Registering with the SETA Part 2

In this short video we look at registering Assessors with the different SETA’s.

Links used in this video clip.

SAQA Website: www.saqa.org.za

TRAINYOUCAN Video Blog: www.youcantrain.co.za

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See our video online here: http://youtu.be/jyFjvy7OtgE

MY PERSONAL PORTFOLIO

1.  WHAT IS THIS?

Your personal portfolio (sometimes we also refer to it as your CV) is a summary of your workplace and educational experience. Typical layout of our personal portfolio.

• PERSONAL INFORMATION
• EMPLOYMENT AND EDUCATIONAL HISTORY
• WORKPLACE EXPERIENCE
• ACHIEVEMENTS

2.  PURPOSE?

The purpose of your personal portfolio is to provide evidence to the ETQA department (Education Training Quality Authority) of the relevant SETA that you have the scope (the range of an individual’s knowledge and practical/workplace experience) to either provide training, assess or moderate learners in that field. The rule that normally apply to all SETA’s are: a) two years or more workplace experience or b) a qualification/achievement of a higher level.

3. HOW DO THEY CHECK THIS?

The ETQA Managers will follow the following steps.

• Identify the unit standards in your application that you require scope for.
• They then look at the following:

o   They first confirm that the unit standards belong to their SETA by looking at the bottom of the unit standard. (see what qualifications its linked to and what SETA’s can approve these qualifications)

o   Look at the range statement and embedded knowledge on the unit standard for specific instructions on facilitation, assessment or moderation options. (most unit standards don’t have any special requirements)

o   Identify the different specific outcomes and the assessment criteria on the unit standard and match this to your personal portfolio to confirm you have the scope for the area. Pay special attention to the different terminology used in different companies and on the unit standard. You may want to make reference or include different terminology or terms used on your application or CV/personal portfolio to illuminate confusion.

4. PROCESS FOLLOWED.

Proof of your competency and scope will be requested during the following processes.

a) TRAINERS

-Recruitment and appointment of training & educational staff.

-Submission of new skills programmes for approval.

-Training provider accreditation process.

-Site visits conducted by the SETA.

-Form part of the Quality Management Policy for delivery, where the training provider confirm that only qualified and experienced trainers/facilitator will be used to deliver learning material.

b) ASSESSORS

-Qualified Assessors must register/link themselves to the different SETA with the unit standards and request approval to assess someone on a specific unit standard. This process is also referred to as “scope”.

-The Assessor can only assess a learner on a given unit standard if you already a) completed the registration/linking process of the relevant SETA and b) received confirmation from the SETA that he have the scope to assess learners in that unit standard.

-Assessors must also request to be linked to a specific training provider. This process must be done in writing and the following must be in place before this process can be completed. [ a) letter of employment or b) memorandum of agreement on file + a signed copy of rules of conduct]

-During the administration process, the learner will be linked to the assessors name in the SETA’s database. The assessor will only appear in the database if a) he/she is registered with that SETA, b) have the scope to assess the unit standard and c) is linked to the Training Provider). The training provider will not be able to certify and upload the learners if these processes were not followed.

c) MODERATORS

-The same process as for Assessor will be followed to registered Moderators.

-As per the requirements for unit standard 115759 must all moderators a) be registered assessors and b) have the scope to moderate in the specific field and c) completed at least 6 assessments for new qualified individuals.

5. REGISTERING/LINKING WITH SETA’S.

Assessors and moderators can request the required application documents directly from the different SETA’s. SETA’s may also request all applicants to re-apply or update their documents after a set period. This period is normally 3 years from registration or linking to the SETA. Process to follow:

a)      First determine the different unit standards you want to register with.

b)      Then determine the SETA’s they registered with or the SETA you want to use. (The responsible SETA’s will appear at the bottom of the unit standard)

c)      Request or download the application form their website and complete all fields as far as possible.

d)     Include a detailed copy of your CV/personal portfolio.

e)      Include certified copies of your ID book and copies of your achievements in this pack. (date stamped not older than 3 months).

f)       Contact the SETA directly and contact the local of the closest ETQA manager to you.

Question : Does it say anywhere on your portfolio that you can operate a computer, browser the internet or send and receive emails?

You mentioned on your portfolio that you have receptionist experience. Question : Did you mention that you have:

• more than 2 years experience in this field,
• that this experience include answering and making telephone calls,
• that you have experience working with a executive switchboard or just a home telephone,
• that you controlled parcels and stock,
• access control of security ,
• worked with different departments and a staff complement of more than 5 people,
• communicating messages through to different staff,
• handle customer queries and complaints or
• ordering of supplies.

 So lets have a look at what SAQA say about this.

SAQA’s REQUIREMENTS FOR REGISTERING ASSESSORS, POLICY DATES 1st OCT. 2001.

1. All registered assessors must have met the requirements of the generic assessor standard, and should be certificated by the ETDP SETA or by the relevant ETQA in agreement with the ETDP SETA in this regard.
2. All Assessors should be able to demonstrate competence against the new standard, either through participating in a training and assessment programme or through undergoing an RPL process.
3. All registered assessors are registered to assess using specified standards and/or qualifications: the registered assessor must be able to demonstrate competence in relation to these specified standards and qualifications, at or above, the level of the qualifications in question.
4. All registered assessors must have met any additional requirements laid down by their constituent ETQA.

