Who are our accreditation partners? - College SA

Optimi College (Pty) is a private college provisionally registered with the Department of Higher Education and Training  (DHET).  Optimi College offers a wide variety of courses, accredited courses (qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework) and provider accredited courses (qualifications not registered on the National Qualifications Framework).

Private Colleges must be registered with the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) as per The Further Education and Training Colleges Act (Act 16 of 2006).  Optimi College is proud to be compliant with this legislation, and we are Provisionally Registered with the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET).

The Association of Private of Education Training and Development (APPETD) is the leading body for private education providers in South Africa. They protect and serve the interest of private education institutes and promote the skills, expertise and quality service that the providers contribute to the Education, Training and Development Practices (ETDP) industry.

We are a member of the Association of Private Providers of Education, Training and Development (APPETD). Our membership number is MEM2017/076. Click here to view our membership certificate.

Contact the APPETD:
Website: www.appetd.org.za
E-mail:  admin@appetd.org.za / helpdesk@appetd.org.za
Tel: 083 215 2994

 

Training providers must be accredited to offer registered qualifications or skill programmes with the relevant Quality Councils (QCs).

The three QCs are the:

Council for Quality Assurance in General and Further Education and Training (Umalusi) for general and further education and training qualifications

Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO) for work-based qualifications

Council on Higher Education (CHE) for higher education qualifications

Optimi College are accredited with the Council for Quality Assurance in General and Further Education and Training (Umalusi) and the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO).

Umalusi

Umalusi is the Council for Quality Assurance in General and Further Education and Training. Umalusi accredits private providers of education and training (like Optimi College), as well as private assessment bodies, to offer tuition and/or assessment for qualification(s) on the General and Further Education and Training Qualification Framework. The Umalusi Council sets and monitors standards for General and Further Education and Training in South Africa in accordance with the National Qualifications Framework Act (Act 67 of 2008), and the General and Further Education and Training Quality Assurance Act (Act 58 of 2001). Umalusi has accredited Optimi College for the following qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF):
Qualifications
NQF ID
Qualification: National Certificate: N1 Engineering Studies
SAQA ID: 67109
Qualification: National Certificate: N2 Engineering Studies
SAQA ID: 67375
Qualification: National Certificate: N2 Engineering Studies
SAQA ID: 67491
Optimi College is accredited by Umalusi, Council for Quality Assurance in General and Further Education and Training. Accreditation Number: 15 FET02 00025. The names of accredited institutions are listed on Umalusi’s website, which may be accessed on: www.umalusi.org.za. You can view the accreditation status by searching “Optimi College (Pty) Ltd” in the Institution Name section.

Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO) and The Institute of Certified Bookkeepers (ICB)

The Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO) was established in 2010 in terms of the Skills Development Act. Its role is to oversee the design, implementation, assessment and certification of occupational qualifications on the Occupational Qualifications Sub-Framework (OQSF). The QCTO is one of three Quality Councils (QCs) responsible for a part of the National Qualifications Framework (NQF). The roles of the Quality Councils and the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) are to advance the objectives of the NQF and oversee its development and implementation and to offer guidance to service providers that must be accredited by the QCTO to offer occupational qualifications. The Institute of Certified Bookkeepers (ICB) is an Independent External Examination Body for Accredited Business Qualifications in South Africa.  The ICB is not a training provider or a college.  Students must first register with a Training Provider and then register with the ICB to receive their Portfolio of Evidence (POE). ICB is an appointed Quality Assurance Partner for the Quality Council for Trade and Occupations on a number of registered qualifications that are on the NQF. ICB oversees and quality assures the theoretical training of bookkeepers and accountants on behalf of the QCTO. All ICB training providers must be accredited colleges who are registered with the Department of Higher Education (DHET). ICB ensures that the development and training provided by learning institutions meet industry standards. Optimi College has been accredited and authorised as training provider by ICB to offer national vocational financial certificate and diploma courses that are recognised on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF). We offer National Qualifications in the following fields of study:
  • Financial Accounting
  • Business Management
  • Office Administration
The accreditation details for these ICB courses are as follows:
SAQA ID
Qualification Title
NQF Level
Credits
SAQA ID: 20366
Qualification Title National Diploma: Financial Accounting
NQF Level: 6
Credits: 280
SAQA ID: 23618
Qualification Title Certificate: Office Administration
NQF Level: 5
Credits: 120
SAQA ID: 23619
Qualification Title Higher Certificate: Office Administration
NQF Level: 5
Credits: 240
SAQA ID: 35958
Qualification Title Diploma: Office Administration
NQF Level: 6
Credits: 360
SAQA ID: 36213
Qualification Title National Diploma: Technical Financial Accounting
NQF Level: 5
Credits: 251
SAQA ID: 49736
Qualification Title National Certificate: Small Business Financial Management
NQF Level: 4
Credits: 120
SAQA ID: 49736
Qualification Title National Certificate: Small Business Financial Management
NQF Level: 4
Credits: 120
SAQA ID: 58375
Qualification Title National Certificate: Bookkeeping
NQF Level: 3
Credits: 120
SAQA ID: 58376
Qualification Title Further Education and Training Certificate: Bookkeeping
NQF Level: 4
Credits: 130
When you pass one of these qualifications, you will have a(n):
  • Nationally accredited qualification
  • Professionally recognised certificate or diploma
  • Opportunity to become a part of a professional network
  • Opportunity to build on your qualification and further your education and training

