Pretoria:The National School of Government (NSG) has introduced two new qualifications aimed at enhancing the skills of public servants. These are the Occupational Certificate: Public Service Administrator NQF Level 5 and the Occupational Certificate: General Manager Public Service NQF Level 6.
According to South African Government News Agency, the NSG stated that the new qualifications are designed to provide structured pathways for public servants to develop necessary knowledge, practical skills, and workplace competencies required to excel in their roles within the Public Service.
Both qualifications are accredited by the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO) and have the Public Sector Education and Training Authority (PSETA) as the Quality Partner. Acting Principal of the NSG, Phindile Mkwanazi, expressed enthusiasm for these developments, highlighting their role in professionalizing the public service by bolstering both administrative and management capabilities.
The Occupational Certificate: Public Service Administrator focuses on developing public servants for effective administrative support, aligned with government policies and service-delivery objectives. It is a 120-credit qualification designed for completion over twelve months, requiring an NQF Level 4 entry qualification. The program is delivered through a blended model with block-release sessions, covering areas such as government systems, human resource administration, programme and project management, ethics and integrity, and technology use.
In contrast, the Occupational Certificate: General Manager Public Service targets junior and middle-management responsibilities within the Public Service. This 150-credit qualification also spans twelve months and requires an NQF Level 5 entry qualification. It aims to develop managerial, leadership, and strategic competencies necessary for promoting administrative efficiency and supporting government policy implementation within departments. The program prepares officials for various management functions at the unit level, focusing on operational management and service delivery capabilities.