QCTO Transition Update: Government Extends Selected Legacy Qualifications
and Skills Programmes
A significant development has been announced in the ongoing transition from legacy qualifications to the Occupational
Qualifications Framework.
On 17 June 2026, the Minister of Higher Education and Training, Mr Kgwaridi Buti Manamela, published Government Gazette
54858, introducing further transitional arrangements for selected pre-2009 qualifications, trades and regulatory unit standards.
While the extension provides welcome flexibility for employers and training providers, it also adds another layer of complexity
to Skills Development planning. Organisations should carefully assess their current and planned learning interventions to ensure
qualifications remain valid, available and aligned to both operational and B-BBEE objectives.
What has been extended?
The Gazette provides for extensions to specific qualifications and programmes as published on the SAQA website.
The extensions include:
Pre-2009 Qualifications
✔️ Learner enrolments and achievements extended by between 6 and 24 months, depending on the qualification.
Regulatory Unit Standards
✔️ Learner enrolments and achievements extended by up to 36 months.
Trades Not Yet Registered as Occupational Qualifications
✔️ Learner enrolments and achievements extended by up to 12 months.
Please note that no extensions have been granted for NATED programmes due to the previously issued DHET phase-out directives
and teach-out periods.
Detailed lists of the affected qualifications, unit standards and trades are available on the SAQA website.
Why this matters
For several years, employers, training providers and Skills Development practitioners have been navigating the transition from
legacy qualifications to occupational qualifications. This latest extension provides additional implementation flexibility, but it also
creates a more complex planning environment.
Employers should be aware that:
✔️ Not all qualifications have received the same extension periods
✔️ Training providers may be operating across both legacy and occupational qualification frameworks.
✔️ Qualification availability may differ depending on programme type and registration status.
✔️ Skills Development plans approved earlier in the year may require reassessment.
✔️ Qualification selection decisions may affect implementation timelines, funding opportunities and overall B-BBEE strategy execution.
Transcend's perspective
The latest extension provides welcome breathing room for organisations still implementing legacy qualifications. However, it also
highlights the continued uncertainty and complexity surrounding the national qualifications transition process.
Many organisations are finding it increasingly difficult to determine:
✔️ Which qualifications remain available;
✔️ Which qualifications have transitioned to occupational qualifications;
✔️ Which programmes remain suitable for future implementation; and
✔️ How qualification decisions may impact Skills Development and B-BBEE objectives.
As the regulatory landscape continues to evolve, organisations should avoid making assumptions based on historical qualification
availability and instead ensure that implementation decisions are informed by the latest guidance from SAQA, the QCTO and the
Department of Higher Education and Training.
Recommended actions
We recommend that organisations:
✔️ Review all planned learnerships, skills programmes and bursaries for FY2026 and FY2027.
✔️ Confirm qualification status, enrolment windows and implementation requirements with training providers.
✔️ Assess whether legacy qualifications remain appropriate or whether occupational qualifications should now be prioritised.
✔️ Evaluate the impact of qualification choices on Skills Development targets and overall B-BBEE strategy.
✔️ Ensure implementation plans remain aligned to the latest regulatory requirements.
How Transcend can assist
Our team is actively monitoring developments within the Skills Development and QCTO landscape and can assist with:
✔️ Skills Development strategy reviews
✔️ Qualification and programme selection
✔️ Learnership and skills programme implementation planning
✔️ B-BBEE Skills Development optimisation
✔️ Transition planning from legacy to occupational qualifications
If you would like to understand how these changes may impact your organisation, please contact our team.
Tel: +27 11 442 2433