Company Overview
The Mining Qualifications Authority (MQA) is a statutory body established in terms of the Mine Health and Safety Act No. 29 of 1996 and is a registered Sector Education and Training Authority (SETA) for the mining and minerals sector in terms of the Skills Development Act No 97 of 1998 as amended.
The MQA must supports the objectives of the National Skills Development Plan (NSDP) 2020-2030 as guided by the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), and also supports the objectives of the Mining Charter in terms of the Minerals and Petroleum Resources Development Act No. 29 of 1996.
The Quality Assurance Unit has a legal mandate to ensure quality assurance and that the learning programmes within the mining and minerals sector are aligned in terms of the National Qualifications Framework Act of 2008, as amended, and the QCTO-delegated functions, including those on regulated occupations in terms of the Mine Health and Safety Act.
The MQA is responsible for administering a number of skills development initiatives. Skills programmes and learnerships aim to develop a skilled and educated workforce whose skills are recognised and valued in terms of the National Qualifications Framework (NQF). This is to ensure that the mining and minerals sector has sufficient competent people who will improve health and safety, employment equity and increase productivity. The following six strategic priorities were adopted by the MQA Board to promote skills development in the sector:
- Promote efficient and effective governance and administration.
- Improve skills development planning and decision-making through research.
- Promote work-based skills development to support transformation in the mining and minerals sector.
- Facilitate access to occupationally directed learning programmes for the unemployed.
- Support mine community training initiatives to access economic opportunities.
- Ensure the delivery of quality learning programmes in the mining and minerals sector.
The MQA has a Board structure consisting of the state, employer, labour and community organisations within the sector. The expertise and experience of this partnership with key stakeholders proposes guidance to the MQA’s strategic direction. This is underpinned by the Business Plan, the Constitution and Sector Skills Plan (SSP). The SSP determines the skills needs in the sector.
The MQA’s activities are funded by the skills levy collected from employers in the mining and minerals sector by the South African Receiver of Revenue (SARS). The MQA disburses the funds back to the industry in the form of grants for providing training and supporting learners in special projects