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: Coldset Rotary Offset Lithography Assistant Printer

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
112810	Occupational Certificate: Coldset Rotary Offset Lithography Assistant Printer
ORIGINATOR
Development Quality Partner - PIFSA
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	267	Not Applicable	NQF Level 03	Regular-ELOAC
REGISTRATION STATUS		SAQA DECISION NUMBER	REGISTRATION START DATE	REGISTRATION END DATE
Reregistered		EXCO 0425/24	2019-12-05	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 qualification is to provide the required knowledge, skills and work experience to a learner to operate as a Coldset Rotary Offset Lithography Assistant Printer. A Coldset Rotary Offset Lithography Assistant Printer sets-up a printing couple and conducts maintenance on selected printing press components. He/she also sets-up, operates and maintains reelstands.

Rationale:
South Africa has a sizeable printing industry in terms of its contribution to the economy. Its printing industry is one of the most advanced on the African continent, with companies prepared to invest huge amounts in purchasing advanced printing machines used in various printing processes requiring specialised skills. The industry requires Printing Technicians who can operate these printing presses.

Printing SA engaged with the printing industry to address the concerns regarding the competitiveness of the industry against international markets. During the survey, the industry identified Printing Trades and Occupations as scarce and critical skills in the industry.

The existing Printing and Manufacture of Packaging qualification is outdated and does not meet the requirements for a trade qualification in terms of the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations and the National Artisan Moderation Body. The lack of quality training and education has placed the sector in a precarious position as far as international competitiveness is concerned. The increasing scarcity of skills could also have a devastating impact on the sector.

This Occupational Certificate: Coldset Rotary Offset Lithography Assistant Printer qualification will fill the gap in terms of the standards that need to be achieved by the industry. In light of the above, this qualification offers growth and development opportunities for those who are already in or intend to enter the trade.

Typical learners for this qualification or its part-qualification are school leavers and TVET college graduates or workers employed in the printing and packaging industry.

Learners will receive a high standard of training and education that is occupationally aligned. Qualifying learners will be able to further their education and will be able to obtain access to industry-related management programmes in the Printing and Packaging sector.

Employers in the printing industry will gain access to suitably qualified artisans.
Artisans will produce high-quality work through operating costly printing presses with a skills profile that will enable reduced downtime and productivity losses.

By creating career pathways in the sector, employees will be able to progress from general factory workers to qualified artisans. The part-qualifications in this qualification will create an employment cycle in providing employment opportunities to unemployed youth.

The work of a Coldset Rotary Offset Lithography Assistant Printer is critical to the economy because of the fundamental role printing, and printed products are an integral part of growth and development.

Papermaking, waste efficiency and recycling are subjects covered in the curriculum. The efficient and responsible use of paper, adhesives and other materials is of critical importance to the industry as it forms a significant component of printing costs within a green economy.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

Entry Requirements:
Coldset Rotary Offset Lithography Reel-stand Operator, NQF Level 2.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

QUALIFICATION RULES

This qualification is made up of the following compulsory Knowledge and Practical Skill Modules:

Knowledge Modules:

6622110-000-00-00- KM-01, Introduction to the Printing and Packaging Industry, Level 3, 4 Credits.

6622110-000-00-00- KM-02, Legal and Regulatory Requirements, Level 3, 15 Credits.

6622110-000-00-00- KM-03, Printing Science and Chemistry, Level 3, 7 Credits.

6622110-000-00-00- KM-04, Quality Studies in the Printing and Packaging Industry, Level 4, 4 Credits.

6622110-000-00-00- KM-05, Productivity and Economics, Level 3, 11 Credits.

6622110-000-00-00- KM-06, Workplace Fundamentals, Level 3, 7 Credits.

6622110-000-00-00- KM-07, Printing Presses and Auxiliary Equipment, Level 2, 8 Credits.

6622110-000-00-00- KM-08, Reelstand, Level 2, 3 Credits.

6622110-000-00-00- KM-10, Basic Maintenance and Problem-solving in Heatset and Coldset Printing Environments, Level 2, 11 Credits.

6622110-000-00-00- KM-11, Setting-up, Maintaining and Resolving Problems on Printing Presses, Level 3, 11 Credits.
Total number of credits for Knowledge Modules: 81.

Practical Skill Modules:

6622110-000-00-00- PM-01, Identify Press Components and Handle Substrates, Plates and Inks in a Coldset Printing Environment, Level 2, 5 Credits.

6622110-000-00-00- PM-02, Set-up and Maintain a Reelstand and Solve Reelstand-related Problems in a Coldset Printing Environment, Level 2, 8 Credits.

6622110-000-00-00- PM-04, Conduct Basic Maintenance in a Coldset Printing Environment, Level 2, 18 Credits.

6622110-000-00-00- PM-05, Set-up a Printing Couple on a Coldset Printing Press, Level 3, 32 Credits.

6622110-000-00-00- PM-06, Conduct Planned Maintenance of the Printing Press in a Coldset Printing Environment, Level 3, 4 Credits.

6622110-000-00-00- PM-07, Conduct Preventative and Routine Maintenance on Components of the Printing Press in a Coldset Printing Environment, Level 3, 12 Credits.

6622110-000-00-00- PM-12, Comply with Safety, Health and Environmental Protection Best Practices and Procedures for a Coldset Printing Environment, Level 2, 4 Credits.
Total number of credits for Practical Skill Modules: 83.

Work Experience Modules:

6622110-000-00-00- WM-01, Structured Planning and Communication Processes in the Workplace, Level 4, 3 Credits.

