Programme Director, Ms Matshepo Seedat

Director-General of the Department of Higher Education and Training, Dr Nkosinathi Sishi

CEO of the South African Qualifications Authority, Ms Nadia Starr,

CEO of the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations, Mr Vijayen Naidoo,

Acting CEO of the National Skills Fund, Ms Melissa Erra 

CEOs of the various SETAs,

Leadership of SAPCO,

Deputy Directors-General of the Department,

Members of the media,

Ladies and gentlemen,

As we enter Youth Month, we do so at a significant moment in our nation's history. This year marks 50 years since the youth of 1976 courageously stood up and demanded access to quality education and a more just society. Their actions changed the course of our country and continue to inspire our efforts to build an education and training system that expands opportunity and empowers future generations. Education remains at the centre of South Africa's development agenda. The decisions we take today will shape the future of skills development, training, employment and economic participation for years to come.

We are here this morning to announce important transitional arrangements that affect learners, training providers, employers, SETAs and institutions across South Africa's Post-School Education and Training system. Today's briefing focuses on the implementation of the Directive on Transitional Arrangements for Pre-2009 Qualifications and our broader efforts to modernise, strengthen and future-proof the National Qualifications Framework. The transition from legacy qualifications to occupational qualifications represents one of the most significant reforms in South Africa's post-school education and training landscape.

Let me state from the outset that this transition is not about invalidating qualifications that people have worked hard to achieve, nor is it about diminishing the value of learning that has already taken place. Every qualification that has already been awarded remains valid, recognised and recorded on the National Learners' Records Database (NLRD). The legacy qualifications, as they are called, have contributed meaningfully to workforce development and economic participation over many years. However, these qualifications have favoured the classroom over the workshop. What we are introducing are qualifications that guarantee practical experience and workplace placement. It is about modernising the system to make the Skills Revolution a reality.

BACKGROUND

On 3 June 2024, the Directive on the Implementation and Transitional Arrangements for Pre-2009 Qualifications was published in terms of the National Qualifications Framework Act (Act 67 of 2008). The Directive established the policy framework for transitioning South Africa from pre-2009 qualifications towards a modern occupational qualifications system that better reflects workplace requirements, technological advancement and the evolving needs of our economy.

The objectives of the Directive are to:

ensure an orderly transition towards a modernised qualifications framework;

accelerate the development and implementation of occupational qualifications;

strengthen the responsiveness, quality and credibility of qualifications within the Post-School Education and Training system;

improve alignment between education, training and labour market needs; and

reinforce accountability among SETAs, quality councils and other implementing bodies.

PROGRESS TO DATE

Since the publication of the Directive, substantial progress has been achieved through collaboration between the Department of Higher Education and Training and its implementing entities — SAQA, the QCTO, SETAs, public institutions, Skills Development Providers (SDPs) and industry stakeholders. To date, 948 occupational qualifications and part-qualifications have been registered on the National Qualifications Framework.

When the Directive was issued, 1 475 pre-2009 qualifications had reached their registration end date. Following consultation and engagement with stakeholders, 630 qualifications were approved for learner enrolment extension, while the remainder were deregistered owing to the absence of learner enrolment or their replacement by occupational qualifications. All affected qualifications allowed currently enrolled learners sufficient opportunity to complete their studies.

A DIFFERENTIATED APPROACH TO EXTENSIONS

Over the past several months, we consulted with stakeholders to determine whether further transitional support may be required. Government assessed qualifications individually, and they have been categorised to ensure that each is managed according to its level of readiness and its impact on learners and the skills development system. The evidence demonstrates that a differentiated approach is necessary. We also recognise the need for continued consultation, and we will be engaging further with all stakeholders in the coming weeks.

CATEGORY A — OCCUPATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

Category A comprises occupational qualifications that are already registered on the National Qualifications Framework. These are not pre-2009 qualifications and therefore do not require gazetting or further extensions. They will continue to be managed through the existing administrative processes of the QCTO and SAQA, and learners and accredited Skills Development Providers may continue with approved enrolments and delivery.

CATEGORY B — PRE-2009 QUALIFICATIONS AND NATED PROGRAMMES

Category B comprises the pre-2009 qualifications that have been the subject of extensive stakeholder consultation. Following requests from SETAs and industry stakeholders, government has assessed these qualifications individually to determine whether further transitional support is necessary. Where sufficient evidence exists, these qualifications will receive targeted extensions ranging from six months to twenty-four months, depending on sector readiness, learner impact, replacement qualification availability and labour market requirements. Importantly, these are not blanket extensions — each qualification has been assessed on its own merits.

The qualifications approved for extension will be included in the Government Gazette to be published on Monday, 15 June 2026, and the complete list of affected qualifications and their replacement occupational qualifications will also be published on the SAQA website, ensuring public accessibility and transparency.

