Thomas Lata responded to direct questions I asked. First Aid accreditation was at the heart of the issue, but the conversation applied in a broader sense to unit standards and the coming changes, as well as ‘regulated training’ (e.g. first aid, LMO, and others). We spoke on 27th October 2022. Points I raised were as follows:
Access the full 43min recorded conversation here.
1. The QCTO must have a first aid curriculum to replace the unit standards being deregistered: Thomas did not agree, and toward the end of the conversation emphasised that that if I were to submit an application for a first aid skills program curriculum he would reject it because it falls under regulated training which is the responsibility of the Department of Labour. This must be addressed urgently with QCTO and DEL. I am doing that.
2. The QCTO must have a first aid curriculum that is less than 8 credits; closer to 5 credits for example: Thomas did not agree, and stated that the minimum number of credits must be 8. He did at some point reluctantly admit that he does not entirely have the authority to make that call.
3. The QCTO and the Department of Labour must come to an agreement: Thomas stated that the department of labour was given time to respond to the QCTO’s letter but has not yet done so. Sounds a little too much like an ultimatum or misunderstanding of power invested in them by the state.
Access the full 43min recorded conversation here.
It is my opinion that:
If any stakeholder agrees with me on those points they must submit that in writing to me so I can add it to the application. Contact me for more.
I made contact with Chief inspector Phumi Maphaha about the first aid issue on 27 October 2022. I started my contact point with the chief inspector because previous authoritative statements about the future of first aid training were made and signed of by the former Chief Inspector Tibor Szana. OHS Act states that the minister (not Chief Inspector) must make regulation on first aid training qualification requirements (section 43, point 1 IX). The two of us have a plan for moving forward constructively. Our next step is making contact with the director general.
We agreed just in conversation that QCTO should be responsible for the curriculum and quality assurance of the training. And that DEL should be responsible for their regulatory responsibility toward safety in that DEL could approve the already given certification. This is almost as it is now.
That 40min conversation was recorded, but I have not shared it here because the summary is sufficient.
I had a conversation with Sandy for a few minutes on 28th October 2022 before the TETA roadshow, and there was also interaction and discussion during the Cape Town roadshow on this issue. Points I raised with Sandy were as follows:
1. Up to what date can providers still submit new applications for accreditation? Sandy has noted that the new providers must submit applications immediately if they wish to achieve accreditation. She stated she has not yet confirmed the exact end date, but it could be as early as December 2022.
2. For providers who are accredited, they can still enroll new learners until 1 July 2024 right? Sandy’s answer is yes, absolutely. That is in line with the published SAQA unit standards. Note that new learners can enroll with you as an accredited training provider until 1 July 2024 (not 2023) and then you have a three year additional teach out period (until 1 July 2027) for those learners you have already enrolled.
3. What is TETA doing about the fact that there are not enough curriculums (QCTO skills programs ) to replace the expiring unit standards: Sandy presented details about how TETA are writing new curriculums and learning material to go with it.
4. What do you suggest training providers and stakeholders do? Sandy suggests giving feedback to TETA, DEL, and QCTO about your issues. The main issues seem to be with first aid, LMO, and other regulated training. Have you given feedback to DEL and QCTO about this? If not do so. Please contact me at Lime Green on how to give feedback.
1. Lime Green Training: Lime Green is engaging on this because it is my business to support training businesses. Sometimes I do things that are out of scope of paid service to any particular client, but serves my clients in general. This is a pressing matter and affects my clients intensely, so I feel compelled to act to protect my client base and my business that serves them. I am not charging for efforts and time spent in this particular issue. History has shown that if I can assist with the solution (which is what I’m doing) it will translate to business (as it did for the DEL / SETA change). I believe the solution lies in getting DEL to regulate the QCTO training. That is the closest possible thing to working in the same direction the organs of state are heading in. Lime Green does not train so there is never a conflict of interest in my approach to serving training businesses.
2. SAIOSH: The brief conversation I had with Graham Pearson on 26th October 2022 shows that there are similar efforts in action on this. I encourage SAIOSH to continue their efforts and service to their paid members. I fully encourage them in their efforts to write a curriculum for first aid. I might parallel this process since I have a proven track record in writing a curriculum and registering it; and quickly. I also have slightly different ideas of how to go about it.
3. ASDSA (Association for skills development SA): I encourage ASDSA to continue their efforts and service to their paid members. I fully encourage them in their efforts to delay the unit standard deregistration process because this will allow more time for writing of curriculums and other preparation for the changes that are probably not going to be stopped or delayed indefinitely.
