Invitation to SAFI Webinar: Qualifications and Skills Development

The South African Furniture Initiative (SAFI) is continuing to support its members by offering information sharing platforms, to assist furniture businesses to sustain and grow the industry. SAFI will therefore be hosting a Series of Webinars to offer its members information and assistance in understanding the intricacies of the shift from Historically Registered Qualifications (HRQ’s), known as Legacy Qualifications, to the new Occupational Qualifications.

1. Furniture Industry Qualifications Workshop:

As the last day, being 30 June 2024, for registering for Legacy Qualifications draws nearer, we need to ensure that industry seamlessly transitions to the available registered furniture qualifications i.e. the Occupational Qualifications. SAFI has therefore arranged a Webinar Workshop for industry, labour and key stakeholders, to discuss how to approach this seemingly daunting task. 

The Workshop will be presented by Judith Smith of Judith Smith Development Services. Judith is consulting to SAFI on the development of the learning material for the Upholstery, Design and Furniture Maker Qualifications. Judith has a Bachelor of Arts (Human and Social Studies) degree in Political Leadership and Citizenship, Bachelor of Arts Honours in Gender Studies and is currently studying for a Master’s Degree in Public Management. She is also author and co-author of a number of publications.

This session is designed to assist training providers, assessors, and industry professionals in seamlessly navigating the changes within our sector and will focus on the role of the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO), discussing topics such as:

• Accreditation Processes: Steps and standards for training providers.
• Assessment Centres: Establishment and operations for optimal functionality.
• Material Development: Creating and curating resources aligned with occupational standards.
• Learnerships: Integration and management of learnerships within the new framework.
• Resources: Identifying and accessing the necessary tools to facilitate these processes

2. Design Competition:

Ms Tsholofelo P Motaung, from the Furniture Sector Desk at the dtic, has also been invited to present details of the Design Competition.

Your attendance at this webinar will enable you to make informed decisions when transitioning from the HRQs to the Occupational Qualifications and will assist in ensuring that you are able to claim for mandatory or discretionary funding or special projects that you set up.  Please find attached the Agenda. 

For your reference, the qualifications, part qualifications and skills programmes that are currently registered and available, can be accessed via the SAFI Website – https://www.southafricanfurnitureinitiative.co.za/training-qualifications/

Who should attend: The webinar will be pitched at:

• Senior Operational Management – to understand the major changes in qualifications,
• HR Managers – to understand the processes involved for learners and workplace accreditation for factories, and
• Finance Managers – to understand the new criteria for claiming skills development levy refunds.

Date:                   Thursday, 23 May 2024

Time:                   14h30 – 16h00

Location:           MS Teams              

Please click here to register:

RSVP – Google Forms

We look forward to your attendance and participation.