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: Access Control Officer 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
110903  Occupational Certificate: Access Control Officer 
ORIGINATOR
Development Quality Partner-SASSETA 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
-   OQSF - Occupational Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Occupational Certificate  Field 08 - Law, Military Science and Security  Safety in Society 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  25  Not Applicable  NQF Level 03  Regular-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Reregistered  EXCO 0425/24  2019-10-24  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 provide the learner with the required knowledge, practical skills and workplace-based learning to prepare a learner to operate as an Access Control Officer. An Access Control Officer Controls, screens and searches individuals, vehicles and goods/cargo/commodities, escorts people entering and exiting the premises or property to safeguard the organisation against external threats and potential losses and completes all relevant documentation.

Rationale:
The security industry is globally recognised as the largest and fastest growing industry spurred on by the perception of increasing crime affecting individuals, business and government. The security officer occupation is a highly regulated occupation internationally and individuals wishing to practice as security officers must be licenced by the regulatory body. The demand to protect goods and services surges and given the progressing technology this require qualified and competent security officers to deter, detect, and investigate criminal and illegal activities, and to maintain secure environments.

This Occupational Certificate: Access Control Officer forms part of the Occupational Certificate: Security Officer that is an entry-level qualification and typical learners include individuals who want to enter the security industry or those already working in the industry without formal qualification. It will provide learners with competencies in all aspects of legal, regulatory, procedural as well as visible security operations to operate in a professional manner.

This part-qualification contributes to the development of qualified access control officers in the country. The qualification providers career opportunities within the security environment. Qualifying learners will be employed by public or private security agencies, residential complexes and homes, educational, cultural, and financial and health institutions, businesses and retail establishments, investigation service companies, transportation facilities, and organisations throughout the private and public sectors, or they may be self-employed. This part-qualification provides progression possibilities to the Occupational Certificate: Security Officer. 

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 2 qualification with Mathematical Literacy. 

  • RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification is made up of the following compulsory Knowledge, Practical Skills and Workplace Experience Modules.

    Knowledge Modules:
  • 541401-000-00-KM-04, Communications in the Security Environment, Level 3, 5 Credits.
    Total number of credits for Knowledge Modules: 5.

    Practical Skills Modules:
  • 541401-000-00-PM-03, Perform Access and Egress Control, Level 3, 8 Credits.
    Total number of credits for the Practical Skills component: 8.

    Workplace Experience Modules:
  • 541401-000-00-WM-03, Access and Egress Control Processes, Level 3, 12 Credits.
    Total number of credits for the Workplace Experience Modules: 12. 

  • EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Conduct access and egress control. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Various types of searching techniques and procedures to be conducted on people, goods and vehicles are identified and applied and breach of security is dealt with in accordance with the applicable legislative and organisational policies and procedures.
  • The correct way of searching persons, vehicles or goods/cargo/commodities is conducted in accordance to the applicable legislative and organisational policies and procedures.
  • Relevant security documentation such as receipts, invoicing, registers and consignment notes are completed correctly to ensure security compliance.
  • Relevant security documentation such as receipts, invoicing, passes and consignment notes are screened for accuracy for conformance with access and egress controls.
  • Methods of screening and searching baggage, vehicles, people and handling property are identified and described, and irregularities are dealt with using effective communication techniques in accordance with organisational standards.
  • Ways of escorting people within and between locations at the property to ensure safety are described and applied in line with organisational standard operating procedures.
  • Escorting duties of persons and vehicles are performed correctly to direct and/or accompany persons and vehicles within and between locations at the property to ensure safety and are done in a polite and sensitive manner.
  • Various security equipment used in access and egress control are listed and described in terms of their features and functions.
  • Methods of de-escalate, avoiding and resolving potential conflict are described to deal with difficult interpersonal relationships.
  • Types of communication systems are identified and described in terms of their application in a security environment.

    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 
    Introduction:
    International comparability was conducted to compare best practice and training offered registered in the field of security officer. The countries include Australia and United Kingdom as they regarded as leaders for best practice in the security industry, both have occupational development processes and the standard and level of competencies developed for occupation required by the security industry.

