South Africa’s guiding industry is currently undergoing one of the most significant qualification and policy transitions in its history.
Over the past several years, the national skills development system has been moving away from the historic SETA and unit-standard model toward a new occupational qualification framework governed by the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO). This transition affects all sectors nationally, including tourism and guiding.
As part of this process, many of the legacy CATHSSETA-aligned guiding skills programmes and qualifications are reaching the end of their registration lifecycle, with the current enrolment cut-off date set for 30 June 2026.
We recognise that this process has created uncertainty within the guiding sector, particularly amongst our members – guides, training providers, endorsed delivery partners, assessors, employers and learners. FGASA would therefore like to provide clarity on what this transition means, where the process currently stands, FGASA’s role in the process, and what the future may look like for the guiding profession.
Why is the qualification system changing?
The transition to QCTO qualifications forms part of a broader national policy shift within South Africa’s vocational and occupational education system. Historically, guide training operated primarily through unit-standard based qualifications and skills programmes registered through CATHSSETA and SAQA. The new QCTO framework introduces a more structured occupational model that places stronger emphasis on workplace-based learning, occupational competence, practical assessment, national quality assurance and alignment with real workplace requirements.
The QCTO’s role includes:
- Overseeing occupational qualification development.
- Accrediting Skills Development Providers (SDPs).
- Managing national external assessments (EISA- External Integrated Summative Assessment).
- Issuing Occupational Certificates.
The long-term intention behind this shift is to strengthen the credibility and consistency of occupational training across South Africa. FGASA supports the strategic intent of this transition and believes that properly developed occupational qualifications have the potential to strengthen guiding as a recognised profession and create clearer career pathways for guides into the future.
Why is the current transition creating concern?
While the sector supports the move toward occupational qualifications, the reality is that the development and implementation process is extensive, highly regulated and time-consuming.
At present, the new guiding qualifications are still under development and have not yet been fully finalised, registered with SAQA, or implemented through the QCTO system.
This creates a significant practical challenge for the sector. Training providers cannot begin formal accreditation processes for qualifications that are not yet registered. Learning material, assessment systems, workplace learning structures, mentor frameworks and provider accreditation systems cannot be fully aligned until the qualifications formally exist within the national system.
This challenge affects not only guiding, but many sectors currently transitioning into the occupational qualification framework. For the guiding sector specifically, the risks are particularly serious because tourist guiding is a regulated profession under the Tourism Act.
Why guiding is different
Unlike many other occupational sectors, guiding in South Africa is regulated by legislation.
Under the Tourism Act, guides are legally required to obtain recognised competency certification in order to register with provincial registrars and operate legally as tourist guides.
This means that if legacy qualifications expire before the new occupational qualifications are fully operational, there is a risk that:
No approved qualification pathway will exist for new learners, providers may be unable to enrol learners, provincial registrars may be unable to process new guide registrations and the legal training pipeline for guides could be interrupted.
This is not simply an administrative concern. It has direct implications for employment opportunities, transformation and access into the sector, tourism operations, lodge/operator and reserve staffing, and the long-term sustainability of South Africa’s guiding profession.
The guiding sector also presents unique operational realities that require careful planning and implementation. Nature guides, field guides and trails guides operate in wilderness environments, protected areas, national parks, reserves and remote tourism destinations. Implementation cannot be achieved overnight.
Current status of the qualification process
FGASA has been actively involved in the consultation and scoping process relating to the future guiding qualifications. The current proposed structure is moving toward three primary streams: Nature Guides, Adventure Guides and Culture Guides. Each stream forms part of a broader Tourist Guide occupational qualification structure.
FGASA’s role in the process
FGASA continues to participate in discussions and consultations with the National Department of Tourism (NDT), CATHSSETA, the QCTO, Qualification Development Facilitators (QDFs), industry stakeholders, training providers, employers, assessors and other stakeholders. While progress has been made, the process is still in development and substantial work remains before the qualifications can be fully registered, quality assured and implemented nationally.
FGASA’s role throughout this transition has been to:
- Represent the interests of guides, our members and the guiding sector.
- Participate in qualification scoping and consultation.
- Engage directly with government and regulatory authorities.
- Advocate for practical implementation timelines.
- Support professionalisation and standards.
- Ensure that future qualifications remain relevant, credible and aligned with operational realities.
Over the past several years, FGASA has consistently communicated with members, endorsed delivery partners and stakeholders regarding qualification expiry timelines, registration compliance, industry developments and the broader transition process. FGASA has also formally supported submissions requesting an extension to the current transition timelines in order to ensure a responsible and properly managed implementation process.
Why FGASA supports an extension
FGASA currently supports the request submitted by CATHSSETA to extend the enrolment period for legacy qualifications to 30 June 2028, while maintaining the current certification completion deadline of 30 June 2029. This request is not intended to delay reform or resist the move toward occupational qualifications. Rather, it is intended to ensure continuity within the legal training system, protect learners and providers, allow sufficient time for qualification registration, enable providers to prepare for accreditation, support proper workplace-based learning implementation, avoid unnecessary disruption to guide registration and that the final qualifications are properly developed and sustainable.
FGASA believes that a responsible transition process is essential to protecting both the integrity of the profession and the future of guide training in South Africa.
What this means for guides right now
At present existing registered guides continue to operate, complying with current registration systems through the Registrars of each province. FGASA professional designations remain active, delivery partners and assessors continue to operate and FGASA continues to engage with authorities regarding transition management.
Looking ahead
Although this transition presents challenges, it also creates an opportunity to strengthen the future of guiding in Southern Africa as all stakeholders collectively work together.
FGASA remains committed to supporting guides, providers, employers and the broader industry throughout this process. We will continue to communicate transparently, engage constructively with stakeholders and advocate for practical, responsible solutions that support the long-term sustainability and professionalisation of the guiding sector.