing the production workforce into focus will also necessitate new coalitions of governments, employers, unions and other stakeholders. To be effective, solutions must be underpinned by a set of enablers, including education systems, a clear sense of shared social responsibility for private and public sectors alike, and a forward-looking policy framework.  • In 2018, responding to a call for action from key stakeholders within the production ecosystem, the project will provide a platform to scale up existing collaborative efforts and incubate a new partnerships to accelerate the skilling and re-skilling of the production workforce.” https://www.weforum.org/projects/employment-and-skills-for-the-future-of-production

4. Are WE ready? • As the Fourth Industrial Revolution gathers momentum, decision-makers from the public and private sectors are confronted with a new set of uncertainties regarding the future of production. Rapidly emerging technologies—such as the Internet of Things, artificial intelligence, wearables, robotics and additive manufacturing—are spurring the development of new production techniques, business models, and value chains that will fundamentally transform global production. Both the speed and scope of change add a layer of complexity to the already challenging task of developing and implementing industrial strategies that promote productivity and inclusive growth. The report seeks to build awareness on the factors and conditions required to transform production systems and help countries assess readiness for the future. • Readiness for the Future of Production Report 2018 Published: 12 January 2018 https://www.weforum.org/reports/readiness-for-the-future-of-production-report-2018

5. South Africa • The G20 countries displaying the lowest levels of readiness are Argentina, Brazil and South Africa. Box 3.1 page 13 • South Africa’s manufacturing share of GDP has decreased since the early 1990s to approximately 12% today as its services sector has expanded.61 • Nevertheless, the country has the strongest Structure of Production within Africa. Across the Drivers of Production component, South Africa’s performance is mixed. • On the one hand, the ability to innovate is one of South Africa’s greatest strengths, as the country has a strong innovation culture, and entrepreneurial activity is supported by a sophisticated financial sector. • On the other hand, human capital remains the most pressing challenge in preparing for the future of production, as there is a shortage of engineers and scientists as well as digital skills. It will also be critical for South Africa to improve its Institutional Framework to effectively respond to change, offer a stable policy environment and direct innovation. Page 19

6. Contents • QCTO’s role in skills development landscape • Legislative mandate • Setting standards and quality assurance • Deactivation Project

7. QCTO’s role in skills development • The Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO) is a Quality Council established in 2010 in terms of the Skills Development Act (SDA). • Its role is to oversee the design, implementation, assessment and certification of occupational qualifications on the Occupational Qualifications Sub-Framework (OQSF) • The QCTO is one of three Quality Councils (QCs) responsible for a part of the National Qualifications Framework (NQF)

8. National Qualifications Framework Act In terms of Section 27 (i) of the NQF Act, the QCTO with regard to quality assurance within its sub-framework is required to • developand implement policy for quality assurance; • ensure the integrity and credibility of quality assurance; • ensure that such quality assurance as is necessary for the sub-framework is undertaken.

9. Setting and Maintaining Standards through: • Qualification Development • Quality Assurance of Provisioning • Quality Assurance of Assessment

10. How standards are implemented by the QCTO • DQP (Development Quality Partner) process – qualification is developed by industry (CEPs) for the industry • Training takes place at SDPs (Skills Development Providers) accredited by the QCTO • The final assessment is conducted and managed by the approved AQP (Assessment Quality Partner) for a particular qualification at an accredited assessment centre • The QCTO therefore sets standards through the model of qualifications development, the provisioning as well as the final assessment • The purpose of the EISA (External Integrated Summative Assessment) is to allow for qualifying learners to become officially recognised as practitioners of a particular trade or occupation with a QCTO certificate

11. Quality Assurance Framework • The OQSF currently contains a mixture of qualifications, i.e. new Occupational Certificates, historically registered qualifications, trades and the N4 – N6 NATED programmes which fall under its ambit • With the current mix of different types of qualifications on its framework, the QCTO has delegated quality assurance functions to its Quality Assurance Partners (QAPs) (SETA’s and Professional Bodies), to assist with the quality assurance of historically registered qualifications (until an OC or re-aligned qualification has been registered). Thus a simplification of the NQF is envisaged where quality assurance is managed by the QCTO. • The QCTO is actively pursuing new ways of carrying out quality assurance activities, including e-assessment and e-verification where appropriate

12. Quality Assurance Standards The QCTO’s key components for quality assurance are: • Effective management of processes, information, resources and systems • Valid accreditation (SDPs and ACs) and monitoring compliance • Use of effective internal verification systems • Effective quality assurance of the External Integrated Summative Assessment (EISA) by the QCTO • Successful validation of QCTO qualifications

