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National Qualifications Framework

Launch of NQF Support Link Toolkit series

Thu, 13 Nov 2008 13:31

The Toolkits will not duplicate these modules, but serve as an additional resource for people who have completed these modules as well as standalone resources for education and training practitioners.

Developed by SAQA and delivered by eDegree, the NQF Support Link is a prime mechanism to strengthen leadership in education and training providers, organisations and institutions in utilising the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) and the National Skills Development Strategy (NSDS).

With the first of the toolkits titled, NQF Alignment of Learning Programmes, A Step-by-step guide to how to align learning programmes to the NQF, the Implementation Toolkits are part of the initiative by SAQA to provide information and support to promote and strengthen the National Qualifications Framework (NQF).

The NQF assures the quality of outcomes of education and training and is key to facilitating access to and progression within education, training and career paths - a significant force in the transformation of education and training in South Africa.

While providing practical tools to assist users in the planning, progress, implementation and evaluation of learning and skills development, the Implementation Toolkits include step-by-step descriptions of processes, templates, flowcharts and practical guidelines.

These will assist those working with the NQF to translate its intent and principles into learning programmes and processes.

Said Barbara Dale-Jones, general manager of eDegree: “The information in the NQF Toolkits is provided in a user-friendly format to make it easy for users to access information and to customise the processes and tools to suit their own needs.”

“The Toolkits are written especially for individuals involved in outcomes-based learning and skills development processes in private and public training institutions/entities and in workplaces.”

Those who would benefit from the Implementation Toolkits include

· human resource directors and training managers and practitioners in training institutions, companies, private and public organisations and non-profit organisations

learning facilitators, trainers, instructors and lecturers

programme developers and learning materials developers

consultants in the field of learning and skills development

skills development facilitators

Further Education and Training (FET) college staff involved in skills programmes and learnerships, and

SETA, ETQA and Department of Labour staff who are responsible for skills development and learnerships, and the quality assurance of providers and learning programmes.

These Toolkits are available in hard copy booklets, which include the templates on CD-ROM. Those who would prefer more in depth guidance are able to attend workshops facilitated by subject matter experts, who will, in turn, guide them through the workings of the Toolkits.

“Although individuals can work through the Toolkits on their own, the most benefit would be gained by a team working through the Toolkits together to develop or improve their learning and skills development processes,” said Dale-Jones.