MQA NEWSLETTER

THE MQA REACTS TO NEW QUALITY ASSURANCE COVID-19 CONSTRAINTS

The covid-19 pandemic presented challenges regarding the necessary site visits required for accreditation and workplace approval. The MQA therefore, enabled the electronic submission of accreditation applications. Following a rigorous process of desktop evaluations, virtual meeting platforms (such as Microsoft Teams, Zoom) were used to conduct virtual verifications, including workplace approval for employers within the mining and minerals sector. Subsequently, the MQA developed an interim guideline for virtual audits for conducting validations to accreditation. The use of virtual meeting platforms demonstrated great success and effectiveness on the review and development of learning programmes, including related assessments. The use of technology enabled sufficient outcome within a reasonable turnaround time, as well as active participation by all relevant stakeholders. During the 2021-2022 financial year, the MQA re-advertised for Discretionary Grants for accredited training providers within the mining sector, to develop learning materials as per sector needs. The MQA continues with the issuing of trade serial numbers for trade testing and learner achievement approvals on completions with certificates printed and packaged for collection. Stakeholders are advised to avoid walk-ins under the current pandemic period, and will be notified on the readiness of certificates that are waiting to be collected. It is the responsibility of the organisation to obtain a letter of referral from the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO) for all qualifications as registered on the Occupational Qualification Sub- framework (OQSF). However, skills programmes should be registered directly with the MQA, whilst programme approvals have to be registered via the primary Quality Assurance Body. Accredited skills development providers weremonitored and granted with extensions of accreditation. This was to ensure continuity of training and that all parties involved were not disadvantaged during the period of the pandemic. The covid-19 pandemic’s unprecedented devastation within the sector remains a concern for the respective bodies. The Quality Assurance Unit notes with sadness the continuing damage where the institution’s risk management strategy is placed under strain. It also seeks to adequately address the need to maintain a cohesive system for education and training where work ultimately could not be stopped and neither quality be compromised. However, the Quality Assurance team remains steadfast to assist, guide, and support the continuation of quality training offered within the sector.

As a SETA, the MQA has the primary responsibility of promoting a learning programme by identifying employers for practical work experience and facilitation of learning in terms of the Skills Development Act (SDA) 37 of 2008 as amended, section 10 (1c), further section 26I of the SDA. The QCTO has delegated the MQA with roles and responsibilities for current qualifications registered on the OQSF. With new delegated roles and responsibilities, the MQA embarked on a process of re-aligning its guidelines systems, and processes through the Quality Assurance (QA) unit in collaboration with all relevant stakeholders and partners without any disruption to operations. However, as custodian of quality assurance for accreditations, workplace approvals, learning programme development, and associated assessment tools, including related learning materials and certifications, an urgent shift from being reactive to being pro-active was required. A number of quality challenges had to be addressed to protect the stability of the skills development fraternity within the sector; and to protect skills development providers and stakeholders with regard to the continuity of learning. Therefore, through guidance and communique’ received from the QCTO Memorandum, the MQA has implemented extensions of accreditation for assessment centres, trade test centres, and skills development providers to safeguard continuation; and relaxations pertaining to contact modes of delivery of qualifications on the OQSF. This initiative would enable online, e-learning, or blended forms of learning delivery.

M I N I N G Q U A L I F I C AT I O N S A U T H O R I T Y

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