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: Upholstery Cover Fitter and Template Maker

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
103185	Occupational Certificate: Upholstery Cover Fitter and Template Maker
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	72	Not Applicable	NQF Level 03	Regular-ELOAC
REGISTRATION STATUS		SAQA DECISION NUMBER	REGISTRATION START DATE	REGISTRATION END DATE
Reregistered		EXCO 0425/24	2018-09-12	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:
An Upholstery Cover Fitter and Template Maker fits and attaches advanced upholstery covers to complex and exposed prepared upholstery frames using hand and power tools.

Rationale:
This qualification will equip learners with the necessary skills and competence to operate as Upholstery Cover Fitters and Template Makers. After successful completion of this qualification, the learner will be skilled and capable of making templates and cover furniture using both traditional and modern techniques, materials and fabrics to produce aesthetically pleasing and fit for purpose consumer products.

Learners will find employment as cover fitters, patternmakers, furniture finishers and upholstery repairers. These skills will also open opportunities for self-employment. Target groups identified include, school leavers with an NQF Level 1 qualification or persons who have been working in the furniture industry without formal qualifications and have the desire to formalise their skills and knowledge.

Employers will benefit from appointing qualified workers in terms of increased productivity and ability to be competitive in the international market and seek markets abroad supplying quality upholstered furniture and furnishings.

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 1 qualification with Mathematics.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

QUALIFICATION RULES

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

Knowledge Modules:

683401-000-00-00-KM-04, Advanced Upholstery Furniture Technology, Level 3, 2 Credits.

683401-000-00-00-KM-05, Upholstery Pattern and Template Making Principles, Methods and Equipment, Level 3, 5 Credits.
Total number of credits for Knowledge Modules: 7.

Practical Skill Modules:

683401-000-00-00-PM-03, Perform Advanced Covering Operations for Complex and Exposed Frames, Level 3, 10 Credits.

683401-000-00-00-PM-04, Perform Deep Buttoning Procedures to Decorate Upholstered Furniture, Level 3, 10 Credits.

683401-000-00-00-PM-05, Produce Cutting Lay Requirements for Cutting of Upholstered Cover Components, Level 3, 4 Credits.

683401-000-00-00-PM-06, Produce upholstery patterns and templates for the upholstery frame preparation and cutting departments, Level 3, 16 Credits.
Total number of credits for Practical Skill Modules: 40.

Work Experience Modules:

683401-000-00-00-WM-03, Upholstery Pattern and Template Making Processes, Level 3, Credits 15.

683401-000-00-00-WM-04, Upholstery Cutting Lay Preparation, Level 3, Credits10.

683401-000-00-00-WM-05, Advanced Upholstery Covering Processes, Level 3, Credits 25.
Total number of credits for Work Experience Modules: 50.

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

1. Upholster furniture by fitting and attaching upholstery covers to complex and exposed prepared upholstery frames using hand and power tools.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:

Panels/covers are stapled onto frame sections such as seat deck, inside arms, inside back outside arms, outside back, seat border, etc. using correct methods and covering sequence.

Back tacking is applied where applicable.

Various operations such as piping, flat stitching, quilting, pleating, and decorative finishings are applied as required by specification details.

T-cushions with zip fastening are produced.

A final quality inspection is performed to verify that the overall appearance of the furniture work-piece is in compliance with specifications by paying attention to balance, neatness, direction of pile, placement of patterns, ensuring no excess fabric or threads.

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

This qualification was compared with components of two qualifications, namely the:

National Certificate in Furniture (Restoration and Recovery Upholstery) from New Zealand.

Diploma in Upholstery from the United Kingdom.

New Zealand:
The National Certificate in Furniture (Restoration and Recovery Upholstery) is at Level 4 and the credit value is 158. It refers to the restoration and refurbishment of a variety of furniture that can be modern or old, and to the manufacture of: one-off upholstered items to order. It differs from manufacturing upholstery in that it mainly involves single unit jobs with unique specifications. It often requires the restoration of furniture to a client customised requirements. The restoration and recovery upholsterer needs to be multi-skilled and knowledgeable in a wide variety of furniture types. The unit standards cover aspects such as:

Mark and cut single-lay plain upholstery materials.

Mark, cut and match single-lay patterned upholstery materials.

Prepare and operate a sewing machine for upholstery for basic sewing operations.

Fill cushions in craft upholstery.

Write cutting plans for manufacture of cushions in craft upholstery.

Set and operate an overlocking sewing machine for upholstery 3.

Set and operate a hand-held vertical foam cutting machine for craft upholstery.

Mark and cut multiple-lay (up to thirty) upholstery materials.

Fit intermediate upholstery coverings to furniture.

Match, mark out, and cut single-lay patterned upholstery fabric.

Produce a cutting plan for layout of templates on upholstery fabric.

Produce templates for marking and cutting upholstery fabric for a furniture item.

Carry out deep buttoning on upholstery coverings.

Carry out deep buttoning on upholstery covers.

Mark, cut and match single-lay patterned upholstery materials.

Match, mark out, and cut multiple-lay patterned upholstery fabric.

Match, mark out, and cut multiple-lay piled upholstery fabric.

Hand cut fabric in craft upholstery.

Hand cut leather for craft upholstery.

Hand cut leather for upholstery.

Prepare and operate an upholstery sewing machine for advanced sewing.

Prepare and operate an upholstery sewing machine for leather sewing.

United Kingdom:
The National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) Diploma in Upholstery is at Level 3. The minimum credit value for this qualification is 55 and it follows on the Level 2 NVQ Certificate in Upholstery. The qualification equips learners with skills and capabilities of creating ergonomic and comfortable furniture using both traditional and modern techniques, materials and fabrics and to produce aesthetically pleasing and fit for purpose consumer products. Units include aspects such as:

Construct upholstery foundations.

Fit and finish top covers.

Produce advanced loose covers.

Produce and maintain jigs and templates.

Produce complex shaped cushions and padded items.

Produce furniture production specifications.

Upholster standard items of modern furniture.

Upholster standard items of traditional furniture.

Conclusion:
This qualification compares well with the components of the compared qualifications in terms of content and complexity.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

Horizontal Articulation:
This qualification articulates horizontally with the following qualification currently being developed:

Occupational Certificate: Clothing, Home Textiles, and General Goods Cutter, Level 3.

Vertical Articulation:
This qualification articulates vertically with the following qualification currently being developed:

Occupational Certificate: Furniture Upholsterer, Level 4.

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 records including the Foundational Learning Competence.

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: Upholstery Cover Fitter and Template Maker: 683401-000-00-03.
Trades Encompassed:

This qualification encompasses the following trades as recorded on the National Learners' Records Database (NLRD):

This is not a trade qualification.

Assessment Quality Partner (AQP):
National Artisan Moderating Body (NAMB).

Parent Qualification:
683401-000-00-00, Furniture Upholsterer, Level 4, 549 Credits.

Derived qualifications related to occupational certificate: upholstery cover fitter and template maker qualification:
683401-000-00-01, Upholstery Frame Preparer, Level 2, 56 Credits.
683401-000-00-02, Upholstery Cover Fitter, Level 2, 52 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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