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MQA EDUCATIONAND TRAININGQUALITYASSURANCE

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1. Functions

The proviso for the accreditation of Education and Training Quality Assurance (ETQA)bodies was promulgated in 1998, when ETQA regulations were published. Theirresponsibility included accrediting providers of education and training standardsand qualifications, registered on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF),auditing the quality of learning provision and assessment, registering assessors,moderators and issuing valid certificates to learners.

The ETQA also certifies a system that promotes and maintains quality by:

Ensuring that all training providers seeking accreditation in the Mining and Minerals Sector, implement the ISO 9001:2000 Quality Management System together with other requirements as stated by SAQA. Registering all assessors responsible for evaluating any Mining and Minerals registered unit standards. Successfully assessing each learner against all the unit standards that make up a particular qualification and then issuing a qualification certificate against competence for that learner. This certificate will only be issued for qualifications obtained that have been registered on the NQF.

Primary Function is ensuring value through:

1. Accrediting training providers for specific standards or qualifications registered on the NQF;2. Quality assurance of learner achievements by registered assessors in accordance with required standards and criteria;3. Evaluation of learning programmes;4. Improving the quality and relevance of education and training in the sector;5. Supporting provider development;6. Establishing and maintaining a database by recording learner achievements;7. Certification; and8. Assessor Registration.

CertificationIn terms of the SAQA Act, the MQA is accredited by SAQA to fulfil the functions as contemplatedin Regulation 9 of the ETQA Regulations R 1127 of 1998 to, inter alia, conduct the function ofcertification.

The MQA fulfils this by:

Issuing certificates to learners who have proved competence against a qualification; Issuing statements of attainment to learners who have proved competence against a skills programme; Issuing certificates of accreditation to Training Providers that have met all the requirements to receive full accreditation status; Ensuring that the currency of certificates by monitoring the security of certificates.MQA

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CEAssessor Registration

The registration of assessors forms one part of the quality assurance process designed to ensurethe credibility of the assessment system. This function has been devolved to the ETQA’s by SAQA.The SAQA requirements demands that Assessors are registerd with ETQA.

The purpose of assessment is to measure outcomes. In standards-based assessment, the learnerpresents evidence to the assessor that he/she has met the outcomes of the unit standards. It isthe role of the assessor to judge this evidence and declare competence (when appropriate). Theassessor gives feedback to the learner regarding the assessment decision. The assessor willrecommend whether additional coaching and or learning and or assessment are needed.

Assessment emphasizes the assessment of outputs and end products, which are expressed asoutcomes and competence. The assessment criteria measures applied competence, which consistsof Practical, Foundation and Reflexive competence.

This means that the leaner must: Be able to perform a set of tasks in an authentic setting; Demonstrate understanding of what and why he is doing something; Be able to integrate performance with understanding, so as to be able to show that he/she can adapt to changed circumstances, and then explain the reasons for change.

Why do we need assessors?The reason for the registration of assessors is to enhance the credibility of assessment decisions,which ultimately impacts on the awarding of unit standards and/or qualifications.

MQA Requirements for the Registration of Constituentt Assessors

In order for one to register as an assessor with theMQA, one must:

Must be found competent on the “Plan and condact assessment of learning outcomes” by an ETDP SETA accredited Training Provider; Must be a subject matter except in the field for which one is applying to assess; Must be linked to an MQA linked company, and Must complete and submit all relevant documents to the MQA.

Quality Assurance Learner Achievements

Accredited providers must ensure that the following deliverables are adhered to prior to therecognition of provider assessments and certification of learners by the MQA:

1. Learner achievements reflect genuine competence against registered unit standards and qualifications at the relevant/associated level;

2. Assessment of achievements are fair, valid and reliable;

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CE 3. Assessments are in line with SAQA policies and procedures, for quality assurance

of learner achievements; and

4. All assessment systems are in place and operational

Learner achievements are validated to ensure that assessment of learners complies with nationalstandards and qualifications. Such verification processes, are validation mechanisms used to verifyrecommendations on awards, and to ensure that assessments are accurately conducted andmoderated. The quality assurance of learner achievements ends with the endorsement process,whereby the recommendations from the provider in relation to learner achievements are endorsedby the MQA ETQA in terms of its certification process.

Provider Accreditation Requirements

The MQA, acting in its capacity as an ETQA, has a responsibility to maintain quality of assessmentsthroughout the mining industry. One means of doing this is to establish criteria for the accreditationof providers and registration of assessors. In terms of the SAQA ETQA Regulation 1127 of 1998,the MQA must also audit quality of providers, moderate assessment and review qualifications andunit standards for the mining industry.

Assessments System;

Moderation System;

Learning Delivery System;

QMS (ISO 900:2000)MQA

Applicants as training providers can fall into one of three categories:

Provides only education and training services;

Provides only assessment services;

Provides the full spectrum of education, training and assessment services.

