SAQA All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Occupational Certificate: Instrument Mechanician 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
94701  Occupational Certificate: Instrument Mechanician 
ORIGINATOR
Development Quality Partner - EWSETA 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
-   OQSF - Occupational Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Occupational Certificate  Field 06 - Manufacturing, Engineering and Technology  Engineering and Related Design 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  469  Not Applicable  NQF Level 05  Regular-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 
SAQA 06120/18  2018-07-01  2023-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2024-06-30   2027-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This qualification does not replace any other qualification and is not replaced by any other qualification. 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:
The purpose of this qualification is to prepare a learner to operate as an Instrument Mechanician to install/remove, calibrate, maintain and repair instruments and control systems.
A qualified learner will be able to:
  • Calibrate instrumentation equipment.
  • Install and remove instrumentation equipment.
  • Optimise Process Control Loops.
  • Fault find and repair instrumentation equipment.
  • Maintain instrumentation equipment.

    Rationale:
    The Occupational Certificate: Instrument Mechanician has been designed to meet the needs of a production environment in the manufacturing, engineering, technology, energy, mining, chemical, mechanical and other associated industries. Instrument Mechanicians are in high demand as trade industries require extremely precise measuring and monitoring equipment to regulate process variables, keep track of production, manage power use and to ensure correct measurement and control for the purpose of contributing to the safe and efficient operation of plants. This qualification was developed with the full participation of major employers, training providers and private providers in the sector.

    Instrument Mechanicians work with a wide variety of pneumatic, electronic and microcomputer instruments used to measure and control variables such as pressure, flow, temperature, level, motion, force, fluid dynamics and chemical composition, amongst others. People qualifying with this qualification will be able to install, modify, maintain, calibrate, fault-find and repair the measuring and control instruments used in industrial and commercial processing. Due to the advancement of technology in the world today, people who work or intend to work in the instrumentation environment need to adopt lifelong learning to keep abreast with technological advancement and remain on top of the trade. The combination of learning components will enable qualifying learners to be fully competent to perform the tasks in instrumentation processes that directly contribute to the revenue of businesses, individual development and ultimately the socio-economic growth of the country.

    Typical learners include people who are already working within the instrumentation environment and those who wish to enter the field. 

  • LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    RPL for access to the external integrated summative assessment: Accredited providers and approved workplaces must apply the internal assessment criteria specified in the related curriculum document to establish and confirm prior learning. Accredited providers and workplaces must confirm prior learning by issuing a statement of result or certifying a work experience record.

    RPL for access to the qualification: Accredited providers and approved workplaces may recognise prior learning against the relevant access requirements.

    Entry Requirements:
  • NQF Level 4 with Mathematics and Science. 

  • RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification is made up of the following compulsory Knowledge and Practical Skill Modules:

    Knowledge Modules:
  • 672105000-KM-01, Occupational Health and Safety legislation, NQF Level 4, 6 Credits.
  • 672105000-KM-02, Electricity and Electronics, NQF Level 4, 13 Credits.
  • 672105000-KM-03, Complex electronic components and circuits, NQF Level 5, 20 Credits.
  • 672105000-KM-04, Introduction to Instrumentation, NQF Level 4, 3 Credits.
  • 672105000-KM-05, Engineering tools and Test Equipment, NQF Level 4, 10 Credits.
  • 672105000-KM-06, Pressure and pressure measurement, NQF Level 4, 5 Credits.
  • 672105000-KM-07, Flow and flow measurement, NQF Level 4, 5 Credits.
  • 672105000-KM-08, Level and level measurement, NQF Level 4, 5 Credits.
  • 672105000-KM-09, Temperature and temperature measurement, NQF Level 4, 5 Credits.
  • 672105000-KM-10, Final control elements, NQF Level 4, 5 Credits.
  • 672105000-KM-11, Pneumatic system , NQF Level 4, 4 Credits.
  • 672105000-KM-12, Hydraulic System, NQF Level 4, 4 Credits.
  • 672105000-KM-13, Relay logic circuits, NQF Level 5, 8 Credits.
  • 672105000-KM-14, Introduction to Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC), NQF Level 5, 10 Credits.
  • 672105000-KM-15, Programmable Instrumentation (SMART), NQF Level 5, 6 Credits.
  • 672105000-KM-16, Process Control Loops and Automatic Control, NQF Level 5, 15 Credits.
  • 672105000-KM-17, Instrumentation Drawings, NQF Level 5, 3 Credits.
  • 672105000-KM-18, Process communication systems, NQF Level 6, 10 Credits.
  • 672105000-KM-19, Fault finding on instrumentation equipment and systems, NQF Level 6, 5 Credits.
    Total number of credits for Knowledge Modules: 142.

