Learning and Development Facilitator Course (NQF 5) in South Africa
The Learning and Development Facilitator course (SP-220319), also called facilitator training, prepares you to plan, select and adapt learning resources and deliver learning interventions in an occupational context. You learn the statutory environment for training in South Africa, adult learning principles and facilitation techniques, how to profile a target group and plan a session, how to manage group dynamics, and how to evaluate your own facilitation, then you deliver a knowledge-focused and a practical-focused session in the workplace.
It is a QCTO skills programme at NQF Level 5 with 36 credits (16 knowledge, 12 practical, 8 work experience). Entry requires an NQF Level 4 qualification with Communications. This facilitator course is delivered from Wheelset Academy's Pretoria and Kempton Park branches.
Share your details to access the brochure
What the Learning and Development Facilitator course covers
The 36-credit skills programme is built from two knowledge modules (8 credits each), one practical skill module (12 credits) and one work experience module (8 credits).
Knowledge modules · 16 credits
The statutory learning and development environment, and Facilitation of learning in occupational contexts
- The statutory framework behind SAQA, the NQF and level descriptors, and the National Learner Records Database
- The regulatory framework for occupational skills development, including the QCTO and SETAs
- Skills development funding: levy payments, grants and incentives
- National skills structures, policies and priorities such as the National Skills Fund and the National Skills Development Strategy
- Planning and preparing facilitation: outcomes, target group analysis, plans and the learning environment
- Adult learning principles, facilitation tools, group dynamics and ways learners apply what they learn
- Evaluating, reviewing and reporting on facilitation
Practical skill module · 12 credits
Facilitate different methodologies, training styles and techniques within an occupational learning context
- Plan and prepare a learning intervention: needs assessment, learner profile, resources and a referral letter for learners facing barriers
- Facilitate the intervention: manage activities, learner behaviour, group dynamics, time, resources and technology
- Reflect on your own effectiveness: build an evaluation sheet, analyse feedback and compile an improvement plan and management report
Work experience module · 8 credits
Facilitate an occupational learning session
- Attend at least two learning sessions facilitated by a third party and report on cooperative learning lessons
- Prepare for and facilitate a knowledge-focused session
- Prepare for and facilitate a practical-focused session
- Submit an evaluation report from your subject matter expert and a portfolio of evidence
Learners who complete all modules, submit their portfolio of evidence and pass the required assessments receive a QCTO skills programme certificate. No exemptions are currently recognised, and RPL is recommended.
You learn the South African training system as well as the techniques
Many facilitator courses stop at presentation skills. This programme gives a full knowledge module to how SAQA, the QCTO, SETAs, levies and national skills priorities fit together, because a facilitator who understands that landscape can design and justify sessions that employers, funders and quality bodies accept.
The statutory environment
Understand SAQA, the NQF and level descriptors, the QCTO and its policies, SETAs, learning programme delivery models and foundational learning competence.
Funding and priorities
Explain levy payments, mandatory and discretionary grants, funding incentives, the National Skills Fund and the National Skills Development Strategy.
Facilitation craft
Use adult learning principles, questioning, group work, role play, case studies and technology to run sessions that suit the target audience.
Needs analysis, session delivery and self-review in practice
- Plan a process to collect information and run a baseline needs assessment
- Build a learner profile and choose the intervention that suits it
- Write a referral letter for a learner who cannot be accommodated because of barriers
- List the venue, materials and equipment a session needs
- Manage and direct learning activities within the time available
- Manage learner behaviour and group dynamics
- Choose facilitation techniques that suit the training objective and audience
- Use communication skills and technology to suit the learners
- Keep the learning environment safe, physically and psychologically
- Compile an evaluation sheet and analyse the responses
- Write an improvement plan and a management report on the intervention
- Facilitate a knowledge session and a practical session in a real workplace
Learning and development facilitator course duration, entry requirements, cost and certificate
The questions people ask most before enrolling in facilitator training, answered from the curriculum and checked against what other providers publish.
Course duration
The curriculum sets 36 credits, which at the standard 10 notional hours per credit is about 360 hours of learning, including the workplace sessions. Providers advertise from 4 days of contact time plus weeks of portfolio work, to 12 or 16 weeks in total. Wheelset Academy will confirm its schedule with admissions.
Entry requirements
The curriculum requires an NQF Level 4 qualification with Communications. Some providers also ask for a matric certificate, a certified ID copy and your CV, so ask admissions which documents we need. You also need access to a workplace and a subject matter expert for your two facilitated sessions.
Course cost
Our current fee is on the fees page. Other providers publish roughly R4,500 to R9,800, some excluding VAT, so compare what each price includes: workplace support, portfolio moderation and the final assessment.
Certificate
When you meet the internal criteria the provider issues a statement of results, and you can take the final integrated summative assessment. On success the QCTO issues the skills programme certificate. Some providers add their own letter of competence.
