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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Occupational Certificate Physical Asset Practitioner 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
115520  Occupational Certificate Physical Asset Practitioner 
ORIGINATOR
Development Quality Partner - Dept of Nat Treasury 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
-   OQSF - Occupational Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Occupational Certificate  Field 12 - Physical Planning and Construction  Physical Planning, Design and Management 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  232  Not Applicable  NQF Level 06  Regular-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Registered  EXCO 04170/20  2020-02-26  2025-02-26 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2026-02-26   2029-02-26  

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 prepare a learner to operate as a Physical Asset Practitioner. Physical Asset Practitioners apply the physical asset management framework and policies to ensure the performance and output potential of physical assets through systematic maintenance activities and practices throughout the life cycle of the physical asset within a risk framework to achieve strategic objectives and activate the execution of the most relevant maintenance strategies.

Physical Asset Management System refers to an organisation's physical asset management policy, physical asset management strategy, physical asset management objectives, physical asset management plan(s) and the activities, processes and organisational structures necessary for their development, implementation, and continual improvement. Physical Asset System refers to sets of physical assets that interact and or are interrelated to deliver a required business function or service in a physical asset system individual physical assets and various groupings of physical assets (asset portfolio).

A qualified learner will be able to:
  • Maintain the physical asset management system in terms of data integrity.
  • Coordinating the processes of the various stages in the life cycle of physical assets.
  • Interpreting, implementing and reporting in conjunction with a work team on physical asset performance improvements and recommendations.
  • Participating and informing new physical asset creation project teams on relevant aspects of physical asset management knowledge (skills, techniques, etcetera.) related to an area of operation.
  • Contributing to the statutory reporting on the operational and financial performance of physical assets.

    Rationale:
    This qualification is critical to the effective management of public and private assets. There is no formally recognised qualification in physical asset management within both the public sector and the private sector in South Africa. Below are the professional bodies/associations consulted during the development of this qualification:
  • Southern African Asset Management Association (SAAMA).
  • South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA).
  • Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA).
  • Association of Accounting Technicians South Africa (AAT SA).

    The target group of learners are the following:
  • Asset Practitioner level normal entry-level in asset management up to supervisory level.
  • Asset Manager level experienced with a minimum of three years and upwards in asset management.

    This qualification blends the theoretical with practical and work exposure for the successful awarding of the qualification together with a professional designation by the relevant professional body. 
    		•

    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.
  • NQF Level 4 with Mathematics. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification is made up of the following compulsory Knowledge, Practical Skill and Work Experience Modules:

    Knowledge Modules:
  • Knowledge, 333911-000-00-KM-01, Physical Asset and Facilities Management I, Level 5, 16 Credits.
  • Knowledge, 333911-000-00-KM-02, Physical Asset and Facilities Management II, Level 6, 16 Credits.
  • Knowledge, 333911-000-00-KM-03, Strategic Physical Asset Management I, Level 5, 24 Credits.
  • Knowledge, 333911-000-00-KM-04, Strategic Physical Asset Management II, Level 6, 24 Credits.
  • Knowledge, 333911-000-00-KM-05, Financial Management and Business Engineering Principles I, Level 5, 16 Credits.
  • Knowledge, 333911-000-00-KM-06, Financial Management and Business Engineering Principles II, Level 6, 16 Credits.

    Total number of credits for Knowledge Modules: 112.

    Practical Skill Modules:
  • Practical Skills, 333911-000-00-PM-01, Perform Physical Asset Management Activities within the Operational Area of Responsibility, Level 5, 14 Credits.
  • Practical Skills, 333911-000-00-PM-02, Coordinate the Processes of the Various Stages in the Life Cycle of Physical Assets, Level 6, 20 Credits.
  • Practical Skills, 333911-000-00-PM-03, Interpret, Implement and Report in Conjunction with a Work Team the Physical Asset Performance, Improvements and Recommendations, Level 6, 8 Credits.
  • Practical Skills, 333911-000-00-PM-04, Participate and Inform New Physical Asset Creation Project Teams on Relevant Aspects Physical Asset Management Knowledge Related to Area of Operation, Level 6, 10 Credits.
  • Practical Skills, 333911-000-00-PM-05, Contribute to the Statutory Reporting on Operational, Physical and Financial Performance of Physical Assets, Level 5, 8 Credits.

    Total number of credits for Practical Skill Modules: 60.

    Work Experience Modules:
  • Work Experience, 333911-000-00-WM-01, Physical Asset Systems Implementation and Operational Environment, Level 5, 14 Credits.
  • Work Experience, 333911-000-00-WM-02, Operation, Maintenance, Optimisation and Rationalisation Processes over the Whole Physical Asset Lifecycle, Level 6, 20 Credits.
  • Work Experience, 333911-000-00-WM-03, Performance Measuring Processes Applied to a Range of Physical Assets or Physical Asset Groupings, Level 6, 8 Credits.
  • Work Experience, 333911-000-00-WM-04, Physical Asset Creation or Refurbishment Processes as a Member of a Project Team, Level 6, 10 Credits.
  • Work Experience, 333911-000-00-WM-05, Process of Statutory Reporting on Operational and Financial Performance of Physical Assets according to the Reporting Framework, Level 5, 8 Credits.

