What to Know When Choosing a Leadership Course in South Africa
Understanding the differences between QCTO and SETA qualification in South Africa is vital when as a business you are exploring structured leadership development programmes that will have a lasting impact on your company.
In part 1 of 3 in this blog series we are using our occupational certificate for Retail Chain Store Manager as an example to clearly show the differences when comparing the two governing bodies and their learning pathways.
This QCTO-accredited qualification represents a new, more integrated approach to leadership training in the retail space, and it’s quite different from traditional SETA-aligned leadership courses.
1. Governance: Who Regulates the Learning Path?
- QCTO (Quality Council for Trades and Occupations) oversees qualifications like the Retail Chain Store Manager course. Established in 2010, the QCTO brings national standardization and quality assurance to occupational learning.
- SETA (Sector Education and Training Authorities) manage sector-specific training, including shorter leadership modules historically common in retail (e.g., "Supervise a Retail Outlet" or "Lead a Team").
2. Qualification Scope: What’s Actually Covered?
The QCTO Retail Chain Store Manager qualification delivers a comprehensive 12–18 month learning journey, integrating:
Knowledge modules
- Concept and principles of retail operations management
- Concept and principles of communication in retail
- Concepts and principles of leading teams in a retail chain store environment
- Concept and principles of managing service standards of a retail chain store
- Concepts and principles of stock control in a retail chain store
- Concept and principles of implementing promotional activities in a retail chain store
- Concept and principles of improving the financial performance of a retail chain store
Practical modules
- Manage retail chain store employee performance
- Manage retail chain store operational processes
- Manage retail chain store service standards
- Maintain effective retail chain store stakeholder relations
- Manage stock control in a retail chain store
- Propose improvements to a retail chain store’s range and layout
- Implement plans to improve sales in a retail chain store
- Implement plans to improve a retail chain store’s financial performance
- Manage risk and maintain assets in a retail chain store
Work Experience modules
- Processes and procedures for planning and implementing retail chain store operations
- Processes and procedures for leading teams in a retail chain store environment
- Processes and procedures for managing retail chain store service standards
- Processes and procedures for maintaining effective retail chain store stakeholder relations
- Processes and procedures for managing stock levels and influencing store range and layout
- Processes and procedures for improving the retail chain store’s bottom line
- Processes and procedures for managing sales and promotional activities
- Processes and procedures for managing risk and maintaining assets in a retail chain store
By contrast, SETA qualifications in leadership often include short courses and unit-standard-based learning, such as:
- Apply Leadership Concepts in a Work Context
- Monitor Retail Store Performance
3. Assessment: How Is Competence Measured?
- QCTO qualifications like the Retail Chain Store Manager certificate culminate in an External Integrated Summative Assessment (EISA)—an independent, final assessment conducted at an accredited centre.
- SETA courses rely on continuous assessment by the training provider, and assessments can vary widely between providers and SETAs.
The QCTO’s standardised national exam ensures you truly meet occupational standards in retail leadership.
4. Consistency Across Providers
- The QCTO Retail Chain Store Manager qualification is identical no matter where you study ensuring national consistency.
- SETA courses may differ depending on the sector and provider, making outcomes more variable.
If you’re a retail employer rolling out leadership training across multiple stores or provinces, this national consistency can be a major advantage.
5. Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
- The QCTO framework supports a robust RPL process, ideal for assistant managers or supervisors with retail experience who want to formalize their skills.
- SETAs may offer RPL, but implementation differs by sector and region.
6. Accreditation of Training Providers
- To offer the Retail Chain Store Manager qualification, a provider must be accredited by the QCTO.
- For SETA qualifications, the provider needs accreditation from the relevant retail-focused SETA.
In Part 2 we will be covering a practical checklist for business decision maker to assist in choosing the correct training provider for QCTO accredited courses.
If you would like to discuss how Leverage leadership can assist you, please contact us.
