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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: Gas Practitioner |
| SAQA QUAL ID | QUALIFICATION TITLE | |||
| 117233 | Occupational Certificate: Gas Practitioner | |||
| ORIGINATOR | ||||
| Development Quality Partner - CHIETA | ||||
| 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 | 551 | Not Applicable | NQF Level 05 | Regular-ELOAC |
| REGISTRATION STATUS | SAQA DECISION NUMBER | REGISTRATION START DATE | REGISTRATION END DATE | |
| Registered | SAQA 12129/20 | 2020-07-30 | 2025-07-30 | |
| LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT | LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT | |||
| 2026-07-30 | 2029-07-30 | |||
| 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 prepare a learner to install, construct, inspect, maintain, repair, modify and perform commissioning activities on gas systems in the following categories: inert gases, oxidant gases, flammable gases, medical gases, food and beverage gases and speciality gases. A qualified Gas Practitioner will be able to: Rationale: The South African gas industry is highly regulated, and legislation requires gas practitioners to have formally recognised qualifications. It is a growing industry with an increasing demand for gas systems in domestic, commercial and industrial settings and offers a green alternative to fossil generated energy. South Africa experiences a rising energy demand and deals with a range of challenges and opportunities in the sustainable provision of energy. As Government sought accelerated growth to address the current energy crisis facing the country, it launched its ambitious gas-to-power programme. This initiative is supported by National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and Department of Energy. The gas-to-power landscape in South Africa has moved even further forward with the recent initiative for the development of a 600MW gas-fired power plant. Current government focus includes the strengthening of regional co-operation and cross border infrastructure being vital to the success of the long-term development of gas to power. Within this context, the development and registration of the Occupational Certificate: Gas Practitioner becomes a national imperative which will serve the economy and society. Industries utilising gas supply varies from domestic uses to medical application and use in the food and beverage sector as well as the manufacturing sector. Various industries in South Africa will benefit by implementing the cost effective and improved processes that gas options provide. Industries such as healthcare, manufacturing, food and beverage will benefit from better service delivery which includes consistency in safety and quality standards according to the national and international requirements. Competent practitioners in the gas industry delivering competent and quality services will ensure safety and quality of health care facilities and provision of consistent health care to clients. It also opens opportunities to industry to introduce new manufacturing technologies requiring gas supply. The spinoff of safe supply of gas through competent service providers is enormous, e.g. reducing the risk footprint in the country, reducing the possibility of incidents and reduce economic losses. It will make South Africa more attractive in the international market for manufacturing of products, through cost cutting technologies relying on gas supply. This qualification will contribute to the full development of the learner within the gas installation industry by providing recognition as well as further mobility within the gas field. The skills, knowledge and understanding demonstrated within this qualification are essential for social and economic transformation and will contribute to progression and economic growth within the gas installation and maintenance industry. This qualification has been designed to meet the training needs expressed by the gas industry for the following gas categories: Flammable gases, food and beverage gases, inert gases, medical gases, oxidant gases and speciality gases. This will contribute towards the development of competence in the installation and maintenance of gas equipment and systems. A Gas Practitioner will be equipped to follow an independent career in gas installations and maintenance. The majority of learners for this qualification are likely to be learner-installers in small independent gas companies and it is foreseen that the learners will eventually be able to independently run their own gas installation and maintenance operations. However, employment in big companies is also a possibility. This occupation co-exists with similar occupations. Proficiencies recognised by the industry as employment opportunities were identified in this occupation. These are: During the development of this occupational qualification the above-mentioned proficiencies were provided for as part qualifications. Typical learners include school leavers who wish to pursue a career in the gas industry as well as persons currently employed or operating in the gas industry but with no formal recognition for their skills. Through the employment of competent installation personnel, employers and, in turn, the field and sub-field, will have confidence that this critical work in the industry is safely and efficiently carried out. |
| 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: |
| RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? |
| Y |
| QUALIFICATION RULES |
| This qualification is made up of the following compulsory Knowledge, Practical Skills and Work Experience Modules:
Knowledge Modules: The total number of credits for Knowledge Modules: 188. Practical Skill Modules: The total number of credits for Practical Skill Modules: 141. Work Experience Modules: The total number of credits for Work Experience Modules: 222. |
| EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES |
| 1. Demonstrate an understanding of the underpinning theory of gas and gas systems.
2. Compile a bill of materials for a legally compliant gas system. 3. Assemble, construct and test a gas system based on volume, pressure and integrity according to gas system demand which is legal and code compliant. 4. Commission and conduct a final sign-off of a legally and code compliant gas system. 5. Conduct fault finding and take remedial action on a gas system or maintain installation to ensure safe working conditions of the system. 6. Comply with safety and quality industry codes and legal aspects when installing a gas system and working with gases. |
| ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA |
| Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2: Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3: Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4: Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5: Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6: 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. The external summative assessment will be a test conducted through an evaluation of written and practical tasks covering critical aspects in a simulated environment at an assessment centre accredited by QCTO and conducted by a registered assessor. The assessment will take place over a minimum period of 2 days and maximum 3 days. |
| INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY |
| This qualification has been compared with the Canadian Red Seal qualification "Gas Fitter - Class A" as well as the New Zealand Certificate in Gasfitting (Level 4).
Canada: The Red Seal Gas Fitter "Class A" qualification, offered by Thompson Rivers University, is an apprenticeship and is at Level 4. The duration is 3 years including a minimum of 4,500 hours of on-the-job training, three eight-week blocks of technical training and a final certificate examination after which is being awarded a journeyperson certificate. Entry requirements entail a Grade 9 education or equivalent and passing an entrance examination or having a gasfitter 2nd Class certification. The qualification includes the following aspects: New Zealand: The New Zealand Certificate in Gasfitting (Level 4) (2662) consists of 235 Credits is offered by Unitec Institute of Technology. The qualification includes the following aspects: Conclusion: The Occupational Certificate: Gas Practitioner compares well with the above qualifications in terms of content, knowledge and practical skills. However, the international qualifications do not specify the various contexts of operation, namely gas categories neither gas types. |
| ARTICULATION OPTIONS |
| This qualification has the following articulation possibilities:
Horizontal Articulation: Vertical Articulation: |
| MODERATION OPTIONS |
| N/A |
| CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS |
| N/A |
| NOTES |
| Qualifying for External Assessment:
In order to qualify for an external assessment, learners must provide proof of completion of all required modules by means of statements of results and work experience records, including Foundation 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 QCTO website The curriculum title and code are: Encompassed Trades: This qualification encompasses the following trades as recorded on the NLRD: None. Assessment Quality Partner: National Artisan Moderation Body. |
| 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. |