In South Africa, since the implementation of OBET in 1995, the focus has firmly
been the demonstrable skills acquired rather than what the learner knows. Skills and
competence of a learner or employee are measured against specific outcomes enshrined
in unit standards. Once the learner has declared competent against a specific unit
standard (which is also a building block towards a qualification), the learner is
registered on the National Learner Record Database.