The Retail Motor Industry Organisation (RMI), representing over 8 500 employer businesses in the retail automotive aftermarket sector, has expressed concern about the transition to occupational qualifications for apprentice training in the retail motor industry sector in South Africa from 1 July 2023.
“The transition in training dispensation in SA from the legacy to occupational qualifications will not be without its challenges,” says Louis Van Huyssteen RMI National Training Director.
A Question of Change
Employers, specifically in the repair and maintenance sector of the retail motor industry, and more so those in rural areas of the country with no access to training providers, have in the past benefitted from the merSETA competency based modular training (CBMT) delivery method which is largely done in the workplace. Van Huyssteen says a number of employers, particularly in these outlying areas, are therefore questioning the need to change something that has worked so well.
A lack of understanding among some employers and training providers about the new occupational qualifications and how it works has indeed led to confusion and resistance to change making it difficult for DHET to implement the occupational qualification system. The rotation of apprentices in the occupational qualification delivery method between the training centre and the employer’s workplace, is however an important consideration for employers.
“Significantly the new occupational curriculum is based on one third of the time at the training provider over the 3 years for the training of a motor mechanic apprentice,” he says.
Many training providers themselves have also not had the opportunity to experience the developed National Occupational Curriculum Content (NOCC). Only those select 19 TVET colleges, of a total of 50, who formed part of the DHET Centres of Specialisation project from 2017, have done so.
The RMI has been involved in the Department’s Centres of Specialisation (CoS) project since 2017 and has played an integral role in successfully implementing occupational qualifications for the automotive motor and diesel mechanic, part of the 13 priority trades.
An impact on the country’s national artisan development target?
But while the RMI believes that occupational qualifications can contribute to skills development in the motor industry, it is concerned about the potential negative impact on the country’s national artisan development target of 30,000 artisans per year.
Motor Mechanics make up approximately 10% of that target. “Previous training transitions were not without their challenges and we anticipate similar issues for all stakeholders and delivery partners not part of the ground-breaking DHET initiative in 2017 for the balance of the 10 priority trades,” he says.
Van Huyssteen says RMI is equally concerned about the level of support for employers who have apprentices enrolled across the 13 trades. He says that while a smooth transition to occupational qualifications on 1 July 2023 is the ideal scenario, the RMI suggests that the current time-based, learnerships and competency-based delivery methods should remain in place during the phased implementation of the occupational qualifications over a period of at least 36 months.
How it will work
The requirements for the new occupational qualifications incorporate 3 components, namely knowledge, simulated practical and workplace experience.
The main differences between the three delivery methods for training a motor mechanic in South Africa are as follows:
1. Competency based modular training (CBMT)
- What is it: CBMT is a four-year delivery method where training is done in modules, and each module must be completed before moving to the next. It is mostly conducted through workplace-based learning, with the apprentice spending the majority of their time at the workplace. The training is aimed at developing the skills and knowledge needed to perform specific tasks or jobs.
- Is grant funding available? Yes grant funding is available for qualifying employers but only for current funding window which is open until 31 May 2023. From 1 July 2023 the transition in the training dispensation in SA only promotes and funds occupational qualifications.
- What will happen after 1 July if I already have an artisan enrolled? A teach-out period will allow for apprentices to complete their training to become artisans. In some instances where the employer cannot provide specialised training in a discipline, a training provider can be approached to assist.
- Benefit to Employer: The employer benefits from a productive apprentice even from the first level.
2. Learnership
- What is it? A learnership is a three-year work-based learning programme that leads to an NQF registered qualification. It is aimed at providing both theoretical knowledge and practical skills in a specific field. The apprentice is required to spend a certain amount of time both in the classroom and in the workplace.
- Is grant funding available? Yes grant funding is available for qualifying employers but only for current funding window which is open until 31 May 2023. From 1 July 2023 the transition in the training dispensation in SA only promotes and funds occupational qualifications.
- Type of training: There is a need for apprentices to spend time-away from their workplaces as the training provider or skills development provider, regardless if public or private, has an obligation to meet the curriculum requirements. In some instances where the employer cannot provide specialised training in a discipline, a training provider can be approached to assist.
- What will happen after 1 July if I already have an artisan enrolled on a learnership? A teach-out period will allow for apprentices to complete their training to become artisans.
- Benefit to employer: The employer benefits from a productive apprentice over the duration of the learnership.
3. Occupational Qualification
-
- What is it? An occupational qualification is a qualification based on the skills, knowledge, and values required for a specific occupation. It is a combination of theoretical knowledge and practical skills, and the apprentice is required to complete a workplace component, a simulated practical component, and a knowledge component. From 1 July 2023 the transition in the training dispensation in SA only promotes occupational qualifications.
- Is grant funding available? Yes grant funding is available for qualifying employers. From 1 July 2023 the transition in the training dispensation in SA only promotes and funds occupational qualifications.
- Type of Training: The apprentice is required to spend a certain amount of time both in the classroom and in the workplace. The training provider, has an obligation to meet the curriculum requirements.
- Benefit to employer: The employer benefits from a productive apprentice over the duration of the occupational qualification.
In choosing the delivery method that works best for their needs, Van Huyssteen says employers should consider factors such as the specific skills and knowledge required, the level of theoretical knowledge needed, and the availability of resources.
“Employers in rural areas may face additional challenges, such as limited access to training providers, which may impact their choice of delivery method. Overall, all three delivery methods aim to develop the necessary skills and knowledge to become a qualified artisan, and the choice of delivery method should be based on the specific needs of the employer and apprentice. It is for this reason that the RMI recommends a pilot programme should rather be conducted for the remaining 10 trades before implementing the new occupational qualification delivery method to ensure that apprentice training in the sector does not come to an abrupt stop. This approach would allow for flexibility and transparency in the implementation of the new qualifications,” he concludes.
Similar articles;
RMI raises concerns about transition to Occupational Qualifications for Apprentice training