Learners currently enrolled in these qualifications may continue their studies within the approved transitional arrangements, while accredited Skills Development Providers should familiarise themselves with the applicable extension periods and teach-out requirements.

NATED Report 190-1 Programmes

The NATED Report 190-1 programmes require a separate approach because of their relevance within the education and training landscape. The Department has already issued Circular TC 0134(b) outlining teach-out arrangements, achievement dates and learner support measures. Replacement occupational qualifications have already been developed and are being implemented.

Students currently enrolled in N4 to N6 programmes should therefore continue with their studies as planned and should not be concerned that their qualifications will lose recognition. Furthermore, the Department is working with SETAs, industry partners and other government departments to facilitate placement opportunities that will enable qualifying students to complete their National N Diplomas.

CATEGORY C — REGULATORY UNIT STANDARDS

Category C relates to regulatory unit standards that continue to underpin important statutory and industry programmes. Recognising their continued importance, government is granting extensions of up to three years to allow regulators and industries sufficient time to review programme requirements and transition to replacement occupational skills programmes. This approach ensures continuity in regulated sectors while protecting the public interest and avoiding disruption to economic activity.

CATEGORY D — TRADES

With respect to trades, the position differs depending on the availability of replacement occupational qualifications. Where occupational qualifications have already been developed and implemented, no further extension is required. However, for trades where replacement occupational qualifications have not yet been fully developed or implemented, targeted transitional arrangements of approximately one year may be considered to ensure continuity while development processes are finalised.

WORK INTEGRATED LEARNING

On the Work Integrated Learning (WIL) programme for all students who have acquired the necessary theoretical component of their training. I wish to assure NATED students, and the broader public, that this is being attended to.  We have completed the data verification process for all students who require the 18 or 24 months of workplace-based experience to qualify for their National Diplomas, and we are in the final stages of securing funding for their stipends through various partnerships with industry and other government departments to support placement of students for experiential learning. 

The Department, with the support of the Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs), facilitates the placement of approximately 21 000 TVET students in workplaces annually. The department is also prioritising engagements with employers in the public and private sector to expand the availability of WIL opportunities, while exploring funding mechanisms in collaboration with SETAs and the National Skills Fund and employers. 

GOVERNMENT GAZETTE AND PUBLIC INFORMATION

I am pleased to confirm that the Government Gazette giving effect to these transitional arrangements is currently being finalised and is expected to be published by Monday, 15 June 2026.

To ensure transparency and easy access to information, the SAQA website will comprehensively indicate:

the qualifications that have received extensions;

the applicable duration of each extension;

the associated teach-out arrangements where applicable; and

the corresponding occupational qualifications that will replace the affected pre-2009 qualifications.

We encourage learners, Skills Development Providers, employers, SETAs and all interested stakeholders to consult the SAQA website for accurate information.

Where clarification is required, stakeholders are encouraged to engage directly with the Department of Higher Education and Training, SAQA or the QCTO through their established communication channels, rather than relying on unofficial sources.

TECHNICAL TASK TEAM ON IMPLEMENTATION

In light of the complexity of this reform programme, a Technical Task Team has been appointed to oversee and coordinate the transition process. The Task Team is mandated to identify and resolve implementation bottlenecks, monitor progress against clear timelines, and ensure that the transition proceeds in a structured and orderly manner. It will bring together dedicated workstreams responsible for:

communications and advocacy;

legal and regulatory matters;

SETA coordination;

data management;

Assessment to certification

Quality assurance;  

TVET rollout of new qualifications; 

Funding norms and standards and

monitoring and evaluation.
 

This integrated governance structure will strengthen accountability, improve coordination across institutions and ensure that implementation challenges are addressed proactively.

OUR COMMITMENT

As government advances the transition towards a modernised occupational qualifications system, our foremost priority is to protect the value of qualifications, uphold public confidence in the skills development system, and ensure that every learner is afforded a fair and meaningful pathway to success and employability. This transition is about far more than the replacement of legacy qualifications. It represents a fundamental step in building a more responsive, relevant and future-focused skills development system aligned with the needs of a rapidly evolving economy.

Our objective is clear: to build a qualifications system that commands public trust, meets the demands of industry, supports economic development and equips South Africans with the skills required to thrive in the jobs of today and the opportunities of the future. The transitional arrangements announced today reflect government's determination to achieve this objective without compromising quality, stability or the interests of students.

IMPLEMENTATION BEYOND THE EXTENSION PERIOD

Beyond the extension period, SAQA and the QCTO will continue to monitor implementation, qualification uptake, learner progression and overall system performance, in close collaboration with SETAs, Skills Development Providers, TVET colleges, employers and industry stakeholders, providing regular feedback to the Department.

Finally, South Africa is moving towards a modern, high-quality occupational qualifications system that responds to the needs of industry, strengthens the competitiveness of our economy and expands opportunities for all. This transition is the beginning of a stronger, more responsive and future-ready skills development system that will serve generations of South Africans to come.

I thank you.