South Africa's SETAs retain a support role as apprenticeship duties shift to NAMB and QCTO

South Africa's apprenticeship system has not abandoned its sector education and training authorities (SETAs), but the institutions' role has narrowed considerably as accreditation, quality-assurance, and trade-testing functions were redistributed to other bodies.

A more specialised division of labour

SETAs originally took over from the industry training boards that managed apprenticeship programmes within their respective sectors. Subsequent changes to the national occupational training framework transferred several of those functions to the National Artisan Moderation Body (NAMB) and the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO). Grant Laidlaw, owner of ACRA, notes that, contrary to what is sometimes assumed, the SETA structure has not been phased out; rather, the system has evolved from a model in which SETAs managed much of the apprenticeship process to a more specialised arrangement in which different organisations handle distinct functions.

Under the current framework:

• NAMB is responsible for accrediting the assessors and moderators involved in trade testing.
• QCTO accredits training centres and oversees quality management within the occupational training framework.
• SETAs continue to provide administrative and financial support, assist NAMB and QCTO with the workload of the national artisan training system, and administer discretionary grants that fund skills-development and training initiatives.

This support role remains necessary because, according to Laidlaw, neither NAMB nor QCTO currently has sufficient capacity to manage every aspect of the process independently.

Parallel systems add complexity

A further complication arises where different registration and accreditation systems operate side by side. The Construction Education and Training Authority (CETA) and QCTO maintain parallel processes, meaning training providers may have to navigate more than one administrative system to meet relevant requirements. For organisations already dealing with the practical demands of delivering technical training, maintaining facilities, and ensuring learners meet required standards, this duplication adds an additional layer of complexity.

What it means for the refrigeration and air-conditioning sector

For the refrigeration and air-conditioning industry, where the development of properly qualified artisans remains a priority, understanding which organisation is responsible for which function is essential when planning training and navigating the qualification process. SETAs continue to contribute through funding and administrative support, but they no longer act as the single point of responsibility for apprenticeships from enrolment through to final trade testing.

Artursafronvvvv | Magnific.com

Source: refrigerationandaircon.co.za.