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Feature
NEW OCCUPATIONAL QUALIFICATION FOR THE HVAC & R SECTOR
Compiled by Eamonn Ryan
The new Quality Council for Trades and Occupations ( QCTO ) qualifications system and the substantial overhaul it represents introduces new and much-needed national HVAC & R qualifications in ammonia , CO 2 and air conditioning .
© RACA Journal
WHY MEETING THE 30 JUNE 2024 OQSF DEADLINE MATTERS
By Roland Innes , Group CEO : DYNA Training
Navigating South Africa ' s transition from the NQF to OQSF framework – why meeting the 30 June 2024 deadline matters .
South Africa is at a crossroads of a significant educational and vocational transition as it shifts from the National Qualifications Framework ( NQF ) to the Occupational Qualifications Sub Framework ( OQSF ) managed by the QCTO . The CEO of the QCTO , Mr Vijayen Naidoo , has declared that the transition is imminent and that existing qualifications will not be re-registered . Long anticipated but now undeniable , this shift carries substantial implications
Training taking place at ACRA . for various industries , employers and training providers now referred to as Skills Development Providers .
Once readily available under the NQF , qualifications soon slated for discontinuation in the OQSF framework will present a challenge for companies accustomed to providing specific training programmes . The repercussions extend beyond individual learning journeys and extend to the business world , impacting B-BBEE scorecards . This makes it vital for organisations to reassess their training portfolios to ensure alignment with the new OQSF framework , or to seek suitable alternatives for discontinued qualifications , skills programmes or short courses . Here , training partners will have a critical role to play in facilitating this transition .
The looming deadline is no longer a technicality or a possibility ; it is a call to action . Organisations must concede that the threat of the transition has become a reality , which means that ignoring it is no longer an option .
The teach-out provision , allowing learners to complete their learnerships until 30 June in 2027 , is a lifeline for those who enrol before the deadline . However , the key is getting learners on board by 30 June 2024 . The potential tax benefits associated with learnerships remain uncertain and may be subject to changes that organisations will need to track closely . In responding to the transition , training providers must play a decisive role , actively engaging with clients , identifying gaps in qualification alignment , and presenting viable options . Communication is key , and training providers should serve as guides through the transition , ensuring that clients are aware of the risks and opportunities presented by the QCTO .
The transition from NQF to OQSF in South Africa is a reality that cannot be ignored , and the 30 June 2024 deadline marks a point of no return in this journey . Organisations must act now , either by enrolling learners in existing programmes or by exploring alternative pathways within the QCTO . The time for complacency is over ; the time for strategic action is now .
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RACA Journal I May 2024 www . refrigerationandaircon . co . za