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: Surface Grader Operator

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
117011	Occupational Certificate: Surface Grader Operator
ORIGINATOR
Development Quality Partner - CETA
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY			NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
-			OQSF - Occupational Qualifications Sub-framework
QUALIFICATION TYPE	FIELD		SUBFIELD
Part-Qualification	Field 12 - Physical Planning and Construction		Civil Engineering Construction
ABET BAND	MINIMUM CREDITS	PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL	NQF LEVEL	QUAL CLASS
Undefined	51	Not Applicable	NQF Level 02	Regular-ELOAC
REGISTRATION STATUS		SAQA DECISION NUMBER	REGISTRATION START DATE	REGISTRATION END DATE
Registered		EXCO 04171/20	2020-05-28	2025-05-28
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT		LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2026-05-28		2029-05-28

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 Surface Grader Operator. A Surface Grader Operator operates the grading equipment to grade, level, cutting slopes and rip and mix materials processing environment. A qualified learner will be able to operate the equipment safely and efficiently.

Rationale:
This Surface Grader Operator part-qualification is important to address the skills of the current and future employees serving the construction industry. The construction industry will draw the learners from the cohort of current unemployed youth and provide them with standardised Surface Grader Operator part-qualification that will assist provide skills necessary for employment.

The construction industry is critical for the reduction of unemployment in the economy. However, for the industry to be effective, a skilled workforce is critical. Properly trained Surface Grader operators will improve productivity. This part-qualification will enhance the mobility of qualified operators and improve opportunities for self-employment and employment. The health and safety of employees will also be enhanced.

Qualifying learners will progress based on their certification, qualification, grading and experience. This part-qualification creates opportunities for new entrants in the market. Opportunities will now exist for qualifying learners to progress to:

Continuous Bucket Trencher Operator.

Tractor Operator.

Water Cart Operator.

Sideboom Operator.

Construction Plant Supervisor.

Earthwork and Layer Works Hand.

Road Drainage Hand.

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 1 qualification with Mathematics.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

QUALIFICATION RULES

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

Knowledge Modules:

734201-000-00-07 KM-01, Workplace Fundamentals, Level 2, 10 Credits.

734201-000-00-07 KM-03, Information Technology for Construction Environment, Level 2, 5 Credits.

734201-000-00-07 KM-04, Principles of Construction and Construction Environment, Level 2, 5 Credits.
Total number of credits for Knowledge Modules: 20

Practical Skill Modules:

734201-000-00-07 PM-01, Establish and Prepare the Work Area, Level 2, 3 Credits.

734201-000-00-07 PM-03, Operate a Grader, Level 2, 10 Credits.
Total number of credits for Practical Skill Modules: 13

Work Experience Modules:

734201-000-00-07 WM-01, Participate in the Daily Start-up Planning Meeting, Level 2, 3 Credits.

734201-000-00 WM-03, Conduct Plant Operational Inspection, Level 2, 5 Credits.

734201-000-00-07-WM-04, Procedures for the operation of earth moving equipment, Level 2, 10 Credits.
Total number of credits for Work Experience Modules: 18

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

1. Prepare the equipment for safe operation to assignment specifications.
2. Operate and monitor equipment for effective, safe and efficient execution of the construction project.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:

Explain the main functions of a Surface Grader in terms of manufacturer's specifications.

Explain the operation of all major components in terms of their functions.

Describe the applications of a Surface Grader in terms of construction plant activities.

Identify all safety features and warning devices on a Surface Grader, and explain their purposes in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications.

Explain the maximum operating capacities in terms of the designed Surface Grader capabilities.

Explain warnings from a Surface Grader's indicators and gauges according to the manufacturer's specifications.

Carry out pre-operational checks according to the appropriate checklist.

Follow start-up and shutdown procedures according to manufacturer's specifications.

Park a Surface Grader according to manufacturer and worksite requirements.

Document a Surface Grader's hours in accordance with company requirements.

Report a Surface Grader's maintenance and faults in accordance with company requirements.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:

Plan for work activities and prepare the work area.

Determine the sequence of operations according to site operational requirement.

Select the required equipment to perform the work activity according to site operational requirement.

Explain the purpose of the various controls in accordance with their designed use.

Demonstrate functions of the various controls in accordance with the manufacturer's specification.

Explain temporary safety signs in relation to their use and placement.

Monitor a Surface Grader's performance, and take corrective action when necessary, in accordance with the manufacturer's specification.

Operate a Surface Grader according to safe working procedures, manufacturer's specifications and construction plant activity.

Explain methods of loading a Surface Grader for transport according to safety requirements, manufacturer's instructions and transport configuration.

Explain and demonstrate methods of securing a Surface Grader for transport in relation to lashing points and safety requirements.

Drive a Surface Grader on a public road according to the provisions of the current National Road Traffic Act.

