The Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO) has set policies to accredit Skills Development Providers (SDPs). This is to ensure that education and training in occupations and trades offered in the country is credible and valid. This is in accordance with the Skills Development Act (SDA), (Act No 97 of 1998) Chapter 6C as well as the Continuing Education and Training Act 16 of 2006.

Skills Programmes are occupationally directed. They focus on practical, simulation and/or work experience. The objective is for certified learners to be more likely to secure employment or be more employable. These Skills Programmes can be provided at entry, intermediate, or advanced levels.

Skills Programmes

There is no EISA for skills programmes. Instead, the skills programme document gives the specifications for a Final Integrated Supervised Assessment (FISA) instrument that learners will need to complete. The SDP is responsible for setting and moderating the FISA.

The SDP needs to submit skills programme results to the QCTO within 21 days.

The assessment and moderation process must still be quality assured by the QCTO before the learners can be certificated. The Assessment team samples learners and looks at the tool and moderation reports. 

FISA

 A decentralised Final Supervised Assessment takes place for historically registered qualifications (in addition to the current PoE practice), as well as for QCTO Skills Programmes

CERTIFICATION BODY

SDPs are not allowed to print their own certificates for occupational qualifications. Certificates are issued by the QCTO’s secure CVS certification system