    Practical Skill Modules:
  • 672105000-PM-01, Select, use and care of engineering hand and power tools and test equipment, NQF Level 4, 25 Credits.
  • 672105000-PM-02, Analyse, design and construct an electronic circuit, NQF Level 5, 10 Credits.
  • 672105000-PM-03, Calibrate and test instrumentation equipment within specifications, NQF Level 4, 50 Credits.
  • 672105000-PM-04, Install/remove instruments and components within manufacturer's specifications and plant standards, NQF Level 4, 12 Credits.
  • 672105000-PM-05, Compare measured variable values and adjust process loops, NQF Level 5, 25 Credits.
  • 672105000-PM-06, Carry out fault diagnosis and repair faults on Instruments, NQF Level 5, 20 Credits.
  • 672105000-PM-07, Maintain systems, instruments and components, NQF Level 4, 20 Credits.
    Total number of credits for Practical Skill Modules: 162.

    This qualification also requires the following Work Experience Modules:
  • 672105000-WM-01, Calibration processes and procedures for instrumentation equipment, NQF Level 4, 40 Credits.
  • 672105000-WM-02, Processes of removal and installation of instrumentation equipment, NQF Level 4, 15 Credits.
  • 672105000-WM-03, Processes of optimising process control loop and control loops, NQF Level 5, 50 Credits.
  • 672105000-WM-04, Diagnostic processes for fault finding for instrumentation equipment and control systems, NQF Level 5, 30 Credits.
  • 672105000-WM-05, Maintenance processes for instrumentation equipment reliability, NQF Level 5, 30 Credits.
    Total number of credits for Work Experience Modules: 165. 

  • EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Calibrate instrumentation equipment.
    2. Install/remove instrumentation equipment.
    3. Optimise process control loop.
    4. Carry out fault diagnosis on instrumentation equipment.
    5. Carry out maintenance work of instrumentation equipment. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Work instructions and testing procedures are correctly interpreted and applied in calibration processes.
  • Health and safe work procedures and other relevant regulations and guidelines are complied with at all times.
  • Secondary measuring devices are calibrated within specifications.
  • Calibration information and test results were recorded in accordance with work instructions.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Piping installation was prepared and installed using drawings as per instructions.
  • Health and safe working procedures and other relevant regulations and guidelines are complied with at all times.
  • Instrumentation equipment was removed correctly and safely using relevant tools and test equipment.
  • The functionality of instrumentation equipment was tested using correct test equipment.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • All field instrumentation and other equipment were correctly selected and connected as per drawing.
  • Health and safe working procedures and other relevant regulations and guidelines are complied with at all times.
  • All equipment is commissioned.
  • Controllers were optimised correctly giving a quarter wave damping response.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Relevant information on the symptoms and problems associated with the instrumentation equipment is reviewed to detect probable causes of the fault.
  • Health and safe working procedures and other relevant regulations and guidelines are complied with at all times.
  • Fault diagnosis on instrumentation equipment is carried out using a systematic step-by-step approach.
  • The appropriate tests were carried out using the correct measuring and test equipment.
  • Fault finding was conducted within the specific time limit and to manufacturer's specifications.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
  • Relevant information on the symptoms and problems associated with the instrumentation equipment is reviewed to detect probable causes of the fault.
  • Health and safe working procedures and other relevant regulations and guidelines are complied with at all times.
  • Fault diagnosis on instrumentation equipment is carried out using a systematic step-by-step approach.
  • The appropriate tests were carried out using the correct measuring and test equipment.
  • Fault finding was conducted within the specific time limit and to manufacturer's specifications.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Integrated Formative Assessment:
    The skills development provider will use the curriculum to guide them on the stipulated internal assessment criteria and weighting. They will also apply the scope of practical skills and applied knowledge as stipulated by the internal assessment criteria. This formative assessment leads to entrance into the integrated external summative assessment.

    Integrated Summative Assessment:
    An external integrated summative assessment, conducted through the relevant QCTO Assessment Quality partner is required for the issuing of this qualification. The external integrated summative assessment will focus on the Exit Level Outcomes and Associated Assessment Criteria. The external assessment will be conducted through written assessments based on the practical and work experience components and will be assessed by registered assessors. The written examination will be concluded at an approved assessment site and marked by registered assessors appointed by NAMB. 

  • INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The international comparability study conducted focused on identifying trade qualifications in the field of instrumentation trades/occupations especially Instrument Mechanician occupation. The study included several countries, namely, Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom, USA, Canada and India. This curriculum compares favourably to the Australian and the United Kingdom instrumentation qualifications.

    The Australian Certificate IV in Instrumentation and Control (UEE42211), NQF Level 4, 280 Credits qualification provides competencies to select, install, set up, test, fault find, repair, maintain and commission systems and devices for measurement and recording of physical/chemical phenomenon and related process control systems. This qualification is for Vocational Education and Training (VET) sector regulated by the Australian Skills Quality Authority.

    The UK has a nationally recognised occupational qualifications framework in which National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs), which are 'competency-based' based on National Occupational Standards that describe the 'competencies' expected in any given job role. The qualifications involve the application of knowledge in a broad range of varied work activities performed in a wide variety of contexts, most of which are complex and non-routine with considerable responsibility and autonomy and control or guidance of others are often required. There are five levels of NVQ ranging from Level 1, which focus on basic work activities, to Level 5 for senior management. Most of these qualifications are offered by the City and Guilds of London Institute (City and Guilds) which is a leading United Kingdom certification body for vocational education. This provides learners with opportunities to learn via practical, work-related tasks designed to develop skills and knowledge to do a job effectively and are achieved through assessment and training in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland. These compare favourably with the South African qualification in Instrument Mechanician.

    The Canadian instrumentation qualifications follow the apprenticeship model which emphasises hands-on work under the supervision of a journeyman, but also includes a substantial component of classroom training and testing. The training programmes identified relate to Instrumentation and Control technicians who repair, calibrate, maintain and install complex industrial measurement and control systems that are used in a variety of process-control applications. They diagnose instruments and system faults using pneumatic, electrical and electronic testing devices as well as precision measuring instruments. Through the in-school curriculum, this program gives students the opportunity to gain theoretical knowledge and practical training necessary to complement on-the-job training.

    Conclusion:
    The findings reveal that the South African Instrument Mechanician qualification compares favourably with regard to the competencies they aim to develop in learners. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    The qualification has articulation possibilities with the following qualifications:
    Horizontal articulation:
  • National Certificate in Measurement, Control and Instrumentation at NQF Level 5.
  • National Certificate in Automotive Components: Manufacturing and Assembly at NQF Level 5.
  • National Certificate in Automotive Repair and Maintenance at NQF Level 5.

    Vertical articulation:
  • Diploma in Mechanical Draughting at NQF Level 6. 

  • MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    NOTES 
    Qualifying for external assessment:
    In order to qualify for an external assessment, learners must provide proof of completion of all required modules by means of statements of results and work experience including Foundational Learning Competence or equivalent.

    Additional legal or physical entry requirements:
    The physical requirement is a medical test for various phobias and colour blindness to gain access to the qualification.

    Criteria for the accreditation of providers:
    Accreditation of providers to present this qualification will be done against the criteria as reflected in the relevant curriculum on the QCTO website.

    The curriculum title and code is: Occupational Certificate: Instrument Mechanician: 672105000.

    Trades Encompassed by this Qualification:
    Trades recorded on the NLRD encompassed by this qualification:
  • 61184, L05A, Aircraft Instrument Mechanic.
  • 61158, L014, Aircraft Instrument Mechanic.
  • 61149, L005, Aircraft Instrument Mechanic.
  • 61046, F022, Instrument Maker.
  • 60731, A041, Instrument Mechanician.
  • 60711, A022, Instrument Mechanician.
  • 60739, A049, Instrument Mechanician (Industrial Instrumentation and Process Control).
  • 60736, A046, Instrument Mechanician (Industrial Instrumentation and Process Control).
  • 60718, A029, Instrument Mechanician (Industrial Instrumentation and Process Control).
  • 60695, A007, Instrument Mechanician (Industrial).
  • 60725, A035, Instrument Mechanician (Industrial).
  • 60699, A011, Instrument Mechanician (Process Control Systems).
  • 60771, A086, Instrument Mechanician (Process Control).

    Part Qualifications:
    None. 

  • LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
     
    NONE 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    NONE 



    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.