The education and construction sectors are entering a major regulatory transition as all CETA/unit-standard-based “legacy” qualifications are phased out and replaced under QCTO framework. This strengthens the quality and relevance of construction training by placing greater emphasis on occupational competence, workplace-based learning, and practical skills application. This ensures that learners are both qualified and truly work-ready and able to perform effectively in real construction environments.
This transition has significant implications for employers, Accredited Skills Development Providers (SDPs), and learners across the construction industry. Accredited SDPs will no longer be permitted to enrol or register new learners on legacy construction qualifications after the prescribed deadline. Organisations that fail to act within the transition period risk losing access to these programmes entirely.
Review workforce plans and enrolment schedules
Employers, training providers, and prospective learners are, therefore, strongly encouraged to review their workforce development plans, learner pipelines, and enrolment schedules immediately to ensure compliance with the transition timelines.
Organisations intending to enrol staff on any of the affected qualifications should take urgent action before the final enrolment deadline.
Further communication regarding replacement QCTO qualifications and implementation timelines will be communicated as additional information becomes available.
Countdown to closure of legacy programmes
The final date for the enrolment and registration of new learners on legacy qualifications is 30 June 2026. No new learner registrations will be permitted after this date.
Learners enrolled in CETA-aligned construction programmes prior to the deadline will generally have until 30 June 2029 to complete all training, assessments, moderation, and certification processes for submission to CETA.
From 1 July 2026, enrolments will no longer be permitted for the following legacy qualifications, for which there are currently no equivalent QCTO replacement qualifications:
*SAQA ID 23675 – National Certificate: Management of Building Construction Processes – NQF 5
*SAQA ID 23683 – National Diploma: Management of Civil Engineering Construction Processes – NQF 5
*SAQA ID 65949 – Further Education and Training Certificate: Supervision of Construction Processes – NQF 4
*SAQA ID 24133 – National Certificate: Construction: Roadworks – NQF 2
*SAQA ID 24173 – National Certificate: Construction: Roadworks – NQF 3
*SAQA ID 49410 – National Certificate: Construction – NQF 2
*SAQA ID 65409 – National Certificate: Building and Civil Construction – NQF 3
SAQA ID 20813 – National Certificate: Construction Contracting – NQF
