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: Radio Operator

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
118090	Occupational Certificate: Radio Operator
ORIGINATOR
Development Quality Partner - QCTO (MANU)
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	190	Not Applicable	NQF Level 03	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 Occupational Certificate: Radio Operator is to enable a learner to practise as a Radio Operator. A Radio Operator operates and rectifies faults on the various types of radio equipment for communication, navigation and surveillance purposes to be utilised by different users in different contexts.

A qualified learner will be able to:

Operate and control radar and radio equipment.

Perform basic fault-finding and troubleshooting.

Conduct surveillance and communicate with stakeholders.

Rationale:
Radio communications plays a major role in the rail, marine, aircraft, safety, security and other disciplines. This qualification reflects the workplace-based needs of employers and employees in industries utilising radio equipment for effective communication with stakeholders and role-players in the maritime environment. The qualification will equip learners with requisite knowledge and skills to operate and troubleshoot faults on radio equipment. The qualification is intended to close the identified skills gaps and offer opportunities to individuals who intend to work or who are already working in the above-mentioned industries as Radio Operators.

The qualification will also standardise training that is currently taking place in the industry and offered in-house, and the qualification will be used to formalise it to enable learners to achieve a nationally recognised occupational certificate. Qualified learners will gain an opportunity to progress vertically to a Radiotrician qualification at NQF Level 4 and horizontally to any electrical or electronic discipline at NQF 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 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 qualification is:

NQF Level 2 with Mathematics.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

QUALIFICATION RULES

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

Knowledge Modules:

672206-000-00-00-KM-01, Radar and Radio Communications and Applications, Level 3, 20 Credits.

672206-000-00-00-KM-02, General Surveillance and Phraseology, Level 4, 15 Credits.

672206-000-00-00-KM-03, Basic Fault Finding and Troubleshooting on user Radio Equipment, Level 3, 5 Credits.
Total number of credits for the Knowledge Modules specifications: 40

Practical Skills Modules:

672206-000-00-00-PM-01, Operate Radar and Radio Equipment, Level 3, 30 Credits.

672206-000-00-00-PM-02, Perform Basic Fault-finding on Radar and Radio Equipment, Level 3, 10 Credits.

672206-000-00-00-PM-03, Conduct Navigation and Surveillance, Level 4, 30 Credits.
Total number of credits for the Practical Skills modules specifications: 70

Work Experience Modules

672206-000-00-00-WM-01, Radar and Radio Equipment Operation Processes, Level 3, 30 Credits.

672206-000-00-00 WM-02, Basic Fault-finding and Routine Maintenance Processes on Radar and Radio Equipment, Level 3, 25 Credits.

672206-000-00-00 WM-03, Navigation and Surveillance Processes, Level 4, 25 Credits.
Total number of credits for the Workplace Experience modules specifications: 80

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

1. Operate and maintain radio equipment.
2. Perform basic fault-finding on radar and radio equipment.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:

Operate approved radar and radio equipment or Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) communication simulators in accordance with company-specific standard operating procedures.

Operate basic radar and radio equipment controls correctly and connect to power sources in accordance with standard operating procedures.

Describe and use various types of search and rescue devices during the search and rescue operation.

Operate handheld radio correctly and propagate signals properly during operation.

Explain different types of urgency and safety communications and transmit messages correctly applying the relevant phraseology during emergency situations such as distress and urgent situations.

Protect distress frequencies in accordance with standard operating procedures.

Apply test protocols and procedures correctly using the testing radar and radio equipment and radio telephone.

Apply radiotelephony procedures in line with standard operating procedures.

Use and maintain batteries in accordance with standard operating procedures.

Use various radio channels in accordance with standard operating procedures in compliance with international regulations and agreements.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:

Describe and apply the basic principles and common methods for locating and rectifying faults on radar and radio equipment correctly in accordance with the standard operating procedures.

Perform physical inspection and routine tests correctly and maintain the operational status of radar and radio equipment in accordance with standard operating procedures.

Test and configure radar and radio equipment correctly using correct test instruments and achieve the correct operational status.

Identify and describe the most probable cause(s) of faults in terms of their effects on radar and radio equipment and mitigate the identified faults to achieve the optimal performance of radar and radio equipment.

Repair and maintain faulty radar and radio equipment using the correct electronic testing equipment, hand tools, and power tools.