    Total number of credits for Work Experience Modules: 60. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Apply general principles of planning, coordination, activation and controlling of physical asset management operations, leading and monitoring of the people aspect of the physical asset management system.
    2. Adhere and comply with legislative, statutory, municipal ordinances, policies and procedures, time frames and quality standards.
    3. Assess the operational condition and required maintenance of a physical asset.
    4. Measure physical asset performance and deviations, identify causes in order to optimise physical asset performance and take disposal decisions.
    5. Execute new physical asset creation or refurbishment processes and participate in multi­ disciplinary team processes.
    6. Report on operational and financial data to enhance resource allocation. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Apply general management principles and practices to a small work team in a physical asset management situation.
  • Apply general management principles and practices to the performance and operations of a work team in physical asset management throughout the life cycle of physical assets and physical asset groupings.
  • Identify corrective and improvement actions and formulate actions to address deviations and discrepancies in a team and physical asset performance.
  • Identify possible policy and strategy improvements and amendments to improve the system, and communicate such proposals by following the correct reporting structures.
  • Identify and implement techniques which enhances clear communication within a work team.
  • Implement and motivate compulsory adherence to documentation prerequisites.
  • Identify and assess performance indicators to show compliance with operations.
  • Apply basic principles of mentoring and coaching to enhance work team performance.
  • Evaluate the relevance of basic principles of mentoring and coaching in a physical asset management context.
  • Communicate work tasks to a team in such a manner that it supports motivation.
  • Identify and communicate task-specific risks needs which should be fully understood.
  • Compile a work plan for the team based on performance indicators of the physical assets.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Explain the critical importance of legislative and statutory requirements in the execution of physical asset management tasks.
  • Identify the legislation applicable to the workplace, discipline-specific and reporting framework and assess the implication thereof on the execution of physical asset management tasks.
  • Incorporate the legislation applicable to the workplace, discipline-specific and reporting framework into general practices.
  • Present evidence of adherence to legislative requirements in a systematic manner and according to reporting requirements.
  • Present evidence of safe work practices in compliance with legislative and statutory requirements
  • List various discipline-specific ordinances and evaluate the implication thereof on a specific physical asset creation project.
  • Interpret and integrate the various aspects of the physical asset management system.
  • Apply and maintain physical asset management procedure and process manuals.
  • Interpret and implement business design diagrams and other documentation.
  • Justify the importance and need to adhere to policies and procedures.
  • Quantify the purpose and effect of policies in terms of the workplace requirements and physical asset performance, maintenance and condition.
  • Relate the importance of adherence to policies to physical asset performance and data integrity in the workplace.
  • Identify and evaluate workplace structures that need to be in place to support adherence to policies with the view to enhance compliance.
  • List and implement risk critical norms and standards and ethics in support of efficacy

