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: Mechanised Soft-Cover Bookbinding Technician 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
101700  Occupational Certificate: Mechanised Soft-Cover Bookbinding Technician 
ORIGINATOR
Development Quality Partner - Printing SA 
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  579  Not Applicable  NQF Level 04  Regular-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Registered  EXCO 0522/24  2021-03-25  2025-12-31 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2026-12-31   2029-12-31  

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/a Mechanised Soft-Cover Bookbinding Technician.

A Mechanised Soft-Cover Bookbinding Technician sets up, operates and maintains a variety of machinery and auxiliary equipment to manufacture commercial products for soft-cover publications.

A qualified learner will be able to:
  • Set up, operate and maintain a guillotine to cut a variety of products to specifications.
  • Set up, operate and maintain folding machines to fold various impositions and formats of paper products.
  • Set up, maintain and operate saddle stitching line to produce saddle stitch publications.
  • Set up, operate and maintain an adhesive binding line to produce adhesive bound publications.
  • Troubleshoot soft-cover bookbinding problems and initiate corrective action on all adhesive binding, saddle stitching, folding, guillotine and auxiliary equipment.
  • Oversee and enhance the performance and behaviour of all soft-cover bookbinding subordinate teams in adhesive binding, saddle stitching, folding, guillotine and auxiliary equipment.

    Rationale:
    Printing South Africa engaged with the Printing and Packaging Industry to address the concerns regarding the competitiveness of the industry against international markets during which time the Bookbinding Trades and Occupations were identified as a scarce and critical skill in the industry.

    The existing National Craft Diploma: Bookbinding Mechanised/Cutting qualification is outdated and does not meet the requirements for a trade qualification in terms of the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations and the National Artisan Moderation Body (NAMB). The lack of artisans with up to date technological skills has placed the Sector in a precarious position in so far as International competitiveness is concerned. Industry indications are that over 600 apprentices should be trained on a national basis to meet the artisan replenishment needs of the sector.

    The current number of apprentices being trained nationally has fallen short of this indicator over the last number of years.
    Learners will benefit from receiving a high standard of training and education that is occupationally aligned. Once qualified, learners may gain access to industry-related supervisory, master craftsman or management programmes that will be made available in the Printing and Packaging Sector to facilitate vertical career advancement.

    Printing and Packaging employers will benefit by gaining access to suitably qualified artisans to operate and maintain costly bookbinding, finishing equipment and machinery. By creating career pathways in the Sector employees will be able to progress from General Factory Workers to qualified Artisans.

    This will create a healthy employment cycle providing employment opportunities to unemployed youth. It is envisaged that Supervisory and or Master Craftsmen qualifications will be developed shortly to provide career pathway opportunities.

    Learners will be drawn from schools and TVET Colleges and will secure employment in the Sector and open themselves up to career advancement opportunities.

    Papermaking, waste efficiency and recycling are subjects covered in this curriculum. The efficient and responsible use of paper, adhesives and other materials is of critical importance to the industry as it forms a significant component of print finishing and bookbinding manufacturing costs within a green economy. 

  • 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 stating results or by 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:
    The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • NQF Level 1 qualification. 

  • RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification is made up of compulsory Knowledge, Practical Skill and Work Experience Modules:

    Knowledge Modules
  • 662301-000-00-KM-01, Introduction to the Printing and Packaging Industry, NQF Level 3, 4 Credits.
  • 662301-000-00-KM-02, General Bookbinding and Print Finishing Technology, NQF Level 2, 4 Credits.
  • 662301-000-00-KM-03, Guillotine Operating Technology, NQF Level 2, 3 Credits.
  • 662301-000-00-KM-04, Folding Machine Operating Technology, NQF Level 2, 3 Credits.
  • 662301-000-00-KM-05, Sewing Machine Operating Technology, NQF Level 2, 4 Credits.
  • 662301-000-00-KM-06, Gathering Machine Operating Technology, NQF Level 2, 4 Credits.
  • 662301-000-00-KM-07, Saddle Stitching Machine Operating Technology, NQF Level 4, 8 Credits.
  • 662301-000-00-KM-08, Adhesive Binding Machine Operating Technology, NQF Level 4, 10 Credits.
  • 662301-000-00-KM-09, Case Making Technology, NQF Level 4, 6 Credits.
  • 662301-000-00-KM-10, Hard Cover Case Binding Technology, NQF Level 4, 15 Credits.
  • 662301-000-00-KM-11, Printing science and chemistry, NQF Level 4, 6 Credits.
  • 662301-000-00-KM-12, Quality studies in the printing and packaging industry, NQF Level 4, 7 Credits.
  • 662301-000-00-KM-13, Productivity and economics, NQF Level 4, 7 Credits.
  • 662301-000-00-KM-14, Legal and regulatory requirements, NQF Level 4, 14 Credits.
  • 662301-000-00-KM-15, Workplace Fundamentals, NQF Level 3, 10 Credits.
  • 662301-000-00-KM-16, Supervision and Communication Studies, NQF Level 4, 7 Credits.

