How often is this database updated?

Every night at approximately 23:00, the searchable database is updated directly from SAQA's National Learners' Records Database (NLRD).

Why can't I read the full contents of the qualification or unit standard?
or
Why does the qualification or unit standard say 'Details still under construction'?

All qualifications and unit standards accessible via the searchable database are registered on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF). However, the detailed information that they contain has to be captured and cross-checked before it is made available on the website.

Each day, more of the qualifications and standards that previously showed 'Details still under construction' are available in full.

Why can't I find what I am looking for?

There are several possible reasons for not being able to locate a qualification or unit standard in the searchable database.  The most common reasons are the following (either in isolation or in combination):

1. It has not yet been generated by a Standards Generating Body (SGB).
2. It has been generated, but has not yet been registered on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF).
3. It has been registered, but a lag in data capturing has not yet caught up with it.
4. It was registered, but has passed its Registration End Date. Such qualifications and unit standards can be located in the searchable database, "Qualifications and unit standards that have passed their Registration End Date". Most of these have been, or will be, either replaced by new ones or reviewed and reregistered.
5. You are not searching correctly - try the Help link on the search screen.

The most common reasons for Provider Accreditations for qualifications and unit standards not appearing are:

1. The Provider is not yet accredited to offer the qualification or unit standard.
2. The Provider was accredited to offer the qualification or unit standard, but the accreditation end date has passed.
3. The Provider is accredited, but the accrediting Education and Training Quality Assurance body (ETQA) has not yet notified SAQA of this.

How can I find out which Providers are accredited to offer which qualifications and unit standards?

This search has now been incorporated into the overall searches for qualifications and unit standards (see "A guide on searching the database of qualifications and unit standards").

Where does the Provider Accreditation information come from?

Every Education and Training Quality Assurance body (ETQA) is required to transmit information to SAQA, stating which Providers it has accredited to offer which qualifications and unit standards. This information is usually transmitted twice a year, with special transmissions if a large number of new accreditation has occurred.

What is the difference between the Registering Provider and the Accredited Provider?

The Registering Provider is the Provider that submitted the qualification for registration

The Accredited Provider is accredited by the quality assuring ETQA to offer the qualification

What does 'ELOAC' mean?
and
What does 'Interim 2' mean?
and
What does 'Regular' mean?

'ELOAC' means 'Exit Level Outcomes and Assessment Criteria'. Qualifications that were registered as 'Interim 2' were those that were submitted by education and training providers (especially universities, technikons (via the then-Committee of Technikon Principals) and colleges, for registration on the NQF until June 2003 (i.e. interim registration). The qualifications and unit standards that are fully NQF-aligned and linked to the SGBs and NSBs responsible for them, rather than to individual Providers, have been known as 'Regular' since the start of the NQF. The registration period for most of the 'Interim 2' qualifications was extended until 30 June 2006. Those with extensions are known as 'Regular-Provider', as they have now been absorbed into the NQF along with the qualifications and standards generated by SGBs. Those provider-based qualifications that are eligible for reregistration are now reregistered until 30 June 2009. Those that are not reregistered are to be found in "Qualifications and unit standards that have passed their Registration End Date".

How can I find out which unit standards a particular qualification is based on?

Each standards-based qualification has a table at the end of its detailed report, showing the unit standards on which it is based. The table consists of the Unit Standard ID, Title, NQF Level and number of credits for each of these standards.
The detailed standards can then be found using Search for a Unit Standard. However, if the unit standard has passed its Registration End Date, it will be found under Search for a Unit Standard, in "Qualifications and unit standards that have passed their Registration End Date".