Evacuation Marshal Course (NQF 2) in South Africa
The Evacuation Marshal Skills Programme (SP-250817) prepares you to oversee and guide the evacuation of people from your workplace during an emergency. You learn to guide people to safety, keep them calm, help those who need extra support, conduct the roll call at the assembly point, and take part in health and safety committee activities that keep the evacuation plan and equipment in working order.
It is a QCTO skills programme at NQF Level 2 with 2 credits (1 knowledge, 1 practical), and the Health and Welfare SETA (HWSETA) is the quality partner. Entry requires an NQF Level 1 qualification and one year of workplace experience in your designated work area. The role applies to every kind of workplace, from offices to industrial sites, and this evacuation marshal course is delivered from Wheelset Academy's Pretoria and Kempton Park branches.
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What the Evacuation Marshal course covers
The 2-credit skills programme is built from one knowledge module (1 credit) and one practical skill module (1 credit), each assessed against defined internal assessment criteria.
Knowledge module · 1 credit
Concepts and Principles of safe evacuations during emergencies
- What an emergency is, with examples of typical workplace emergencies
- The difference between emergency preparedness and emergency response, with example actions for each
- The roles of the people involved in emergency preparedness and response, including the emergency control centre and the safety officer's actions in an assembly area
- The principles and steps for safely evacuating people from the workplace, including how to respond to alarms and manage fatigue
Practical skill module · 1 credit
Apply appropriate behaviours when guiding and supporting people to evacuate during an emergency
- Guide people calmly and efficiently to the designated evacuation routes
- Communicate clearly and assertively, giving instructions and updates while staying composed
- Assist people with special needs or mobility issues so they exit safely and on time
- Co-ordinate with other emergency response personnel and role players for an organised evacuation
Learners who complete both modules and pass the required assessments receive a QCTO skills programme certificate. Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is available for learners who can show the required competencies.
Guide a simulated evacuation before you guide a real one
The practical module runs in a simulated training environment with realistic emergency alarms, evacuation maps and role-play. You guide and support people out of the building, practise staying calm and clear under pressure, and refine your approach — without needing a real emergency.
Guide and lead
Lead people calmly to the designated evacuation routes and assembly point, using leadership, empathy and situational awareness to keep the evacuation moving.
Communicate under pressure
Give clear, assertive instructions and updates, use emergency signalling devices, and keep your composure when people are anxious or disoriented.
Support and co-ordinate
Help people with disabilities or mobility issues exit safely, and work with security staff, first responders and other role players to keep the evacuation organised.
Evacuation routes, assembly points and roll calls in practice
- Recognise the emergencies that could force an evacuation in your workplace
- Respond correctly to alarms and understand how fatigue affects an evacuation
- Use escape routes and the evacuation floor plan to lead people out safely
- Guide and care for people during an evacuation, including people who are nervous or anxious
- Communicate with the emergency control centre using the correct methods and protocols
- Identify and reduce dangers, hazards and risks along the evacuation route
- Assist people with special needs or mobility issues, including the safe use of evacuation chairs and basic emergency carry methods
- Identify and correctly use respirators and other PPE needed during an evacuation
- Conduct the roll call at the assembly point and account for everyone
- Take part in health and safety committee activities
- Inspect and evaluate the evacuation plan and equipment to make sure they work
- Work with other emergency response personnel and role players
QCTO Skills Programme vs. a short evacuation marshal course
Many evacuation marshal and fire marshal courses in South Africa run for a day or two. Use this to see how a QCTO skills programme differs.
| Consideration | Evacuation Marshal Skills Programme | Typical short evacuation marshal course |
|---|---|---|
| Formal recognition | QCTO skills programme SP-250817, NQF Level 2, 2 credits, with HWSETA as quality partner | Often a certificate of attendance, sometimes with no NQF level or credit value published |
| Structure | A knowledge module and a practical skill module, each assessed against defined criteria | Usually a single workshop or classroom day |
| Practical proof of skill | Simulated evacuations with alarms, evacuation maps and role-play, assessed against set criteria | Varies; often a written test or discussion only |
| Focus | Guiding, supporting and accounting for people during an evacuation | Often combined with fire-fighting content |
| Entry | NQF Level 1 and one year's workplace experience in the designated work area, with RPL available | Often open to anyone |
| Best suited to | Employees who want recognised, credit-bearing skills to serve as evacuation marshals | Someone who needs a quick introduction or a refresher |
If you're not sure which fits your situation, contact admissions before applying — see the contact details below.
Verify this programme yourself
Page information reviewed: 18 October 2026.
