Thank you

Transcription

1 Thank you

2 FET-HE articulation through professional qualifications: Alternative access or systemic change? Seamus Needham (FETI), Sherma Malan (FPI), Sandra Dunn and Tumi Peele (INSETA)

3 Articulation refers to the mechanisms that enable student mobility within and among the institutions that comprise the tertiary system, for examp p.xvii) Definitions of access and articulation Access: The right of qualified candidates to apply and to be considered for admission to higher education (Council of Europe and UNESCO, 1997). Articulation refers to the mechanisms that enable student mobility within and among the institutions that comprise the tertiary system, for example, academic credit accumulation and transfer, recognition and equivalence of degrees, recognition of prior learning, and so forth. ( Ngethe et al, World Bank Report 2007) Confusion of terms in South Africa?

4 International literature on articulation between vocational and academic streams Significant international literature on articulation between TVET and higher education, particularly in dual system countries e.g. Switzerland, Germany (Wildschut, A. et al: 2011, Vogler-Ludwig, K.; Giernalczyk, H.; Stock, L.; Hogarth, T.; Drake, P.; Dhillon, D. (2012, Hoeckel, K. Field, S. and Norton Grubb, W. (2009) Very little evidence of articulation between TVET and higher education institutions in SADC, particularly in Anglophone countries (SADC-UNESCO: SPAN: 2011) Minimal evidence of articulation between FET Colleges and higher education institutions in South Africa.

5 Qualification FETI-HETI Articulation project FPI Board Exam leading to designation Workplace requirement Financial Services Board requirement NQF Level 5 Certificate in Wealth Management Registered Planner Financial 1 year of work experience Minimum requirement to practice as an insurance broker Advanced Diploma in Management Studies (UWC) at NQF Level 6 Associate Planner Financial 2 years of work experience Post-Graduate Certificate in Financial Planning (NQF Level 7) Certified Financial Planner (internationally recognised designation) 3 years of work experience

6 Key stakeholders for FETI-HETI articulation project INSETA (qualification owner and quality assurance) Financial Planning Institute of Southern Africa (FPI professional quality assurance body) FET Colleges (provider) UWC - (HE qualifications) CHE (qualification owner and quality assurance) Financial Services Board (regulatory body) Insurance industry (Employers and candidates) FETI (project management)

7 Background of Financial Planning Institute FPI is the pre-eminent professional body for Financial Planners in South Africa, recognised by NQF Act, Act 67 of 2008 Offering designations to financial planners/advisers on different levels based on Education Experience Exam Ethics

8 FPI Mission Improving the quality and accessibility of professional financial planning for all Provide a framework within which members can achieve qualifications and maintain competence to create greater value Facilitating transformation within the profession

9 FPI contribution towards skills development Learning pathway incorporating qualifications from NQF5 to NQF8 Ultimate goal is to award CFP professional designation based on further qualifications Licenced with FPSB to offer CFP designation, together with 23 other countries, thus adhering to a global standard in financial planning

10 Professional Quality Assurance A professional qualification articulation route is in fact a workplace based route. NQF 5 Wealth Management includes Work Integrated Learning (WIL) FPI s Competency Profile for financial planners is incorporated into qualifications appearing on the FPI Learning Pathway Professional quality assurance is underpinned by the attainment of FPI Professional Competency Exam, which is a prerequisite for : Attaining designation with FPI Gaining access to the Advanced Diploma in Management (UWC)

11 Professional Qualifications and Access FPI has agreements with 5 public universities and private providers where qualifications and work experience lead to the CFP Board exam professional designation Universities use traditional entrance requirements for students entering their programmes (Matric exemption/national benchmark tests) Work experience has limited recognition for entrance into postgraduate qualifications leading to CFP

12 Professional Qualifications and Articulation UWC has developed a range of programmes for alternative access (MDP - NQF Level 5 and ADM - NQF Level 6). These are legacy qualifications and have been realigned to the requirements of the HEQF. Access to these programmes is 10 years working experience. FETI brokered a route for FET College NQF Level 5 graduates (quality assured by INSETA and FPI) to the ADM (NQF L 6) with 1 year working experience. UWC ADM graduates can enter a UWC Postgraduate Diploma in Financial Planning (NQF Level 8)

13 Access or articulation? NMMU research on mapping the INSETA NQF L 5 unit standards based qualification to B. Commerce Degree showed it was not possible to provide an articulation route within a formal degree. UWC route does not qualify candidates to receive a degree but opens the possibility of entering a Masters degree after completion of the Postgraduate Diploma in Financial Planning.

14 Systemic coherency The majority of candidates have been employed in the insurance industry for over five years and approximately 50 % have post- Matric qualifications, but formal recognition of this through RPL was not possible. NQF Level 5 is at the nexus of all three subqualification frameworks and needs to be recognised within the HEQF as a valid articulation pathway for professional qualifications.

15 NQF Level 5 - HEQF This is an entry-level higher education qualification. The qualification is primarily vocational, or industry oriented. The qualification also serves to provide students with the basic introductory knowledge, cognitive and conceptual tools and practical techniques for further higher education studies in their chosen field of study. The knowledge emphasises general principles and application. This qualification signifies that the student has attained a basic level of higher education knowledge and competence in a particular field or occupation and is capable of applying such knowledge and competence in an occupation or role in the workplace. The Higher Certificate typically includes a simulated work experience or work integrated learning (WIL) component. (p. 19)

16 Key learnings from the FETI-HETI Articulation Project Support from INSETA and professional recognition of their qualification from FSB FPI enabled universities to trust articulation arrangements through professional quality assurance and designations Demonstration of successful articulation between FET Colleges and universities Articulation of professional qualifications is an important intervention for post school education and training Critical need for broker/project management of articulation programmes in policy transition Urgent need to provide comprehensive articulation pathways for unemployed youth