Integrated Assessment:
Integrated Formative Assessment:
The external assessment will be a trade test as prescribed under section 26D of the Skills Development Act as defined in the Trade Test Regulations. The trade test will be conducted through a combination of a written assessment of a maximum of 3 hours, and practical tasks evaluation to be conducted at a QCTO accredited trade test centre over a period of 2 working days and assessed by the National Artisan Moderation Body (NAMB) registered assessor.

Integrated Summative Assessment:
An external integrated summative assessment, conducted through the relevant QCTO Assessment Quality Partner is required for the issuing of this qualification. The external integrated summative assessment will focus on the Exit Level Outcomes and Associated Assessment Criteria. The external integrated assessment will be conducted through a trade test as prescribed under section 26 D of the Skills Development Act and defined in the Trade Test Regulations. It will be 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 an assessor registered by the National Artisan Moderation Body (NAMB). The assessment will take place over a minimum of 2 days. A candidate who attempted an external assessment will be given recognition for those assessment tasks in which he/she has been found competent.

INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY

A comparison was conducted in countries with best practice aviation training and development at international and regional levels. The comparison focused on countries with qualifications frameworks, professional development programmes, learning programmes, apprenticeships and short courses. Countries selected included the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Australia and the United States of America. The results of the search in all the countries selected indicate that there are no qualifications focused on Radio Operators at any level.

United Kingdom (UK)
City & Guilds offers a qualification in Telecommunication Systems pegged at three different levels including level 3, which should be completed over 589 guided learning hours. The qualification compares favourably with the South African Radio Operator qualification in terms of the course content although title of the City & Guilds is on telecommunications systems including radio systems. The qualification allows learners to develop and practise the skills required for working with electrical, digital and radio telecommunication systems. The level 3 course in Telecommunication Systems is offered internationally covering the following components:

Communication Systems and Digital Networks.

Fundamentals of electronic communication.

Radio Systems.

Programming principles.

Advanced Mathematics.

Constructing, testing and fault-finding electronic circuits.

Maintenance of electrical equipment and systems.

New Zealand:
Institution: Coastguard Maritime Northern Region School.
Qualification: Maritime very high frequency (VHF) Radio Operator Certificate.
This certificate is offered by the Coastguard Northern Region Maritime School. This is a short course and the Certificate is based on a unit standard pegged at NQF Level 3 with 3 credits aimed at providing learners working or intending to work in the marine environment with knowledge and skills to operate a marine radio to meet the minimum legal requirement for using a VHF radio. The certificate covers the basic knowledge and skills on how to use VHF radio communication; the standard features of marine VHF radios and emergency position indicating radio beacons (EPIRBs); New Zealand VHF Radio Service providers; routine marine VHF radio calling procedures and operating techniques; marine VHF radio distress calling procedures; and marine VHF radio urgency and safety calling procedures.

The course content is structured as follows:
Routine Operation:

Common features and functions.

Pro-words and phonetic alphabet.

Call signs and channel allocation.

2. Safety

Trip reports.

Weather information.

Security.

3. Distress & Urgency

"Mayday" and "Pan" calls.

EPIRB and SAR.

Qualification: Radar Operator Certificate
The Radar Operator Certificate forms a component of the New Zealand Certificate in Domestic Maritime Operations (Restricted Limits) (Level 4). It is a short course aimed at providing learners with the knowledge and skills necessary to be competent in the use of radar to aid navigation and avoid collision. The certificate compares favourably with some modules contained in the South African occupational qualification that provide learners with competencies to safely operate radar.

The modules contained in this certificate are as follows:

Principles of radar.

Components of radar set.

Controls.

Displays.

Discrimination.

Targets.

Radar Navigation and Collision Avoidance.

Conclusion:
The qualifications compare favourably with the South African Radio Operator qualification in terms of the course content which covers radio operation, GMDSS communications emergency related competencies in respect of search and rescue (SAR), urgency and safety communications including distress, radiotelephony calling procedures using the relevant phraseology.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

This qualification allows possibilities for both vertical and horizontal articulation.

Horizontal Articulation:

Certificate in Telecommunications for Customer Premises Equipment, NQF Level 3.

Vertical Articulation:

Occupational Certificate: Radiotrician, NQF Level 4.

MODERATION OPTIONS

N/A

Assessment Quality Partner (AQP)

National Artisan Moderation Body (NAMB).

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.

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: Radio Operator: 672206-000-00-01.

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

None

Assessment Quality Partner (AQP):

National Artisan Moderation Body (NAMB).

Related Parent Qualification:

None

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.

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