The QCTO Policy Statement Accreditation

The QCTO Policy Statement Accreditation for Skills Development Providers (SDPs). Section 7 of the QCTO Accreditation Policy spells out key criteria for Skills Provider Accreditation.

The Quality Council for Trade and Occupations (QCTO) Policy Statement on Accreditation

QCTO Policy Statement Accreditation

In the pursuit of accrediting skills development providers, the QCTO employs a rigorous set of criteria, ensuring that entities meet specific standards for occupational qualifications or part qualifications. To streamline the accreditation process, the following conditions must be satisfied:

7.1 QCTO Criteria for Accreditation

The QCTO will endorse an entity as a Skills Development Provider (SDP) upon recommendation by an Assessment Quality Partner (AQP) and fulfillment of the following prerequisites:

a) Legal Status

The entity must be a juristic person duly registered or established in accordance with South African law.

b) Financial Compliance

A valid tax clearance certificate issued by the South African Revenue Service is mandatory, where applicable.

c) Management Information System (MIS)

The entity must possess a suitable and compliant MIS aligned with QCTO specifications.

d) Candidate Accessibility

Ensuring safety, security, and accessibility for candidates is paramount.

e) Occupational Health and Safety Standards

Adherence to relevant standards for occupational health and safety is non-negotiable.

f) Physical Resources

The entity must possess the necessary physical resources, such as venues, equipment, machinery, or protective clothing, as specified by the AQP for assessing learners’ competence.

g) Qualified Human Resources

Appropriately qualified human resources, as specified by the AQP, are essential.

h) Specific Trade Requirements

Provision must be made for any other requirements specified for the relevant trade, occupational qualification, or part qualification.

QCTO Policy Statement Accreditation: Organisational Management

7.2 Institutional Accreditation

For institutional accreditation, SDPs must not only meet the criteria outlined in 7.1 but also address additional aspects:

d) Learning Management Systems

Evidence of systems to manage learning and track learner performance must be provided.

e) Workplace-based Learning

SDPs must offer workplace-based learning opportunities.

f) Qualified Staff

Evidence of suitably qualified staff to facilitate learning is imperative.

g) Application Submission

Completed application forms must be submitted to the relevant AQP.

h) Additional Requirements

Provision must be made for any other requirements specified for the relevant trade, occupational qualification, or part qualification.

7.3 Programme Accreditation:

For programme accreditation, the SDP must present evidence of suitably qualified staff and possess the required machinery and equipment for facilitating learning.

7.4 Maintenance and Procurement: QCTO Policy Statement Accreditation

Entities seeking accreditation must provide evidence of a maintenance plan for machinery, equipment, facilities, and a procurement plan for consumables, where relevant.

7.5 Knowledge Component Accreditation

SDPs requesting accreditation for the knowledge component must present a strategy to ensure linkages to providers offering the practical component of the occupational qualification.

7.6 Practical Skills Component Accreditation

SDPs seeking accreditation for the practical skills component must provide evidence of a strategy to ensure linkages to providers offering the knowledge component of the occupational qualification.

7.7 General Requirements: QCTO Policy Statement Accreditation

Any institution accredited by the Quality Council for General and Further Education and Training or the Quality Council for Higher Education, as stipulated in sections 25 and 26 of the National Qualifications Framework Act, is deemed to satisfy the general requirements for accreditation.

For more comprehensive insights and valuable tips on navigating the accreditation process, explore our additional resources.

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