Government's extension framework for pre-2009 qualifications provides certainty over the status of existing qualifications, but questions remain over whether replacement pathways will be ready to prevent future skills gaps in the freight and logistics sector.
During a media briefing on June 11, Higher Education and Training Minister Buti Manamela confirmed that qualifications already awarded would remain valid and recognised, while targeted enrolment extensions would be granted for certain pre-2009 and NATED qualifications.
At a recent Institute of Customs and Freight Forwarding (ICFF) event, industry representatives raised concerns that several qualifications relevant to freight forwarding, customs clearing and supply chain management have either expired or are approaching expiry, while replacement pathways remain limited.
"The concern is whether replacement pathways are ready. The occupational stream remains under pressure," said ICFF CEO Ingrid du Buisson.
Industry stakeholders warned that where replacement qualifications were not yet available, training providers were unable to enrol new learners, potentially creating a gap in the supply of skilled personnel entering the sector. The issue affects occupations critical to the movement of goods through South Africa's logistics system, including freight forwarding, customs compliance and supply chain coordination.
Approximately 635 pre-2009 qualifications had been extended, but only about 30% had been replaced, said Senior Manager: Registration and Recognition at the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA), Japie Nel. According to Nel, hundreds of legacy qualifications still require either formal transition arrangements or fully developed replacement qualifications.
A technical task team has been established to oversee implementation of the extension framework. A full list of extended qualifications is expected to be published in a Government Gazette on June 15 and made available through SAQA.
