Work Based Learning and Development Practitioner Course (NQF 5) in South Africa
Wheelset Academy's Work Based Learning and Development Practitioner Skills Programme is a QCTO-registered programme (curriculum code 242401-001-00-04) built for anyone who plans, facilitates and administers work-based learning interventions — coaching, mentoring and job-instructing learners through real learnerships, internships, apprenticeships and experiential learning on the job, not just running a classroom session.
It's registered at NQF Level 5 with 30 credits (14 knowledge, 8 practical skill and 8 work experience credits), with entry open to anyone holding an NQF Level 4 qualification with Communication. The Education, Training and Development Practices SETA (ETDP SETA) is the assessment quality partner. If you've been searching for a "work-based learning practitioner course" or a "coaching and mentoring skills programme" that leads to real, credit-bearing recognition rather than a certificate of attendance, this is that programme — delivered from Wheelset Academy's Pretoria and Kempton Park branches.
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What the Work Based Learning and Development Practitioner course covers
The 30-credit skills programme is built from two knowledge modules (14 credits), one practical skill module (8 credits) and one work experience module (8 credits).
Knowledge modules · 14 credits
- Facilitation of learning in occupational contexts (8 credits) — facilitation planning and preparation, adult learning principles, facilitation tools and techniques, group dynamics and classroom management, evaluating and reporting on facilitation
- Work based learning (6 credits) — delivery models (learnerships, internships, experiential learning, apprenticeships), planning and scheduling work-based learning, coaching/mentorship/job instruction, evaluation of learner progression
Practical skill module · 8 credits
- Facilitate experiential work-based learning — develop a work-based learning plan and implementation schedule
- Conduct a task-focused learning session, from task analysis through to a drafted evaluation sheet
- Establish a mentorship relationship
Work experience module · 8 credits
- Facilitate a work-based learning and development process, under the guidance of a subject matter expert
- Compile an implementation plan for a real work-based learning and development intervention
- Prepare for, facilitate and reflect on at least three coaching sessions
- Supported by an evaluation report from a subject matter expert and a portfolio of evidence
Learners who complete every module and pass the required assessments receive a QCTO Skills Programme certificate and Statement of Results, with credits recorded toward the Occupational Certificate: Training and Development Practitioner (SAQA ID 101321).
Real coaching and mentoring practice, not just facilitation theory
Many short "train the trainer" or facilitation courses stop at classroom technique. This skills programme pairs that knowledge with three distinct, assessed practical skills — planning work-based learning, running a task-focused session, and building an actual mentorship relationship — before any of it goes into a real workplace.
Plan work-based learning
Analyse curriculum and learning outcomes, schedule work-based learning opportunities around production needs, and draft a monitoring and evaluation protocol before a single session runs.
Facilitate a task-focused session
Conduct a task analysis, sequence the work activity, draft performance goals and resources, then deliver and manage the session itself — job instruction and coaching in practice, not just in theory.
Establish a mentorship relationship
Set expectations, agree roles and responsibilities, draft a mentorship framework, and conduct an actual mentorship session as part of assessed practical skill.
Real facilitation, coaching and mentoring skills, not just a workshop certificate
- Analyse occupational curricula, qualifications and learning programme outcomes to plan a facilitation intervention
- Conduct target-group analysis and draft facilitation plans, lesson plans and group/individual activities
- Apply adult learning principles, models and facilitation theories in a real occupational context
- Use facilitation tools and techniques — questioning, verbal and non-verbal communication, managing conflict and diversity, professional and ethical conduct
- Manage group dynamics, classroom management and inclusive education in the learning environment
- Review, evaluate and report on facilitation using learner response, peer review, self-evaluation, client feedback and assessment results
- Explain the national delivery models for work-based learning — learnerships, internships, experiential learning and apprenticeships
- Schedule work-based learning opportunities to fit around a production or services environment
- Apply coaching, mentorship and job instruction principles and practices
- Establish evaluation tasks, criteria, standards and evidence requirements for learner progression
- Conduct a task analysis, sequence a work activity, and draft performance goals, standards and resource requirements for a learning session
- Establish a mentorship relationship — expectations, roles, a mentorship framework and a conducted mentorship session
- Compile an implementation plan for a real work-based learning and development intervention, aligned to production or operational practices
- Prepare for, facilitate and reflect on at least three coaching sessions in an authentic work environment, assessed by a subject matter expert
QCTO Skills Programme vs. a typical private facilitator course
Plenty of "train the trainer" and facilitator training exists in South Africa. Use this to see how a QCTO-registered skills programme differs from an informal short course.
| Consideration | Work Based Learning and Development Practitioner Skills Programme | Typical private facilitator/train-the-trainer course |
|---|---|---|
| Formal recognition | NQF Level 5-registered QCTO Skills Programme (curriculum code 242401-001-00-04), 30 credits | Often an in-house certificate of attendance, with no NQF level, credit value or further-credit portability published |
| Structure | 2 knowledge modules + 1 practical skill module + 1 work-experience module, spanning facilitation theory, coaching, mentorship, job instruction and learner-progression evaluation | Typically a single 2–5 day facilitation or "train the trainer" workshop |
| Practical proof of skill | Assessed work-experience module in a real workplace — at least three coaching sessions, facilitated and reflected on, plus a portfolio of evidence and an evaluation report from a subject matter expert | Varies; often workshop role-play without formal workplace assessment |
| Credit portability | Credits count toward the Occupational Certificate: Training and Development Practitioner (SAQA ID 101321, NQF Level 5, 190 credits) | Typically none — credits don't transfer toward a further qualification |
| Best suited to | Facilitators, coaches, mentors, HR and L&D practitioners, supervisors and SDFs wanting formally recognised, credit-bearing facilitation and coaching skills | Someone wanting a quick, informal introduction without a path to further NQF credit |
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: 19 September 2026.
