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: Geomatics Officer

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
101407	Occupational Certificate: Geomatics Officer
ORIGINATOR
DQP - Dept of Rural Development and Land Reform
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY			NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
-			OQSF - Occupational Qualifications Sub-framework
QUALIFICATION TYPE	FIELD		SUBFIELD
Occupational Certificate	Field 12 - Physical Planning and Construction		Physical Planning, Design and Management
ABET BAND	MINIMUM CREDITS	PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL	NQF LEVEL	QUAL CLASS
Undefined	174	Not Applicable	NQF Level 05	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 Geomatics Officer.

A Geomatics Officer performs routine and/or predetermined tasks to assist Geomatics Technicians and/or professionals to capture, process and disseminate geospatial information and documents.

A qualified learner will be able to:

Capture geospatial data, information and all supporting documentation, directly or indirectly for processing and use by internal and external stakeholders.

Process geospatial information and all supporting documentation to assess, preserve, maintain, amend, update, validate and customise, for dissemination and use by internal and external stakeholders.

Disseminate geospatial data, information and all supporting documentation to internal and external stakeholders.

Rationale:
As a result of past legacies many practitioners within the surveying occupational area were denied career advancement and possible registration with the professional survey council. This was as a direct result of poor educational opportunities at some schools, leading to a lack of entry to higher education institutes.

The qualification was developed to help fill a scarce and critical skill and to contribute to the government initiative of skills development and alleviating poverty in society. Furthermore, the qualification will benefit those learners, who wish to further their studies in Geomatics at tertiary institutions.

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:

311202001-KM-01, Surveying Theory, Level 4, 4 Credits.

311202001-KM-02, Numerical Methods in Surveying, Level 4, 16 Credits.

311202001-KM-03, Computer Theory, Level 4, 8 Credits.

311202001-KM-04, Geographic Information Systems, Level 4, 4 Credits.

311202001-KM-05, Survey Drawing and Computer Aided Design, Level 5, 8 Credits.

311202001-KM-06, Survey Legislation, Level 4, Credits.

311202001-KM-07, Remote Sensing and Photogrammetry, Level 4, 4 Credits.

311202001-KM-08, Mapping and Geographic Concepts, Level 5, 6 Credits.

311202001-KM-09, Cadastral Survey, Level 4, 4 Credits.
Total number of credits for Knowledge Modules: 69.

Practical Skill Modules:

311202001-PM-01, Capture Geospatial Data, Information and All Supporting Documentation, Directly or Indirectly For Processing and Use by Internal and External Stakeholders, Level 5, 15 Credits.

311202001-PM-02, Process Geospatial Data, Information and Supporting Documents for Dissemination and Use by Internal and External Stakeholders, Level 5, 15 Credits.

311202001-PM-03, Disseminate Validated and Customised Geospatial Information, Data and Supporting Documents to Internal and External Stakeholders Utilising Prescribed Documents, Tools, Templates and End Products, Level 5, 15 Credits.
Total number of credits for Practical Skill Modules: 45.

This qualification also requires the following Work Experience Modules:

311202001-WM-01, Capturing Processes for Geospatial Information and Data Against Requirements, Procedures and Legislative Criteria, Level 5, 20 Credits.

311202001-WM-02, Processes and Procedures of Assessment, Processing and Validation, Level 5, 20 Credits.

311202001-WM-03, Dissemination Processes and Procedures of Geospatial Information, Data and Supporting Documents, Level 5, 20 Credits.
Total number of credits for Work Experience Modules: 60.

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

1. Capture geospatial data, information and all supporting documentation, directly or indirectly for processing and use by internal and external stakeholders.
2. Process geospatial information and all supporting documentation to assess, preserve, maintain, amend, update, validate and customise for dissemination and use by internal and external stakeholders.
3. Disseminate geospatial data, information and all supporting documentation to internal and external stakeholders.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:

Information is obtained from plans by means of collection, identification, interpretation and verification of data.

Communicated instructions are interpreted and performed in accordance with the task specific requirements.

Field operations are conducted in accordance with the task requirements, using the specified equipment, personal protective equipment and survey instruments.

Observations are recorded in accordance with task specific and accuracy requirements.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:

Co-ordinates from observations are produced using different calculation methods.

Co-ordinate points are captured onto a map manually and electronically.

Co-ordinate points are extracted manually and electronically from a map.

The accuracy of the processed geospatial data and information is verified.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:

Written text and end products are prepared for dissemination in accordance with communicated instructions.

Written text and end products are disseminated to internal and external stakeholders in accordance with the task specific requirement.

