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: Glass Cutter and Edgework Operator 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
118087  Occupational Certificate: Glass Cutter and Edgework Operator 
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  29  Not Applicable  NQF Level 02  Regular-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Registered  EXCO 0522/24  2021-03-25  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 Glass Cutter and Edgework Operator. A Glass Cutter and Edgework Operator uses tools to cut, polish and drill glass sheet to prescribed specifications.

A qualified learner will be able to:
  • Plan and prepare glass raw material for production of glass products.
  • Operate and monitor manufacturing equipment for glass production.
  • Maintain Quality control for the finished product.

    Rationale:
    This part-qualification is important to address the skills of the current and future employees serving in the auxiliary positions of Glass Cutter and Edgework Operator in the glass processing environment. The industry will draw the learners from the cohort of current employees who perform the function without recognised qualifications.

    The use of qualified employees will bring about substantial cost savings and will also create employment. Employees will progress based on their certification and new employment opportunities in the market. Opportunities will exist for employees with the Level 2 part-qualifications to progress towards the Glass Process Operator. This part-qualification will create career opportunities for those interested in Glass Melt Operator at Level 3. 
    		•

    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:
    The minimum entry requirement for this part-qualification is:
  • NQF Level 1 qualification. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

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

    Knowledge Modules:
  • 718103-000-00-KM-01, Introduction to the Glass Manufacturing Industry, Level 2, 5 Credits.
  • 718103-000-00-KM-06, Workplace Fundamentals, Level 3, 10 Credits.

    Total number of credits for Knowledge Modules: 15.

    Practical Skill Modules:
  • 718103-000-00-PM-02, Prepare Glass to Specifications, Level 2, 5 Credits.

    Total number of credits for Practical Skill Modules: 5.

    Work Experience Modules:
  • 718103-000-00-WM-05, Procedures for Edgework and Drilling, Level 3, 5 Credits.

    Total number of credits for Work Experience Modules: 5. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Prepare glass for efficient glass processing environment.
    2. Cut glass and prepare it for use in compliance with industry standard practices. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Discuss properties of glass in relation to their importance in glass processing environment.
  • Carry out inspections for glass defects to check the causes and impact in conformance with standard procedures.
  • Select correct tools and equipment for the job in accordance with the job specifications.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Select equipment and tools for glass cutting that are appropriate and comply with the requirements of the job specifications.
  • Inspect the equipment and tools used for functionality and readiness for the work.
  • Undertake the glass edgework and polishing to ensure compliance with health and safety as well as compliance with production specifications.
  • Take measurements and tests to ensure production efficiency and compliance with specifications.
  • Apply health and safety in the workplace.

    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: Glass Cutter and Edgework Operator as a part-qualification is linked to proficiencies related to the Occupational Certificate: Glass Process Operator and is recognised by industry as employment possibilities. These proficiencies are integrated in the qualifications provided in the countries selected for comparison with the part-qualification.

    An international comparability exercise was undertaken to compare the current Occupational Certificate: Glass Cutter and Edgework with related qualifications from specific countries in terms of their scope, level and curriculum content. The purpose of this exercise was to compare the qualification against existing and comparable practice on an international level. Two countries were selected for the study, namely the United Kingdom and Australia.

    United Kingdom (UK):
    The Institute for Apprenticeship and Technical Education provides Glass Manufacturing Operators to assist in the smooth running of day to day operations in the glass making process. The qualification provides for broader areas of training such as maintenance of equipment for the upkeep of the manufacturing process, process trouble shooting and rectification procedures, scheduled safety inspections and remedial actions.

    Australia:
    The Victorian Skills Gateway provides a qualification for a Glass Production Machine Operator. The qualification covers a range of functions from molten glass, glass sheets and containers. The qualification provides for skills related to monitoring of equipment, setting up and installing moulds, operating of glass making equipment and regulating temperature to produce molten glass.

    Conclusion:
    The countries used in the comparative study do not train for specific occupation/s and the range of competences gained apply to a broader spectrum of professional services. However, the content of the qualification in both cases address issues similar to that covered in the Occupational Certificate: Glass Cutter and Edgework's curriculum. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This part-qualification provides opportunities for horizontal and vertical articulation options.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Occupational Certificate: Glass Handler, NQF Level 2.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Occupational Certificate: Glass Manufacturing Process Technician, NQF Level 3. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A

    Assessment Quality Partner (AQP)
  • Chemical Industries Education and Training Authority (CHIETA). 
    		•

    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 knowledge and practical modules by means of statements of results and a record of completed work experience.

    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: Glass Cutter and Edgework Operator: 718103-000-00-02.

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

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

    Parent Qualification:
  • Occupational Certificate: Glass Processing Operator, NQF Level 3.

    Related Part-Qualification:
  • Occupational Certificate: Glass Handler, NQF Level 2.

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION
    None 
    		•

    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.