QCTO Occupational Qualifications
Develop practical, workplace-ready capability through nationally recognised occupational qualifications designed around specific roles and industries. BESEC offers QCTO Occupational Qualifications across business, retail, logistics, human resources, project management, contact centre operations and water services.
What are Occupational Qualifications?
Occupational Qualifications are nationally recognised qualifications designed to prepare learners to perform a specific occupation.
Rather than focusing only on theoretical learning, they combine knowledge, practical skills and workplace experience so that learners develop the competence needed to perform effectively in a defined role.
The QCTO manages the Occupational Qualifications Sub-Framework, or OQSF, which forms part of South Africa’s National Qualifications Framework. Occupational Qualifications registered on the OQSF are designed to respond to workplace and skills-development needs.
CONTACT CENTRE MANAGER
Develop the knowledge and practical capability needed to manage contact centre operations, service quality, workforce performance and customer experience.
The qualification covers areas including team management, performance, workforce capacity, labour relations, reporting, budgeting and contact centre systems.
SAQA ID: 99687
NQF Level: 5
Credits: 285
Duration: 24 months
DISPATCHING & RECEIVING CLERK
Build practical competence in receiving, recording and dispatching goods while supporting accurate stock control and minimising losses within wholesale and retail environments.
The qualification develops capability across receiving stock, preparing goods for dispatch and maintaining appropriate stock records.
SAQA ID: 99446
NQF Level: 3
Credits: 34
HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
Develop workplace capability across core HR administration and support functions, including employee records, recruitment processes, HR communication and the administration of human-resource services.
The registered Human Resource Management Administrator qualification combines knowledge, practical skills and workplace experience across the HR function.
NQF Level: 5
Credits: 120
PROJECT MANAGER
Develop the knowledge, practical skills and workplace competence required to manage projects from initiation through planning, execution, control and close-out.
The qualification is designed to prepare learners to manage project objectives across different organisational and industry contexts.
SAQA ID: 101869
NQF Level: 5
Credits: 240
SALES ASSISTANT
Build practical retail sales and customer-service capability, from understanding customer needs and product information to handling enquiries, building relationships and completing the sales process.
SAQA ID: 99669
NQF Level: 3
Credits: 54
Duration: 6–12 months
STORE PERSON
Develop practical stock-handling and storage capability, including receiving, moving, packing, picking, counting and maintaining stock in a safe and organised storage environment.
SAQA ID: 99703
NQF Level: 2
Credits: 41
Duration: 4–12 months
WATER RETICULATION PRACTITIONER
Develop the practical and technical skills required to install, operate, test and maintain water reticulation systems safely and effectively.
The qualification covers areas including piping, valves, pumps, water meters, tools and equipment, lifting operations and workplace practices.
SAQA ID: 102581
NQF Level: 4
Credits: 236
Duration: 24 month
Why choose an Occupational Qualification?
Occupational Qualifications are particularly useful where the goal is to develop full competence for a defined workplace role, rather than addressing only one isolated skill.
They can provide a structured route to:
- develop occupation-specific capability
- combine theoretical learning with practical application
- build real workplace experience
- support employee progression into new or more advanced roles
- create structured learning pathways for new entrants to the workplace
- support broader organisational Skills Development initiatives
Who are Occupational Qualifications for?
Employers may use Occupational Qualifications to develop structured pathways into occupations where their organisation needs capability.
Existing employees can use them to develop towards more specialised or advanced occupational responsibilities.
New entrants to the workplace may use them to build the knowledge, practical skills and workplace experience required for a defined role.
Because each qualification is occupation-specific, the right option depends on both the learner and the capability the organisation is trying to develop.
Frequently asked questions
Start with the role or capability you want the learner to develop.
For example:
Customer operations > Contact Centre Manager
Logistics and stock movement > Dispatching and Receiving Clerk or Store Person
People administration > Human Resource Management
Project delivery > Project Manager
Retail sales > Sales Assistant
Water infrastructure > Water Reticulation Practitioner
Then consider the learner’s existing level, entry requirements, programme duration and the workplace experience that can be provided.
An Occupational Qualification develops broader competence for a defined occupation and typically combines knowledge, practical skills and workplace experience.
An Occupational Skills Program is shorter and more focused, targeting a specific group of workplace skills rather than an entire occupational role.
Occupational Qualifications are registered on the Occupational Qualifications Sub-Framework of the National Qualifications Framework. The QCTO oversees the design, quality assurance and certification of qualifications within this framework.
Yes. Workplace experience is a core part of the occupational learning model and works alongside knowledge and practical skills modules.
Duration varies by qualification. BESEC’s current portfolio includes programmes ranging from several months to approximately 24 months, depending on the qualification and its workplace requirements.