Skills Programme SP-250817
This is a QCTO skills programme, identified by its Skills Programme ID (SP-250817) and curriculum code (900406-000-00-00). Skills programmes are not given a SAQA qualification ID, so be cautious of any provider that quotes one, or a different credit value, for this programme. Confirm the programme details, Wheelset Academy's provider accreditation scope and the current intake directly with the QCTO and with admissions, rather than taking any provider's word for it — including this page.
The programme's requirements also set out the conditions a provider must meet: facilitators and assessors must hold a qualification at least one NQF level higher than the programme and have at least two years' work experience, with a facilitator-to-learner ratio of 1 to 30 for face-to-face training and 1 to 50 for distance learning.
Check QCTO accreditation · Wheelset Academy accreditations page
Evacuation marshal career pathways
The Evacuation Marshal role applies to every occupation in the workplace, so there is no single job title attached to it. The programme is designed to help you oversee and guide evacuations where you already work. It suits people who are, or will be, appointed to roles such as:
- Evacuation Marshal
- Fire Marshal or Evacuation Warden
- Health and Safety Committee Member
- Security Officer
- Receptionist or Front Desk Staff
- Team Supervisor
- Emergency Response Team Member
For further study, the related skills programmes at other levels are General Emergency Preparedness and Response Partner (NQF Level 1) and Emergency Response and Evacuation Co-ordinator (NQF Level 5). Confirm progression options with admissions.
Job titles vary by employer and experience. A skills programme supports career preparation but does not guarantee a specific title, salary or appointment.
Evacuation Marshal course FAQs
What is the Evacuation Marshal course?
It is a QCTO skills programme (SP-250817) at NQF Level 2 with 2 credits. It prepares you to oversee and guide the evacuation of people from your workplace during an emergency, conduct the roll call at the assembly point, take part in health and safety committee activities and check that the evacuation plan and equipment work.
What does an evacuation marshal do?
An evacuation marshal guides people along the escape routes to the assembly point, keeps them calm, helps those who need extra support, communicates with the emergency control centre and accounts for everyone at the assembly point with a roll call.
What are the entry requirements?
You need an NQF Level 1 qualification and one year of specific workplace experience within your designated work area. If you don't meet the formal entry requirements, you can ask admissions about Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) as an alternative route in.
How many credits does the programme carry, and how long does it take?
2 credits in total: 1 knowledge credit and 1 practical credit, delivered in a blended format. Wheelset Academy has not published a fixed programme duration yet, so confirm the intake structure with admissions.
What does the knowledge module cover?
It covers what an emergency is and typical workplace examples, the difference between preparedness and response, the roles of the people involved including the emergency control centre, and the principles and steps for safely evacuating people, including responding to alarms and managing fatigue.
What practical skills will I practise?
You practise guiding people calmly to the designated evacuation routes, communicating clearly and assertively, assisting people with special needs or mobility issues, and co-ordinating with other emergency response personnel and role players.
Do I need a real emergency to practise on?
No. The practical module runs in a simulated training environment with realistic emergency alarms, evacuation maps and role-play exercises.
What is the difference between emergency preparedness and emergency response?
Preparedness is what you do before an emergency, such as planning, training and checking evacuation equipment. Response is what you do during and immediately after one, such as guiding people out, communicating and accounting for everyone at the assembly point. The programme covers both.
Is an evacuation marshal the same as a fire marshal?
Not exactly. This programme focuses on evacuating people safely during any workplace emergency, not only fires, and on guiding, supporting and accounting for people. If you also want fire-fighting skills, Wheelset Academy offers separate fire fighting training.
Who quality-assures this programme?
It is a QCTO skills programme, with the Health and Welfare SETA (HWSETA) as the quality partner. Confirm Wheelset Academy's accreditation scope with admissions or the QCTO before enrolling.
Where can I go after this programme?
Related skills programmes include General Emergency Preparedness and Response Partner (NQF Level 1) and Emergency Response and Evacuation Co-ordinator (NQF Level 5). Confirm progression options with admissions.
How do I apply?
Review the current fees and intake information, then submit your application through Wheelset Academy's online application page. Admissions can confirm the programme duration, check your documents and confirm accreditation scope before registration is finalised.
Ready to guide your colleagues to safety?
Apply for the Evacuation Marshal course, or compare it against Wheelset Academy's other skills programmes first.
Programme information reviewed: 18 October 2026. The Skills Programme ID, curriculum code, NQF level, credit values and entry requirement above reflect the registered skills programme. The duration is not yet confirmed. Fees, intakes, delivery mode and accreditation scope can change and should be confirmed with Wheelset Academy before enrolment.