In the ever-evolving world of education, short course provisioning has emerged as a dynamic and indispensable feature of South Africa’s training system. These courses cater to the needs of workplace environments with a “just in time” and “just enough” approach to learning, making them an efficient and cost-effective solution for both employers and employees. But what exactly distinguishes credit-bearing from non-credit-bearing courses? Let’s dive in and explore the difference.
Simply put, a short course is a type of short learning program designed to meet specific needs, and it may or may not award credits, depending on its purpose. A credit-bearing short course, as the name suggests, awards credits in relation to its contribution to a particular program, unit standard, or qualification. These courses typically contain less than 120 credits and can lead to the achievement of credits relevant to a qualification, such as skills programs.
On the other hand, a non-credit-bearing short course does not offer any credits in relation to unit standards or qualifications, depending on the program’s purpose and assessment. These programs might award less than 1 credit or none at all. While both credit-bearing and non-credit-bearing courses have their place in the education and training system, understanding their differences is crucial for learners seeking the right pathway to meet their learning objectives.
A skills program, which falls under short learning programs, is occupationally based and contributes credits towards a qualification registered in the National Qualifications Framework. It is offered by accredited training providers under the oversight of Education and Training Quality Assurance Bodies. Essentially, a skills program is a type of short learning program.
In the new educational approach, the quality assurance of short course provisioning plays a vital role in enhancing the achievement of National Qualifications Framework (NQF) objectives. Quality-assured short course providers and programs offer learners the benefit of credit-bearing courses, making their learning more portable and ensuring greater articulation possibilities and mobility within the education and training sector.
Furthermore, quality assured short learning programs provide learners with flexible pathways to achieve their educational goals, safeguarded by the Education and Training Quality Assurance Bodies (ETQAs). These programs are developed and delivered to align seamlessly with other education and training programs, supporting a dynamic and coherent system of access and articulation.
Vision DCI offers the following Skills Programs that are Quality Assured by SASSETA:
SASSETA Skills Program 1 Reg. Nr. 19SASSETA01
SASSETA Skills Program 2 Reg. Nr. 19SASSETA02
SASSETA Skills Program 3 Reg. Nr. 19SASSETA03
SASSETA Skills Program 4 Reg. Nr. 19SASSETA04
SASSETA Skills Program 5 Reg. Nr. 19SASSETA05
These Skills Programs, in turn, provide credits towards the following SAQA registered qualifications:
SAQA Qualification ID: 58577: National Certificate: General Security Practices – NQF Level 3
SAQA Qualification ID: 57713: Further Education and Training Certificate (FET): Specialist Security Practices – NQF Level 4
These Skills Programs are the ideal training solution for career path development for security officials at any level, from patrol officers to management. Completion of the different programs also qualify security officials for registration for the different grades at PSIRA (Grades E to A). In this regard, also note that whilst these programs award students with credits towards registered qualifications, the normal grades courses offered by PSIRA does not. It is therefore in the best interest of all security officials to complete these programs, even if they did previously complete the PSIRA grades courses. In addition to being credit bearing, the SASSETA Skills Programs also offers a significantly more comprehensive training solution than the PSIRA courses.
Another recent development to keep in mind is that SASSETA no longer recognises courses as credit bearing if they are based on only one Unit Standard. This type of course will therefore only qualify as a non-credit bearing course. Prospective students should therefore verify if courses that were previously presented based on only one Unit Standard have been adapted to comply with the new SASSETA rules in this regard. The Skills Programs referred to above all consists of various Unit Standards and are all fully recognised and accredited by SASSETA.
In conclusion, the distinction between credit-bearing and non-credit-bearing courses is a significant factor for learners navigating South Africa’s education landscape. Understanding the purpose and impact of each type of short course empowers individuals to make informed decisions about their learning journey. Short course provisioning, in conjunction with skills programs, stands as a critical tool to support Human Resource Development (HRDS) and National Skills Development Strategies (NSDS), fostering the growth and adaptability required in our rapidly changing world. This is the approach we follow at Vision DCI to ensure that we offer all our students, no matter on what level they find themselves on their career path, with the best possible training solution for their individual goals.
Please feel free to contact us if you need any further clarification on the issues covered in this post.
If you are interested in any of the topics covered in this post, please consider enrolling in one of our numerous courses covering all aspects of security and CI by following the link below.