    Total number of credits for Knowledge Modules: 112.

    Practical Skill Modules
  • 662301-000-00-PM-01, Set up, operate and maintain a guillotine to cut a variety of products to specifications, NQF Level 2, 14 Credits.
  • 662301-000-00-PM-02, Set up, operate and maintain folding machines to fold various impositions and formats of paper products, NQF Level 2, 18 Credits.
  • 662301-000-00-PM-03, Set up, operate and maintain a saddle stitching line to produce saddle stitch publications, NQF Level 3, 42 Credits.
  • 662301-000-00-PM-04, Set up, operate and maintain an adhesive binding line to produce adhesive bound publications, NQF Level 3, 46 Credits.
  • 662301-000-00-PM-05, Troubleshoot soft-cover bookbinding problems and initiate corrective action on all adhesive binding, saddle stitching, folding, guillotine and auxiliary equipment, NQF Level 4, 40 Credits.
  • 662301-000-00-PM-06, Oversee and enhance the performance and behaviour of all soft-cover bookbinding subordinate teams in adhesive binding, saddle stitching, folding, guillotine and auxiliary equipment, NQF Level 4, 65 Credits.

    Total number of credits for Practical Skill Modules: 225.

    Work Experience Modules
  • 662301-000-00-WM-01, Adhesive binding, saddle stitching, folding, guillotine and auxiliary equipment bookbinding team performance management processes, NQF Level 4, 55 Credits.
  • 662301-000-00-WM-02, Soft-cover print finishing problem-solving processes and procedures, NQF Level 4, 55 Credits.
  • 662301-000-00-WM-03, Adhesive bookbinding production line, NQF Level 4, 45 Credits.
  • 662301-000-00-WM-04, Saddle stitching production line, NQF Level 4, 35 Credits.
  • 662301-000-00-WM-05, Folding machine operations, NQF Level 2, 15 Credits.
  • 662301-000-00-WM-06, Guillotine operations, NQF Level 2, 12 Credits.
  • 662301-000-00-WM-07, Operational and support processes in the printing environment, NQF Level 2, 6 Credits.

    Total number of credits for Work Experience Modules: 223. 

  • EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Set up, operate and maintain a guillotine to cut a variety of products to specifications.
    2. Set up, operate and maintain folding machines to fold various impositions and formats of paper products.
    3. Set up, operate and maintain saddle stitching line to produce saddle stitch publications.
    4. Set up, operate and maintain an adhesive binding line to produce adhesive bound publications.
    5. Troubleshoot soft-cover bookbinding problems and initiate corrective action on all adhesive binding, saddle stitching, folding, guillotine and auxiliary equipment.
    6. Oversee and enhance the performance and behaviour of all soft-cover bookbinding subordinate teams in adhesive binding, saddle stitching, folding, guillotine and auxiliary equipment. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Correctly set up the machine according to job specifications and safety requirements.
  • Ensure end products conform to job specifications throughout the cutting process.
  • Diagnosed faults and take corrective action following standard operating procedures.
  • Despatch products to the next process to comply with production flow requirements.
  • Inspect and repair a Guillotine according to standard operating procedures.
  • Change, adjust and test knife and cutting stick according to safe standard operating procedures.
  • Perform maintenance and check safety devices to determine proper working condition.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Collect, inspect and safely transport correct resources to the folding machine.
  • Correct lay side and squareness of sheet is checked following job specifications.
  • Produce folded hand made up copy that conforms to job specifications.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Collect, inspect and safely transport correct resources to the saddle stitching machine.
  • Produce stitched hand made up copy that conforms to job specifications.
  • Inspect and repair a saddle stitching machine according to standard operating procedures.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Gather, inspect and safely transport correct resources to the adhesive binding line.
  • Produce hand collated copy that conforms with job specifications.
  • Ensure the end products conform to job specifications throughout the adhesive binding machine process.
  • Inspect and repair an adhesive binding machine is inspected and repaired according to standard operating procedures.
  • Ensure teams perform effectively and efficiently according to time and quality standards and compile reports following company policy and procedures.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
  • Identify and solve cut product related problems according to customers' quality specifications.
  • Identify and solve Guillotine and auxiliary equipment related problems following production and quality standards.
  • Identify and solve folded product related problems according to customers' quality specifications.
  • Identify and solve folding and auxiliary equipment related problems following production and quality standards.
  • Identify and solve saddle-stitched product related problems according to customers' quality specifications.
  • Identify and solve saddle stitching machine and auxiliary equipment related problems following production and quality standards.
  • Identify and solve adhesive bound product related problems according to customers' quality specifications.
  • Identify and solve adhesive binding machine and auxiliary equipment related problems following production and quality standards.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:
  • Analysis and reports of team performance and behaviour comply with company policies and procedures.
  • Team performance conforms with production and quality standards.
  • Plan, prepare and demonstrate training intervention to the learner.
  • Assess learner competence following a training intervention plan.

