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: First-line Production Supervisor 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
115722  Occupational Certificate: First-line Production Supervisor 
ORIGINATOR
Development Quality Partner - MERSETA 
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  86  Not Applicable  NQF Level 04  Regular-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Registered  EXCO 0522/24  2022-11-22  2025-12-31 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2026-12-31   2029-12-31  

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 prepare a learner to operate as a First-line Production Supervisor. First-line Production Supervisors plan, organise, control, leads, coordinate and review production operations of a single unit. The First-line Supervisor manages physical and human resources in production or manufacturing processes. Duties include managing tradesmen, craftsmen, process control technicians, machine operators, assemblers, labourers and other workers. The duties cover maintenance, monitoring and control of occupational health and safety, legal compliance, quality assurance, troubleshooting and problem-solving. A First-line Production Supervisor is required to schedule and oversee production activities and resources for efficiency and continuous improvement as well as training and development including on-the-job-training and development.

Rationale:
This part-qualification forms part of the Occupational Certificate: Production Supervisor. The part-qualification reflects the needs of the manufacturing and production sectors, as represented by employers, employees and training providers, for learners to develop the management skills and competencies to become Production Supervisors.

A wide range of industries in the production and manufacturing sectors has employees working as First-line Production Supervisors. The part-qualification is generic within the context of the manufacturing, mining, chemical, energy, water, food and beverage production sectors. The part-qualification consists of generic skills and competencies, which are portable across a wide range of operations. Expert practitioners from a range of manufacturing and production sectors assisted in the development of the qualification.

Small and medium organisations may have only one production/manufacturing unit, with only one First-line Supervisor, whereas large organisations will have multiple units, with several First-line Supervisors reporting to the Production Supervisor.

Typically, learners are working in a technical or operational capacity in manufacturing or production. This part-qualification provides the learner with the necessary supervisory and management skills and competencies to continue the leaning pathway to progress vertically in any production or manufacturing environment. It will, therefore, be an essential qualification for upward mobility in any organisation in the sector.

Typically, employees, who are technically and operationally competent, lack the necessary management knowledge, skills and experience to progress to supervision and management levels in an organisation. This part-qualification is essential to any person aspiring to progress in his chosen field. The benefit, to the economy and the country in general, is that the part-qualification provides the learner with the necessary learning pathway, essential training and development to progress in an organisation.

This part-qualification will provide the learner with the necessary knowledge, skills, competency and work experience to progress to a Production Supervisor. 

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 by 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 3 qualification in Operations/Technical Industry.
    Or
  • Assessed Work experience of at least three years in an operational/technical capacity in a production operation. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

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

    Knowledge Modules:
  • Knowledge, 312201-000-00-00- KM-01, Operations Management, Level 4, 8 Credits.
  • Knowledge, 312201-000-00-00- KM-03, Team Leadership, Level 4, 8 Credits.
  • Knowledge, 312201-000-00-00- KM-05, Business Administration, Level 4, 8Credits.

    Total number of credits for Knowledge Modules: 24.

    Practical Skill Modules:
  • Practical, 312201-000-00-00- PM-01, Supervise production, Level 4, 7 Credits.
  • Practical, 312201-000-000-00-PM-02, Supervise personnel, Level 4, 7 Credits.

    Total number of credits for Practical Skill Modules: 14.

    Work Experience Modules:
  • Work Experience, 312201-000-00-00- WM-01, Workplace operations, Level 4, 48 Credits.

    Total number of credits for Work Experience Modules: 48. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Plan, organise, control, lead, coordinate and review production operations of a unit, including physical and human resources.
    2. Plan, organise, control, lead, coordinate, review and oversee personnel in the unit. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Utilise the Management Information System (MIS) following production requirements, standards, policies and procedures.
  • Manage budgets according to standards, policies and procedures.
  • Control production according to production requirements, standards, policies and procedures.
  • Quality assures, control and analyse production processes for improvement according to requirements.
  • Manage waste according to requirements, standards, policies and procedures.
  • Complete administrative functions and first-line supervisory duties, functions, processes and procedures according to legal and operating requirements, standards, policies and procedures.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Supervise the unit to achieve objectives according to standards, policies and procedures.
  • Manage individual and team performance, including training and development, according to requirements, standards, policies and procedures.
  • Monitor and control occupational health and safety schedules, activities and resources to specified requirements, standards, policies and procedures.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Integrated formative assessment:
    To qualify for an external assessment, learners must provide proof of completion of all required modules using statements of results and work experience record including the Foundational Learning Competence.