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Apply sound operational and maintenance practices in order to enhance physical asset performance.
  • Assess basic engineering workshop practices for efficiency and safety.
  • Explain and communicate the role and placement of physical assets in the operations of the entity.
  • Identify and categorise the basic properties and behaviour of materials in the physical asset grouping according to the implications thereof on adhering to the operational design specifications and consequent maintenance practices.
  • List and categorise various machinery and equipment for various engineering disciplines.
  • List various methods of construction according to physical asset categories.
  • Identify and motivate design specifications and sound operational and economical utilisation for various physical assets.
  • Explain appropriate operational and maintenance practices by accessing the Technical knowledge library.
  • List and interpret applicable diagrams, drawings, plans and technical manuals for various engineering disciplines.
  • Interpret and apply drawings and diagrams on the functioning of equipment.
  • Categorise the functioning of the applicable documentation management system in terms of how it relates to the engineering disciplines.
  • Describe the concept of quality in physical asset projects and apply quality principles.
  • Operational quality standards are related to physical asset life cycle performance.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Identify, monitor and evaluate distinct physical asset utilisation improvement actions to ensure sustainability.
  • Justify the importance of a sound physical asset utilisation plan, including the required maintenance regarding physical asset performance, deviations, and improvements.
  • Justify the importance of adherence and compliance with scheduled physical asset utilisation over the physical asset life cycle regarding physical asset and financial performance.
  • Suggest and initiate operational management improvements by utilising leading and lagging indicators.
  • Compile a management action plan and propose specific actions and target dates to report variances.
  • Explain the concept of leading and lagging indicators.
  • Evaluate the impact of variances which can lead to less positive financial performance and life expectancy of the physical asset.
  • Analyse data structures in order to extract information on physical asset performance.
  • Analyse specific performance indicators, and link the application thereof to work performance, financial performance, overall equipment performance, maintenance strategy relevance and organisational performance.
  • Utilise software applications to do basic data analysis.
  • Utilise available tools to perform basic calculations on typical physical asset data in order to calculate key performance indicators.
  • Perform a set of calculations on the supplied algorithms to establish a specific performance trend.
  • Interpret and compare the outcome with the required specified physical asset performance.
  • Adjust physical asset utilisation to incorporate the above outcomes.
  • Forecast and include physical asset end-of-life processes in the physical asset disposal strategy.
  • Conduct an end of useful life investigation and decision-making and disposal options analysis.
  • Identify and implement the most suitable disposal arrangements and close-out options.
  • Consider waste and contamination risks of the physical asset, and recommend the greenest option.
  • Apply waste management policies and mitigate contamination risks.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
  • Implement project execution where multiple disciplines are needed to complete the task.
  • Apply the basic principles of risk management to deal with contingencies.
  • Describe and apply basic project management methodologies and concepts in a new physical asset creation project.
  • Apply differentiation between the creation of new projects and refurbishment.
  • Apply basic planning techniques to compile a project plan.
  • Apply the basic project planning principles to a specific multi-disciplinary team.
  • Analyse and implement the quality assessments and techniques are in support of the outcomes of the project.
  • Conduct periodic site visits during the project to ensure adherence to quality, time frames, and budgetary performance.
  • Identify and conduct typical observations in assessing progress following the project plan.
  • Identify and justify typical aspects to report on to management and select and justify appropriate reporting techniques.
  • Apply contract management techniques.
  • Align third-party service providers with the system, and assess the management and control mechanisms about these in the execution of the tasks for effectiveness.
  • Identify and control various aspect of the logistic chain in terms of how they link to and affect each other.
  • Identify and apply critical aspects of commercial contract management procedures during the completion of the contract and project.
  • Apply proper project closure procedures in such a manner that it supports the success of the project.
  • Explain how to include how practical performance in contractual performance.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:
  • Maintain data integrity of physical assets, and supply relevant physical asset information timely for management decision-making processes.
  • Collect and select data and information in compliance with a schedule, relevance, and accuracy.
  • Verify data and information to maintain data integrity.
  • Explain the benefits of well indexed knowledge and systems and processes.
  • Interpret and apply the requirements in terms of timely and relevant data and knowledge.
  • List and describe possible reporting frameworks as it applies to the workplace and discipline-specific requirements.
  • Apply reporting principles, methods, and formats related to statutory requirements.
  • Analyse the applicable reporting framework in terms of its requirements for data related to statutory compliance.
  • Evaluate internal reporting structures for supporting the processing and verification of data in order to ensure integrity.
  • Discuss the importance of the integrity of information in terms of the effect on management decision making.
  • Develop a time frame for reporting activities that support statutory compliance.
  • Utilise reporting software to systematise the data according to the reporting framework.
  • Analyse and interpret a set of financial and operational data related to physical asset performance.
  • Present the results in operational and financial reports according to reporting procedures or structures and the applicable reporting framework.
  • Apply the principles of basic budgeting procedures.
  • Identify the required information for the budgeting process.
  • Identify the material and inventory information required for budgeting purposes.
  • Calculate the capital, and current (maintenance) expenditure amounts over the budget horizon.

    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:
    The relevant QCTO Assessment Quality Partner conducts an external integrated summative assessment for the issuing of this qualification. The external integrated summative assessment will focus on the Exit Level Outcomes and Associated Assessment Criteria.
  • Evaluate the requirements for the inclusion of quality specifications in the design and specifications requirements.
  • Measure the quality in the work output by applying applicable tools and methods. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The United Kingdom.
    The Institute of Highway Engineers offers a Professional Certificate in Asset Management which covers the following:
    Asset Management enables an organisation to examine the need for, and performance of, assets and asset systems at different levels. Additionally, it enables the application of analytical approaches towards managing an asset over the different stages of its life cycle (which can start with the conception of the need for the asset, through to its disposal, and includes the managing of any potential post disposal liabilities). The qualification has a competency certificate and allows one to register with the Engineering Council in the UK. It provides for 30 Continuous Professional Development points.

    Australia.
    Central Queensland University Australia offers a Graduate Certificate in Asset and Maintenance Management. The qualification allows the learner to learn about maintenance systems and strategies, and resource allocation in just four units. It is innovative and practical in its approach, providing the learner with the ability to excel in the field of maintenance, reliability and engineering management. This qualification is part of a suite of postgraduate asset and maintenance management qualifications, allowing the learner to progress to the graduate diploma and the master of asset and maintenance management. The course is over a year.

    Conclusion:
    The Occupational Certificate: Physical Asset Practitioner qualification compares favourably with qualifications from the United Kingdom and Australia in terms of the content, duration and level of complexity. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    The qualification provides horizontal and vertical articulation options.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Advanced Certificate in Facilities Management, NQF Level 6.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Advanced Diploma: Supply Chain Management; NQF Level 7.
  • Bachelor of Arts: Housing Management, NQF Level 7. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    Assessment Quality Partner:

    Southern African Asset Management Association (SAAMA). 

    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.

    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 QCTO website.

    The curriculum title and code is Physical Asset Practitioner: 333911-000-00-00.

    This qualification encompasses the following trades as recorded on the NLRD:

    The qualification is not a trade qualification.

    Part Qualifications.

    None. 

    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.