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: Quality Inspector

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
117308	Occupational Certificate: Quality Inspector
ORIGINATOR
Development Quality Partner - CHIETA
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY			NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
-			OQSF - Occupational Qualifications Sub-framework
QUALIFICATION TYPE	FIELD		SUBFIELD
Part-Qualification	Field 06 - Manufacturing, Engineering and Technology		Manufacturing and Assembly
ABET BAND	MINIMUM CREDITS	PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL	NQF LEVEL	QUAL CLASS
Undefined	43	Not Applicable	NQF Level 03	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 part-qualification is to prepare a learner to operate as a Quality Inspector. A Quality Inspector performs measurements using precision and other instruments/resources and compares product/services against set standards to assess any variation to ensure compliance with specifications. He/she collects information and maintains records of inspections, prepares lists of defects/deviations and interacts with other departments to ensure compliance.

A qualified learner will be able to:

Interpret customer and other specifications, national and international standards and applicable legislation.

Inspect and verify input, resources and output for conformance against standards and specifications and report non-conformances.

Collect, record, summarise and report quality information.

Rationale:
Globally and in all economic sectors, companies and customers focus on quality. Customers expect high-quality products and services. The consistent focus on quality results in the reduction of waste and costs and the continual monitoring of resources, processes and procedures ensures the quality of products and/or services. Therefore, the rationale of a Quality Inspector part-qualification is to reduce costs, waste and the likelihood of liability claims which emanates from field recalls and may lead to lawsuits. This part-qualification aims to provide learners, education and training providers and employers with the standards and competencies required to effectively participate in quality control activities in various sectors, processes and services.

Typical learners to enrol for this part-qualification include those with workplace experience, and this part-qualification can be used in the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) process to assess and recognise workplace skills acquired without formal education or training. The part-qualification describes the learning outcomes (the skills, knowledge and competencies) required to effectively perform the duties of a quality controller in workplaces within various industries and services sectors.

This part-qualification guides education and training providers to develop learning programmes. It guides employers to identify skills gaps and develop programmes for closing those skills gaps.

The knowledge and skills allow learners to verify conformances and to identify non-conforming products and services, ensuring production and processes meet and maintain quality standards, customer, safety and legal requirements and all other quality-related requirements to meet both national and international standards. Thus responding to domestic and export markets to ensure the development of new products and services are ongoing to meet the changing customer needs.

The part-qualification is intended to cover small, medium and large enterprises where adjustments to processes and services are and could be recommended by the Quality Controller. The knowledge of appropriate action allows the Quality Inspector to contribute to correct the process/product constructively.

This part-qualification will enable qualified learners to participate effectively in the quality control activities within various sectors. It forms a first stepping stone in the career path of quality management. Qualified Quality Inspectors can be employed as Quality Controllers and progress to become Quality Assurers, Technical Quality Specialists and Quality Managers and find occupations in Quality Systems and Processes in various sectors, such as services, hospitality, health, manufacturing, construction, information technology, etc.

The following industry associations or professional bodies were consulted and to provide feedback and comment on the qualification:

South African Quality Institute (SAQI).

Southern African Society for Quality (SASQ).

South African Welding Education (SAWE).

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 part-qualification:
Accredited providers and approved workplaces may recognise prior learning against the relevant access requirements.

Entry Requirements:

NQF Level 2 qualification with Mathematical Literacy.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

QUALIFICATION RULES

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

Knowledge Modules:

684305-000-00-01-KM-02, Introduction to Quality Control, Level 3, 6 Credits.

684305-000-00-01-KM-09, Quality Inspection Practices, Level 3, 10 Credits.

The total number of credits for Knowledge Modules: 16.

Practical Skill Modules:

684305-000-00-01-PM-01, Conduct Quality Inspections During and at the End of the Process to Verify Product/ Service Quality, Level 3, 10 Credits.

684305-000-00-01-PM-05, Adherence to Occupational Health and Safety, Environmental and Risk Requirements, Level 3, 1 Credit.

The total number of credits for Practical Skill Modules: 11.

Work Experience Modules:

684305-000-00-01-WM-01, Induction, Company Processes and Inspection Procedures, Level 3, 16 Credits.

The total number of credits for Work Experience Modules: 16.

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

1. Interpret product/service specifications, customer requirements and statutory requirements and apply at all times during the process to meet customer and legal requirements, upstream and downstream implications, cost implications of non-compliance and customer expectations.
2. Inspect, verify or measure input, output and processes/services for conformance against specifications, applying all set standards of quality assurance systems during the inspection, ensuring compliance.
3. Record, collate and summarise information related to quality conformance.
4. Recommend corrective action in terms of process/service deviation or non-conformance to prevent re-occurrence.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:

Read and interpret data, manuals, or other materials to determine specifications, inspection and sampling procedures, parameters or measuring resources required.

Interpret and demonstrate an understanding of legal and other requirements and Interpret and demonstrate product liability and understand the implications for input, processes/services and output.

