WeeklySA_AdminSTANDARD: This is a qualification awarded to individuals who have demonstrated competence in a specific trade
By WSAM Writer
Many young South Africans are not aware of Occupational Certificates as a study route, even though they are accessible to students who do not hold a Matric or who do not meet the entry requirements for other types of qualifications.
Experts say Occupational Certificates are an important avenue available to future students who otherwise will not be able to further their education or get a foot on the career ladder.
According to Careers Portal, an Occupational Certificate will provide students with relevant knowledge, practical skills and work experience which will prepare them to operate in a suitable position within their field of study.
The online platform that assists learners to acquire the skills and knowledge needed for academic and other professions describes Occupational Certificate as a qualification that is awarded to individuals who have demonstrated competence in a specific occupation or trade. It is a nationally recognised qualification that is based on industry standards and is designed to equip learners with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in a particular occupation.
The course is typically offered through vocational training programmes and is often used by learners who are seeking to enter the workforce or who wish to improve their career prospects. They may be offered in a wide range of fields, including construction, engineering, health and finance.
So, for the hundreds of thousands of South Africans who want to fast track their careers and get a qualification that is in demand by employers but who do not have matric or do not meet the entry requirements for other types of qualifications, an
Occupational Certificate presents the best opportunity for realising their career dreams. “An Occupational Certificate is a qualification that is awarded to individuals who have demonstrated competence in a specific occupation or trade.
It is a nationally recognised qualification that is based on industry standards and is designed to equip learners with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in a particular occupation,” saysSiyavuya Makubalo, Marketing Manager at Oxbridge Academy, a brand of AdvTECH, one of South Africa’s leading private education provider. In South Africa, Occupational Certificates are developed and managed by the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO), which is a public entity responsible for quality assurance and the oversight of the design, accreditation, implementation, assessment and certification of occupational qualifications, part-qualifications and skills programmes.
“One of the advantages of Occupational Certificates is that they provide an alternative pathway to education and training for students who have not completed their matric or who do not meet the entry requirements for other types of qualifications.”
According to Makubalo, Occupational Certificates are divided into three components: theory, practical and work-based, which allow the learner to gain relevant knowledge, practical skills and work experience.
“Provided students have the necessary foundational learning competence (FLC) or recognition of prior learning (RPL) for the specific occupation or trade, they are able to enrol for an occupational certificate programme without having to complete their matric first, and still get a nationally recognised qualification that is relevant to a specific occupation or trade.”
Makubalo provides some examples of Occupational Certificates that do not require matric. They Include early childhood development, health promotion officer, cash office clerk home-based personal care assistant as well as home-based personal care worker. In South Africa, Occupational Certificates cover almost all sectors including agriculture, business, construction, education, health, hospitality, manufacturing, mining, transport. Interested students can find more information about the different Occupational Certificates on the QCTO or SAQA websites.
“By getting an Occupational Certificate without matric, you can fast track your career and gain access to the labour market by gaining a qualification that is in demand by employers and which prepares you to fill a specific role.
“You can also improve your chances of finding employment or starting your own business in a specific occupation or trade. Additionally, you can progress to higher levels of learning within the same or related occupational fields, as some occupational certificates are articulated with other qualifications on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF).
“So, if you are a student who wants to fast track your career without matric, an Occupational Certificate could be the answer to making your dream career a reality,” according to Makubalo.
