When a business runs a learnership, skills programme or occupational qualification, three roles usually come up: the facilitator, the assessor and the moderator. They are different jobs, and they are often done by different people.
What does a facilitator do?
A facilitator delivers the learning: running classes or workshops, guiding learners through learning material and supporting them as they build skills. A good facilitator knows the subject well and uses methods that suit adult learners.
What does an assessor do?
An assessor judges whether a learner has met the required outcomes, using evidence such as tests, practical tasks, workplace observations and portfolios of evidence. Assessors are registered with a quality body (a SETA or the QCTO, depending on the qualification) for a specific scope — the qualifications, part-qualifications or unit standards they may assess.
What does a moderator do?
A moderator checks the quality and fairness of assessments: that assessors used appropriate methods, applied the standards consistently and reached valid decisions. Moderators are also registered for a scope.
What is "scope" and why does it matter?
Scope is the list of qualifications or unit standards a practitioner is registered for, usually identified by their SAQA ID and NQF level. Using an assessor or moderator outside their registered scope can cause problems when learner results are submitted for certification, so always check the scope against the qualification you are offering.
What is the difference between a SETA and the QCTO?
SETAs (Sector Education and Training Authorities) cover specific economic sectors, for example MERSETA for manufacturing and engineering or the Services SETA for business services. The QCTO (Quality Council for Trades and Occupations) oversees occupational qualifications. Which body applies depends on the qualification, so confirm the requirements for your programme with the relevant body.
How do I find a registered practitioner?
On Blueblack you can search facilitators, assessors and moderators by role, quality body, SAQA ID and NQF level. Our team checks each listed registration against the practitioner's registration letter before it appears on their profile. See SETAs, QCTO and quality councils for an overview.
This guide gives general information, not professional advice for your specific situation. Spotted something out of date? Let us know.