Learning and Development Facilitator vs Skills Development Facilitator vs older facilitator courses
Several different courses share the word facilitator. Check the programme code before you pay, because they are not interchangeable.
This QCTO skills programme
Learning and Development Facilitator, published by providers as SP-220319, NQF Level 5, 36 credits, with a knowledge, practical and work experience structure. It teaches you to plan, deliver and review adult learning sessions.
Older unit-standard facilitator courses
Some providers still sell courses built on SAQA unit standards such as 117871, Facilitate learning using given methodologies. One provider says the new QCTO programme replaces unit standards 117870 and 117871 from 1 July 2023. Confirm any course's current status and certificate before you enrol.
Skills Development Facilitator (SDF)
An SDF course covers workplace skills plans, annual training reports and the SETA skills levy system, usually through six unit standards such as 15217 and 15232. It is a different role from facilitating learning sessions, and it does not replace this programme.
Who should take the Learning and Development Facilitator course
Is this programme right for you?
- You are a trainer, facilitator, coach, lecturer or presenter who teaches adults
- You are a training manager, supervisor or HR manager who runs learning in your organisation
- You are a subject matter expert who is asked to train colleagues
- You hold NQF Level 4 with Communications and can access a workplace for two sessions
- You want a recognised skills programme that can count toward the Training and Development Practitioner qualification
By the end you will be able to
- Plan resources and logistics for a learning intervention
- Apply adult learning principles and techniques
- Select and adapt learning resources
- Identify and respond to barriers to learning
- Manage learner behaviour and group dynamics
- Measure learner progress and give constructive feedback
- Reflect on stakeholder feedback and improve
- Facilitate in an ethical and professional way
Training methodology: how the course is delivered, assessed and certified
The programme combines learning, practice with a simulated group and real facilitation in a workplace.
Delivery
Blended learning covers the two knowledge modules, then a simulated session attended by a number of people where you practise facilitation, then real workplace sessions guided by a subject matter expert.
Assessment
You are assessed against internal criteria for every module. The work experience module needs an evaluation report from your subject matter expert and a portfolio of evidence, which you must submit before the final assessment.
Certificate
The provider confirms your results in a statement of results. After the final integrated summative assessment the QCTO issues the skills programme certificate. Learners with prior learning can ask about RPL.
Why train your own facilitators
Trainers who understand adult learning, group dynamics and the South African skills framework design better sessions and report on them more consistently. The programme gives each facilitator defined, assessed outcomes and a statement of results, which supports your skills development records and your relationships with SETAs and funders. Group intakes can be arranged by contacting admissions.
Benefits of the QCTO Learning and Development Facilitator programme
Recognised and credit-bearing
A QCTO skills programme at NQF Level 5 with 36 credits, rather than a certificate of attendance.
Real facilitation experience
You attend two sessions run by others, then facilitate a knowledge-focused and a practical-focused session yourself.
A route into learning and development
It leads on to Assessment Practitioner, Work Based Learning and Development Practitioner and the Training and Development Practitioner qualification (NQF 5).
QCTO Learning and Development Facilitator vs a short facilitator course
Many facilitator courses in South Africa are short and based on older unit standards. Use this to see how the registered QCTO skills programme differs.
| Consideration | Learning and Development Facilitator | Typical short facilitator course |
|---|---|---|
| Formal recognition | QCTO skills programme, NQF Level 5, 36 credits, linked to the Training and Development Professional occupation | Often a unit-standard certificate or a provider certificate of attendance |
| Knowledge depth | Statutory environment, funding and national skills priorities as well as facilitation theory | Usually facilitation techniques only |
| Workplace practice | Attend two sessions, then facilitate a knowledge-focused and a practical-focused session under a subject matter expert | Often a short practice presentation in class |
| Entry | NQF Level 4 with Communications | Varies |
| Exemptions | None recognised; RPL is recommended | Varies |
| Best suited to | Trainers and subject matter experts who will facilitate occupational learning | Someone who needs a fast introduction to presenting |
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: 25 October 2026.
Learning and Development Facilitator Skills Programme
This is a QCTO skills programme, published by providers as SP-220319. The curriculum document prints the reference as SP242401-001-00-01 and the curriculum code as 900095-000-00-00. Skills programmes are not given a SAQA qualification ID. Providers also sell facilitator courses based on older SAQA unit standards and Skills Development Facilitator courses with different credit values, so confirm the programme code, credit value and accreditation scope in writing before you pay.
Facilitators and assessors for this programme must have subject matter expertise shown by professional designations, experience or prior qualifications, and the workplace must give you access to a subject matter expert for your work experience. Providers must have facilities that meet occupational health and safety standards.
