www.africanoffroad.co.za

 AFRICAN OFF-ROAD ACADEMY and our members are experiencing numerous queries as to the validity of INFORMAL 4X4 TRAINING CERTIFICATES and wether it can be taken into consideration for RPL (Recognition of Prior Learning)

1 THE WAY FORWARD

We as South Africans realize that we live in a developing third world country.

Rules and regulations governing certain industries such as the 4x4 industry is inevitable.

2 GOVERNING BODY

The NOW (National Off-Road Workshop) has organized themselves and taken up the responsibility to regulate the 4x4 industry and prevent Government intervention through legislation.

There is an initiative in place surrounding controlled or licensed access into ecological sensitive areas.

Our SADEC neighbors are not far behind in following the same initiatives to prevent traffic and promote trade.

SAQA has registered unit standards for 4x4 driving and it is regulated by TETA ETQA and presented by accredited training providers such as AFRICAN OFF-ROAD ACADEMY

3 INFORMAL VS FORMAL TRAINING

·                   Certified Training

Before the registration of the Unit Standards for 4WD training the 4x4 industry had to make use of certified 4WD training.

This training was provided by self acclaimed experts in the 4WD industry whom took advantage of the demand for 4WD training and started their own training operations calling themselves 4x4 instructors

No standard existed so everybody presented their own product under no supervision nor regulation.

On completion of such certified training some learners received a certificate of attendance.

With this in mind I am not saying that the products presented was of substandard, to the contrary. I attended a number of the more prominent programs in my investigations and found some very well presented programs, however I must admit they were in the minority.

A fair amount of different programs saw the light such as� Introduction to 4x4, Level 1-5, Advanced 4x4� and possibly a couple more.

The bottom line, none of which was standardized nor approved by the industry or from a set curriculum to which can be referred to.

·                   Accredited Training

Accredited Training is a step in the right direction. From certified training we moved forward to accredited training were training is formal & standardized. This training is presented by accredited training providers who manage their facilitators, assessors and moderators to provide the highest levels of standardized training.

·                   Accredited providers

Accreditation in South Africa resorts under SAQA and the relevant  SETA's

Accredited providers undergo a strict qualification process to be able to be accredited against the unit standards to be presented.

These providers have to be registered tax payers, as well as have sound policies and procedures in place to name a few requirements before being considered for accreditation.

·                   Regulated

Accredited providers are regulated by the SETA and its ETQA dept (Education Training Quality Assuror)

·                   Qualified Instructors & assessors

Accredited providers have to make use of qualified facilitators (instructors), assessors and moderators to present accredited unit standard training.

A qualified instructor is competent by one level higher than the unit standard presented, competent on the unit standard presented as well as us 117871 Facilitation of learning.

A qualified assessor is competent by one level higher than the unit standard presented, competent on the unit standard presented as well as us 115753 conduct outcomes based assessments.

Assessors have to be registered to assess the relevant unit standard by the SETA.

At African Off-Road Academy it is policy that the facilitator and assessor not be the same person, this ensures quality training and high levels of customer satisfaction.

·                   Formalized certification

Accredited providers present learners with unit standard related skills & knowledge and confirms learners competence with a certificate of competence.

Competent learners receive credits at the specified level on the National Learner Record Database.

Here learners can accumulate credits on various levels to achieve national certificates, diplomas and degrees.

·                   Standardized

All accredited training provided must be related to the relevant Unit Standard presented.

·                   Industry approved

Before a Unit Standard can be approved, it has to undergo certain steps for approval of which one is "public comment" this is were the public or industry can scrutinize the unit standard and raise their comments which is then addressed before approval and registration.

·                   Credits and Levels

All unit standards is allocated credits and a level. The levels are grouped in bands, general education, further education and higher education from level 1 to 8 and recently 11.

The credits allocated refers to the amount of notional learning hours a learner has to complete to qualify for competence.

·                   Unit Standards

US 254135 Apply the techniques for operating four wheel drive (4WD) vehicles, in on-road and off-road conditions. Level 3 Credits 4

US 254154  Apply the advanced techniques for operating four wheel drive (4WD) vehicles, in on-road and off-road conditions. Level 3 Credits 8

US115311  Apply advanced driving skills / techniques in defensive and offensive situations  Level 5 Credits 9

US 377201 Apply advanced driving skills: defensive driving  Level 5 Credits 6

US 377220 Apply advanced driving skills: offensive driving  Level 5 Credits 5

US 242656 Apply technical knowledge and skill in order to manage risk in motor vehicle losses due to theft and hijacking. Level 4 Credits 3

US 117871 Facilitation of learning Level 5 Credits 10

US 115753 Conduct outcomes based assessments Level 5 Credits 15

4 CONCLUSION

Consider formal training before spending your hard earned money on something you might just have to do over again.

