FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS WRT LEARNERSHIPS

What is a learnership?

A learnership is one way of achieving a national qualification. Learnerships were developed to address skills needs that exist in our industry and help us meet the skill shortages that our industry faces. It is a work-based route of achieving a national qualification. It combines structured work-place exposure (how), and theory learning (why), and result in a qualification that has been registered on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF), and is recognized throughout the country. The success of a learnership is based on achieving competency in its outcomes (Whether at the end the learner can practically use the skills that have been taught). This will be assessed throughout the duration of the learnership.Successful candidates will achieve a nationally recognized qualification.

How were these learnerships and qualifications developed?

The Secondary Agriculture: Processing Standards Generating Body (SGB), established within Agriculture and Nature Conservation (NSB01), established a workgroup consisting of subject matter experts and representatives of the various sectors. The workgroup generated unit standards and the following national qualifications:

National Certificate in General abattoir processes at NQF 2
National Certificate in Abattoir slaughtering processes at NQF 2
National Certificate in Abattoir supervision at NQF 3
Further Education and Training Certificate in Meat examination at NQF 4
Further Education and Training Certificate in Meat classification at NQF 4

Line staff was involved for inputs and verification of developments. Regular meetings were held and updates were given regarding progress as well as process obstacles, which were then resolved through SETASA involvement.Comparisons were done against international unit standards and qualifications. Best practice points were highlighted and used.It was acknowledged that other bodies - local, provincial, and private, also have an interest in the industry and therefore, the programme was designed to cater for their needs as well. Draft documentation was discussed at a broad consultative forum by means of the Coordinating Committee for Abattoir Training and the following additional organisations:

National Department of Agriculture
IMQAS
Technikon Pretoria
Provincial Government (Veterinary public health)
Abattoirs throughout South Africa
Red meat SSU
Employers and employee representatives
SETASA

The processes of broad and narrow consultation ensured the quality of these qualifications. The contribution of the subject matter experts and line staff proved to be invaluable to the quality of the qualifications. The principles that apply are democratic participation, transparency, and credibility.

What qualifications and learnerships have been registered thus far for Red meat?

The following qualifications have been registered, or are in the process of registration with SAQA:

QUALIFICATION TITLE
ID NO

STATUS

National Certificate in General abattoir processes 48655 Registered

National Certificate in Abattoir slaughtering processes 48660 Between public comment & registration

National Certificate in Abattoir supervision 48902 Registered (Needs to be revised)

Further Education & Training Certificate in Meat examination 48651 Between public comment & registration

Further Education & Training Certificate in Meat classification 48649 Between public comment & registration

For the qualification, National Certificate in General Abattoir Processes, two learnerships have been registered with the Department of Labour:

Learnership: General Abattoir Processes: Business
Learnership: General Abattoir Processes: Customer Relations

These learnerships culminate in the same qualification. The only difference is in the elective unit standard selection where the learner has the choice of business or customer relation orientation. Learnership development for the other qualifications will commence upon registration of the qualifications.

Who qualifies for enrolling on the learnerships?

Any worker in the abattoir with appropriate levels of competence in Communication, Languages, and Numeracy equivalent to NQF 1 (Grade 9) can enroll for this learnership. However, as this qualification is a pre requisite for the National Certificate Abattoir Slaughtering Processes, we advise that priority should be given to slaughter operators wishing to enroll.

What about female learners?

There is no exclusion from entering this learnership on the base of gender.

What is required from an employer to qualify for registering learners?

In order for employers to register learners some requirements to be considered are:

Employers need to be registered with a relevant SETA (SETASA or FOODBEV)
Work place skills plans must have been submitted to the SETA
Facilities have to be available for training (Theory)
Learners have to be onNQF1 level (To be determined during pre assessment)
Three species will be needed for practical training (Multi skilling and worker exchange)
Unemployed learners also need to be accommodated.

How do I enroll my workers on the learnership?

Upon receipt of the completed list that was sent to you, arrangements will be made for a pre assessment of the identified workers. Those found to be suitable candidates will sign a Learnership Agreement, which is a contract between the employer, provider, and the learner. A copy of this agreement is available upon request.

What if I cannot presently enroll my workers on a full learnership?

We are currently in the process of registering skills programs for sub sections of the qualifications. Completion of these will earn the learner competence for the relevant unit standards and earn him/her credits therefore on the NQF. When a learner enrolls for a learnership at a later stage, these sections do not have to be repeated. The following skills programs are currently under development:

Animal handling
Carcass handling
Beef slaughter
Small stock slaughter
Pig slaughter
Ostrich slaughter
Evisceration
Split and dress carcasses
Details for application will be provided as soon as these programs have been registered.

What are the benefits for the employer?

Registering learners entitles you to a tax credit (up to R25000 per learner) and an additional credit (up to R25000 per learner) on successful completion of the learnership. SETASA will pay unemployed learners an allowance of R120 per week and you will have the choice to offer employment to successful candidates by the end of the learnership.

How do I claim the tax incentive?

In order to claim the tax incentive, you will need to fill in the form that is available on the SARS website (IT 180 English or IB 180 Afrikaans).

Who will train my workers?

Only an accredited training provider may offer a learnership. The learnership has been registered with the Department of Labour and has been allocated a Learnership Registration Number. The RMAA will present this learnership in association with the Open Learning Group (OLG). OLG will present fundamental unit standards while the RMAA will present Core and Elective unit standards.

When, where and for how long will the training take place?

Training will commence in February 2005 and last until end November 2005. Training will proceed according to the schedule that has been sent to you. It will be a combination of structured work-place learning, and theory learning.