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: Radiotrician

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
118093	Occupational Certificate: Radiotrician
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	545	Not Applicable	NQF Level 04	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 the Occupational Certificate: Radiotrician is to prepare a learner to operate as a Radiotrician. A Radiotrician installs, tests, operates, configures, troubleshoots and maintains radar and various types of radio equipment for communication, navigation and surveillance purposes for different users and different applications.

A qualified learner will be able to:

Install, operate and commission radar and radio equipment.

Operate and maintain radar and radio equipment.

Perform fault-finding and troubleshooting on radio equipment and power supplies.

Perform navigation and surveillance operations.

Rationale:
As per Government Gazette 35625, published on 31 August 2012, the Minister of Higher Education and Training issued a list of occupations as trades for which artisan qualifications were required. In terms of the said list the Radiotrician qualification was identified as a trade occupation in terms of Section 26B of the Skills Development Act, 1998 (Act No. 97 of 1998). Radar and radio communications play a major role in rail, marine, aircraft, safety, security and other disciplines. This qualification reflects the workplace-based need by employers and employees within industries utilising radar and radio communications for effective and efficient service delivery. It will provide the industries with skilled Radiotricians to install, operate, and maintain radar and radio equipment. The various industries affected by this qualification were broadly consulted to ensure alignment of the identified needs. The qualification was developed with the active participation of the major stakeholders and employers in the sector.

The qualification is intended for learners entering the industry and those already working in the industry. Qualified learners will have specialised knowledge to install, operate and maintain radar and radio equipment. The training that is currently taking place in the country is mainly in-house. There is also a degree of international training. This training situation compromises the standardisation of competencies required for a Radiotrician. This qualification will facilitate the standardisation of training courses currently provided by authorities or training providers to create a pool of skilled Radiotricians in the country. Qualified learners will gain employment opportunities within the radar and radio communications industries.

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 qualification is:

NQF Level 2 Qualification.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

QUALIFICATION RULES

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

Knowledge Modules:

672108-000-00-00-KM-01, Legislation, Regulations and Standards Applicable in Radar and Radio Communications, Level 5, 8 Credits.

672108-000-00-00-KM-02, Fundamentals of Radar and Radio Equipment and Operation, Level 4, 12 Credits.

672108-000-00-00-KM-03, Radar and Radio Communications and Applications, Level 3, 20 Credits.

672108-000-00-00-KM-04, General Surveillance and Phraseology, Level 4, 15 Credits.

672108-000-00-00-KM-05, Basic Fault Finding and Troubleshooting on User Radio Equipment, Level 3, 5 Credits.

672108-000-00-00-KM-06, Fault Finding and Maintenance on Radar and Radio Equipment, Level 4, 30 Credits.

672108-000-00-00-KM-07, Supervisory Practices in the Workplace, Level 4, 5 Credits.

672108-000-00-00-KM-08, Radar and Radio Equipment Installation and Maintenance, Level 4, 20 Credits.
Total number of credits for the Knowledge Modules: 115

Practical Skills Modules:

672108-000-00-00-PM-01, Install, Operate and Commission Radar and Radio Equipment, Level 4, 60 Credits.

672108-000-00-00-PM-02, Locate and Troubleshoot Radar and Radio on Equipment, Level 4, 40 Credits.

672108-000-00-00-PM-03, Operate and Control Radar and Radio Equipment, Level 3, 30 Credits.

672108-000-00-00-PM-04, Perform Planned and Preventative Maintenance on Radar and Radio Equipment, Level 4, 30 Credits.

672108-000-00-00-PM-05, Perform Basic Fault-Finding on Radar and Radio Equipment, Level 3, 10 Credits.

672108-000-00-00-PM-06, Conduct Navigation and Surveillance, Level 4, 30 Credits.

672108-000-00-00-PM-07, Perform Activity-Based Risk Assessment on Radar and Radio Equipment, Level 4, 20 Credits.
Total number of credits for the Practical Skills modules: 220

Work Experience Modules

672108-000-00-00-WM-01, Radar and Radio Equipment Installation, Operation and Administration Processes, Level 4, 50 Credits.

672108-000-00-00-WM-02, Radar and Radio Equipment Operation Processes, Level 3, 30 Credits.

672108-000-00-00-WM-03, Radio and Radar Fault Diagnosis and Troubleshooting Processes, Level 4, 40 Credits.

672108-000-00-00-WM-04, Radar and Radio Equipment Basic Fault-finding and Routine Maintenance Processes, Level 3, 25 Credits.

672108-000-00-00-WM-05, Navigation and Surveillance Processes, Level 4, 25 Credits.

