Qualification ID 117238 Occupational Certificate: Financial Markets Practitioner (NQF Level 7) 

The purpose of this qualification is to prepare a learner to operate as a Financial Markets Practitioner. Financial Markets Practitioners provide services across various functions in the stockbroking and investment environments. They are involved in the take-on of clients, the assessment of clients' investment needs, the development of suitable investment portfolios, trading and settlement of financial markets transactions, the management of corporate actions and the monitoring and re- balancing of portfolios.  

A qualified learner will be able to:

• Analyse, evaluate and review information on securities and market conditions for investment purposes and prepare market-related reports and communication.
• Interpret, evaluate and apply financial markets legislation and regulations in the provision of investment services.
• Evaluate clients' investment needs and objectives and provide investment services.
• Apply the ethics, principles, values and processes as prescribed when trading on behalf of clients.
• Settle financial market transactions according to accepted practice/s.
• Manage corporate action events and calculate their effects on the market and on client portfolios.

This qualification is registered on the Occupational Qualifications Sub-framework of the National Qualifications Framework (NQF). The qualification falls within the ambit of the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO). SAIS has been appointed by the QCTO as Assessment Quality Partner (AQP) for this qualification.

• NQF Level 6 qualification in finance or a related field of study: or 
• NQF Level 6 qualification with three years’ relevant assessed work experience in the financial markets.

The learning programme consists of three components: 

• A knowledge component; 
• A practical skills component; and
• A workplace experience component. 

In order for the workplace experience to be deemed valid, the workplace must be accredited by the SAIS. 

Further information on the qualification can be found on the SAQA website and on the QCTO website

After successful completion of all three components of the Occupational Certificate: Financial Markets Practitioner (OC: FMP) learners must enrol for the External Integrated Summative Assessment (EISA). The EISA is a single national assessment. The successful completion of the EISA leads to the awarding of an Occupational Certificate. The EISA is developed by a QCTO approved Assessment Quality Partner (AQP). The entry into the EISA requires a statement of results from the QCTO accredited Skills Development Provider/s (SDP). The list of SDPs accredited for the OC: FMP can be found on the QCTO website.

The SAIS is the approved AQP for the OC: FMP. The EISA is a written exam that consists of two papers. The OC: FMP is awarded by the QCTO and that is only after the successful completion of the EISA. 

The Occupational Certificate: Financial Markets Practitioner (OC: FMP) qualification has a learnership registered against it (learnership code 01/Q010044/00/120/7). A learnership is a structured learning process for gaining theoretical knowledge and practical skills in the workplace leading to a qualification registered on the NQF. A learnership is outcomes-based and not time-based and allows for recognition of prior learning. A learnership requires an employment contract. This contract must, at minimum, be for the duration of the learnership agreement. 

A learnership agreement must be entered into, between the learner, the employer and the skills development provider. Both current employees (employed learners) and unemployed learners are able to enter into learnership agreements. The learnership agreement that is signed is that of the SETA to which the employer pays their levy.

Both income tax deductions (section 12 H of the income tax act) can be claimed as well as any grants that may be available from the SETA to which the employer pays their levy. Non-levy paying employers may also enter learnership agreements and claim the income tax deduction. SETA grants may be available to non-levy payers, but that is at the discretion of the SETA.  

Employers are able to claim income tax deductions for both employed and unemployed learners.  Employers are reminded that they must be approved workplaces for the purposes of the qualification and/ or the learnership. The SAIS is responsible for approving workplaces. 

For access to the EISA, learners must provide the following:

• Original / Certified copy of the Statement of Results (SoR) from the Skills Development Provider approved to deliver tuition against for the OC: FMP.  
• Certified copy of identity document
• Confirmation from the approved workplace that thew workplace component has been completed. 
• Completed the EISA registration application form.
• Proof of payment.  

Learners who have registered and who comply with all the admission requirements will receive a letter of confirmation from the SAIS. This letter and Identity Document must be presented at the exam venue on both exam days. The letter will provide all the required information on the exams including the exam rules.  

EISA Application Form

Assessment Site Application Form

Accredited providers and approved workplaces must apply the internal assessment criteria specified in the related curriculum document (which can be found on the QCTO website) to establish and confirm prior learning. Accredited Skills Development Providers (SDP) and workplaces must confirm prior learning by issuing a statement of results or certifying a work experience record.

Candidates who have been working in the financial markets and who have passed some or all of the JSE exams may be eligible for RPL. This will be determined by the approved SDP.