    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 summative assessment will be a trade test as prescribed under Section 26d of the Skills Development Act and defined in the trade test regulations conducted through an evaluation of practical tasks and theoretical questions at an assessment centre accredited by the QCTO and conducted by an assessor registered by NAMB.

    The assessment will take place over a minimum of 2 days. Should recognition for completed tasks be sought the process will be done following the Trade Test Regulations. A candidate who attempted a trade test will be given recognition for those trade test tasks in which he/she has been found competent and will not be retested in those tasks provided that the learner is competent in at least 50% of the trade test tasks given during the trade test. Recognition will be retained by the candidate for a maximum of 3 attempts or 18-months from the date of successful completion of the trade test task whichever comes first. 

  • INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The existing National Craft Diploma in Bookbinding Mechanised/Cutting, like all Competency Based Modular Training Programmes in the Printing, Newspaper and Packaging Industry, has been accredited by the City & Guilds of London.

    City & Guilds was chosen for international comparability purposes because they are the United Kingdom's leading provider of vocational qualifications and have over 8500 centres in 100 countries and are recognised by employers worldwide for providing quality qualifications.

    For purposes of comparability the Level 3 NVQ Mechanised Print Finishing and Binding, General Print (5158-32) qualification was chosen. The occupational tasks detailed in the Mechanised Soft-Cover Bookbinding Technician qualification cover all the afore-mentioned mandatory common units and the optional technical units (Groups A & B) which are also covered in this qualification's knowledge modules.

    It is generally accepted that the UK Level 3 NVQ qualifications are comparable to the South African NQF Level 4 qualifications.

    Conclusion:
    In conclusion, the Mechanised Soft-Cover Bookbinding Technician qualification is comparable to the chosen internationally recognised City & Guilds qualification. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification provides opportunities for horizontal and vertical articulation options.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Occupational Certificate: Mechanised Hard-Cover Bookbinding Technician, NQF Level 4.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Higher Certificate in General Management, NQF Level 5. 

  • 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 standards by means of statements of results and work experience including the Foundational Learning Competence (FLC).

    Additional legal or physical entry requirements:
    Colour perception testing.

    Criteria for the accreditation of providers.
    Accreditation of providers will be done against the criteria as reflected in the relevant curriculum on the QCTO website.
    The curriculum title and code is: Mechanised Soft-Cover Bookbinding Technician: 662301-000-00-00.

    This qualification encompasses the following trades as recorded on the NLRD:
  • 60967, Bookbinder - Printing.
  • 60894, Bookbinding - Printing.
  • 60895, Bookbinding/Ruling - Printing.

    Related Part-Qualifications
  • Occupational Certificate: Guillotine Operator, NQF Level 2.
  • Occupational Certificate: Folding Machine Operator, NQF Level 2.
  • Occupational Certificate: Saddle Stitching Machine Operator, NQF Level 3.
  • Occupational Certificate: Adhesive Binding Machine Operator, NQF Level 3. 

  • 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.