National Qualifications Framework Act, 2008 (Act No. 67 of 2008)

Notices

Occupational Qualifications Sub-Framework Policy

3. Purpose of the Occupational Qualifications Sub-Framework (OQSF)
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3.1 The purpose of the OQSF is to facilitate the development and registration of quality assured occupational (including trade-related) qualifications, part-qualifications and skills programmes from NQF Level 1 to 8. The OQSF makes available occupational qualifications and part-qualifications that give people access to occupations, trades and/or relevant professions.

 

3.2 The OQSF gives effect to the Ministerial determination of the Sub-frameworks that comprise the National Qualifications Framework, Government Notice 1391 published in Gazette No. 44031 of 24 December 2020. It meets the needs of existing and emerging sectors by ensuring that all learners, professionals, workers, unemployed and those classified as NEET (not in employment, education or training), are equipped with relevant and portable competencies that support lifelong employability.

 

3.3 The OQSF is designed to:

 

3.3.1 Facilitate the education and training of post-school learners who will contribute to the social, cultural and economic development of South Africa and participate successfully in the variety of skills needed in the global economy.

 

3.3.2 Be comparable with occupational qualifications offered by foreign institutions and international standards, where applicable.

 

3.3.3 Be suitably flexible to accommodate the development of emerging trade and occupational qualification types and part-qualifications as the need arises.

 

3.3.4 Be simple, easy to understand and user-friendly for the occupational education and training system and its stakeholders.

 

3.3.5 Facilitate the articulation of occupational qualifications and part-qualifications within the OQSF, and between the OQSF and the other two NQF Sub-Frameworks - and assist learners to identify potential progression routes (options), such as entry, exit and learning pathways, particularly in the context of lifelong learning.

 

3.3.6 Facilitate vertical, horizontal and diagonal progression within the sub-framework, and across the NQF through articulation with the other sub-frameworks.

 

3.3.7 Facilitate articulation through the utilisation of articulation pathway maps for each registered occupational qualification and part qualification both within and between sub-frameworks.