    Australia:
    The Certificate II in Security Operations is a qualification aimed at Security Officers and aligned with the Australian Qualifications Framework and classified in the Australian and New Zealand Standards Classifications for Occupations (ANZCO). The qualification comprises of 12 units of competency (core units and 5 elective units) which contribute to industry-supported vocational outcomes The duration of learning of the qualification is typically 0.5-1 year which equals to 600-1200 hours and includes time spent developing competency in the workplace. The following units of competency are studied that compares favourably with the South African qualification:
  • Communicate effectively in the security industry (CPPSEC2001A).
  • Follow workplace safety procedures in the security industry (CPPSEC2002A).
  • Work effectively in the security industry (CPPSEC2003A/B).
  • Respond to security risk situation (CPPSEC2004A/B).
  • Work as part of a team (CPPSEC2005A).
  • Provide security services to customer (CPPSEC2006A/B).
  • First aid training (HLTFA301B/C, HLTFA311A or HLTAID003 or equivalent).
  • Control access to and exit from premises (CPPSEC2011B).
  • Give evidence in court (CPPSEC2009A).
  • Operate basic security equipment (CPPSEC2014A).
  • Screen people (CPPSEC2007A).
  • Screen items (CPPSEC2008A).
  • Protect safety of persons (CPPSEC2010A).
  • Contribute to investigative activities (CPPSEC2016A).
  • Protect valuables in transit (CPPSEC2013A).
  • Control and direct traffic (CPPCMN2001B).
  • Carry out vehicle inspection (TLIB2004).
  • Use communication systems (TLIE2007).

    The qualifications, however, differ slightly in that some of the units in the Australian qualification that have not cited here are regarded as specialisations in the South African qualification. In addition, it has been found that in all the countries searched, there is a common practice that regulatory or licensing bodies identify certain units or modules that are compulsory for learners to complete successfully for licensing purposes, similar approach applied in South Africa.

    United Kingdom:
    Level 2 Certificate in Providing Security Services is a competence-based qualification with 22 Credits comprising 28 units that could lead could lead to employment in static and patrol guarding, door supervision, Closed-circuit television (CCTV) operation, retail, reception or events security, and key holding and alarm response, areas that have been identified as specialisations in the South African Level 2 qualification and compares favourably in terms of level of standards and competencies covered. However, the search focused on the Security Industry Authority (SIA), the organisation responsible for regulating the private security in the United Kingdom (UK) that offers Security Guard Training courses to enable learners to obtain licencing which compares favourably with the South African qualifications although the duration differs significantly. The course covers the following:

    Common Security Industry Knowledge:
  • Session 1: Awareness of the Law in the Private Security Industry.
  • Session 2: Health and Safety for the Private Security Operative.
  • Session 3: Fire Safety Awareness.
  • Session 4: Emergency Procedures.
  • Session 5: The Private Security Industry.
  • Session 6: Communication Skills and Customer Care.

    Security Guarding Specialist Module:
  • Session 1: Introduction to the Roles and Responsibilities of Security Officers.
  • Session 2: Patrolling.
  • Session 3: Access and Egress Control.
  • Session 4: Searching.
  • Session 5: Technology and Systems in the Security Environment.
  • Session 6: The Security Officer and The Law.
  • Session 7: Communicating, Reporting and Record Keeping.

    Conflict Management Module:
  • Session 1: Avoiding Conflict and Reducing Personal Risk.
  • Session 2: Defusing Conflict.
  • Session 3: Resolving and Learning from Conflict.
  • Session 4: Application of Communication Skills and Conflict Management for Security Guarding and Close Protection.

    Conclusion:
    The South African qualification compares favourably with the international offerings in Australia and the United Kingdom in terms of the content covered in the qualifications for security services or operations. The qualifications benchmarked differ slightly with the South African qualification with respect to the total credits which has an impact on the duration of the course which is slightly shorter as well as the fact that their structure has an elective component catering for specialisation which compares with the Part Qualifications in the South African qualification context providing learners with employable skills and qualify them to operate and accumulate credits towards the full qualification. 

  • ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification articulates horizontally and Vertically with the following qualifications.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • National Certificate: Locksmithing, Level 3.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Further Education and Training Certificate: Dog Handler, 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 a statement of results and work experience 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 for: Access Control Officer is: 541401-000-00-02.

    Encompassed Trades:
    This qualification encompasses the following trades as recorded on the NLRD:
  • This is not a trade qualification.

    Assessment Quality Partner:
    Safety and Security Sector Education and Training Authority (SASSETA).

    Parent Qualification:
  • 541401-000-00-00, Occupational Certificate Security Officer, Level 4, 86 Credits.

    Derived Qualifications Related to the Occupational Certificate: Access Control Officer:
  • 541401-000-00-03, Asset Protection Officer, Level 3, 25 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.
     
    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.