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: Chemical Production Machine Operator

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
117307	Occupational Certificate: Chemical Production Machine Operator
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	134	Not Applicable	NQF Level 02	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 operate as a Chemical Production Machine Operator. A Chemical Production Machine Operator troubleshoots, monitors and operates equipment to process, handle, transfer, sample and test a wide range of chemical products.

A qualified learner will be able to:

Monitor stock levels, measure and load/transfer chemical materials following plant specific requirements.

Set up, start, control, adjust and stop equipment and plant operations Monitor and control systems in the production process.

Perform routine sampling and chemical and physical testing of materials, where required and record production data.

Monitor chemical manufacturing process.

Perform housekeeping activities and minor troubleshooting and repairs.

Follow the Safety, Health and Environment related practices.

Rationale:
The chemical processing industry is well established in South Africa and its success is dependent upon the efficient processing of chemical products. This qualification reflects the workplace-based needs in the chemical manufacturing industry, and it is largely dependent upon competent personnel to operate processing equipment for efficient chemical manufacturing of materials.

This qualification is typically aimed at new employees or to develop existing workers performing at an operational level in a chemical manufacturing plant to equip them with knowledge, skills and competencies to safely blend, process, package and handle a wide range of quality chemical products. This qualification will contribute to the full development of the learner within the chemical manufacturing industry by providing recognition and portability within the field and sub-fields. The competencies demonstrated within this qualification are essential for job creation which will contribute to social and economic transformation in the chemical manufacturing or process fraternity to boost the economic growth in the country.

This is an entry qualification and will facilitate vertical and horizontal articulation possibilities as well as career progression in the chemical and related manufacturing or processing fields.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

RPL for Access to the 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. Prior learning must be acknowledged by a statement of results.

RPL for Entry Requirements to Access the Qualification:
Accredited providers and approved workplaces may recognise prior learning against the relevant access requirements.

Entry Requirements:

NQF Level 1 qualification with Communication and Mathematical Literacy.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

QUALIFICATION RULES

This qualification is made up of the following compulsory Knowledge Modules, Practical Skills Modules and Work Experience Modules.

Knowledge Modules:

713101-000-KM-01, Chemical Manufacturing Process Work Context, Level 1, 2 Credits.

713101-000-00-KM-02, Chemical Manufacturing Process Operations, Level 2, 20 Credits.

713101-000-00-KM-03, Legislation Applicable in the, Chemical Manufacturing, Process, Environment, Level 3, 4 Credits.

713101-000-00-KM-04, Sampling and Material Testing in the Chemical Manufacturing, Process, Level 2, 4 Credits.

Total number of credits for Knowledge Modules: 30.

Practical Skills Modules:

713101-000-00-PM-01, Apply and Maintain, Safety, Health Environmental Practices in Chemical Manufacturing Process Operations, Level 2, 8 Credits.

713101-000-00-PM-02, Perform Shift Handover and Take, Over Procedures, Level 1, 2 Credits.

713101-000-00-PM-03, Perform Sampling, and Testing of Materials, Level 2, 8 Credits.

713101-000-00-PM-04, Handle and Prepare Chemicals for Manufacturing as Per Plant Requirements, Level 2, 8 Credits.

Practical Skills, 713101-000-00-PM-05, Prepare and Start Up Equipment in a Chemical Manufacturing Process, 2, 10 Credits.

713101-000-00PM-06, Monitor and Control Manufacturing Systems Processes, Level 3, 16 Credits.

713101-000-00-PM-07, Planned and Unplanned Shutdown/Stop of the Process, Level 2, 5 Credits.

713101-000-00-PM-08, Perform Troubleshooting on Equipment and Process, Level 3, 4 Credits.

Total number of credits for Practical Skills Modules: 61.

Workplace Experience Modules:

713101-000-00-WM-01, Shift Handover and Take-Over Processes, Level 1, 3 Credits.

713101-000-00-WM02, Material Quality Assurance Processes, Level 3, 8 Credits.

713101-000-00-WM-03, Materials, Handling, and Loading/Transfer Processes, Level 2, 8 Credits.

713101-000-00-WM-04, Equipment and Plant Setting-Up Starting-Up and Adjusting Processes, 2, 8 Credits.

713101-000-00-WM-05, Monitoring Controlling Manufacturing Processes, and, Level 3, 8 Credits.

713101-000-00-WM-06, Planned and Unplanned Equipment Shutdown, Processes Level 2, 8 Credits.

Total number of credits for Workplace Experience Modules: 43.

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

1. Apply safety, health and environmental principles and practices in the processing environment.
2. Describe and apply the procedures for monitoring, measuring and transfer of materials in a safe manner.
3. Prepare, operate and control of plant process to manufacture materials.
4. Conduct sampling of materials for process quality control.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:

Identify and describe safety signage in terms of their colour-coding and meaning.

