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: CNC Milling Machinist

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
102996	Occupational Certificate: CNC Milling Machinist
ORIGINATOR
Development Quality Partner - TASA/NTIP
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	148	Not Applicable	NQF Level 04	Regular-ELOAC
REGISTRATION STATUS		SAQA DECISION NUMBER	REGISTRATION START DATE	REGISTRATION END DATE
Reregistered		EXCO 0425/24	2018-07-26	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 part qualification is to prepare a learner to operate as a CNC Milling Machinist by implementing Measurement, Materials and Safety (MMS) requirements and conducting milling programming, milling setting and CNC milling operations.

Rationale:
The Industrial Policy Action Plan (IPAP) is firmly entrenched in Government's overall policy and plans to address the key challenges of economic and industrial growth and race-based poverty, inequality and unemployment. It is a key component of the President's Nine Point Plan and is aligned to the policy perspective of Radical Economic Transformation. It is guided by the vision of the National Development Plan. IPAP 2017 is aligned to the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) as well as the Medium Term Strategic Framework (MTSF).

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) incorporated the National Tooling Initiative (NTI) into the Industrial Policy Action Plan - IPAP as a key action programme for the Industrial Development - Fourth Industrial Revolution Division's Future Industrial Production and Technologies programme. The Programme was initially incubated through the European Sector (EU) Sector Wide Enterprise and Equity Programme (SWEEEP) donor funding with expanded support drawn from the National Treasury budget line item for the next Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) period to ensure continuity of the programme.

The NTI is the turnaround intervention programme aimed at the rehabilitation and growth of the Tool, Die and Mould Manufacturing (TDM) Sector and has been identified by the DTI as a key programme to uplift the manufacturing industry to international standards to develop the market and showcase the niche competitive advantages and capabilities of South Africa. The importance of Tooling in Manufacturing: Tools, Dies and Moulds, Jigs and Fixtures, Gauges and Metrology Equipment are core, key and critical to Manufacturing Competitiveness, as they are key Product Life Cycle Cost Drivers in terms of:

Initial Capital Investment to enable manufacturing of any new product, (Design and Manufacturing Cost of Original Tooling).

Production Cost Competitiveness (through Production Cycle Time, Reject).

Rate, Conversion Efficiency of the product to be produced.

End Product Quality standard.

Reliability of Production output and End product.

Maintenance Cost of Tooling.

Occupational health and safety.

A FRIDGE study was done by the government, with which they wanted to establish the size and development of the industry. This study confirmed the status of the South-African TDM industry as a key support component of the manufacturing sector. This study confirmed the need for a national intervention programme to address the steady decline of this support sector to the manufacturing industry over the past 15 to 20 years. This study found the TDM Sector distress drivers to be skills erosion and job losses resulting in huge critical shortage of skilled operators, designers, artisans, engineers and project managers in this sector. The advent of Industry 4.0, Computer Aided Design and Manufacturing radically changed the skills requirements for the production of tooling.

The need for revamping and updating the training capacity for the TDM sector cannot be over-emphasised and the QCTO model for provision of training received overwhelming support from the industry. In particular, the advent of this system is considered opportune to address existing problems in the industry, such as:

Improved industrial competitiveness by addressing current loss of work to Europe, China, India and other far east countries resulting from the lack of skills availability.

Decline in quality standards (out-dated non-competitive technology).

Decline in SA TDM companies' ability to meet delivery capacity and timing requirements improving the BBBEE transformation in TDM industry where, as a result of perceived distress in the sector, financial institutions and investors classify this industry sector as high risk, thus empowerment investment to date remains largely insignificant. Capacity building will address start-up SME enterprises in the sector to improve investor perception and improve chances for investment finance improving the Balance of Payments through import substitution resulting from local production and manufacturing competitiveness, i.e. machine setting, tooling adjustment and tool maintenance services.

The improved competitiveness will further address downstream problems like plant downtime, higher scrap rates, drop in output efficiencies, quality problems, missed supply deadlines, and increased input costs.

The CNC Milling Machinist is one of the following ten special skills that constitute a Toolmaker:

Lathe Operator.

Milling Machine Operator.

Surface Grinding Operator.

CNC Milling Machinist.

CNC Turning Machinist.

EDM Wire Operator.

EDM Plunge Operator.

Manufacturing Workshop Assistant.

Tooling Machinist.

Tooling CAD Operator.

The range of typical learners that will enter this qualification are people who would like to gain access to employment in the Tool and Die Making and manufacturing industries and those with a specific interest in manufacturing and the production of tooling.

This qualification resides as one of several in the Mechanical Engineering and Manufacturing environments related to tool making, general manufacturing and advanced machining. It acts as a feeder occupation within this context to gain access to the Toolmaker and other Mechanical Engineering qualification. This qualification also makes provision for people to progress to other aspects such as general manufacturing and advanced machining, and patternmaking.

