The qualification aims to equip aspiring advertising professionals with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in today's dynamic digital media and marketing sector. The qualification is a collaboration between IAB SA, Red & Yellow Creative School of Business and its accreditation partner Media, Information and Communication Technologies Sector Education and Training Authority (MICT SETA). 

"We are delighted to have partnered with Red & Yellow Creative School of Business to bring this future-proof qualification to market," says Su Little, Head of the IAB SA Education Council and project lead for the redevelopment of the qualification. "The advertising industry is constantly evolving and this new qualification will ensure that South African advertising professionals have the skills they need to stay ahead of the curve."

"The Higher Occupational Certificate: Advertiser is more inclusive of today's digital landscape and is channel-agnostic. It also logically follows the flow of work through an agency, whether in-house or externally. It has been designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the advertising process — from client brief development to campaign execution and analysis," adds Little.

The IAB SA says that the qualification is registered with SAQA and tertiary institutions can now apply for accreditation to add it to their curriculum. The qualification will cover essential topics, including: 

  • client profile and objective setting
  • advertising project planning
  • research, strategy and creative development
  • conceptualisation and ideation
  • client presentation and approval,
  • campaign implementation and optimisation, and
  • performance analysis and reporting.

Andrew Allison, Chief Commercial Officer at Red & Yellow Creative School of Business, says, "We're thrilled that there is now a qualification specific to the Advertising community on the QCTO framework and we are especially proud of the role that Red & Yellow Creative School of Business was able to play alongside the IAB South Africa and other industry stakeholders in working with the MICT SETA to develop it."

“We remain committed to delivering cutting-edge, industry-relevant education through the current National Certificate in Advertising, offered under the SETA framework. Although the framework mandates adherence to legacy curriculum outlines, our content is continuously updated to reflect the demands of the modern, digital advertising landscape. This ensures our students receive forward-thinking, practical knowledge. With our accreditation set to expire in June 2026, we are using this period to meticulously prepare for the launch of the Higher Occupational Certificate: Advertiser, which will embody a future-proof curriculum designed for an exceptional student experience," adds Allison. 

The IAB SA concludes that the Higher Occupational Certificate: Advertiser is expected to be available to students at Red & Yellow Creative School of Business from July 2026. 

For more information, visit www.iabsa.net. You can also follow IAB South Africa on Facebook, X, or on Instagram. 

*Image courtesy of contributor