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 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: Surface Grader Operator as a part-qualification is linked to proficiencies related to the Occupational Certificate: Construction Plant Operator and is recognised by the industry as an employable skill. These proficiencies are integrated into the qualifications provided in the countries selected to compare the Occupational Certificate: Construction Operator with and are thus equally valid for the derived qualification.

An International comparability study was undertaken to compare the Occupational Certificate: Surface Grader Operator with related qualifications from specific countries in terms of scope, level and curriculum content. The purpose of this study was to compare the qualification against existing international practice. Three countries were selected for this study, Australia, the United Kingdom (UK), and the United States of America (USA).

Australia:
In Australia, the South Australia Skills Gateway offers a Certificate III in Civil Construction Plant Operations. The qualification provides units of competence comprised of 9 core and as many electives as there are types of construction plant equipment. The core unit of competence covers areas such as planning and organising work, carrying out measurement and calculations, protecting underground services, reading and interpreting plans and job specifications, carrying out manual excavations, supporting plant operations and spreading and compacting materials. The leaner can then complete the qualification by completing Surface Grader Operator elective to obtain the qualification.

United Kingdom (UK):
In the UK, City and Guilds also provide a level 2 National Vocational Qualification Certificate in Plant Operations. The qualification allows learners to learn, develop and practice the skills required for employment and/or career progression in a number of specialist areas of plant operations including cranes and specialist lifting plant, road/rail plant, attachments, forklift trucks, extracting plant, transporting loads plant, accessing plant, laying and distributing plant, compacting plant, processing plant and loading, servicing and securing plant. The specific difference between the South African qualification and the UK is that the qualification provides for cranes and forklifts, which are standalone occupational qualifications. Secondly, the differences arise from the fact that specialisation is for aggregated plant function as opposed to the individual plant. Consequently, a Surface Grader will have grouped with similar equipment.

United States of America (USA):
The National Training, Inc's Heavy Equipment Operator School in Florida (USA) provides a 208 hours Heavy Equipment Operator training qualification. The qualification offers both classroom knowledge modules consisting of orientation, introduction to earthmoving, loaders, backhoes and dozers and tasks-based activities for the same equipment as well as safety and site work. In this case, like in the SA proposed qualification, the qualification is general but has a limited range of construction equipment, and unfortunately, Surface Grader Operator is not one of them.

Conclusion:
The South African qualification covers 15 equipment as opposed to the four equipment in Florida USA. The UK and Australian qualifications are specialist qualification and allow the learner to select Surface Grader Operator as a specialisation. The time allocated to completing the training qualifications differs from country to country. The same applies to levels and credit allocations.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

Horizontal Articulation:

This qualification articulates horizontally with the following qualifications:

Occupational Certificate: Civil Structures Construction Contractor, NQF Level 2.

Occupational Certificate: Dump Truck Operator, NQF Level 2.

Occupational Certificate: Hydraulic Rock Breaker Operator, NQF Level 2.

Occupational Certificate: Loader Operator, NQF Level 2.

Occupational Certificate: Skid Steer Loader Operator, NQF Level 2.

Vertical Articulation:
This qualification articulates vertically with the following qualifications:

Occupational Certificate: Construction Hand, NQF Level 3.

MODERATION OPTIONS

N/A

CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS

N/A

NOTES

Qualifying for External Assessment:

To qualify for an external assessment, learners must provide proof of completion of all required knowledge and practical modules by means of statements of results and a record of completed work experience.

Additional Legal or Physical Entry Requirements:

Medical Certificate of Fitness (including eye test).

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: Surface Grader Operator - 734201-000-00-07.

Encompassed Trades:

This qualification includes the following trades as recorded on the NLRD: This is not a trade.

Assessment Quality Partner (AQP):

Construction Education and Training Authority (CETA).

Parent Qualification:

Occupational Certificate: Construction Plant Operator, Level 2.

Related Part-Qualification:

Occupational Certificate: Diesel Bowser Operator, Level 2.

Occupational Certificate: Continuous Bucket Trencher Operator, Level 2.

Occupational Certificate: Sideboom Operator, Level 2.

Occupational Certificate: Water Cart Operator, Level 2.

Occupational Certificate: A Hot Mix Asphalt Paving Machine Operator, Level 2.

Occupational Certificate: Face Shovel Operator, Level 2.

Occupational Certificate: Tractor Operator, Level 2.

Occupational Certificate: Bitumen Spray Equipment Operator, Level 2.

Occupational Certificate: Paving Screed Operator, Level 2.

Occupational Certificate: Surface Roller Operator, Level 2.

Occupational Certificate: Dozer Operator, Level 2.

Occupational Certificate: Service Truck Operator, Level 2.

Occupational Certificate: Surface Tracked Dozer, Level 2.

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