6622110-000-00-00- WM-02, Pre-make Ready Operations in a Coldset Environment, Level 2, 28 Credits.

6622110-000-00-00- WM-04, Processes to Acquire Familiarity with Production Planning and Estimation Department in a Coldset Printing Environment, Level 4, 4 Credits.

6622110-000-00-00- WM-05, Processes to Perform Basic Maintenance on Coldset Printing Press, Level 2, 14 Credits.

6622110-000-00-00- WM-07, Processes to Conduct Advanced Set-up Activities on Coldset Printing Press and to Operate the Press, Level 4, 44 Credits.

6622110-000-00-00- WM-11, Processes to Comply with Safety, Health and Environmental Protection Best Practices and Procedures for a Coldest Printing Environment, Level 2, 10 Credits.
Total number of credits for Work Experience Modules: 103.

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

1. Conduct pre-make ready operations and perform basic and planned maintenance on a coldset printing press and auxiliary components.
2. Set-up and maintain a reelstand and solve reelstand-related problems in a coldset printing environment.
3. Conduct set-up activities on coldset printing press and perform preventative and routine press maintenance on components of the printing press.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit level outcome 1:

Read work ticket correctly.

Apply safe handling and transportation techniques correctly to handle substrates, plates and special inks.

Check, monitor and clean a range of components is (galleries, stairs, footplates, indicator lights, sensors, motors, idler (pipe) roller, cooling passages, loose components, air intakes).

Carry out basic maintenance on a range of components according to correct procedures (roller, ink ducts, printing blanket, dampening systems printing plates, blanket cylinders).

Conduct planned maintenance of the printing press and auxiliary equipment.

Prepare a report on press components.

Apply safety procedures in all operations.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit level outcome 2:

Prepare reelstand and set-up ticket instructions according to manufacturer's specifications and work.

Prepare reels and splice according to correct procedures.

Calculate, order and make available correct number of reels.

Handle and load substrates into the reelstand, using the correct technique.

Inspect and maintain reelstand according to procedures.

Resolve reelstand-related problems using problem-solving techniques.

Webb-up printing press is according to production specifications.

Apply safety and environmental standards.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit level outcome 3:

Set-up dampening, inking trains and systems according to procedures.

Mount blankets/packings on a press.

Mount set of printing plates for a specified printing job.

Maintain and set inking rollers and dampeners on a printing press.

Maintain glueing and softening unit and blankets.

Apply safety and environmental standards.

INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY

The qualification compares with qualifications in the following countries:
The United Kingdom:
The GQA Level 2 NVQ Certificate in Machine Printing (QCF). The qualification is for those who work as machine operatives (minders) on single and multi-unit production printing presses.
Some of the competencies shared with the South African qualification are:

Maintain Health and Safety within a Print Related Working Environment.

Communicating and Working with others in the Print Working Environment.

Keep equipment clean and in working order for use in the Print Industry.

Set up and run machinery within the Print Industry.

Prepare inks and coatings for printing.

Set and run ancillary printing machine equipment.

Set and run over-printing machinery.

Set and use ink drying equipment.

Set and use reel handling equipment.

Set and run in-line converting or enhancing equipment,

Set and run in-line folding equipment.

Materials handling, transportation and storage within the print working environment.

Set and run slitting and re-reeling equipment - adhesive label production.

The GQA Level 3 NVQ Diplomas in Machine Printing (QCF) are at Level 3.
This qualification should be taken by those who:

Have the responsibility for managing the machines, including monitoring and controlling the quality of output using a range of methods,

Are responsible for ensuring the completion of production records in line with company requirements.
Assessment of the qualification can take place in several contexts including Lithography (Sheet-fed) Printing, Lithography (Web-fed) Printing, Flexography Printing, Gravure Printing and Screen Printing.

United States:
According to the Study.com website in the U.S, printing machine operators can learn skills through on-the-job training or apprenticeships. However, some community colleges and technical schools offer vocational training, such as 2-year programs in printing technology or graphic communications technology, which may be preferred by employers. These programs prepare students for entry-level positions in the modern printing industry through courses in design, typography, digital media and binding.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, completing a certification program by professional organisations such as the Gravure Association of America (GAA) and the Flexographic Technical Association can attest to an operator's abilities to improve print machine efficiency and productivity as well as product quality and customer satisfaction.

Fullerton College, for example, offers a range of printing courses whose details are available on http://printing.fullcoll.edu/courses.html. These courses are offered in the types of printing rather than in Heatset and Coldset format, e.g., Silk Screen Printing and Digital Printing. There is some synergy between this qualification and that of Fullerton College.

Conclusion:
The South African qualification compares favourably with the qualifications in the above countries.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

This qualification has the following articulation possibilities.

Horizontal Articulation:

This qualification does not articulate horizontally with any current qualification.

Vertical Articulation:

This qualification articulates with the following qualifications currently being developed:

Occupational Certificate: Coldset Rotary Offset Lithography Printing Technician, Level 4.

NOTES

Qualifying for External Assessment:
In order to qualify for an external assessment, learners must provide proof of completion of all required modules employing statements of results and work experience records including the Foundational Learning Competence.

Additional Legal or Physical Entry Requirements:
Colour vision and acuity.

Criteria for the Accreditation of Providers:
Accreditation of providers will be done against the criteria as reflected in the relevant curriculum on the QCTO website.

The curriculum title and code is:

Coldset Rotary Offset Lithography Assistant Printer: 662211-000- 00-02.

Encompassed Trades:
The qualification is not a trade qualification.

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

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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