Completed and disseminated tasks are reported on to the managerial function using the prescribed manner and format.

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 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

United Kingdom (UK):
Surveying is mostly part of undergraduate degree programmes offered at some of the universities of the UK. The Survey Association (TSA) offers programmes for school leavers as well as those with Degrees. The unqualified candidate can be employed as a Trainee Land Surveyor who will generally support the survey team which would consist of one or a number of surveyors/survey technicians in the undertaking of surveying tasks both in the field and office environments. The Trainee Surveyor will undertake "on-the-job training" in relation to all areas of site operations and this may include attending the TSA Surveying Course which has been created specifically for the development of new entrants into the Geomatics Industry or those with experience and no formal training. Upon completion of the training the trainee surveyor becomes the Assistant Land Surveyor who will generally support the survey team which would consist of one or a number of surveyors/survey technicians in the undertaking of surveying tasks both in the field and office environments. The Assistant Surveyor will ideally have two years relevant surveying experience. It is expected that the Assistant Surveyor will undertake "on-the-job training" in relation to all areas of site operations.

New Zealand:
Qualifications range from Level 3 to Level 9. The National Certificate in Surveying (Assistant) Level 3 recognises the skills and knowledge required by the New Zealand Institute of Surveyors for surveying industry assistants working for professional surveyors or survey technicians. It is designed for people entering or working in the land surveying sector of the surveying profession. The holder of this qualification is able to work safely in the surveying industry, collect basic survey information and apply practical land surveying skills under the supervision of a professional surveyor or survey technician. The Compulsory section recognises basic skills in surveying, communications, temporary traffic management, mathematics, computing, and computer aided drafting. The Elective section enables people to select from a range of complementary skills in computing and surveying that may be required in their workplace. This certificate can lead to the National Diploma in Surveying (Level 6) with an optional strand in Mine Surveying.

Canada:
The Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC) offers a one-year training programme to become a Survey Technician which offers opportunities as field and technical support staff. The Survey Technician qualification satisfies the admission requirements to continue with a second year of study in Geomatics Engineering Technology. The programme may provide advanced standing for graduates (with a 70% average) who want to continue their studies to complete a geodesy and Geomatics (GGE) Degree at the University of New Brunswick (UNB) and Co-operative Education (Co-op) where students continuing on to Geomatics Engineering Technology, are eligible for an optional Co-op credit course. Co-op provides an opportunity for paid employment (of at least 12-weeks) in a field related to the program between the first and second year. The subjects included in the one year training include Introduction to WHMIS (Workplace Hazardous Materials Information Systems), Introduction to NS OH and S Act, Surveying I and II, Survey Mathematics I and II, Introduction to Computers, Mapping Concepts, Fieldwork I and II, Introduction to AutoCAD, Communication Fundamentals, Automated Drafting and Coordinate Geometry, Introduction to Geodesy and Map Projections, Legal Principles, Technical Writing, Global Navigation Satellite System, Advanced Computer Applications and Field Camps.

During the second year, more than a third of the programme time is spent working on field projects. Subjects included are: Statistics, Geodesy and Map Projections, Automated Drafting I and II, Global Navigation Satellite System, Advanced Communications I and II, Fieldwork I and II, Geographic Information Systems, Construction Surveying, Adjustments, The Survey Profession, Survey Methods, Astronomy, Field Camp, Terrestrial LiDAR, Introduction to WHMIS (Workplace Hazardous Materials Information Systems) and Introduction to NS OH and S Act.
Namibia:
The Polytechnic of Namibia offers a Bachelor of Science in Geomatics (Level 7), Diploma in Geomatics (Level 6) and Certificate in Land Surveying (Level 5). The Certificate in Land Surveying is an exit level qualification for the Diploma. The subjects include Introduction to Spatial Data, English in Practice, Computer User Skills and an Introduction to Mathematics, Land Tenure Systems, Basic Surveying, Surveying Project, Drafting and Cadastral Surveying.

In conclusion the training content for the skills, tasks, job profiles for the Geomatics Officer in South Africa compares favourably to international practices.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

This qualification articulates horizontally to:

Certificate: Cartography, Level 5, SAQA ID 16157.

This qualification articulates vertically to:

National Diploma: Surveying, 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.

Additional legal or physical entry requirements:
None.

Criteria for the accreditation of providers:
Accreditation of providers will be done against the criteria as reflected in the relevant curriculum on the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO) website.

The curriculum title and code is: 311202001: Geomatics Officer.

This qualification encompasses the following trades as recorded on the NLRD:

This is not a trade qualification.

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.

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