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 Frame Preparer

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
103200	Occupational Certificate: Upholstery Frame Preparer
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	56	Not Applicable	NQF Level 02	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 Frame Preparer prepares upholstery frames for final covering by attaching springs, webbing, and foam or other padding.

Rationale:
This qualification will equip learners with the necessary skills and competence to operate as Upholstery Frame Preparers applying upholstery skills to make furniture frames. After successful completion of this qualification, the learner will be skilled and capable of making ergonomic and comfortable furniture frames using both traditional and modern techniques and materials to produce fit for purpose upholstery frames.

Learners will find employment as frame preparers and upholstery repairers. These skills will also open opportunities for self-employment. Target groups identified include school leavers with a NQF Level 1 qualification or a person who has been working in the furniture industry without formal qualifications and has 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-01, Basic Principles for Manufacturing of Upholstered Furniture, Level 2, 4 Credits.

683401-000-00-00-KM-02, Upholstered furniture frame preparation, Level 2, 8 Credits.
Total number of credits for Knowledge Modules: 12.

Practical Skill Modules:

683401-000-00-00-PM-01, Prepare Foundations for Upholstered Frames, Level 2, 20 Credits.
Total number of credits for Practical Skill Modules: 20.

Work Experience Modules

683401-000-00-00-WM-01, Upholstery Furniture Frame Preparation Processes, Level 2, 24 Credits.
Total number of credits for Work Experience Modules: 24.

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

1. Prepare upholstery frame for final covering by hand-building the suspension of the frame applying safety procedures and conduct a quality inspection.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome1:

An upholstery frame is inspected to ensure it meets specifications and defects in the construction of the frame are identified.

Foam, cardboard, springs, and webbing used for preparation of an upholstery frame are marked out and cut.

Frame weakness and strengths (knots, corner blocks, all joints and rails) are identified, and corrective action is taken.

Springs are evenly spaced, tightened and secured to the frame using lashing and knotting techniques.

Webbing is selected, measured, cut to length and attached to the frame applying correct spacing and interweaving techniques and ensuring correct tension.

Foam is selected and checked for the correct density according to specific components, measured, shaped and layered according to the prescribed template and attached to the frame applying adhesives or other appropriate methods.

Safety procedures are adhered to at all times.

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.
and

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:

Strip furniture with polished frames in preparation for recovery in craft upholstery.

Write cutting plans for manufacture of cushions in craft upholstery.

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

Carry out non-show wood furniture frame repairs for upholstery.

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

Hand cut fabric in craft upholstery.

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:

Clarify design briefs and research information.

Construct upholstery foundations.

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: Upholstery Cover Fitter at Level 2.

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

Occupational Certificate: Upholstery Cover Fitter and Template Maker at Level 3.

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.

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 Frame Preparer: 683401-000-00-01.

Encompassed Trades:
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, Occupational Certificate: Furniture Upholsterer, Level 4, 549 Credits.

Derived qualifications related to the Occupational Certificate: Upholstery Frame Preparer qualification:

683401-000-00-02, Occupational Certificate: Upholstery Cover Fitter, Level 2, 52 Credits.

683401-000-00-03, Occupational Certificate: Upholstery Cover Fitter and Template Maker, Level 3, 72 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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