QCTO

Why is the QCTO being established?

The Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO) is being established in terms of a revised implementation of the National Qualifications Framework. The QCTO will focus on those aspects of learning which are required for occupational competence. Those occupations include trades (artisan) and relevant professions.

The Ministers of Education and Labour – in carrying the political responsibility for NQF implementation - issued a Joint Policy Statement on the Review of the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) during August 2007 which provides for the establishment of the QCTO in conjunction with the other Quality Councils (QCs) for General and Further, and Higher Education.

The Joint Policy Statement is the product of an exhaustive review process that was initiated in 2001. It forms the basis for the development of a new act, the National Qualifications Framework Act which will govern the revised implementation. In accordance with these changes there is a simultaneous revision of a number of related existing acts of parliament including the Skills Development Act