Dept of Higher Education & Training & Engineering Council of South Africa Joint Technical Task Team (DHET/ECSA JTTT) ENGINEERING COUNCIL OF SOUTH AFRICA EASTERN CAPE ROAD SHOW

2 PROJECT SCOPE/PURPOSE: The scope of work of the joint working group is focused on providing recommendations to the Department regarding the: Introduction of a formal programme accreditation system in the FET sector A pilot for improving quality of programmes in colleges Improving the FET lecturer capacity in engineering studies at the colleges Establishing a formal relationship with the Quality Councils with specific focus on Umalusi and QCTO if a formal accreditation system is to be introduced.

3 CURRENT STATUS: At the meeting of the DHET-ECSA JTTT, TVET (Technical Vocation Education & Training) – Working Group Meeting held on 18 February 2014 the following formed the core of the discussions: Currently at DHET there are four(4) different working groups with overlapping mandates. The Terms of Reference (TOR) for this Project (DHET- ECSA - JTTT) is in the process of being formalised though the DDG’s of both VCET (Continuing Vocational Education & Training) and HE. The work being done through this project is to develop a Framework for all disciplines. The need for the development of an Engineering Science curriculum was highlighted and the necessity for that it be declared a compulsory subject for the Engineering and Related Design (ERD) option

The need to introduce drawing as a subject. The necessity to address certain areas of specialisation such as Machining and Structural. The current National Certificate (Vocation) [NC(V)] is too rigid. The need for the development of lecturing staff and Continuing Professional Development. The need for a basis of registration of lecturing staff including those without a formal qualification. TVET Sector needs to align with the ECSA standards at NQF Level 5. The custodian responsible for the Accreditation of the TVET Colleges and Programmes needs to be considered.

5 CRITICAL ISSUES AND DECISIONS REQUIRED ECSA will need to ensure that progress is being made to address the Seven Levers and additional themes highlighted at the Engineering Summit of However, ECSA needs to take note that any improvement, development in terms of curriculum review and lecturing staff development requires funding and capacity. To review a curriculum requires the following: –Writers –Screening –Lecturing development –Infrastructure –Three year phase in process.

Potential avenues to assist with the mandate of the task team is: –Involvement of the Voluntary Associations –The South African College Principals Organisation It is envisaged that ECSA will play a significant role in accreditation of the TVET arena and this will require a significant increases in capacity and resourcing within ECSA. The End