RE: EXPRESSION OF INTEREST IN THE WOSTEP WORLDWIDE PARTNERSHIP

The above-mentioned has reference

Horology Association of South Africa (HASA) wishes to express interest in the WOSTEP WORLDWIDE PARTNERSHIP and initiative intended to cove the whole of Africa and the Middle East.

It is our strategic goal to set up the watchmaking institutes in the specific regions of Africa, viz the South, Central, East, West and the North in the long term implementation of this project. With this approach, we also intend to establish a central repair station to repair watches. This approach is intended to cut down on the repairs turnaround time for the watch retailers.

South Africa is well positioned to commence with this initiative, however and for this project to receive the attention of the government funding from the Department of Trade and Industry (the DTI), the Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs), the qualifications to be introduced for training should meet the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) as part of the skills development projects. Although these are very long processes to follow, accreditation with these structures are very important.

Within this system there is Quality Council for Trades and Occupation (QCTO) that develop qualifications to be registered with the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA). Watchmaking in these structures is organised as a trade and there are structures like the National Artisan Moderation Body (NAMB) which is responsible for trades occupations and training standards.

The Mining Qualifications Authority (seta) tried to establish a qualification in watchmaking but had to hold it due to the challenges outlines on the attached document, which call for your expertise and invaluable assistance in order to finalise it.