With formal training the unit standard does not require you to redo your training every now and when.

This can only happen when the unit standard is ammended or updated.

I hope and believe this will clarify and possibly explain a lot of uncertainties that may exist around this issiue. My wish is however to demonstrate to the 4x4 & Off-road enthuisisast current and future that we have in South Africa now a standardized training curriculum that is presented across the country to improve you as a 4x4 & Off-Road vehicle operator to a level to be proud of, to be part of a goup of competent 4x4 & Off-Road vehicle operators and not a mere certificate. With your support we are and will be able to present and develop a range of world class products for you to share for generations to come.

ABRIVIATIONS

SAQA (SouthAfrican Qualifications Authority)

TETA (Transport Education Training Authority)

SETA (Sector Education Training Authority)

ETQA (Education Training Quality Assuror)

NLRD (National Learner Record Database)

1 INSTRUCTOR

There are no specific requirements under SAQA for training instructors apart from the norm to be qualified in the unit standard being trained and preferably one level higher.

The trainer must however be part or in agreement with an accredited provider to train the necessary.

Then the instructor can train learners against the relevant unit standards.

At AFRICAN OFF-ROAD ACADEMY our minimum requirement is:

·          At least 3 years practical 4x4 & Off-Road driver training experience.

·          Competence against US 254135/254154 Advanced operate 4wd vehicles in Off-Road conditions.

·          Competence against US 117871 Facilitation of learning (Train the Trainer)

At AFRICAN OFF-ROAD ACADEMY make use of the most professional, best qualified and most experienced off-road instructors in the country to ensure the highest standard of training.

2 ASSESSOR

There are specific requirements under SAQA for assessors.

Assessors have to have competence against US 115753 Conduct outcome based assessments.

Assessors have to be registered under the relevant SETA to assess the specific unit standards.

Registration details are viewable on the TETA website.

The SETA will issiue the assessor a registration certificate issuing the assessor with a registration no, date of registration and date of expiry as well as a statement of registration stating the unit standards the assessor has been registered to assess.

The assessor must however be part or in agreement with an accredited provider to train the necessary.Then the assessor can train and or assess learners against the relevant unit standards.

At AFRICAN OFF-ROAD ACADEMY our minimum requirement is:

·          Professional 4x4 Trails and overland tour guide qualification.

·          Competence against US 254135/254154 Advanced operate 4wd vehicles in Off-Road conditions.

·          Competence against US 115753 Conduct outcome based assessments.

At AFRICAN OFF-ROAD ACADEMY make use of the most professional, best qualified and most experienced off-road assessors in the country to ensure the highest standard of training.

It is accepted by SAQA and TETA that the assessor can be the instructor and assessor in one person( the teacher can do the examination) but at AFRICAN OFF-ROAD ACADEMY we prefer to have the instructor and facilitator as separate entities to ensure the highest level of instruction and customer satisfaction.

3 MODERATOR

There are specific requirements under SAQA for moderators.

Moderators have to have competence against US 115759 Conduct outcome based moderations.

Moderators have to be registered under the relevant SETA to assess the specific unit standards. Registration details are viewable on the TETA website.

The SETA will issiue the assessor a registration certificate issuing the assessor with a registration no, date of registration and date of expiry as well as a statement of registration stating the unit standards the assessor has been registered to assess.

The moderator must however be part or in agreement with an accredited provider to moderate the necessary.Then the moderator can moderate assessments against the relevant unit standards.

At AFRICAN OFF-ROAD ACADEMY our minimum requirement is:

·          Professional 4x4 Trails and overland tour guide qualification.

·          At least 3 years practical 4x4 & Off-Road driver training experience.

·          Competence against US 254135/254154 Advanced operate 4wd vehicles in Off-Road

·          Competence against US 115753 Conduct outcome based assessments. conditions.

·          Competence against US 115759 Conduct outcome based moderations.

