The South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) has developed new standards for ICT training, with a particular focus on business analysis.
According to the standards document published in this month's Government Gazette, the two new certifications will help develop an under-qualified area of the ICT field. The first will deal with electronics and developing technicians in the field. The second deals with educating students in business analysis.
SAQA says both qualifications are intended to bring the local industry up to par with international education in ICT.
Several international institutions conducted a national certification in business development and SAQA says it based the rationale of the certification on the competencies it developed in those institutions.
The authority studied certifications from several countries, including the US, UK, Australia and New Zealand, as well as several other developing nations, including Brazil, India and Turkey. It also took best practice material from international bodies such as the International Institute for Business Analysis and the British Computer Society.
"Business analysis is a vital instrument within the business environment to ensure information technology is able to provide effective solutions for enterprises. The development of business analysts through a suite of qualifications will have a positive impact on the broader economy of SA," the document states.
The certification is placed on the education framework as a higher-education training exercise.
SAQA has also identified electronics as an under-educated field, with "individuals trained without formal education".
The authority has developed the programme to meet global trends of repair and maintenance, and is calling for comments on the new standards, which can be found on its Web site.
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