13. What does this mean for industry? Employing learners that have passed the EISA have the following benefits: • They will be competent workers - Competencies have been displayed in the relevant work tasks in the EISA • Employers can be confident in their ready-for-work skills (no further training or mentoring required), as they have proven their competency to do the job in the EISA • Whether learners qualify for the EISA via the RPL route, or via providers, they all sit for the same standardised EISA – testimony to the credibility of the QCTO certificate • The calibre of those with a QCTO certificate can be trusted by employers as all learners had to meet the same set of national standards • Learners are able to apply their knowledge and skills

14. Deactivation Project • Policy context: • SD Act • NQF Act • White Paper of PSET • National Development Plan (NDP) 2030 • QCTO • Vision 2020 (March 2017) • Circular 1 of 2017 (15 December 2017) • Currently the policy environment is very dynamic & evolving: • Draft National Skills Development Plan (NSDP) (31 January 2018)

15. Deactivation Project:Circular 1 of 2017 (OQA & OQM) • Policy environment requires ongoing Stakeholder Engagement • Meetings with: • SETA & Professional Body CEO’s – August 2017 • QAPs – October, November & December 2017 • QCTO issued Circular 1 of 2017 (OQA & OQM): transitional arrangements for the quality assurance of historically registered qualifications • The Circular communicates to stakeholders the process of deactivation and re-registration of historically registered qualifications that has a registration end date of either 31 March 2018 or 30 June 2018

16. Deactivation Project:Circular 1 of 2017 (OQA & OQM) • Occupational qualifications has 3 compulsory components: • Knowledge • Practical and • Workplace Experience • NDP suggest a phased approach to implement changes whilst being cognizant of the impact on the skills development system • NDP: Purpose 3(c) workplace learning forms an integral part of occupational qualifications • no workplace learning no occupational qualification or trade • 3.2 contribute to wider National Imperatives • Ocean Economy, Operation Phakisa, etc.

17. Transitional arrangements • Any qualification or part qualification registered in the OQSF remains valid until they are replaced or reach the end of their registration and teach-out periods • Qualifications or part qualifications obtained by learners that have reached the end of their registration period, remain valid • Historically Registered Qualifications on the OQSF will: • be de-registered if there are no learners enrolled for it for the past three years; • not be de-registered on the OQSF if there are enrolled learners in the learning prorgamme leading towards the achievement of the qualification, until the teach-out and assessment phases have been concluded and a new occupational qualification has been developed and registered on the NQF; • be de-registered if it is replaced by a registered occupational qualification

18. QCTO’s response to national imperatives • National Development Plan • Ministerial Guidelines • White Paper on Post School Education and Training • National Skills Development Strategy and Sector Education and Training Authorities Beyond 2016 within the context of an Integrated Differentiated Post-Schooling Education and Training System • NSDP

19. QCTO’s response to national imperatives To achieve this QCTO is: • Developing industry based qualifications (Including Trades) • Development process led by Industry and Social partners • Strengthening the TVET College system • Reconstruction of NATED programmes • Capacity for colleges to deliver occupational qualifications • Contributing to Education/ Industry Partnerships • SLA with merSETA, QAP and AQP, DHET (Dual system Pilot Project), Centres of Specialisation (CoS), merSETA: Vehicle Damage Quantifier, Solar Photovoltaic Service Technician, etc.

20. QCTO’s response to national imperatives • Simplification of the NQF • Realignment of 8 Unit Standard based qualifications

21. Achievements to date • 280 occupational qualifications developed (29 January 2018) • 154 (55%) registered with SAQA (31 March 2017) • 124 either with Standards and Qualifications Committee or SAQA board for approval to be registered on the NQF • 30 (19,5%) occupational qualifications submitted by merSETA • merSETA has 111 Historically Registered Qualifications on the NQF • 93 (84%) to be deactivated • 18 to be confirmed with merSETA whether to re-register or deactivate? • 8 (7%) submitted for realignment • 6 MOUs signed • Further engagement necessary between QCTO & merSETA to conclude deactivation project

22. Challenges • Insufficient Funding – NSDP & Vision 2020 • Quality Assurance of 2 systems • Historically registered qualifications • New Occupational qualifications • Part qualifications • Ongoing engagement with SAQA • Foundational Learning Competence (FLC) • Exemptions • Research currently being conducted (40% complete) • Qualifications Assessment Specifications (QAS) addendum approval process • VDQ – meeting scheduled for 16 February 2018

23. LEAD FROM THE BACK AND LET OTHERS BELIEVE THEY ARE IN FRONT Nelson Mandela (1918 – 2013)

24. Do you have any questions?

25. Thank you John April Acting Cluster Head: Trades www.qcto.org.za April.J@qcto.org.za Tel: +27 12 003 1800 Direct: +27 12 003 1838 Cell: +27 (0) 74 344 2302 256 Glyn Street, Hatfield, Pretoria, 0083 Private Bag X278, Pretoria, 0001