672108-000-00-00-WM-06, Activity-risk Assessment on Radar and Radio Equipment Processes, Level 4, 40 Credits.
Total number of credits for the Workplace Experience modules: 210

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

1. Install and commission and repair/replace radar and radio equipment.
2. Operate, monitor and control radar and radio equipment functionality.
3. Diagnose, locate and troubleshoot radar and radio equipment.
4. Operate and maintain radar and radio equipment.
5. Conduct navigation and surveillance.
6. Perform basic fault-finding on radar and radio equipment.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:

Explain the principles and procedures for the installation, operation, testing and commissioning of radar and radio equipment in line with the relevant industry, local, national, regional and international regulations and standards.

Prepare worksite correctly for radar and radio equipment installation in line with standard operating procedures.

Prepare and select correct tools and equipment within installation design parameters.

Carry out activity-based risk assessment correctly, and identify and control potential hazards and risks during installation, testing and commissioning according to the applicable risks and hazard management policies and procedures.

Install radar and radio equipment within the specified parameters and timeframes in line with the manufacturer and company-specific standards.

Observe communication protocols and procedures continuously during the installation, operation and commissioning of radar and radio equipment, and during shift and shift change-overs in accordance with company-specific standard operating procedures.

Configure and test radar and radio equipment correctly using the correct test equipment within defined parameters for optimal operation.

Apply and maintain safe working procedures and practices throughout when carrying out the tasks in line with applicable legislative and regulatory requirements to avoid human exposure to radio frequency fields and other risks.

Install transmission reception equipment and communication networks to national and international standards.

Complete relevant documentation correctly during and after radar and radio equipment installation and testing service.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:

Explain and apply the fundamental principles to operate radar and radio equipment correctly in different contexts to national, regional and international standards.

Identify and describe types of Radio Frequency (RF) transmission sources with examples.

Use radar and radio equipment properly to transmit and receive information to and from key stakeholders within a specified distance.

Monitor radar and radio equipment indicators and locate and respond correctly to interferences in accordance with company-specific standard operating procedures

Monitor emergency frequencies correctly, and detect and respond to distress according to company-specific standard operating procedures.

Observe, monitor and control indicators of radar and radio equipment correctly using data displayed on the monitoring screen.

Activate and adjust power, voice volume and modulation correctly, and set transmitters properly on specified frequencies.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:

Prepare and maintain the work area and select and use correctly the proper personal protective clothing, and other appropriate safety equipment, in compliance with health and safety requirements when performing fault-finding activity.

Describe steps to carry out fault diagnosis and troubleshooting on radar and radio equipment in line with company-specific standard operation procedures and guidelines.

Use the proper fault diagnostic instrument(s) correctly and identify and rectify fault(s) on radar and radio equipment.

Identify and describe the characteristics and causes of specific faults on radar and radio equipment in terms of their effects and consequences, and take corrective actions to prevent future occurrences in accordance with company-specific standard operating procedures.

Apply techniques to determine correctly the sensory conditions in fault finding activities.

Apply and maintain precautionary measures to prevent electrostatic discharge (ESD) damage to electronic circuits and components throughout troubleshooting activity.

Apply the procedures applicable to isolation and lock-out or permit-to-work in accordance with standard operating procedures.

Explain and apply correctly the fault-finding principles, methods and techniques and diagnose and rectify faults in radar and radio equipment for optimal performance of the equipment in accordance with operating standards.

Identify the most likely areas for faults and locate and diagnose fault(s) or part(s) of the radar or radio equipment.

Perform planned and preventative maintenance correctly on radar and radio equipment in accordance with company-specific standard operating procedures.

Comply maintenance requirements of signals and frequencies according to organisational and international standards.

Apply the procedures to use, care and handle the various test instruments correctly according to company-specific standard operating procedures.

Identify and describe possible hazards and risks associated with fault diagnosis on radar and radio equipment, and apply ways to prevent or minimise the identified hazards and risks in accordance with standard operating procedures.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:

Monitor 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 (SAR) devices during the SAR operation.

Operate handheld radio correctly and propagate signals properly during operation.

Observe health and safety requirements when positioning and connecting radio device to power sources.

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 radio telephony 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 5:

Identify the causes and effects of surveillance network failure and take corrective actions according to company-specific standard operating procedures.

Apply the principles, strategies and methods of direct monitoring correctly when conducting navigation and surveillance in accordance with legal, regulatory and company-specific standard operating procedures.

Read and interpret radar screen display was correctly and follow data collection protocol correctly in accordance with the applicable standard operating procedures.

