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:

Occupational Certificate: Tufting Machine Operator

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
101404	Occupational Certificate: Tufting Machine Operator
ORIGINATOR
Development Quality Partner - FPMSETA (MAN)
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		Manufacturing and Assembly
ABET BAND	MINIMUM CREDITS	PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL	NQF LEVEL	QUAL CLASS
Undefined	180	Not Applicable	NQF Level 02	Regular-ELOAC
REGISTRATION STATUS		SAQA DECISION NUMBER	REGISTRATION START DATE	REGISTRATION END DATE
Reregistered		EXCO 0425/24	2018-07-01	2025-12-30
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT		LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2026-12-30		2029-12-30

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 a Tufting Machine Operator.

A Tufting Machine Operator operates tufting machinery and equipment to produce textile tufted products that comply with quality specification to achieve a required efficiency rate and waste levels as per company standards.

A qualified learner will be able to:

Operate tufting machines (start, stop, inch, load, doff) to achieve optimum output levels.

Patrol and monitor tufting machines, processes and products to identify deviations and take necessary corrective actions.

Inspect tufting products at an exit point for faults and take necessary corrective action.

Apply health, safety and waste control measures and housekeeping practices to ensure compliance with regulations.

Rationale:
In 2013, the Clothing, Textiles, Footwear and Leather (CTFL) industry accounted for about 14% of manufacturing employment and represented South Africa's second largest source of tax revenue. The industry facilitates an estimated 80 000 jobs and contributes around 8% to the GDP of the country.

The domestic industry can be found mostly in the Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal, with some activity taking place in Gauteng.

Owing to technological developments that are closing the major product gaps, local textile production has evolved into a capital-intensive industry, producing synthetic fibres in ever-increasing proportions.

In July 2007, Cabinet endorsed the first Industrial Policy Action Plan (IPAP) that detailed key action and timeframes for the implementation of the policy. The textile sector was selected for support due to its strategic importance for its contribution to employment and the desire to retain the core capabilities that had been developed in the industry.

The Clothing and Textiles Competitiveness Program (CTCP) was introduced in 2009 and is subdivided into the Competitiveness Improvement Program (CIP) and Production Incentive Program (PIP). Both CIP and PIP make provision for skills development, aimed at addressing the persistent skills deficits and mismatches that continue to hamper individual and technological development. This qualification will support the above national strategies.

Two distinct target groups have been identified. Firstly, new entrants into the industry who have a school qualification or adults with limited basic schooling, and existing employees/operators who have been operating in the industry for a number of years without receiving appropriate recognition for the competencies acquired in the workplace and who are operating without the necessary underpinning knowledge.

The textile industry is in a growth phase due to the ongoing support by government with new employment opportunities being created in specialised textiles. The replacement of an ageing workforce approaching retirement will create employment opportunities. The qualification is very well suited to promote employment in capital intensive sub-sectors in the textile industry in general.

The qualification will contribute in improved productivity, efficiency and quality, increase labour stability, reduction in accidents, and the extended life of the production machinery and equipment.

Qualifying against the new curriculum standard due to its multi-skilling nature and structure of learning will increase job security and improve employability in this occupation as well as in related operational activities. In addition, the qualification will also assist towards qualifying for career advancement, particularly into a supervisory or artisanal role.

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:

Level 1 with communication.
Or

3 years of workplace experience in a tufting department.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

QUALIFICATION RULES

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

Knowledge Modules:

715205001-KM-01, Tufting Process Technology, Level 2, 24 Credits.

715205001-KM-02, Textile Production and Manufacturing Concepts, Level 2, 8 Credits.

715205001-KM-03, Applied Numerical Literacy in the Textile Industry, Level 2, 4 Credits.

715205001-KM-04, Applied English Literacy for the Textile Industry, Level 2, 4 Credits.
Total number of Credits for Knowledge Modules: 40.

Practical Skill Modules:

715205001-PM-01, Load, start, stop and doff tufting machines by correctly applying applicable standard operating procedures, Level 2, 25 Credits.

715205001-PM-02, Inspect tufting machines, processes and products for abnormalities and take appropriate corrective action, Level 2, 23 Credits.

715205001-PM-03, Inspect tufted end products at exit point for abnormalities and take appropriate action, Level 2, 20 Credits.

715205001-PM-04, Comply with health and safety rules and requirements, Level 2, 7 Credits.
Total number of Credits for Practical Skill Modules: 75.

This qualification also requires the following Work Experience Modules:

715205001-WM-01, Types of tufting machines operations, Level 2, 22 Credits.

715205001-WM-02, Types of tufting machines and products monitoring processes, Level 2, 18 Credits.

715205001-WM-03, Quality assurance of tufted products, Level 2, 22 Credits.

715205001-WM-04, Company safety and housekeeping procedures, Level 2, 3 Credits.
Total number of Credits for Work Experience Modules: 65.

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

1. Describe details of product specifications for tufting processes and identify correct raw materials.
2. Describe and apply machine pre-start-up checks and operating procedures for production of tufted products.
3. Identify and apply the monitoring checks of a tufting machine, tufted products and the tufting process.
4. Evaluate factors affecting required machine efficiency and output rate.
5. Describe and observe inspection procedures related to quality of tufting products.
6. State principles of tufting processes.
7. Apply health, safety, housekeeping and waste control practices and procedures.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:

Product specifications are correctly interpreted and explained with reference to all aspects of the tufting process.

Fibres and primary backing used as raw materials in the tufting process are identified and listed.

Types of fibre faults and defects are identified and described.

Types of primary backing faults and defects are identified and described.

Availability of fibres and primary backing for continuous production is ensured.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:

Pre-start-up procedures are applied to ensure machine safety and operating condition.

