Professionalisation using the National Qualifications

Framework (NQF)

PETER BOSCH

LIASA CONFERENCE 9 OCTOBER 2013

What is professionalism?Professionalism is the strict adherence to courtesy, honesty and responsibility when dealing with individuals or other companies. This includes • a high level of excellence• going above and beyond basic requirements• completing tasks in a timely manner• completing tasks with the highest quality possible• taking pride in completed tasks.

Professionalisation is the social process by which any trade or occupation transforms itself into a true profession of the highest integrity and competence.

Professionalising a sector involves:• establishing a professional body or association to

oversee the conduct of members of the profession

• Developing/approving of Qualifications and/or training standards

• Some degree of demarcation of the qualified professional from unqualified amateurs, i.e. Codes of Conduct/Service Delivery Levels, etc.

1. Advance the objectives of the NQF

2. Implement the NQF

3. Register Qualifications and Part-Qualifications

4. Develop policies for RPL, Articulation and the recognition of Professional Bodies

5. Recognise Professional Bodies

6. Register Professional Designations

In terms of The NQF Act SAQA must

THE NQF Act Re-affirms the objectives of the NQF

• Create a single, integrated national framework

for learning achievements• Facilitate access to and mobility and progression

within education, training and career paths• Enhance the Quality of Education & Training• Accelerate the redress of past unfair

discrimination in education, training and employment opportunities

Designed to contribute to:

the full personal development of each learner

the social and economic development of the nation at large

THE OBJECTIVES OF THE NQF

General Education and Training

Higher Education

Further Education and Training

SAQA Act of 1995

Trades and Occupations

NQF Act of 2008

Designations

General and Further Education

and Training

Higher Education

THE NQF ACT of 2008

Policy and criteria for the recognition of professional bodies and the registration of professional designations

The NQF Act of 2008Definition

“Professional Body” means any body of expert practitioners in an occupational field, and includes an occupational body.

Policy for the Recognition of Professional Bodies

Criteria for the Recognition of Professional Bodies

Objectives• Contribute to building the national education and training

system• Advance the objectives of the NQF• Improve career advisory services• Encourage international leading practice and the raising

of esteem for South African professions • Promote understanding of, and trust in, professions• Encourage social responsibility and accountability in

professions• Promote pride in association• Promote the protection of the public• Facilitate access to and analysis of data related to

professions

SAQA:• recognises the professional body & registers its professional designations on the NQF. • monitors operations of professional body during the recognition period

Works with QC(s) in quality assurance and standards setting for formal qualifications registered on the NQF

Has the option to pursue international affiliation, but must still meet local requirements

Relationships

Cannot be accredited/registered as an education and training provider. It can however:•register its employees on learnerships and act as a workplace provider for the delivery of learnerships•recognise suitable education and training providers and be involved in the curriculation of learning programmes •set and administer its own Board examinations

The NQF Act of 2008Definition

“Professional Designation” means a title or status conferred by a Professional Body in recognition of a person’s expertise and/or right to practice in an occupational field.

Policy for the registration of professional designations

Criteria for the registration of Professional Designations

Components of a Designation

Registered Underlying Qualification/Part-Qualification

(compulsory)

Experiential Learning(compulsory)

Board Exam/Competency Test(optional)

Continuing Professional Development(compulsory)

Fees(compulsory)

Awarding Criteria

Retaining Criteria

Code of Conduct/Ethics(compulsory)

Subscribe

Recognition of Prior Learning(compulsory)

Schooling Grades 0-9

Schooling Grades 10-12 & NCV

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Preparatory Stage

Stage 1 (Educational qualification)

Stage 2 (Structured workplace training)

Stage 3 (Award of designation)

Stage 4 (Retention of designation)

Workplace training

Workplace training

Workplace training

Designation

Designation

Trade Test

CP

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Even if qualification includes WIL most PBs still require Stage Two

Professional Training/Development

Professional Body can recognise all forms of learning:• Formal• Non-formal• In-formal

A MAJOR PART OF THE SOLUTION

PROFESSIONAL BODIES

HighUnemployment

Unskilled Workforce

Poor Service Delivery Levels

professionalbody@saqa.org.za