Training providers keen to conduct the Singapore Workforce Skills Qualifications courses must ensure that the courses are accredited by the Singapore Workforce Development Agency (WDA). For more information on course accreditation, please refer to the following:
Q1: What is the purpose of course accreditation?
A1: Course accreditation ensures that courses developed are aligned to the industry-validated competency standards of the Singapore Workforce Skills Qualifications (WSQ) system. To learners and employers, course accreditation status means that the delivery of training and the conduct of assessment are in line with the WSQ competencies and that delivery guidelines are competency-based and adhere to adult- learning principles.
Q2: How are the courses accredited?
A2: Upon receipt of an application for course accreditation, a WDA officer will do an initial check on the application before assigning and briefing the auditor on the case. The auditor will conduct a desk-top audit and subsequently arrange for a site audit with the Applicant. Following the submission of the audit report by the auditor and review by the WDA officer, the case may be tabled at the Course Advisory Panel meeting. The panel will advise on the technical aspects of the course. If there are technical issues, the case will be returned to the applicant for compliance, together with the issues raised in the audit report. Once all the issues are resolved and conditions are complied with, the case will be approved by WDA's Director of Quality Assurance Division. If the applicant is still unable to meet the course accreditation requirements and resolve the technical issues, its application will be rejected.
Q3: How are course contents reviewed to ensure its relevance to the industry?
A3: Course contents submitted for course accreditation will be reviewed by members from the Course Advisory Panel. The panel comprises industry domain knowledge experts and WDA representatives. In addition, an international adviser may be appointed to oversee a particular industry's courses and qualifications as well.
Q4: What are the benefits of course accreditation?
A4: Course accreditation ensures quality assurance of training providers in the areas of Content & Delivery, Trainer & Assessor and Evaluating Training Outcomes. The other benefit of course accreditation is a more targeted course development and assessment review that is aligned to the national continuing education and training framework - Singapore Workforce Skills Qualifications (WSQ).
Q5: What are the application fees?
A5: The following fees apply with effect from 1 July 2005:
| Course Accreditation |
Criteria |
Fee (No GST) |
Remarks |
| Pre-Delivery Approval |
Organisation |
$300 (A) |
Payable upon application; renewal not required |
|
| Course |
$450 (B) |
Payable upon application and upon renewal |
|
| Post-Delivery Monitoring |
- |
$300 (C) |
Payable annually from 1 Apr 06 |
Notes:
- This is a one-time application fee for training providers who are participating in WSQ for the first time. The fee covers the cost of auditing the training provider against the set of organisational criteria. The fee is payable again only when the training provider is unsuccessful after two rounds of audit.
- This fee is payable for each competency unit submitted for accreditation. The fee covers the cost of auditing the course against the set of criteria. The fee is payable if the course is not accredited after two rounds of audit. The fee is also payable upon renewal of the course accreditation status. The course accreditation status ranges from one to three years.
- This fee covers the cost of post-delivery monitoring. This validation exercise will review the continual improvement mechanism and the training infrastructure. A sample of the records, including training records, will also be inspected.
Q6: Where can the set of Singapore Workforce Skills Qualifications competency units be obtained?
A6: The set of competency standards can be obtained from the WDA. Training provider who meets the required accreditation criteria and interested to seek course accreditation would need to develop and design its curriculum based on the guidelines established in the competency units.
Q7: Where should applications for course accreditation be submitted?
A7: Applications can be sent to:
The Manager-in-charge
Singapore Workforce Development Agency
Quality Assurance Division
1 Marina Boulevard
#16-01 One Marina Boulevard
Singapore 018989
Q8: Who can answer enquiries on course accreditation?
A8: You can call telephone number 65121295 or email to wda_wsq@wda.gov.sg.
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