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All providers may be accredited by the MQA ETQA, provided that thebody seeking accreditation:

1. is registered as a provider in terms of the applicable legislation at the time of application for accreditation

2. has a recognised quality management system (ISO 9001:2000) which includes but is not limited to:

• quality management policies, which define that which the provider wishes to achieve

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CE• quality management procedures, which enable the provider to practise its defined

quality management policies, or

• review mechanisms, which ensure that the quality management policies and procedures defined are applied and remain effective;

3. has the ability to achieve the desired outcomes, using available resources and procedures considered by the ETQA to be required to develop, deliver and evaluate

learning programmes, which culminate in specified registered standards or qualifications;

4. has the necessary financial, administrative and physical resources;

5. has the policies and practices for staff selection, appraisal and development;

6. has the policies and practices for learner entry, guidance and support systems;

7. has the policies and practices for the management of off-site practical or work-site components;

8. has the policies and practices for the management of assessment which include appeals systems;

9. has the necessary reporting procedures;

10. has a declaration of suitability of a workplace (Provider and/or Employer) for training and/or assessment;

11. has not already been granted accreditation by or applied for accreditation to another ETQA.

Accreditation will only be granted if the MQA is satisfied that all the criteria for accreditation havebeen met. Upon receiving accreditation, each provider will be issued a certificate by the MQA. Thiscertificate shall state that the organisation’s accreditation number and the scope which the provideris accredited to deliver.

MQA Supports Provider Development by:

1. Continuously disseminating information on quality assurance practices and issues to providers, other ETQA’s, and relevant stakeholders in the industry;

2. Aligning providers’ quality management systems with ISO 9001 2000 requirements;

3. Building capacity in relation to good practice assessment, moderation and Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL);

4. Making available opportunities to participate in programmes that support emerging providers, concentrating on the small, medium and micro providers and previously disadvantaged providers;

5. Promoting an accessible and informative website;

6. Raising awareness and promoting debate around quality assurance issues and practices.

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Step 1: The applicant accesses the application documentation via the MQA

Website (www.mqa.org.za) or from the MQA ETQA Department. A

letter of intent has to be submitted to the MQA ETQA Department.

Step 2: MQA ETQA Department conducts an information session with the

applicant

Applicant submits the application with the supporting documentation

to the ETQA department at the MQA Office

Step 3:

Accreditation Process

Step 4: The MQA ETQA Unit acknowledges receipt of the application

Step 5: The MQA ETQA Unit carries out a desk evaluation on the submission

and arranges an pre audit visit

Step 6: The MQA ETQA Unit arrange for an accreditation audit visit

Step 7: The ETQA Sub Committee recommends the accreditation/rejection

to the ETQA Committee

The MQA accredits the applicant as a training providerStep 8:

Step 9: The MQA ETQA committee ratifies the accreditation of the applicant

Step 10: The MQA ETQA Department issues a letter and certificate of

accreditation to the applicant via the department

Step 11: In situations of a denial/rejection of accreditation, the MQA ETQA

Unit sets a date with all parties to discuss the outcome with the

applicant guided by the MQA ETQA appeals process

Note: Accreditation Application Forms and Guidelines are available at the MQA ETQA Unit and

on the MQA website.

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CEProgramme Evaluation

Programme Evaluation leads to the award of standards and qualifications that fall within the MQA’sprimary focus. Learning programmes that meet specified criteria will be declared fit for purposeand approved.

Who should apply for programme evaluation?1. Training providers as part of their accreditation application;2. Accredited providers, for extension of accreditation to new programmes;3. Providers within the primary focus of other ETQA’s with programmes that fall under the MQA ETQA focus, these providers should apply via their primary ETQA’s.

The MQA ETQA functions on Programme evaluation:

1. Programmes must culminate in credits against the achievement of registered unit standards and qualifications;

2. The curriculum (both design & content) must be appropriate to the standards and qualification;

3. Learners must have access to learner support - assessment methods and tools must meet requirements for the unit standard or qualification;

4. Practitioners, assessors and moderators must have the necessary expertise.

The MQA ETQA Provider code of conduct:

Prospective providers of Education and Training, accredited by the MQA ETQA, must take note of the MQA ETQA.

Provider Code of Conduct.

The same applies to the MQA ETQA Provider accreditation guidelines available from the ETQA department at head office.

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PRIVATE BAG X118MARSHALLTOWN, 2107

TEL: (011) 630-3500 FAX: (011) 832 1027

Email: qualityassurance@mqa.org.za4th Floor UNION CORPORATION BUILDING

74 - 78 MARSHALL STMARSHALLTOWN,JOHANNESBURG

www.mqa.org.za

The contents of this brochure are for generalinformation and illustrative purposes only andare not intended to serve as financial or anyother type of advice. The MQA makes norepresentation as to the accuracy of theinformation on this document. Reliance on anyinformation on this brochure shall be at theuser's own discretion. For more updatedinformation, please contact the MQA.