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: Asset Protection Officer 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
110904  Occupational Certificate: Asset Protection 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 Asset Protection Officer. An Asset Protection Officer controls and protect assets, individuals and property, identifies and responds to emergency situations to provide a safe environment and documents incidents pertaining to safety and security within own scope of work.

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 which 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 and 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 part-qualification provides 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. The 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 Results 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? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    Knowledge Modules:
  • Knowledge Modules, 541401-000-00-KM-03, Health and Safety, Level 3, 8 Credits.
    Total number of credits for Knowledge Modules: 8.

    Practical Skills Modules:
  • Practical Skills, 541401-000-00-PM-04, Evacuate Premises and Contact Appropriate Emergency Role-players, Level 3, 3 Credits.
  • Practical Skills, 541401-000-00-PM-05, Carry out Emergency Responses, Level 3, 5 Credits.
  • Practical Skills, 541401-000-00-PM-06, Give Evidence in Court, Level 4, 4 Credits.
    Total number of credits for the Practical Skills component: 12.

    Workplace Experience Modules:
  • Workplace Experience, 541401-000-00-WM-04, Emergency Incident Management Processes, Level 3, 5 Credits.
    Total number of credits for the Workplace Experience Modules component: 5. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Identify and respond to emergency situations in a security situation environment. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Different types of emergency situations that a security officer may encounter in the work environment are listed and described.
  • The role and functions of a security officer are explained including emergency action drills or organisational incident management procedures in an emergency situation.
  • Details on how to protect and secure a crime scene are described in terms of legal requirements.
  • An emergency situation is responded to in accordance with organisational and legal requirements.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Integrated Formative Assessment:
    The skills development providers 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 Occupation (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. An external Integrated Summative Assessment, conducted through the relevant QCTO Assessment Quality Partner (AQP) is required for the issuing of this qualification. The external Integrated Summative Assessment for the qualification will be conducted by means of a written exam in decentralised assessment centres and the evaluation of practical tasks by a panel of assessors as well as evaluation of on-the-job performance in the workplace evaluated by workplace assessors registered with the AQP. 
    		•

    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 is comprised 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).
  • 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, 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 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 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, National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 3.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Further Education and Training Certificate: Dog Handler, NQF Level 4. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    NOTES 
    Qualifying for External Assessment:
    In order to qualify for the external summative assessment learners must have a copy of a completed and signed Statement of Work Experience as well as proof of successful completion of the following subjects and modules or alternative programmes where applicable including 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: Asset Protection Officer is: 541401-000-00-03: This qualification covers the following trades as recorded on the NLRD:
  • Not applicable as this qualification is not a trade.

    Assessment Quality Partner (AQP):
    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 Protection Officer:
  • 541401-000-00-01, Patrol Officer, Level 3, 42 Credits.
  • 541401-000-00-03, Asset Control 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.