Check QCTO accreditation · SAQA · Wheelset Academy accreditations page
Learning and development facilitator career opportunities
The programme is linked to the occupation Training and Development Professional, specialisation Training and Development Practitioner (242401-001). Providers describe employment or self-employment in education organisations, training and development organisations, learning institutions and skills development providers. The programme suits people in roles such as:
- Learning and Development Facilitator
- Facilitator
- Trainer
- Coach
- Lecturer
- Training Manager
- HR Practitioner
- Occupational Trainer
- Learning Material Designer
For further study, the related programmes are Assessment Practitioner (NQF Level 5, 20 credits), Work Based Learning and Development Practitioner and the wider Training and Development Practitioner qualification (NQF 5, 190 credits). 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.
Learning and Development Facilitator course FAQs
What is the Learning and Development Facilitator course?
It is a QCTO skills programme at NQF Level 5 with 36 credits. It prepares you to plan, deliver and review learning interventions for adults in an occupational context.
What is the programme code for the Learning and Development Facilitator course?
Providers publish it as SP-220319. The curriculum document prints the reference as SP242401-001-00-01 and the curriculum code as 900095-000-00-00. Ask admissions which code appears on your certificate.
What are the entry requirements?
You need an NQF Level 4 qualification with Communications. Some providers also ask for a matric certificate, certified ID copy and CV. No exemptions are currently recognised, and RPL is the recommended route if you have prior learning.
How many credits does the programme carry, and how long does it take?
36 credits in total: 16 knowledge, 12 practical and 8 work experience. At the standard 10 notional hours per credit that is about 360 hours. Providers advertise 4 days of contact time plus weeks of portfolio work, or 12 to 16 weeks in total. Wheelset Academy has not published a fixed duration yet, so confirm the intake structure with admissions.
How much does the course cost?
Wheelset Academy's current fees are on the fees page. Other providers publish roughly R4,500 to R9,800, some excluding VAT, so compare what each price includes.
What does the work experience involve?
You attend at least two sessions facilitated by someone else and report on what you learned about cooperative learning, then prepare for and facilitate a knowledge-focused session and a practical-focused session, guided by a subject matter expert.
What does the knowledge module cover?
SAQA and the NQF, the QCTO and SETAs, learning programme delivery models, skills development funding and national skills priorities, plus facilitation planning, adult learning, tools and techniques and evaluation.
What practical skills will I practise?
You plan a learning intervention from a needs assessment and learner profile, facilitate a session, manage behaviour, time and technology, and then reflect on your own facilitation with an evaluation sheet, improvement plan and management report.
How do I become a facilitator in South Africa?
Build competence in the subject you teach, complete an accredited facilitator programme, and gather evidence of facilitating real sessions. A provider such as Wheelset Academy can confirm whether you also need to register with a SETA or other quality body for your subject.
Is this the same as a Skills Development Facilitator (SDF) course?
No. SDF courses cover workplace skills plans, annual training reports and the skills levy system through unit standards such as 15217 and 15232. This programme is about facilitating learning sessions.
Does it replace the old facilitator unit standard courses?
One provider says the QCTO programme replaces unit standards 117870 and 117871 from 1 July 2023. Check the current status of any older course and which certificate it leads to before enrolling.
Do I need to be a subject matter expert?
Facilitation is one skill. You also need to know the subject you will teach. The programme prepares you to teach it well, not to replace subject knowledge.
How is this different from the Assessment Practitioner programme?
Facilitation is about delivering learning. Assessment is about judging whether a learner is competent. Many trainers do both, and Wheelset Academy offers both programmes.
How is the course assessed, and what certificate do I get?
You are assessed against internal criteria for each module, the provider issues a statement of results, and you take the final integrated summative assessment. On success the QCTO issues a skills programme certificate.
Is part of the course online?
The knowledge modules can be delivered in a blended format. The facilitation practice and workplace sessions take place in person with real learners.
Can I use this toward a bigger qualification?
Providers note that it can count toward the Occupational Certificate: Training and Development Practitioner (NQF 5, 190 credits). Confirm credit recognition with admissions.
Where can I go after this programme?
Related options include Assessment Practitioner, Work Based Learning and Development Practitioner and the Training and Development Practitioner qualification. Confirm progression options with admissions.
Who quality-assures this programme?
It is a QCTO skills programme. Confirm Wheelset Academy's accreditation scope and the quality partner details with admissions or the QCTO before enrolling.
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 turn what you know into learning others can use?
Apply for the Learning and Development Facilitator course, or compare it with the Assessment Practitioner programme first.
Programme information reviewed: 25 October 2026. The programme identifier, curriculum code, NQF level, credit values and entry requirement above reflect the QCTO curriculum document. Competitors disagree on duration and price, and this page publishes neither for Wheelset. No SAQA ID is shown because skills programmes do not carry one. The duration is not yet confirmed. Fees, intakes, delivery mode and accreditation scope can change and should be confirmed with Wheelset Academy before enrolment.