• The college will conduct a needs analysis to identify industry and community needs for the particular qualification and programme

• The college academic board will analyse, approve and recommend the programme to the college council

• The college council will approve the offering of the programme

After internal approval has been granted, the Chief Executive Officer of the college will forward an application to the Director: FET. The contents of the application should briefly include:

• proof of the need for the programme

• the benefit of the programme to learners and the college

• the level and credit value of the programme

• resource requirements such as staffing, facilities and curriculum resources

• the proposed funding model with identified funding sources

Programme approval will be granted on the following base:

the relevance of the programme to the needs of industry and society

the strategic niche areas of the college

the level of the qualification

the identified and available resources which includes educator capacity and learning material

the mix of vocational and occupational programmes offered by the college

Upon approval, the college will forward an application for programme approval and quality assurance of the learning programme to the relevant ETQA under whose auspices the qualification and unit standards fall. A copy of the WCED approval letter must accompany the application. The contents of the application should include:

• the title of the qualification as registered with SAQA

• the learning field and sub-field

• the NQF level and credit value of the qualification

• full contact details of the college contact person(s)

The ETQA will

• on receipt of the application establish contact with the college

• send documentation for the evaluation of the learning programme

• notify the college of receipt of the programme evaluation documentation

• follow internal procedures with regard to programme evaluation and approval

• notify WCED and the college of the result of the programme evaluation

• clarify arrangements with regard to the certification of learners

Please refer to Circular No.: 0045/2000.

Public FET colleges may apply for additional programme approval as the need arises. WCED will respond to the college within twenty one days of receiving the application.