South Africa Updates Path for Modern Qualifications System

Manamela said 948 occupational qualifications and part-qualifications have already been registered on the National Qualifications Framework.

Higher Education and Training Minister Buti Manamela has announced transitional arrangements to help South Africa move from older pre-2009 qualifications to a modern occupational qualifications system that better reflects workplace needs, new technologies and changing economic demands.

Speaking at a media briefing in Pretoria, Manamela said the implementation of the Directive on Transitional Arrangements for Pre-2009 Qualifications is part of the government's wider work to strengthen the National Qualifications Framework and protect learners, employers and training providers during the shift. The directive, published on 3 June 2024 under the National Qualifications Framework Act, is designed to make the transition orderly, improve qualification quality and ensure stronger links between education, training and labour market needs.

Over 900 Occupational Qualifications Registered

Manamela said 948 occupational qualifications and part-qualifications have already been registered on the National Qualifications Framework. He explained that 1,475 pre-2009 qualifications had reached their registration end date. Of these, 630 received learner enrolment extensions after consultation with stakeholders.

The remaining qualifications were deregistered because they had no learner enrolment or had already been replaced by occupational qualifications. Learners already enrolled in affected programmes have been given enough time to complete their studies through teach-out arrangements.

Extensions Based on Readiness and Learner Impact

The Minister said government is using a differentiated approach instead of applying one rule to all qualifications.

Category A covers occupational qualifications already registered on the National Qualifications Framework. These do not need further gazetting or enrolment extensions and will continue through existing processes managed by the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations and the South African Qualifications Authority.

Category B covers pre-2009 qualifications and National Accredited Technical Education Diploma programmes. Some of these will receive targeted extensions ranging from six to 24 months, based on learner impact, sector readiness, replacement qualifications and labour market demand.

Manamela said the approved list will be published in the Government Gazette on 15 June 2026, while SAQA will publish the full list of affected qualifications and their replacement occupational qualifications on its website.

Task Team to Guide Implementation

Category C covers regulatory unit standards that still support statutory and industry programmes. These have been granted extensions of up to three years so regulators and industries can review requirements and move to replacement occupational skills programmes without disrupting key sectors.

Trades under Category C will be handled according to the availability of replacement occupational qualifications. Where replacements are already available, no further extension is needed. Where they are still being developed, targeted transitional support of about one year may be considered.

A Technical Task Team has also been established to monitor progress, resolve implementation delays and improve coordination across institutions. Its workstreams will cover communication, legal matters, SETA coordination, data management, assessment, certification, quality assurance, TVET rollout, funding norms and monitoring.

Manamela said the new structure will improve accountability and help ensure that South Africa's qualifications system becomes more responsive, credible and aligned with real workplace requirements.