LISTEN | Here are ‘outdated’ courses the department of higher education is discontinuing

The department of higher education has revealed the 1,100 qualifications it is scrapping over concerns that they are outdated and not aligned with the National Qualifications Framework and labour market demands. According to the department, thesepre-2009 qualificationsare offered by Setas and TVET colleges. Some of the qualifications that have been phased out include: These will be replaced with anoccupational qualification, a type of credential that is closely connected to a specific profession obtained by participating in work-based learning experiences.

However, higher education minister Buti Manamela emphasised that the transition was not about invalidating qualifications that people have worked hard to achieve. “If you have a qualification that has been discontinued, it does not take away the skill.” He also said the scrapping of some of these qualifications was to happen this month but that the process has been extended by six to 24 months. A task team has been established to assist with the transition, he said at a media briefing on Thursday.

“Following requests from Setas and industry stakeholders, the government assessed these qualifications individually to determine whether further transitional support is necessary. “With sufficient evidence, these qualifications will receive targeted extensions ranging from six months to 24 months, depending on sector readiness, learner impact, replacement qualifications, availability, and labour market requirements.” According to Manamela, these are not blanket extensions.