FET College

Accreditation process for offering the National Certificate Vocational (NCV) Programme

FET College

Accreditation process for offering the National Certificate Vocational (NCV) Programme

(NCV) PROGRAMME

ACCREDITATION PROCESS FOR OFFERING THE NATIONAL CERTIFICATE VOCATIONAL (NCV) PROGRAMME

Introduction to the NCV

The National Certificate Vocational (NCV) was introduced in South Africa in 2007 as part of a national strategy to address the growing demand for a skilled and employable workforce. This qualification offers students practical and theoretical training to prepare them for specific career paths, industries, or further education.

It is aligned with the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) at NQF Levels 2, 3 and 4 (Grades 10,11 & 12) and aims to provide a robust alternative to the traditional National Senior Certificate (NSC). The NSC was largely designed for admission entry into university whereas the NCV offers students an alternative qualification, where they focus on qualifications with a job (vocational) focus.

Fields of Study

The NCV offers students diverse fields of study designed to meet industry-specific needs for 3 levels viz.

NCV Level 2 (Grade 10); NCV Level 3 (Grade 11) and NCV Level 4 (Grade 12). Key fields of study or areas of study include:

  • Office Administration
  • Marketing
  • Hospitality
  • Engineering and Related Design
  • Safety in Society (Policing)
  • Management (Business)
  • Transport and Logistics
  • Primary Agriculture
  • Tourism
  • Finance, Economics, and Accounting
  • Process Instrumentation
  • Process Plant Operations
  • Civil Engineering and Building Construction
  • Education and Development (Teaching)
  • Electrical Infrastructure Construction
  • Information Technology and Computer Science

Rules for the NCV Qualification

To achieve an NCV qualification:

Entry Requirements

Students must have completed at least Grade 9 to enroll in an NCV Level 2 programme.

Programme Structure

The NCV spans Levels 2, 3, and 4 of the NQF, equivalent to Grades 10, 11, and 12. Each level typically takes one year to complete.

Subject Requirements

Students must take seven subjects, including three compulsory fundamental subjects (Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy, Language of Instruction, and Life Orientation) and four vocational subjects.

Assessment

Assessment includes both internal assessments (conducted by the institution) and external examinations moderated by the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET).

Progression and Completion

To progress to the next level or achieve certification, students must meet minimum performance criteria in both fundamental and vocational subjects.

ACCREDITATION PROCESS WITH UMALUSI

Accrediting a private Further Education and Training (FET) college to offer the NCV programme involves a rigorous process to ensure quality standards are met. The steps include:

Application Submission

  • Registration with DHET: Before seeking accreditation from Umalusi, a private FET college must register with the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET).
  • Accreditation Application: Once registered with DHET, the institution applies to Umalusi for accreditation to offer the NCV programmes.
  • Exam Centre Registration: An application must be made to the national Department of Education for registration as an Exams Centre.

Evaluation Process

  • Institutional Evaluation: Umalusi assesses the college’s capacity, including governance, infrastructure, and compliance with statutory requirements.
  • Programme Evaluation: The NCV programmes are evaluated to ensure alignment with NQF standards, curriculum requirements, and industry relevance.
  • Exam Centre Registration: The institution is assessed top establish if it can function as a national examinations centre

Quality Assurance

  • Site Visits: Umalusi may conduct on-site inspections after a year to validate the college’s readiness and ensure that facilities, resources, and staff qualifications meet the required standards. At this point, there is an expectation that the institution has enrolled the first cohort of learners, and has administered the academic programme to the first group of learners.
  • Compliance Verification: The institution must demonstrate adherence to Umalusi’s quality standards, including qualified educators, proper learner support mechanisms, and adequate resources.

Accreditation Decision

  • Outcome Notification: Based on the evaluation, Umalusi will provide the institution with the accreditation outcome.
  • Issuance of Accreditation Certificate: If the application is successful, the college is granted an accreditation certificate, authorizing it to offer the NCV programmes.

Continuous Monitoring

  • Ongoing Compliance: Accredited institutions are subject to regular monitoring and evaluation to ensure sustained compliance with quality standards.

WHY PURSUE UMALUSI ACCREDITATION FOR NCV?

Accreditation assures students, parents, and industry stakeholders that the education provided meets national standards. By securing Umalusi accreditation, private FET colleges demonstrate their commitment to delivering quality vocational education that equips students with the skills and knowledge necessary for employment or further study. Furthermore, accreditation with the Umalusi Council and registration with the DHET ensures that:

  • Student fees are vat exempt at zero rate i.e. no vat is charged on student fees with no turnover ceiling
  • You are a private FET College, which allows for unique and prestigious branding
  • Your institution becomes an official examination centre for the Department of Education, where students write national examinations
  • Being within this triangulated accreditation and registration system, with a record of good standing, facilitates for easier access to into higher education
  • This educational business model is not easy to copy and serves as a barrier to market entry
  • This model serves well for the some 20 million South Africans that don’t have a matric.
  • Umalusi is set to release the Adult Matric / Matric on Demand / National Senior Certificate for Adults (NASCA) and a provider in good standing will definitely be able to obtain additional accreditation much easier by way of extension of scope, rather than going through  a full application process, that may take 18 months

PRICING FOR INITIAL ACCREDITATION

The entire accreditation and registration process for a Private FET College involves the following separate applications and interventions:

  • Umalusi Council for Quality Assurance in General and Further Education and Training – NCV programme accreditation
  • Department of Higher Education and Training – Registration as a Private FET College
  • Department of Education – National Examinations Centre

The pricing is as follows:

  • R 400 K cash  or
  • R425 K on terms payable as follows:
  • R225K deposit
  • R20K x 10 months