Machine settings within operator control are identified and adjusted to meet the requirements of the product specifications.

Correct selection, creeling and threading of yarns are identified and applied.

Operating procedures such as start, stop and doff for production of tufted products are performed.

Consequences of incorrect selection and threading of yarns on quality of end-products are explained.

Consequences of incorrect machine settings on production of tufted products are described.

Types of information to be recorded on production documentation during production processes are listed and importance of accuracy is justified.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:

Continuous monitoring and regular checks of a tufting machine and needle tufting point are applied.

The correct patrolling sequence of a tufting machine is applied to ensure efficient tufting product production.

Inspection procedures for maintaining quality of tufted products at exit point of tufting machines are explained and applied.

The importance of smooth and correct flow of yarns and primary backing during tufting processes is described.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:

Types of tufting machine stoppages affecting efficiency are listed.

Factors affecting tufting machine utilisation are described.

Machine faults outside operator control are reported.

Examples of factors in maintaining machine efficiency are described.

Consequences of not achieving required efficiency are reasoned.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:

The procedures for identification of tufted product faults are described.

Quality standards related to tufting are listed.

Types of tufted product faults are identified and corrective action described.

Actions to be taken for repair of quality faults are explained and applied.

Actions related to rectification of tufted product faults outside operator control are applied.

Quality checks to be conducted on tufting processes are applied.

Consequences of tufted product defects are explained.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:

The importance of timeous replenishment of yarn packages related to production efficiency is justified.

The importance of smooth flow of yarns during tufting processes is motivated.

The importance of consistent patrolling and monitoring tufting processes is reasoned.

The reason for the repair of faults identified at an exit point of a machine is described.

The importance of consistent observation of design patterns on tufted products is argued.

The importance of proper and accurate recording of information on production documentation is discussed.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7:

Health and safety procedures and precautions in tufting processes are applied.

Waste control practices related to tufting processes are listed.

Housekeeping practices and procedures are applied.

The importance of compliance with health, safety, housekeeping and waste requirements is justified.

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 Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (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.

INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY

The Occupational Certificate: Tufting Machine Operator has been compared to National Occupational Standards for the Textile Sector in India and applicable units from the Certificate II in Textile Production (Intermediate) (LMT20107) of the Australian Government and Industry Skills Council.

The Indian National Occupational Standards for the Textile Sector focus on specific jobs in a tufting ad carpet inspection department to run different machines efficiently so as to get maximum output with minimum defects giving due importance to safety and environmental aspects. The National Occupational Standards for the Textile Sector applicable to this qualification are:

HCS/Q 3201 - Tufting and Carpet Inspection Operator.

The National Occupational Standard covers compulsory occupational standards such as the checking of the raw material quality, checking of the quality of the finished product, achieving productivity and quality standards, working in a team, health and safety in the workplace, and maintaining personal health. It groups tufting occupational operations separately, whilst the South African qualification integrates the occupational tasks of textile tufting processes.

The Indian National Occupational Standards has components referring to knowledge and understanding, as well as workplace requirements and organizational context. However, there is no reference to the practical skills that the learner will acquire.

Credits and duration have not been determined and no comparison could be performed. The National Occupational Standards for the Textile Sector are at National Skills Qualifications Framework (NSQF) Level 4.

Performance criteria, which will serve the purpose of assessment for different tufting machines have been developed consisting of performance criteria with assigned marks proportional to its importance.

Units from the Certificate II in Textile Production (Intermediate) (LMT20107) covers various generic aspects related to occupational safety, general working practices such as teamwork, computer operation, productivity, sustaining process improvements and competitiveness. It also includes aspects related to generic machine operation such as machine safety, materials handling, product quality, minor machine maintenance, changeover activities, raw material identification and description, fault finding and access and use of textile production information. The units specifically relating to tufting operations are:

LMTTX2004B: Perform tufting operations.

The specific unit of the Certificate II in Textile Production (Intermediate) (LMT20107), LMTTX2004B Perform tufting operations covers compulsory operational standards for the tufting machine operations such as set up and load materials, check specifications, shift hand-over, operating machinery, machine cleaning and maintenance, working in a team, health and safety in the workplace, waste control, housekeeping, compliance with standard operating procedures, conformity to production and quality standards, completion of administrative records, communication with supervisors and so forth.

Entry requirements are not specified in the Australian Qualification. Therefore it is unclear whether the prerequisites would in fact refer to Entry Level requirements or other prerequisites.

No credits or weighting of skills and knowledge are specified in the Australian units, neither is the duration. Therefore no comparison could be made.

The Australian qualification is set at Level 2 on the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF), whereas the South African qualification is set at Level 2 on the South African National Qualifications Framework.

The Australian qualification specifies assessment in the Evidence Guide. In addition the document mentions that assessment may occur "on the job or in an appropriately simulated environment" and it may be "assessed independently or in combination with other relevant units".

Conclusion:
The content of these qualifications regarding the skills and knowledge needed by an operator of a tufting machine are similar. It can be concluded that these qualifications compare well and that the South African qualification is on par with the requirements of the National Occupational Standards for the Textile Sector as well as the Certificate II in Textile Production (Intermediate) (LMT20107).

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

This qualification articulates horizontally with:

SAQA ID: 67420 National Certificate: N2 Tufting/Needlepunch Mechanician; Level 2; 40 Credits.

This qualification articulates horizontally with qualifications currently in the registration process:

Occupational Certificate: Non-Woven Textile Production Machine Operator.

This qualification articulates vertically with:

SAQA ID: 67534 National Certificate: N3: Tufting/Needlepunch Mechanician; Level 3; 40 Credits.

MODERATION OPTIONS

N/A

CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS

N/A

NOTES

N/A

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.

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