There’s no doubt that 2024 will be a game-changing year for the Skills Development industry, with the move from the SETAs to the new QCTO (Quality Council for Trades and Occupations) system set to come into full effect very soon. After 30 June 2024, enrolment will no longer be possible for SETA-accredited qualifications and from 1 July onwards, all learners will have to be registered for occupationally directed qualifications through the QCTO.
Although this significant deadline is just a few months away, a worrying number of employers seem to be unaware of the upcoming changes and the implications for their businesses. Uncertainty also surrounds those organisations that are aware of the transition, in terms of the likely impact on the entire industry, with many being left with more questions than answers.
However, one thing is certain – the massive shifts in the Skills Development landscape that have already begun are here to stay and all stakeholders need to get on board, embrace the changes and try to plan as best they can for the future.
One of the stated aims of the QCTO is to provide occupational qualifications that are directly relevant to the workplace with the goal of helping learners to secure employment. The new QCTO qualifications are therefore more targeted and specific to particular occupational profiles, with very few generic qualifications on offer.
As a result, organisations will need to give much more thought to their Skills Development initiatives going forward. While employers have thus far been able to get away with implementing projects at very short notice and placing learners on a wide variety of generic learnerships, from July this year they will have to start planning ahead. When crafting their Skills Development strategies, it will now be vital for companies to look at the competencies and qualifications that will benefit them internally and identify the specific scarce skills required within their businesses.
Our shocking unemployment situation clearly demonstrates that the current system is not working and a different path is necessary. The huge changes ahead will require a major shift in mindset and behaviour from everyone in the industry. The hope is that it will have the intended outcomes of enhancing the quality of training and qualifications and creating a skilled workforce, which in turn will contribute to job creation and economic growth in South Africa.