    Integrated Summative Assessment:
    An external integrated summative assessment, conducted through the relevant QCTO Assessment Quality Partner, is required to issue this qualification. The external integrated summative assessment will focus on the Exit Level Outcomes and Associated Assessment Criteria. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The Occupational Certificate: First-line Production Supervisor relates to proficiencies stipulated in the Occupational Certificate: Production Supervisor and is recognised by the industry as employment possibilities. Qualifications from selected countries integrate production supervisor proficiencies, which allows for comparison to the Occupational Certificate: Production Supervisor.

    The New Zealand Certificate in Construction Related Trades (Supervisor) provided a context-specific qualification for comparison with the Occupational Certificate: First-line Production Supervisor. The generic supervisory competencies are the same as those developed in this part-qualification, namely time management, communication, interpersonal skills and conflict management resolution skills. It also addresses the regulatory environment, administration activities and principles of supervision.

    In the United States of America, prior experience, degree programmes or courses are pathways to supervisory positions. However, the Production Supervisor job description follows the modules identified in this part-qualification. Production supervisors oversee and direct the activities of workers in an organisation. In a manufacturing organisation, the production supervisor manages production workers, inspectors and machine operators. Production supervisors also perform human resource duties, such as:
  • Employee training.
  • Performance evaluations.
  • Hiring.
  • Preparing job descriptions and
  • Handling worker grievances.

    Effective supervisors can identify weaknesses and strengths in employees and may help develop and improve employees to benefit the business. Production supervisors manage department budgets, prepare reports and coordinate projects with other department leaders. Some production supervisors may prepare department budgets or make recommendations for expenditures".

    However, in terms of international best practices, the qualification has been compared to the European Skills, Competences, Qualifications and Occupations (ESCO) which is the multilingual classification. This multilingual classification spans across all the 28 member countries of the European Union (EU).

    The ESCO classification for Production Supervisor includes Essential Skills and Competencies for First­ line Production Supervisor which are as follows:
  • Adhere to organisational guidelines.
  • Adjust production schedule.
  • Analyse production processes for improvement.
  • Analyse staff capacity.
  • Communicate production plan.
  • Communicate schedules to the people concerned.
  • Control production.
  • Coordinate communication within a team.
  • Enhance production workflow.
  • Ensure equipment availability.
  • Ensure finished product meets requirements.
  • Ensure safety in the production area.
  • Evaluate employees' work.
  • Follow company standards.
  • Follow production schedule.
  • Implement strategic planning.
  • Liaise with managers.
  • Manage budgets.
  • Manage staff.
  • Manage workflow processes.
  • Meet deadlines
  • Meet productivity targets.
  • Monitor production developments
  • Monitor stock level.
  • Optimise production.
  • Oversee quality control.
  • Perform resource planning.
  • Plan shifts of employees.
  • Provide department schedule for staff.
  • Report on production results.
  • Supervise staff.

    Essential Knowledge includes manufacturing and production processes.

    Optional skills and competencies include:
  • Application of control process statistical methods.
  • Communication with customers.
  • Consulting technical resources.
  • Controlling expenses.
  • Ensuring compliance with environmental legislation.
  • Ensuring that products meet regulatory requirements.
  • Identifying hazards in the workplace.
  • Identifying training needs.
  • Leading process optimisation.
  • Liaising with quality assurance division.
  • Managing emergency procedures.
  • Managing human resources.
  • Managing supplies.
  • Meeting contract specifications.
  • Monitoring automated machines.
  • Monitoring manufacturing quality standards.
  • Ordering supplies.
  • Providing documentation.
  • Recording production data for quality control.
  • Training employees.

    Member states are in the process of linking learning programmes/qualifications to the ESCO competencies.

    This part-qualification includes the knowledge, skills and competencies detailed above ensuring that this part-qualification aligns to the ESCO classification. Qualifying learners will have achieved the standards required by any of the EU and other participating countries.

    Conclusion:
    This qualification complies with international best practice and will be comparable to many international qualifications. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    The part-qualification allows possibilities for horizontal and vertical articulation.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • National Certificate: Generic Management, NQF Level 04.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Occupational Certificate: Production Supervisor, NQF Level 05. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    NOTES 
    Qualifying for external assessment:
    To qualify for the external summative assessment, learners must provide proof of completion of all required modules using a statement of results and a signed Statement of Work Experience.

    Additional legal or physical entry requirements.
    Applicable legislation and organisational requirements.

    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 are: First-line Production Supervisor 312201-000-00-01: First-line Production Supervisor.

    Encompassed Trade:
    This qualification encompasses the following trades as recorded on the NLRD:
  • None.

    Assessment Quality Partner (AQP):
    Manufacturing, Engineering and related services SETA (merSETA).

    PARENT QUALIFICATION:
  • Occupational Certificate: Production Supervisor, NQF Level 5. 
    		•

    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.