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Communique: Cut off dates for submissions of Provider applications, Assessor registrations, Extension of scope, Programme evaluation The W&RSETA has made the following time table available for easy administrative purposes and to ensure that all applications received will be dealt with in a time that is not disadvantageous to the training provider. Click here to download the document. ETQA Presentation Phase V Click here to download the document. SAQA Annual Report 2004-2005 Content Messages from the Chairpersons Forewords by the Ministers Executive summary Setting standards Quality assuring the delivery of qualifications The National Learners Records Database Conducting research Communicating and advocating the NQF Human resources and development Information technology Southern Regional Office Finance and administration, budgeting and funding Donor partnerships Corporate governance Responsibility statement Annual Financial Statements Publications 2004-2005 Glossary Demonstrating a justifiable need ETQA Sector The SAQA ETQA Regulations (September 1998) makes provision for an organisation or a group of organisations seeking accreditation to be established as either a social, education and training sub-system or economic sector ETQA. In terms of the Skill Development Act (97) of 1998, SETAs act as ETQAs within the various economic sectors. The W&RSETA seeks accreditation as an economic sector ETQA in order that it may quality assure education and training provision in the Wholesale and Retail sector. Sector demarcation The ETQA Regulation, section 3 (2)(b), states that a body seeking accreditation must ensure that the primary focus for its quality assurance activities is based upon its association with the identified sector and the identified mission of that sector. The W&RSETA is associated with Economic Sector 27: Wholesale and Retail. This sector relates to field 11 on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF): Services, and in particular to the sub-field of Wholesale and Retail. In terms of the sector demarcation, the Wholesale and Retail sector comprises a number of sub sectors. The following sub sector is included in the scope and responsibility of the W&RSETA: Wholesale and commission trade, except of motor vehicles and motor cycles Retail trade, except of motor vehicle and motor cycle; repairs of personal and household goods Retail trade in second-hand goods in stores National or international accreditation links Regulation No. 268 of the Government Gazette (number 21012 of the 20th March 2000), made provision for the dissolution of Industry Training Boards and replacement by the Sector Education and Training Authority (SETA). In terms of section 3 of the said regulation assets, liabilities, rights and obligations, including existing quality assurance accreditation systems and accreditation agreements are transferred to the SETA. The W&RSETA does not have a predecessor established under a particular legislation neither replaces an existing Industry Training Board. It therefore does not have any existing national and international accreditation relationships within which it has been operating and that it wishes to retain. Sector specific information The Wholesale and Retail sector is a significant sector of the economy that justifies the establishment of an Education and Training Quality Assurance (ETQA) body. The Wholesale and Retail sector is defined as equivalent to the scope of the W&RSETA and ETQA. The W&R sector is the fourth largest contributor to the national GDP after the financial and business sector, manufacturing and government. In 1999 the sector contributed 12,4% of the national GDP (approximately R90 billion). The W&RSETA is committed to the supply of a skilled and competent workforce to the South African Wholesale and Retail sector. This objective can be achieved through, amongst others, an effective education and training quality assurance function. Current and projected number of Wholesale and retail learners The W&RSETA works from the premise that all employees are learners and at the same time regards the pre-employed, unemployed and self-employed as learners of wholesale and retail unit standards and qualifications. Learner information documented hereafter refers to those individuals currently employed in the sector. In 1999 the W&R Sector employed an estimated 766 000 employees. This figure included full-time, part-time and casual employees. Of the total number of employers at least 206 000 individuals are employed in wholesale trade, 519 000 in retail and 41 000 in motor trade. Gauteng, Kwazulu-Natal and the Western Cape accounted for 60% or more of the total number of employees in each sub sector. The Northern Cape provided for a limited number of employment opportunities, i.e. 2% in each of the sub sectors. The balance of the employment opportunities tended to be evenly spread across the other provinces. Employee information in terms of geographical and sector distribution provides a fair indication of the number of learner per provinces and sub sector. Educational profile For the sector as a whole an estimated 90% of employees fall within the general and further education and training bands (NQF levels 1-4). 40% of employees fall within the general education and training band 50% of employees fall within the further education and training band 10% of employees fall within the higher education and training band This appears to indicate an inadequate skills profile and substantial scope for training and skills development initiatives. Current and projected number of education and training providers Government institutions such as colleges, technikons and universities, private companies and in-company training providers are the main supply of wholesale and retail education and training. Universities predominately offer professional qualifications at or above NQF level 5 while the Technikons and Colleges offer occupationally based qualification between NQF levels 2 - 5. In-company providers' predominately offer occupationally based education and training programmes whilst the government institutions and private providers offer both occupationally based and professional programmes. The W&RSETA ETQA maintains that it will deal with and interface with providers of both occupationally and professionally based wholesale and retail learning programmes. The W&RSETA does not hold records of accredited providers. Once accredited as an ETQA the W&RSETA ETQA intends accrediting at least 60 providers within 12 months of its accreditation. The scope of accreditation includes both in-company providers and independent (private) single-purpose providers. Conclusion SAQA makes reference to economic sector ETQAs and Education and Training Sub sector ETQAs (Band ETQAs). The W&RSETA, as an economic sector ETQA, seeks accreditation as an economic sector ETQA that will be responsible to SAQA for assuring the quality of all occupational and/or professional qualifications and standards within the wholesale and retail sector. [ Top | Back | Print ]