The Information Systems, Electronics and Telecommunications Technology (ISETT) SETA and the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) have established a joint implementation programme to speed up the documenting of an ICT Qualifications Framework.
The framework is expected to dramatically accelerate the writing and generation of qualifications and standards within the information and communications technology industry.
The ISETT SETA came under fire earlier this year for the lack of progress in the development of a national qualifications framework, but ISETT CEO Mateli Mpuntsha says the new agreement is the start of "serious progress". ISETT ETQA manager Errol Maherry says ISETT expects to have the framework in place within the next three months, speeding up the review of about 240 standards.
The ISETT-SAQA implementation programme is one of only three pilot projects in which SETAs are working together with the qualifications authority to speed up development of qualifications frameworks. In terms of the agreement, ISETT and SAQA will collaborate on generating standards, as well as securing resources and funding.
Project leader Mervyn Mehl said at the signing of the agreement in Midrand yesterday that preliminary work was already under way to customise existing standards and frameworks. This was speeding up processes and avoiding unnecessary duplication of existing standards. "We look forward to some dynamic developments in future," he said.
SAQA standards-setting and development director Joe Samuels says the plan creates clear responsibilities and timeframes for the development of a national qualifications framework.
Samuels says that if the joint implementation programme proves successful, it is likely that similar programmes will be rolled out to other sectors too.
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