Importance Of Short Courses In Relation To SAQA

Short courses play an important role in South Africa’s education and skills development system, even when they are not registered on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF).

According to SAQA guidelines:

• Short courses provide practical, job-ready skills that respond quickly to labour market needs.
  • They support lifelong learning and continuous professional development.
  • They help learners upgrade, refresh, or specialize their skills without committing to long-term qualifications.
  • They improve employability and workplace competence, especially in business and digital skills.
  • They offer flexible and accessible learning pathways for youth, adults, and working professionals.

While non-credit bearing short courses do not lead to formal qualifications, SAQA recognizes their value in skills development, economic participation, and workforce readiness when they are delivered ethically and transparently.

This is why providers must clearly state the non-accredited status of such programmes, while ensuring quality, relevance, and learner protection.

At Excel Gene Academy, a provider-based short course skills programmes are developed, structured, delivered, and assessed internally by the Academy. These programmes are designed in line with the Academy’s vision of raising skilled champions for community, provincial, national, and global impact.

A PROVIDER-BASED PROGRAMME:

• Is designed and owned by Excel Gene Academy
• Is non-credit bearing and not registered on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF)

The programmes are developed, designed, delivered, and owned by Excel Gene Academy

The programme curriculum is benchmarked and aligned with relevant academic and industry resources, including guidance from DHET, SETA frameworks, and other recognized learning references, where applicable

Is non-credit bearing and not registered on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF). Does not carry external accreditation from SAQA, QCTO, or any SETA