At AFRICAN OFF-ROAD ACADEMY make use of the most professional, best qualified and most experienced off-road moderators in the country to ensure the highest standard of training.

It is not accepted by SAQA and TETA that the moderator can be the moderator and assessor in one person( the player and referee) and at AFRICAN OFF-ROAD ACADEMY our moderators and assessors are not the same persons.

4 PROVIDER

The provider is the most important aspect in the process as the accredited provider has to:

Be accredited as a training provider to train the relevant unit standards.

Have developed and approved unit standard related learning material.

Have developed and approved unit standard related facilitation material.

Have developed and approved unit standard related assessment material.

Have developed and approved unit standard related moderation material.

Have in its structure at least a registered moderator and assessor.

To be able to train and issue a valid competency certificate for a specific unit standard and issue credits on the specific level and register the learners competence on the NLRD

Then the Accredited Provider can train and or assess and register learners against the relevant unit standards and issue a valid certificate.

At AFRICAN OFF-ROAD ACADEMY we have been accredited by TETA against unit standards:

254135 Apply the techniques for operating a four wheel drive (4WD) vehicles in off-road conditions.

254154 Apply the advanced techniques for operating a four wheel drive (4WD) vehicles in off- road conditions.

TETA Reg No: TETA09-201

We have a registered Moderator : TETA Reg No: TETA-MODR09-304

We have registered Assessors: TETA Reg No: TETA-ASSR09-2118/ TETA-ASSR09-2409

AFRICAN OFF-ROAD ACADEMY are proud to present you with the highest level of accredited 4x4 and off-road operator training that you can be proud of.

5 WHEN & WHERE CAN I COME FOR TRAINING

AFRICAN OFF-ROAD ACADEMY are currently busy training instructors and assessors around the country to be able to provide you with the same high standard of training in any province in South Africa.

AFRICAN OFF-ROAD ACADEMY will be ready to commence 4x4 & Off-Road Driver training in December 2009 latest.

6 WHAT WILL TRAINING COST?

AFRICAN OFF-ROAD ACADEMY is currently presenting the OVOC Off-Road Vehicle Operator Certificate US254135 at R1250.00 and the advanced learning programs at R2500.00

7 WHAT IS THIS (RPL) THING?

In our current situation were the unit standards for 4WD & Off-Road driving has only recently been registered RPL does not apply.

(RPL) Recognition of prior learning is about assessment of prior evidence(Certificates, testimonials, log books, video's, pictures etc.) as opposed to:

A normal assessment were knowledge and skills are assessed.

The evidence must be measured and found sufficient against the said unit standard or curriculum. This is not possible as the previous certificates were certificates of attendance and can not be measured against a standard or a curriculum. 

The RPL process are mostly used were learners needs to convert their prior learning into qualifications and several unit standards are to be proved competent against..

The difference between (RPL) and a (FLP) full learning program is:

RPL the prior evidence is assessed.

FLP the learner's knowledge and skills are assessed.

Providers advertising the RPL process for US254135/254154 are misleading the consumer and conducting a illegal and harmful business practice.

All our instructors has a minimum of three years practical 4x4 & Off-road training experience.

We will assess you by giving you (formative) assessment activities to complete during the program.

·      Writing a open book test

·      You will receive assignments to complete for assessment.

·      Writing a test (during the follow up day)

·      Doing on the job demonstrations (during the follow up day)

·      Answering some questions (if necessary)

·      You will have to submit your evidence of experience and practice.

We provide clear guidelines on the assessment tasks as well as the content and format of the portfolio during the learning programme.

At AFRICAN OFF-ROAD ACADEMY we:

ø Do not allow the Instructor(facilitator) to assess you the learner, IOW. The tutor and the examiner are two different persons. So the assessor do not only assess the learner but also the instructor on a job well done. Thus ensuring the highest standard of training across the country.

ø Pay our instructors and assessors on results achieved from the learner evaluation reports and results.

ø Have a accredited off-road training facility in at least every province in South Africa.

ø Have in excess of 200 years joint 4x4 & Off-Road training experience.

ø Have been directly involved in the development of the Unit Standards for 4WD training.

ø We have the full infrastructure to provide the highest level of professional 4x4 & Off-Road training in South Africa.

øAFRICAN OFF-ROAD ACADEMY does not make use of sponsors and have no product preference. AFRICAN OFF-ROAD ACADEMY focuses on learner competence and are under no obligation to promote any specific brand or product.