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National Qualifications Framework NQF

A fruitful year for the NQF Support Link

Thu, 26 Nov 2009 11:53

By Tumelo Modisane

This year, 2009, has been a fruitful year for the NQF Support Link with 844 people attending the NQF Support Link workshops.

The NQF Support Link is a seven-module learning programme developed by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) to clarify understanding and promote competence in using the National Qualifications Framework (NQF).

Its objective is to broaden access to learning about the NQF. Those who attended the workshop include people from Services SETA, LGSETA, Auto Chamber Merseta, and members of the public.

The NQF Support Link was originally meant to be a self-study learning programme. SAQA and eDegree, the accredited training provider offering the programme, decided to give workshops for learners in response to learner needs.

In the workshops, learners are able to start completing their portfolios of evidence in a workshop setting. The initial roll-out of the workshops took place in June 2007.

There were 84 workshops conducted this year on modules one, three, four, five and seven.

Module One, Implementing the NQF, gives the background, transformative intentions and values of the NQF and how it operates. The module has recently been revised to include the changes brought by the new education Acts.

Learners also learn how the new NQF Act of 2008 changes the NQF landscape. When asked what they thought about the revised module One a the participant said: ”Very useful, will help in looking at the development of new programmes in my organisation.”

Another participant noted: “ This workshop made it possible for me [to] understand clearly how SAQA and the NQF function – it has assisted me to see the big picture.”

Module Three, the NQF and learning programmes, guides and supports participants through the steps essential to ensure the quality of new learning programmes serving the NQF.

Module Four, the NQF and assessment, helps learners to explain the essential principles and practices promoted by the NQF within the framework of assessment; while module Five, the NQF and learnerships, offers a practical guide to understanding learnerships and skills programmes.

It is also a guide for all people who are involved in training to develop a plan for learnerships and an implementation plan, including learning facilitation and assessment.

Unit one of module Seven, the NQF and RPL, provides general insight into what RPL is and into some of the issues involved.

Unit Two explores the detail of the legislation, policy, regulations, guidelines and good practices for sustainable implementation, making use of a range of case studies and thus providing a solid grounding in the policies and practices required for officially recognised RPL in South Africa. The unit Three familiarises learners with all the areas required by the RPL unit standard.

“This year has been a fruitful year for the NQF Support Link,” says Director Strategic Support at the SAQA Ms Ntsiki Gumbe. “ We are on track with rolling out the seven-module learning programme together with the NQF Implementation Toolkits to ensure that those involved in the NQF environment are able to implement it for the benefit of our country.”

The NQF Implementation Toolkit is a stand-alone-product that provides practical tools to assist users in the planning, development, implementation and evaluation of learning and skills development processes.

The tools include step-by-step descriptions of processes, templates, flowcharts and practical guidelines that will assist people working with the NQF to translate the intent and principles of the NQF into learning programmes and processes.

Ms Gumbe says she would like to see an even bigger roll-out of the NQF Support Link in 2010.