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What is QCTO?

QCTO is the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations. It is a public entity established by the Skills Development Act No 97 of 1998 [as amended] in 2010. QCTO’s mandate is to quality assure and oversee the design, accreditation, implementation, assessment and certification of occupational qualifications, part-qualifications and skills programmes on the Occupational Qualifications Sub-Framework (OQSF) of the National Qualifications Framework (NQF).

An occupational qualification is a qualification associated with a trade, occupation or profession, resulting from work-based learning and consisting of knowledge, practical skills and work experience standards. A part-qualification is an assessed unit of learning that is registered as part of a qualification on the OQSF. A skills programme is a set of part-qualifications or unit standards that are combined to form a short learning programme that meets an identified need in the labour market.

What does QCTO do?

QCTO’s main functions are:

To develop and manage a sub-framework of qualifications for trades and occupations. The sub-framework is one of the three integrated sub-frameworks of the NQF, along with the General and Further Education and Training Sub-Framework (GFETQSF) managed by Umalusi and the Higher Education Qualifications Sub-Framework (HEQSF) managed by the Council on Higher Education (CHE). The sub-framework covers qualifications at NQF levels 1 to 6 that are occupationally oriented or vocational.

QCTO Functions:

To quality assure qualifications and curricula on the sub-framework.
To quality assure assessment at exit points of qualifications on the sub-framework.
To accredit skills development providers (SDPs) and assessment centres to offer tuition and/or assessment for qualification(s) on the sub-framework.
To issue certificates to learners who have achieved qualifications on the sub-framework.

These functions involve developing and managing standards, curricula, assessment specifications, accreditation criteria and policies, evaluating applications, conducting site visits, monitoring compliance, and maintaining a database of certificates issued. The sub-framework covers qualifications at NQF levels 1 to 6 that are occupationally oriented or vocational.

To monitor, report on and improve the quality of provision and assessment within its sub-framework.

This involves conducting research on skills needs and trends; collecting and analysing data on provision and assessment; reporting on quality assurance activities; identifying areas for improvement; implementing improvement plans; and collaborating with other stakeholders .
To advise the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation on matters relating to its sub-framework.
This involves providing inputs on policies, regulations, strategies and plans related to occupational qualifications, part-qualifications and skills programmes; responding to requests from the Minister or DHET; participating in intergovernmental structures; and representing QCTO in national and international forums .

What are the main programmes of QCTO?

QCTO consists of the following main programmes and units:

Qualifications Development: responsible for developing occupational qualifications, part-qualifications and skills programmes on the sub-framework.
Quality Assurance: responsible for ensuring that SDPs and assessment centres meet the accreditation criteria and standards on the sub-framework.
Certification: responsible for issuing certificates to learners who have achieved qualifications on the sub-framework.
Verification: responsible for verifying certificates issued by QCTO or its predecessors.

How can I contact QCTO?

You can contact QCTO through the following channels:

Telephone: 012 003 1800
Fax: 012 349 1511
Email: info@qcto.org.za
Website: https://www.qcto.org.za/
Physical address: 256 Glyn Street, Hatfield, Pretoria, 0083
Postal address: Private Bag X278, Pretoria, 0001