How to Become an SDF Facilitator in South Africa
Are you passionate about education, meeting company objectives, and watching others grow? Then a career in Skills Development might be the perfect fit for you. In today’s business landscape, many businesses need Skills Development Facilitators that can help them navigate the complexities of BEE, meet requirements, and implement effective strategies for growth. In this blog, we’ll unpack the various benefits of becoming an SDF facilitator, how to become an SDF facilitator in South Africa, and what requirements are necessary to thrive in this exciting work environment.
What is an SDF facilitator in South Africa?
The world of BBBEE can often feel overwhelming for some business owners. That’s why we need skills development facilitators that are knowledgeable about the intricacies of Skills Development to make sure the process runs as smoothly as possible. Simply put, a skills development facilitator is responsible for analysing, planning, implementing, and reporting on the various skills training efforts within an organization.
More specifically, an SDF facilitator will run a variety of Skills Development related tasks. This may include a Skills Needs Analysis which is a thorough assessment of the organisation’s current and future skills needs. Another common task is putting together a Workplace Skills Plan (WSP) and an Annual Training Report (ATR). These are both important reports that need to be given to a SETA to be able to conduct Skills Development training.
Designing training programmes may also form part of your day-to-day tasks. Based on your Skills Needs Analysis you’ll design solutions to these skills gaps and liaise with various training providers to successfully implement them. Lastly, you’ll track the success of your organisation’s training efforts through evaluation reports, training material, and attendance registers.
What are the benefits of becoming an SDF facilitator?
1. You’ll make a meaning contribution to Skills Development
By playing an active role in Skills Development you can enjoy a rewarding career. You’ll be involved in promoting skills training within your organization which means you’ll get a front-row seat to watching someone grow. This can be especially meaningful if you work with unemployed individuals that are completing a learnership programme. After completion,this person has a better opportunity at getting a job and ultimately improving their life.
2. You can develop personally
Skills Development Facilitators need to constantly be on top of what’s happening in the Skills Development industry. This means that you’ll always have the opportunities to grow and stretch your skills. Ultimately this will help you become better at your craft and open you up to more job opportunities. You can expect to continuously develop your skills in training needs analysis, evaluation techniques, and curriculum development.
3. Networking Opportunities
Implementing Skills Development strategies is not a requirement for one specific company. There are many companies throughout South Africa that can benefit from Skills Development initiatives. This means you’ll have plenty of opportunities to work in different industries and network with various people. Additionally, SDF facilitators act as a liaison for the organization they work for. Therefore, you’ll interact with different training providers, government entities, and industry experts which will only expand your professional network.
How to become an SDF facilitator:
The first step to enjoying the benefits of becoming an SDF facilitator is to have the right education. This can be done by completing a diploma or degree in fields such as Human Resources and Education or by completing an SDF short course. A short course may be a faster and easier way to achieve your career goals. When choosing the right short course, it’s important to make sure that the course has the right accreditation. It needs to have a SAQA Unit Standard ID of 15232 – Coordinate planned skills development interventions in an organization and be accredited with ETDP SETA.
Why you should enroll in an SDF short course:
An SDF short course can be very beneficial for your CV as you’ll learn in-depth knowledge of skills development practices, legislation, and processes in South Africa. By enhancing your competence in these areas, you’ll prove to employers that you could be a valuable asset to their team. It’ll also showcase your commitment to continuous growth and development.
What you need to look out for when choosing an SDF course:
1. Accreditation and Recognition
Before you start an SDF course it’s important to make sure the course is fully accredited with ETDP SETA. This is one of the 21 registered SETAs in South Africa and is responsible for promoting and facilitating skills development initiatives within the education sector. By meeting accreditation requirements, you will make sure to meet certain quality standards that are required within the industry. This will add credibility to your CV and make your skills stand out to employers.
2. Course Content and Curriculum
Content on the other hand is just as important as accreditation. You want to make sure that the course you are taking covers all the basics you need to become fully qualified. To do this, make sure the course covers skills needs analysis, facilitation techniques, training program design, compliance with legislation, and evaluation of training interventions. Furthermore, you want to make sure the course covers Skills Development skills within a South African context.
3. Certificate of Completion
Upon completing your SDF training course it’s important to make sure you have the right certification to prove it. You should receive a letter of completion once you have completed your course and once your completion is verified, you’ll receive a certificate of completion from the training provider you used as well as a statement of your results issued by ETDP SETA.
What are the requirements to become an SDF facilitator?
In order to study to become an SDF professional, you’ll need to meet the following requirements:
- Strong communication and facilitation skills. As a Skills Development Facilitator, you’ll come into contact with many people on a daily basis. That’s why it’s important to be able to communicate effectively, facilitate group discussions and engage with employees at various levels in the organization. Having good presentation skills, both visually and verbally, will also help when delivering effective training programmes.
- Analytical and organizational skills. In order to accurately predict skills gaps, conduct skills needs analyses, and design training interventions, you’ll need strong analytical skills. Additionally, implementing successful training interventions requires a lot of planning and staying on the ball. That’s why it’s important to have organizational skills as part of your skill set.
- Ethical and professional conduct. Skills Development is a people-orientated industry, you’ll come into contact with a mix of people from different walks of life. That’s why it’s important to know how to uphold ethical standards, maintain confidentiality and act professionally. This may include managing conflicts of interest, handling sensitive information, and adhering to legal requirements.
How long does it take to complete an SDF facilitator course?
This will all depend on the training provider that you choose to study with as well as their training methods. For example, an online, self-paced course may take longer than completing a course onsite at the facilities of the training provider. Our SDF courses take 4 days to complete.
Next Steps:
Are you ready to start your journey of becoming a Skills Development Facilitator? Then you’ve come to the right place.
Edge Training is an accredited training provider with over 22 years in the Skills Development Industry. We offer an ETDP SETA-accredited SDF course that covers all the content you need to become an SDF facilitator in South Africa. Our courses are 4 days long and can be taken on our facilities with our own experienced facilitators. Ready to make a difference in the world of Skills Development? Reach out to one of our representatives to find out more.