About the QCTO

• What is the QCTO?

  the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO)has taken over the accreditation, implementation and certification of all occupational qualifications from SETAs.

  The change from SETA (Sector Education and Training Authority) to QCTO qualifications is part of the government’s efforts to streamline and improve the country’s education and training. It also ushers in a move to incorporate workplace experience into learning to promote work readiness in all vocation.

  The QCTO is responsible for quality assurance and the oversight of the design, accreditation, implementation, assessment and certification of occupational qualifications, part-qualifications and skills programmes. It also takes charge of the final summative exams that students ill have to write in order to be awarded an occupational certificate.

  QCTO Qualifications and Learnerships -are comprised of three components and two sets of assessmsnts:

  1. Knowledge component – classroom sessions exploring theory.
  2. Practical component – includes simulated workplace training subject to assessment by accredited workplace assessors.
  3. Workplace Modules which are done in appropriate workplaces under mentors.
  4. Internal assessments to gain a statement of results and entry to the final exams
  5. External Integrated Summative Assessment – a final exam written at an Accredited Assessment centre.

  Duration: The duration of QCTO qualifications  depend on the number of credits for specific qualifications.

  

  ---

  SETA Qualifications and Learnerships are comprised of two components:

  • 30% classroom time.
  • 70% on the job work experience.
  • Assessments were conducted internally by accredited Training Service Providers following the completion of each learning programme throughout the duration the learnership (12 months).

  Duration: SETA learnerships are mostly 12 months long

• What is EISA?

  The External Integrated Summative Assessment (EISA) is an integral and critical component of the QCTO’s quality assurance system. It is a single national assessment leading to the awarding of an Occupational Certificate. EISA ensures that the assessment of occupational qualifications, part qualifications and trades is standardised, consistent and credible.

  For learners to qualify for entry to EISA, they must provide proof of completion of all required knowledge, practical and work experience modules as stipulated in the qualification. The statement of results ( SOR) obtained from the Skills Development Provider serves as proof that the candidate has satisfied all the requirements to be admitted to sit for EISA.

  

• QCTO Certification.

  An integral and critical component of the QCTO’s quality assurance system is the

  issuing of certificates to learners who have demonstrated competence against

  occupational qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National

  Qualifications Framework (NQF).

  The QCTO will work closely with Assessment Quality Partners (AQPs) who will

  recommend certification of learners to the QCTO.

• What is recognition of prior learning (RPL)?

  Principles and processes through which the prior knowledge and /or skills of a person are made visible and are assessed for the purposes of certification, alternative access and admission and future learning and development.

  

• Need to know more about the QCTO?

  Click here to go to the [QCTO] website.