The Institute of Certified Bookkeepers and Accountants (ICBA)

The Institute of Certified Bookkeepers and Accountants (ICBA) is a professional body for qualified finance professionals and business practitioners in Southern Africa, which includes bookkeepers, accountants, office administrators and financial managers in Southern Africa. The ICBA awards designations for people who hold recognised, registered qualifications and relevant work experience – while working to improve the perception and professionalism of our field. The ICBA welcomes members who have ICB qualifications, as well as NQF-registered qualifications from other professional bodies and accredited tuition providers. Learners who are studying towards one of these qualifications are also welcome to join the ICBA as student members. As an ICBA member, you can apply to update the letters (the designation) after your name based on new qualifications and/or work experience.

The South African Board for People Practices (SABPP)

The South African Board for People Practices (SABPP) is an accredited Learning and Quality Assurance Body (LQA) by the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO). Optimi College is accredited by the South African Board for People Practices (SABPP) to offer the qualifications listed below, registered on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF). Optimi College’s accreditation with the South African Board for People Practices (SABPP) can be verified by contacting the South African Board for People Practices (SABPP): Telephone  (011) 045 5400, or Website – http://sabpp.co.za/ The National Qualifications for which we are SABPP-accredited are:
SAQA ID
Qualification Title
NQF Level
SAQA ID: 61592
Qualification Title National Diploma: Human Resource Management and Practices. Learning Programme Number 49692. Credits: 249.
NQF Level: L5
SAQA ID: 21045
Qualification Title Certificate: Human Resource Administration. Credits: 120.
NQF Level: L4

Other accredited / recognised courses that we offer

CIMA

The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) is the global professional management accounting body.  CIMA is committed to elevating the profession and works closely with employers – updating their qualifications, professional experience requirements and continuing professional development programme to ensure their continuing relevance to business. Optimi College is an accredited CIMA Tuition Provider.

College SA offers the following industry-recognised CIMA course:

CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting

Chartered Global Management AccountantTM (CGMA®) is the global designation for management accountants. As a CIMA member, you automatically qualify for the designation and can use the letters CGMA after your name.

Please note, in order to get the letters behind your name, you need to complete your strategic case study exam, and, have a certain amount of relevant work experience.

SAGE

Optimi College is a Sage Authorised Learning Partner. Sage is the market leader for integrated accounting, payroll and payment systems.

Courses offered:

Sage 50c Pastel Partner Intermediate

Sage Pastel Payroll Administrator

These Pastel courses will equip you to use accounting software and to become a skilled payroll administrator.

Saiosh

The South African Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (Saiosh) is recognised by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) as the professional body for Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) in terms of the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Act, Act 67 of 2008.

Optimi College has been recognised as a training provider. We hold a Corporate Membership status which means that our OHS training courses were verified and meets the academic requirements for professional registration as a Technical Member (TechSaiosh). 

A person that successfully completed a TechSaiosh verified course qualify (subject to also having 2 years practical experience) to be professionally registered by Saiosh as Technical Members (TechSaiosh). Technical Member (TechSaiosh) is the first level of professional designations and provides an opportunity for persons with short courses and practical experience to practice in the field of Occupational Health and Safety.

The employment title for this level is Occupational Health and Safety Practitioner (OHSPrac). https://www.saiosh.co.za/page/course_verification

NEBOSH

The National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health (NEBOSH) awarded Optimi College Gold Status as an accredited Learning Partner. Gold status is awarded for greatly exceeding learning excellence principles.

NEBOSH qualifications are highly sought-after as they provide the knowledge and practical skills required to undertake certain health and safety responsibilities. These qualifications are internationally recognised and open doors to opportunities for career growth through a structured study-based training programme, which combines the assessment of knowledge and understanding in written examinations with practical application of learning in the workplace.

The courses that aren’t accredited are called provider programmes. This means that a college has developed its own curriculum and study material for certain courses; the curriculum is still guided by industry standards and needs but set at a level that is easier to understand and a difference in course fees compared to accredited courses. These courses address the need for skills development and training; for the purpose of self-enrichment, career development and self-employment.

Important Information about Provider Programmes:

  • A provider programme has absolutely no external accreditation and it has no link to any professional body.
  • Provider programme courses will give our students knowledge and skills that they might need for current or future jobs or hobbies.
  • Students are welcome to mention their provider programmes on their CV. [Most employers would be happy to see current or potential employees who show interest in improving their skills and knowledge].
  • A provider programme course is often shorter in study length than a full national qualification.
  • A provider programme course is often more affordable than accredited qualifications.

What does a Optimi College Provider Programme mean to you?

You can:

  • Broaden your skills and knowledge
  • Add a theoretical component to CV
  • Strengthen your practical knowledge
  • Use this as an opportunity for self-enrichment and development