Curriculum code 242401-001-00-04 — and a mislabel worth knowing about
This Skills Programme's own curriculum code is 242401-001-00-04. Several training providers in the market instead refer to this same programme as "SP-220322" — and some of them publish that number under a field literally labelled "SAQA ID." That's a mislabel: a Skills Programme or curriculum reference number is not the same thing as a SAQA-issued qualification ID. The real, checkable SAQA ID for this field of learning — the one this programme's 30 credits count toward — is 101321, the Occupational Certificate: Training and Development Practitioner (NQF Level 5, 190 credits). That record shows status "Reregistered," with a registration end date of 30 December 2025, a last enrolment date of 30 December 2026 and a last achievement date of 30 December 2029 — confirm current registration status, Wheelset Academy's provider accreditation scope, and which curriculum/skills-programme code is currently in use directly with SAQA and the QCTO rather than taking any provider's word for it, including this page.
View SAQA ID 101321 on the SAQA database · Check QCTO accreditation · Wheelset Academy accreditations page
Work Based Learning and Development Practitioner career pathways
The programme's stated occupational purpose is to plan for, conduct and administer work-based learning interventions, sitting within the broader Training and Development Professional occupational field. In practice, it suits people already doing — or moving into — roles such as:
- Work-Based Learning and Development Practitioner
- Workplace Coach
- Workplace Mentor
- Job Instructor
- Learnership/Internship Coordinator
- Training and Development Practitioner
- Skills Development Facilitator (SDF) support
- Learning and Development Coordinator
Job titles vary by employer and experience. A skills programme supports career preparation but does not guarantee a specific title, salary or appointment.
Work Based Learning and Development Practitioner course FAQs
What is the Work Based Learning and Development Practitioner Skills Programme?
It's a QCTO-registered Skills Programme (curriculum code 242401-001-00-04) at NQF Level 5 with 30 credits, built to develop the knowledge and practical skill needed to plan, facilitate and administer work-based learning interventions — coaching, mentoring and job-instructing learners through learnerships, internships, apprenticeships and experiential learning in a real workplace.
What are the entry requirements?
The registered entry requirement is NQF Level 4, with Communication. Confirm any additional subject or documentation requirements directly with Wheelset Academy admissions.
How many credits does the programme carry, and how long does it take?
30 credits in total: 14 knowledge, 8 practical skill and 8 work experience credits. Wheelset Academy has not published a fixed programme duration; based on the standard NQF full-time credit load (120 credits/year), a comparable full-time programme would run roughly 3 months — confirm the actual intake structure with admissions.
What does the knowledge component cover?
Two modules: Facilitation of Learning in Occupational Contexts (8 credits) — facilitation planning, adult learning principles, facilitation tools and techniques, and evaluating/reporting on facilitation; and Work Based Learning (6 credits) — delivery models, scheduling, coaching/mentorship/job instruction, and evaluating learner progression.
What practical skills will I actually practise?
You'll develop a work-based learning plan and implementation schedule, conduct and manage a task-focused learning session from task analysis through to a drafted evaluation sheet, and establish a mentorship relationship — including conducting an actual mentorship session.
What happens in the work experience module?
Under the guidance of a subject matter expert, you compile an implementation plan for a real work-based learning and development intervention, then prepare for, facilitate and reflect on at least three coaching sessions. This is supported by an evaluation report from the subject matter expert and a portfolio of evidence.
Is "SP-220322" the same as a SAQA ID?
No. SP-220322 is a QCTO Skills Programme/curriculum reference some training providers use for this same programme — not a SAQA-issued qualification ID. This programme's own curriculum code is 242401-001-00-04, and its 30 credits count toward the Occupational Certificate: Training and Development Practitioner, which does carry a real SAQA ID: 101321.
Does this count toward a further qualification?
Yes. Credits achieved count toward the Occupational Certificate: Training and Development Practitioner (SAQA ID 101321, NQF Level 5, 190 credits).
Who quality-assures this programme?
The Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO), with the Education, Training and Development Practices SETA (ETDP SETA) as Assessment Quality Partner.
What jobs can I get after this course?
Beyond the Work Based Learning and Development Practitioner role itself, the underlying occupational field points toward roles such as Workplace Coach, Workplace Mentor, Job Instructor, Learnership or Internship Coordinator, and — with the full 190-credit qualification — Training and Development Practitioner. A qualification supports career preparation but does not guarantee a specific title.
Is this the same as becoming an assessor or moderator?
No. This programme develops facilitation, coaching and mentoring skills for work-based learning specifically. Assessor and moderator status are separate qualifications covering assessing and moderating learning against outcomes — confirm with admissions if that's what you're after.
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 current enrolment status and assess your documents before registration is finalised.
Ready to become a qualified work-based learning practitioner?
Apply for the Work Based Learning and Development Practitioner course, or compare it against Wheelset Academy's other skills programmes first.
Qualification information reviewed: 19 September 2026. The curriculum code, NQF level, credit values and entry requirement above reflect the registered QCTO Skills Programme. The market also commonly refers to this programme as "SP-220322," as disclosed above — fees, intakes, delivery mode and current registration status can change and should be confirmed with Wheelset Academy before enrolment.