The main benefits of this qualification for the learner are that the learner has an opportunity to be recognised with a well-structured, relevant and current competency addressing some of the advanced machining processes as part of Industry 4.0 and have access to entrepreneurial opportunities within the Mechanical Engineering and Manufacturing environments.

Society will be served by qualified machinists that not only undertake work with improved skills but are also contributing to the competitiveness of South Africa's manufacturing sector and addressing some Industry 4.0 requirements.

The overall benefits for the economy would include efficient and effective competencies available to be utilised for economic growth purposes.

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 4 with Mathematics and Science.
Or

N3 Engineering Studies with Mathematics and Engineering Science.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

QUALIFICATION RULES

This qualification is made up of the following compulsory Knowledge, Practical Skills and Work Experience Modules:
Knowledge Modules

652201-000-01-00-KM-01, Introduction to measurement, machining and safety, Level 2, 5 Credits.

652201-000-01-00-KM-02, Principles and concepts of drawings, Level 2, 5 Credits.

652201-000-01-00-KM-03, Introduction to Project management, Level 3, 6 Credits.

652201-000-01-00-KM-04, Basic principles project management, Level 4, 6 Credits.

652201-000-01-00-KM-15, CNC Milling Theory, Level 5, 14 Credits.
Total number of Credits for Knowledge Modules: 36.

Practical Skill Modules

652201-000-01-00-PM-01, Implement measurement, materials and safety (MMS) requirements, Level 2, 12 Credits.

652201-000-01-00-PM-04, Plan and conduct bench work and layout activities, Level 3, 10 Credits.

652201-000-01-00-PM-14, Conduct basic CNC milling operations, Level 4, 8 Credits.

652201-000-01-00-PM-15, Conduct advanced CNC milling operations, Level 5, 27 Credits.
Total number of Credits for Practical Skill Modules: 57.

Work Experience Modules:

652201-000-01-00-WM-01, Workplace orientation, job planning and preparation and elementary toolmaking processes and procedures, Level 3, 5 Credits.

652201-000-01-00-WM-05, Milling operations, Level 4, 15 Credits.

652201-000-01-00-WM-07, CNC milling operations, Level 5, 35 Credits.
Total number of Credits for Work Experience Modules: 55.

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

1. Conduct milling programming, milling setting and CNC milling operations.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:

Bench work and layout activities for CNC milling operations are planned and conducted in accordance with specifications and measurement, materials and safety (MMS) requirements.

CNC milling operations are performed in accordance with task, measurement, materials and safety (MMS) requirements.

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. Should recognition for completed tasks be sought the process will be done in accordance with 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 not be retested in those tasks provided that: (1) the learner is competent in at least 50% of the trade test tasks given during the trade test and (2) the 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 CNC Milling Machinist qualification and curriculum are one of many programmes to be found in the various vocational education and apprenticeship systems, for many countries in the world. In many instances training is comparable to the current South Africa Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO) approach emphasising theory, practical and workplace experiences. Industry alignment of this employable skills competency ensures that the training content is aligned to Industry 4.0, new technological innovations, standards and competency requirements.

There are differences, however, based on the degree of integration into the educational system, the mechanisms of regulation, forms of government support for employable skills competencies, and industry commitment to the system. The length of the different programmes also varies, but duration of 5 to 7 months appears to be average.

A comparability review of the SA toolmaker and related part occupational qualification and curriculum for programmes in the following countries, considered leaders in both industry and training approaches, and are: Germany, France, USA and Australia.

Conclusion:
The South African qualification is comparable to what is found in the chosen comparisons, in terms of what the qualification covers and the level of skills that must be developed.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

Horizontal Articulation:

Occupational Certificate: CNC Turning Machinist, Level 4.

Vertical Articulation:

Occupational Certificate: Tooling Machinist, Level 5.

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 a statement 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: CNC Milling Machinist: 652201-000-01-04.

Encompassed Trades:

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

This is not a trade qualification.

Assessment Quality Partner:

National Artisan Moderation Body.

Parent Qualification:

652201-000-01-00, Occupational Certificate: Toolmaker, Level 5, 664 Credits.

Derived qualifications related to this qualification:

652201-000-01-01, Occupational Certificate: Lathe Operator, Level 3, 104 Credits.

652201-000-01-02, Occupational Certificate: Milling Machine Operator, Level 3, 72 Credits.

652201-000-01-03, Occupational Certificate: Surface Grinding Operator, Level 3, 80 Credits.

652201-000-01-05, Occupational Certificate: CNC Turning Machinist, Level 4, 139 Credits.

652201-000-01-06, Occupational Certificate: EDM Wire Operator, Level 4, 98 Credits.

652201-000-01-07, Occupational Certificate: EDM Plunge Operator, Level 4, 98 Credits.

652201-000-01-08, Occupational Certificate: Manufacturing Workshop Assistant, Level 3, 58 Credits.

652201-000-01-09, Occupational Certificate: Tooling Machinist, Level 5, 457 Credits.

652201-000-01-10, Occupational Certificate: Tooling CAD Operator, Level 4, 67 Credits.

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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