SAQA’s VISSION WITH THIS PROCESS:

Learning is no longer something that is “done to” the learner, but something that the learner is actively involved in. As such, the role of the assessor has changed” from being a “gate-keeper”, who uses assessment to prevent learners from developing further, to a supportive guide who has the success of the learner at heart – so that the learner can gain access to further learning.

SAQA GUIDELINES FOR APPROVING ASSESSORS

Assessors must have proficiency in the subject matter of the discipline or learning area in which the standards and qualifications they are responsible for falls. The assessor should have either the same qualification as the one that is being assessed, or a qualification in the same ‘family’ as the one being assessed. ETQAs need to define what the acceptable “family” is for their qualifications. In some cases however, assessors must have the actual qualification they are assessing – this is especially true for occupations in which lives are at risk. In some cases, ETQAs may wish to insist on a qualification at least one level above the one they are assessing.

This is usually the practice in formal academic qualifications up to level 7.

1. SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTISE

SAQA requirements states the following:– ‘the registered assessor must be able to demonstrate competence in relation to the specified standards and qualifications, at or above, the level of the qualifications in question’.

However, the exact requirements must be decided by the ETQA in relation to assessments within its primary focus.

2. TEXTUAL EXPERTISE

Assessors should:

• know exactly what is expected of the learners by way of standards which the learners have to meet.
• have cross-field knowledge but remain subject-matter and/or occupational experts
• understand what forms of assessment are appropriate to their discipline/field and to the NQF level being assessed.
• have relevant occupational qualifications.
• understand the ‘language’ of the field they are assessing, i.e. both the technical terminology as well as the ways of thinking and doing that are required of them to be competent as, assessors.
• keep up to date with developments in their field.
• regularly ask learners for feedback on assessment in order to constantly monitor and improve their (assessors’) practice.
• know the curriculum and trainers/educators/facilitators through regular contact and provide them with detailed feedback.
• take into consideration other factors when conducting assessments, i.e. language by making use of interpreters and learners with special needs.
• ensure that learners are clear about what is expected of them.
• treat learners with respect and sensitivity.
• demonstrate a broad understanding of outcomes-based forms of assessment and the NQF.
• ensure that the relationship between the learner and assessor during the assessment is conducive to the assessment.
• understand their own role within the broader quality assurance system and keep up to date in related fields of study.
• ensure that the environment for assessment is conducive to assessment.
• demonstrate that they are competent to deal with the following: assessment environment, assessment instrument and assessment system.
• know how to provide feedback on the standards and qualifications to releveant standards setting bodies.
• have expertise in the specific learning area and generic knowledge in other related learning areas for integrated assessment practice.

All registered constituent assessors must meet the requirements of this standard and be certificated by the ETDP SETA or by the relevant ETQA in agreement with the ETDP SETA.

This standard is a prerequisite for assessor registration with their constituent ETQA. However, the quality assurance of generic standards must be agreed upon by each ETQA with the ETDP SETA.

3. EDUCATION, TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT (ETD) EXPERTISE

The exact requirements must be decided by the ETQA in relation to assessments within its primary focus.

 For example:

• How many years experience is necessary in particular sub-fields in addition to the required generic assessor standard and the field qualification?
• Does the assessor in this particular context need any ETD expertise which is not covered by the standard ‘Plan and conduct assessment of learning outcomes’?

4. PLANNING, ADMINISTRATIVE AND MANAGEMENT SKILLS

Assessors need to demonstrate that they have relevant planning, administrative and management skills. They need to demonstrate that they can manage and utilize basic information systems to ensure that the applicable administrative and reporting requirements are reliable, efficient and secure.

Assessors should also conduct themselves with integrity and ensure that learners are aware that they have recourse to the appeal system.

These skills and values are integral to the generic assessor standard required by SAQA, therefore no additional criteria need to be included.

5.  INTERPERSONAL SKILLS

It is important for assessors to have appropriate interpersonal skills and to communicate effectively with learners. The assessor needs to establish a trusting relationship with learners – not only to perform optimally during assessment, but also to assure the learners that the assessor has their interests at heart, i.e. that:

• The assessment is fair.
• The assessor acts with integrity.
• The assessor maintains confidentiality.
• The assessment is conducted according to the principles of a good assessment and the requirements of the standard and or qualification.

These skills and values are integrated into the generic assessor standard required by SAQA, and no additional criteria should normally be needed. It is virtually impossible for ETQAs to evaluate assessors’ interpersonal skills, but providers should note that such qualities might be considered in the selection of candidates for assessor training.

It must be emphasized that the criteria for the registration of assessors must refer directly to applied competence of the assessor within the sector. Provision must be through providers accredited by the ETDP SETA or by another ETQA in agreement with the ETDP SETA, in keeping with the NQF principles of access and transparency. Sector-specific criteria, additional to the generic assessor standard must be made publicly available to all potential providers.

A copy of the SAQA policy document of October 2001 can be downloaded from this link.

Download our help file here with your Personal Portfolio. MY PERSONAL PORTFOLIO 2014

Download the word template for your Personal Portfolio here. MY PERSONAL PORTFOLIO 2014.Templatedoc

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