Communicate messages to the Search and Rescue (SAR) Team effectively applying the relevant phraseology during navigation and surveillance.

Operate radar and radio equipment correctly, and monitor and control traffic in accordance with company-specific standard operating procedures.

Apply activity-based risk assessment and identify and mitigate probable hazards and risks and their effects/consequences in line with applicable standards.

Operate radar and radio equipment correctly in accordance with company-specific standard operating procedures.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:

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 the effects on radar and radio equipment and mitigate the identified faults successfully 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 skills development providers will use the curriculum to guide them on the stipulated external integrated assessment criteria and weighting. They will also apply the scope of practical skills and applied knowledge as stipulated by the external integrated 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 assessment will be conducted through a trade test as prescribed under section 26D 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.

INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY

This qualification is aligned to norms and standards in aviation and radio control in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region and internationally.

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 directed at Aviation Radiotrician. The results of the search in all the countries indicate that there were no qualifications focused on Radiotrician at any level except Radiotrician within the aerospace or radio broadcasting environments as specialisations. The qualification was compared with the following international qualifications:

United Kingdom:
The New Era College offers a Technician Certificate at three different levels including level 3, 4 and 5. The duration of the qualification is one (1) year offering an opportunity for the learner to advance to 2nd year towards an Advanced Diploma in Telecommunication Systems. The South African qualification compares favourably with this qualification in terms of structure as it provides knowledge, practical skills and an internship and vary only slightly in terms of the titles of the modules studied. The qualification allows learners to develop and practise the skills required for working with electrical, digital and radio telecommunication systems.

New Zealand:
In New Zealand, the New Zealand Certificate in Domestic Maritime Operations (Restricted Limits) (Level 4) qualification is offered and aims at providing the learners with knowledge and skills necessary to take charge of, and maintain, the safety of vessels of less than 24 metres in length operating within restricted limits under the Maritime New Zealand Seafarer Certification and Operational Limits Framework. The qualification differs from the South African qualification in terms of credit values (85 credits) while the South African qualification is a trade qualification which requires learners to undergo a trade test and can be completed within a period of three years inclusive of a derived qualification. It also compares favourably with the South African qualification in that learners are expected to complete the theory and a logbook and that it covers competencies relating to the operation of radiotelephony; radar and radio operation; navigation operations; safety; responding to emergencies; search and rescue systems; fault diagnosis; maintenance and repairs. Training providers use this qualification to allow learners to acquire certificates such as the Maritime Restricted Radiotelephone Operator Certificate and Radar Operator Certificate at levels which compare favourably with the South African occupational qualification as it contains a derived qualification for Radio Operator as well as competencies for a Radar Operator.

Maritime Restricted Radiotelephone Operator Certificate:
The Maritime Restricted Radiotelephone Operator Certificate course is a component of the New Zealand Certificate in Domestic Maritime Operations (Restricted Limits) (Level 4). This is a short course aimed at equipping learners with knowledge and skills for MF/HF (SSB) radio operation. The course content compares favourably with the South African Radio Operator part qualification in terms of content but varies in terms of duration. The course content is as follows:

Routine Operation:

Common features and functions.

Pro-words & phonetic alphabet.

Call signs & channel allocation.

MF/HF (SSB) radio operation.

Frequency Allocation.

Radio propagation.

EPIRB and SAR.

Safety:

Trip reports.

Weather information.

Security.

Distress and Urgency:

"Mayday" & "Pan" calls.

Radar Operator Certificate:
This course forms a component of the New Zealand Certificate in Domestic Maritime Operations (Restricted Limits) (Level 4). The Certificate aimed at providing learners with the knowledge and skills necessary to competently use radar to aid navigation and avoid collision. The Certificate compares favourably with some modules contained in the South African occupational qualification that provides 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 South African qualification compares favourably with the United Kingdom and New Zealand qualifications and respective courses in terms of content. However, it differs slightly in terms of duration as the South African occupational qualification is a full qualification, which is trade-related requiring learners to undergo a trade test prior to external summative assessment.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

This qualification allows possibilities for both vertical and horizontal articulation.

Horizontal Articulation:

Further Education and Training Certificate: Telecommunication Systems, NQF Level 4.

Vertical Articulation:

Occupational Certificate: Marine Electro-Technical Officer, Level 5.

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 and statement of work experience as well as proof of successful completion of the following 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: Radiotrician: 672108-000-00-00

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

96324, Radiotrician.

Assessment Quality Partner (AQP):

National Artisan Moderation Body (NAMB).

Related Part-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.

NONE