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: Toolmaker |
SAQA QUAL ID | QUALIFICATION TITLE | |||
103177 | Occupational Certificate: Toolmaker | |||
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 | Manufacturing and Assembly | ||
ABET BAND | MINIMUM CREDITS | PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL | NQF LEVEL | QUAL CLASS |
Undefined | 664 | Not Applicable | NQF Level 05 | 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 replaces: |
Qual ID | Qualification Title | Pre-2009 NQF Level | NQF Level | Min Credits | Replacement Status |
91796 | Occupational Certificate: Toolmaker | Not Applicable | NQF Level 05 | 432 | Complete |
PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION |
Purpose:
The purpose of this qualification is to prepare a learner to operate as a Toolmaker. A Toolmaker Manufactures modifies and repairs tools, dies, jigs, fixtures, moulds and other precision parts and equipment to fine tolerances used in various production disciplines. A qualified learner will be able to: 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. 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: 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 operator, 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 Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (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 South Africa (SA) TDM companies' ability to meet delivery capacity and timing requirements Improve the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (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 Small and Medium Enterprises (SME's) enterprises in the sector to improve investor perception and improve chances for investment finance Improve 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 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 industry and those with a specific interest in production of tooling. This qualification resides as one of several in the mechanical engineering and manufacturing environments and makes allowance for any feeder occupation within this context to gain access to the Toolmaker qualification. The Toolmaker qualification also makes provision for people to progress within this discipline to other aspects such as patternmaking and computer aided design. The main benefits of this qualification for the learner are that the learner has an opportunity to be recognised as a qualified artisan with well-structured, relevant and current competencies and have access to entrepreneurial opportunities within the mechanical engineering and manufacturing environments. Society will be served by qualified toolmakers that not only undertake work with improved skills but are also contributing to the competitiveness of South Africa's manufacturing sector. The overall benefits for the economy would include efficient and effective Toolmaking 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: RPL for access to the qualification: Entry Requirements: Or |
RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? |
Y |
QUALIFICATION RULES |
This qualification is made up of the following compulsory Knowledge, Practical Skills and Work Experience Modules:
Knowledge Modules: Total number of Credits for Knowledge Modules: 134. Practical Skill Modules: Total number of Credits for Practical Skill Modules: 297. Work Experience Modules: Total number of Credits for Work Experience Modules: 233. |
EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES |
1. Assist, advise and plan product development, tool design, production processes, equipment and material, including machining of tool components and assembly of tool.
2. Assess process planning, process adjustment, quality control and inspection. 3. Oversee and execute tool parts production processes. 4. Assemble, dry test, debug and conduct quality assurance of the tool and related operational and maintenance processes. |
ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA |
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2: Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3: Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4: 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 Toolmaker qualification and curriculum is one of many programmes to be found in the various vocational education and apprenticeship systems, for many countries in the world. Industry alignment of this trade ensures that the training content is aligned to new technological innovations, standards and competency requirements. The two best practice countries chosen for the international comparability of the qualification and part qualifications are the United States and New Zealand.
United State of America ( USA): The National Institute of Metalworking Standards (NIMS) set national skill standards that help maintain consistency, quality, and transparency across industry and academic training programs and help employers measure workforce performance. The standards are the foundation of credentials that give individuals industry-certified, in-demand skills and help employers identify qualified talent. Industry skill standards benchmark what individuals need to know and perform to be successful on the job. The skill standards describe the primary knowledge, skills, and abilities in which individuals must be proficient to meet performance requirements and expectations in the workplace. The national skill standards are developed and validated by industry professionals representing a spectrum of sectors. The development process includes a series of national review sessions and interviews with employers and employees across industry sectors to document and validate the basic requirements for the majority of skilled positions within the industry. The NIMS standards serve as the basis for certifying individual skills. NIMS offers multiple credentials within each standard to validate a complete set of skills needed for the particular occupation and these multiple credentials are awarded at Level I, II and III. NIMS has developed skill standards for: New Zealand (NZ): The NZ Register Level 4 qualification (ANZSCO Skill Level 3) is the qualification that compares well with the South African Occupational Certificate: Toolmaker. The New Zealand qualification will ensure that the toolmaker is able to execute specific tasks such as: These tasks are pitched at skill level 3 and could lead to specialisation in: There are differences based on the degree of integration into the educational system, the mechanisms of regulation, forms of government support for apprenticeship, and industry commitment to the system. The length of the different programmes also varies, but apprenticeship duration of 3 - 4 years appears to be average. Conclusion The South African qualification is comparable to what is found in the chosen comparisons, in terms of what the qualification covers in terms of content, the level of skills that have to be developed and the duration of study. |
ARTICULATION OPTIONS |
Horizontal articulation:
Vertical articulation: |
MODERATION OPTIONS |
N/A |
CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS |
N/A |
NOTES |
Qualifying for external assessment:
Additional legal or physical entry requirements: Criteria for the accreditation of providers: This qualification encompasses the following trades as recorded on the NLRD: Assessment Quality Partner: Derived Qualifications Registered as Part Qualifications: SAQA ID, Curriculum Code, Title, NQF Level, Credits |
LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: |
When qualifications are replaced, some (but not all) of their learning programmes are moved to the replacement qualifications. If a learning programme appears to be missing from here, please check the replaced 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. |