ACCREDITATION OF TRAINING INSTITUTIONS AND PROGRAMMES
General requirements of a training institution
To be accredited as a maritime training institution that is authorised to conduct approved training in terms of the Merchant Shipping (National Small Vessel Safety) Regulations, 2007 (as amended), a training provider shall—
(a)
have appointed instructors who—
(I)
have an appreciation of the training programme and an understanding of the specific Training objectives for the particular type of training to be conducted;
(ii)
are qualified in the task for which the training is to be provided.
(iii)
hold national certification of at least similar or higher than the certificate being taught
(b) have SAMSA appointed examiners who are familiar in assessment methods and practice and who meet the requirements of 13.3 below and—
(i) have an appropriate level of knowledge and understanding of the competence to be assessed;
(ii) are qualified in the task for which the assessment is to be made;
(iii) hold national certification of at least similar or higher than the certificate being examined
(c) Maintain records of all ‗interim certificates, or any other certificate issued to students which complete their maritime training with the institution, incorporating details of the training
received and the relevant dates, together with their full names, identity numbers, and dates and places of birth; and
(d) Continuously monitor its training and assessment activities through an appropriate quality-standards system to ensure achievement of its defined objectives including those concerning the qualifications and experience of its instructors and assessors;
A report to this effect must be made annually to SAMSA‘s Senior Deck Examiner.
Training programmes
The content of a training programme or course shall—
(a) be structured in accordance with written programmes that—
(i) are based on the relevant syllabi in the Code;
(ii) include such methods and media of delivery, procedures, and course material as are necessary to achieve the standard of competence specified in the Code; and
(b) be conducted, monitored, evaluated and supported by qualified persons as stipulated above
Applications for accreditation of a Training Institution
An application for accreditation shall be made in writing and must include the information detailed below, and must be accompanied by any documents specified by the Authority. These would normally include—
(a) Name and physical address of the training provider;
(b) Details of the assessors (examiners) and lecturers and their qualifications;
(c) The description of the course and of it‘s content (which must be appropriate to the level of competency being assessed, and be referenced to the Code) together with the study plans;
(d) Details of a quality control system to ensure that standards are maintained and training objectives met;
(e) The method of assessment as detailed in the Code (i.e. examination papers and aids used);
(f) Training and assessment facilities; and
(g) Specimen copy of any certification e.g. a certificate to show that they have passed any part of an examination or endorsement. (SAMSA will issue institutions with official interim certificates of competence.)
Note:
(1) SAMSA will not consider applications from a single individual as not only is it SAMSA policy that the lecturer cannot be the examiner, but sustainability of the institution is very important in matters such as training and examination.
Candidates must also not be inconvenienced due to illness or other reasons, so continuity and survivability of the institution is a requirement.
(2) Accredited institutions will be subject to ad hoc audits and a full re-evaluation after three years, by the Authority so as to verify that the administrative and operational procedures at all levels are managed,
organised, undertaken, supervised and monitored internally in order to ensure their fitness for the purpose and achievement of stated objectives.
(3) The certificate referred to in (g) must contain at least the following information:-
(i) The name of the candidate
(ii) The identification number of the candidate
(iii) The name of the institution
(iv) The course for which the candidate was found to be competent
(v) The name and signature of the appointed examiner
Appointment as a SAMSA Examiner
To be considered for appointment as a SAMSA examiner the following details are to be provided:- (a) Name and physical address of the examiner;
(b) Details of the examiner and their qualifications;
(c) The description of the theoretical and practical level of competency for which appointment is requested; (which must be appropriate to the level of competency of the examiner, and be referenced to the Code)
(d) The method of assessment as detailed in the Code (i.e. examination papers and aids used);
(e) Details of a quality control system to ensure certificates are not fraudulently issued or obtained;
(f) A specimen copy of any certification, as detailed above; e.g. proof of passing any part of an examination or endorsement (SAMSA will issue examiners with official interim certificates of competence.)
(g) All applications from examiners conducting examinations under the auspices of an authorised agency are to be accompanied by letters of reference from their authorised agency.
(h) Any other examiners will have to prove not only their competence but also their knowledge of the examination regime to an examiner identified by the senior deck examiner.
All examiners will need to pass the SAMSA Examiner’s Exam to be considered as an examiner.
NOTE:
(1) At no time may the lecturer presenting a training course become the examiner. We are presently investigating the possibility of separating the functions of accredited training institutions and appointed examiners.
A decision may be expected in this regard in due course.
(2) All examiners will be subject to ad hoc audits during their appointment by the Authority so as to verify that the administrative and operational procedures are managed, organised, undertaken, and monitored in accordance with SAMSA examination policy and appointments may be withdrawn at any time for reasons of non-compliance.
(3) Appointments are for three years and are made solely at the discretion of SAMSA and may be withdrawn at any time for reasons of non-compliance.
The decision of the relevant Regional Manager in deciding these matters will be final. A full re- evaluation will be carried out before any re-appointment after any three year period.
(4) Appointments of new examiners would initially be made for a period of one year, after which the appointment would be evaluated prior to any appointment for an additional period.
Applications and where to apply
All applications for accreditation of training institutions as well as appointments of examiners are to be made through the Principal Officer at the port closest to the training institution or examiner.
For applications in closer proximity to the Pretoria Office, these are to be made through the Operations Manager.
The Principal Officer at that port will evaluate the application and forward the application together with the report on the evaluation process to the relevant Regional Manager.
Note that any appointments of examiners are to be signed by the relevant Regional Manager, or alternatively by the Head: Centre for Boating.
Evaluations may not be carried out for examiners or institutions not in the Principal Officer‘s area of control. Principal Officers are to apply themselves to the applications and ensure that the requirements of SAMSA‘s small vessel policy have been satisfied. To this end, the format of the reports to be made in respect of institutions and examiners are attached to Marine Notice 13 of 2011 as annexes 13 and 14.