Adhere to safety, health, environmental and communication protocols in accordance with organisational policies and procedures.

Explain safety, health and environmental impact and implications relating to non-compliances.

Safety equipment is identified and used correctly in normal and abnormal operations.

Identify and classify potential hazards and risks associated with process environment are identified and classified in terms of their impact.

Explain the importance and accessibility of Safety Data Sheet (SDS).

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:

Describe the significance of monitoring, measuring and transferring materials in the chemical manufacturing process in terms of own role and work context.

Adhere to safety measures when measuring and loading/transferring materials.

Apply procedures for monitoring stock levels, measuring and loading/transferring chemical materials correctly in accordance with industry specific requirements.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:

Prepare plant equipment for start-up and resources are available and compliant with organisational requirements.

Establish start-up conditions in relation to the availability of materials, equipment and functionality of utilities.

Set-up and start-up plant equipment correctly in accordance with standard operational requirements.

Monitor, control and adjust process parameters using relevant resources.

Apply appropriate steps to stop the process in response to various conditions such as emergency condition, maintenance or normal operation.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:

Describe reasons for materials sampling and frequency in the context of maintaining quality control.

Explain the importance of sampling of materials in accordance with the relevant work instructions or documentation.

Identify and describe various sampling apparatus in terms of their features and uses.

Apply sampling methods correctly, and label and store and/or discard samples safely in accordance with organisational operating procedures and legislative requirements.

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 integrated summative assessment for the qualification will be conducted by means of a written exam in decentralised assessment centres and the evaluation of practical tasks by a panel of assessors as well as an evaluation of on-the-job performance in the workplace by workplace assessors registered with the AQP.

INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY

International comparability study was conducted to determine the extent to which the qualification compares with other qualifications offered elsewhere in the world for best practice. The countries compared with include Australia and the United Kingdom as they are acknowledged leaders in the chemical manufacturing.

Australia:
The Occupational Certificate: Chemical Production Machine Operator, NQF Level 2, compares favourably with the PMA20113: Certificate II in Process Plant Operations which is an entry level training qualification intended for operators who are operating production equipment or undertaking similar production functions. The units covered in this qualification compare favourably with the South African qualification as the training focuses on providing learners with knowledge, skills and competencies to participate in environmentally sustainable work practices by following set procedures including emergency response procedures; work safely; undertake routine operations on plant and equipment; monitor, operate and contribute to start-ups and shutdowns of plant and equipment; do visual and auditive inspection of plant, equipment and processes; and apply safety and environment issues for this industry.

Learners are required to select some units from the elective components to fulfil the requirements of the qualification that compare with the modules in the South African qualification focusing on Good Manufacturing Practice. These are sampling and testing materials and product; application of quality standards; undertaking root cause analysis, contributing to the application of a proactive maintenance strategy; sustaining process improvements; conducting hazard analysis; undertaking first response to non-fire incidents; handling and transfer of goods/loads; processing and recording information; working in accordance with an issued permit; interpreting technical drawings; monitoring chemical reactions in the process; selecting and using utilities and services; operating equipment, using organisation computers or data systems and monitoring process capability. The duration of learning is typically 0.5-1 year which equates to 600-1200 hours and includes face-to-face training and time spent developing competency in the workplace, components.

United Kingdom:
The Scottish Vocational Qualifications (SVQ) Level 2 in Processing Industries Operations (Process Operations) is aimed at individuals who are employed or wish to be employed in processing environments such as chemical, pharmaceuticals and other related industries. The occupational competencies will provide learners with the knowledge and workplace experience to work as a Chemical Plant Process Operator. The qualification contains mandatory and optional units covering generic knowledge and skills focusing on a wide range of processing activities such as shift handover, assessing risks and dealing with hazards and emergencies, process operations, maintaining product quality and identifying improvements; solving process problems; and working in a team.

Conclusion:
The South African qualification compares favourably with qualifications from the United Kingdom and Australia in relation to the range and complexity of the set of competencies required of a Chemical Production Machine Operator. Both qualifications have the occupational focus of the South African qualification and the topics and content covered are also similar to that of the South African qualification.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

This qualification allows possibilities for both horizontal and vertical articulation.

Horizontal Articulation:

National Certificate: Chemical Operations, NQF Level 2.

Vertical Articulation:

Occupational Certificate: Chemical Plant Controller, NQF Level 3.

Occupational Certificate: Production Process Machine Operator and Assembler, NQF Level 3.

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 a statement of results, a statement of work experience as well as proof of successful completion of their subjects and modules, or alternative programmes where applicable, including Foundational 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 is: 713101-000-00: Chemical Production Machine Operator.

Encompassed Trades:
This qualification covers the following trades as recorded on the NLRD:

This is not a trade qualification.

Assessment Quality Partner:
Chemical Sector Education and Training Authority (CHIETA).

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