Apply product/service and process knowledge at all times and follow and adhere to the standard operating procedures.

Measure and record the actual vs standard before, during and after product/service is rendered to ensure compliance, limit/prevent risk, and support process/service.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:

Collect and select samples for verification according to prescribed sampling procedures.

Identify and report possible non-conformance using an understanding of the relationship between quality cost against process/service and cost of non-conformance, ensuring improvement and put in place corrective measures.

Perform spot checks and inspections on measuring equipment, ensuring it is functional and reliable to ensure reliability and reproducibility of results.

Apply operational literacy, standard operating procedures and work instructions when performing before, during and after-process inspections to ensure resource compliance, product/service compliance and process compliance and to avoid deviation.

Ensure safety compliance and environmental awareness.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:

Ensure accuracy, relevancy and reliability of information and respond immediately to non-conformances to prevent further deviations or non-conformities.

Collect and record process information before, during and after process/service and summarised to report current status.

Present information during presentation/reporting of corrective measures and improvement that was put in place.

Write inspection reports that describe results and make recommendations.

Timeous reporting of deviation or non-conformance throughout the process to prevent catastrophic or fatal consequences.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:

Apply problem-solving techniques to determine the cause of non-conformances in the process/service to recommend a remedy for non-conformance and/or to recommend preventative measures.

Formulate findings on conforming/non-conforming product/service after inspection and inform the supervisor accordingly.

Illustrate consistency and objectivity in terms of process/service deviation or non-conformance throughout the process to give impartial feedback.

Understand own role to support the function and contribute positively to team effectiveness in all aspects of quality control.

Support productivity by containing non-conformity, ensuring improvement.

Apply continuous learning to enhance their skills and process knowledge to improve their understanding.

Prioritise tasks during quality control to enhance their efficiency.

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:
An external integrated summative assessment, conducted through the relevant QCTO Assessment Quality partner is required for the issuing of this part-qualification. The external integrated summative assessment will focus on the Exit Level Outcomes and associated assessment criteria.

The external summative assessment will be conducted through an evaluation of written theoretical assessment and practical tasks covering critical aspects in a simulated environment at an assessment site accredited by QCTO and conducted by a registered assessor.

INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY

This part-qualification was compared with similar qualifications offered in India and the United Kingdom.

India:
The Occupational Standards (OS) for the QC Inspector (Level 3) falls within the automotive sector (sub-sector: Manufacturing Support). The description of the role of QC Inspector is: "responsible for the quality inspection of the manufactured products in order to deliver high quality to customers". The personal attributes required include mathematical reasoning, problem solving and leadership. Experience required for this qualification is a minimum of 1-3 years in a quality or manufacturing department. This qualification encompasses:

Inspection and maintenance of product quality.

Maintaining a safe, clean and secure working environment.

Aspects included in the above OS are:

The unit/task covers receipt, in-process and final inspection of the product.

Handling inspection equipment and conducting inspections.

Documenting observations of the inspection and maintaining records.

Disposal of scrapped product.

Working as a member of a team for solving problems pertaining to non-conformances for prevention of re-occurrences.

Identification and reporting of risks and potential risks in the process, work area, materials used, etc.

Creating and sustaining a safe, clean and secure working environment.

Ensuring waste disposal in designated areas as per SOP.

United Kingdom:
The City & Guilds Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Engineering Technical Support (Quality Control) focuses on quality control within an engineering environment. This qualification is aimed at learner working in or wanting to work in quality control in the engineering sector. Entry requirements are specified as "none", but training centres are advised to apply the requirements of the SEMTA Engineering Manufacture apprenticeship framework. Learners must achieve 15 credits from the mandatory units and a minimum of 139 credits from the optional group. Mandatory units include:

Complying with statutory regulations and organisational safety requirements.

Working effectively and efficiently in engineering.

Using and interpreting engineering data and documentation.

Optional units specific to quality control within the diploma include:

Inspecting mechanical products.

Inspecting components using Co-ordinate Measuring Machines (CMM).

Inspecting fabricated components and structures.

Carrying out visual inspection of welded fabrications.

Inspecting and testing electrical products.

Inspecting and testing electronic products.

Checking and calibrating mechanical inspection equipment.

Conclusion:
Even though the above international qualifications are geared towards specific economic sectors, quality inspection skills are similar to the Occupational Certificate: Quality Inspector in terms of optional modules offered.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

This part-qualification allows possibilities for vertical articulation.

Horizontal Articulation:

National Certificate in Quality Checking of Tyres and Tyre Components, NQF Level 3.

Vertical Articulation:

Occupational Certificate: Quality Controller, NQF Level 4.

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 the Foundational Learning Competence.

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: Quality Inspector and 684305-000-00-01.

Assessment Quality Partner:

CHIETA

Parent Qualification:
684305-000-00-00, Occupational Certificate: Quality Controller, NQF Level 4.

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