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Short Courses & Skills Programmes

Short course provisioning is one of the most dynamic features of South Africa's emerging education and training system. These courses are particularly associated with ‘just in time’, and ‘just enough’ learning to meet specific needs in workplace environments. This approach is a viable and common method for optimal workplace functioning in many contexts. It makes access to learning manageable, and saves the employers and the employees money, time, energy and resources.

In essence, a short course is a type of short learning programme through which a learner may or may not be awarded credits, depending on the purpose of the programme. A Credit-bearing short course is a type of short learning programme for which credits, in relation to the course's contribution to a particular programme, unit standard and/or (part) qualification, is are awarded. (Paraphrased from CHE, 2001:44). A credit-bearing short course contains less than 120 credits. An example is skills programmes leading to the achievement of credits in relation to a qualification.

A Non-credit-bearing short course is a type of short learning programme for which no credits are awarded in relation to unit standards or (part) qualifications depending on the purpose and/or assessment of the programme. An example is programmes where less than 1 credit can be awarded.

Relationship between a short course and a skills programme

A skills programme is occupationally based and when completed will constitute credits towards a qualification registered in terms of the National Qualifications Framework. Provisioning is undertaken by a training provider accredited by an Education and Training Quality Assurance Body (Skills Development Act No. 97 of 1998). A skills programme is a type of short learning programme.