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: 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: |
RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? |
Y |
QUALIFICATION RULES |
This qualification is made up of compulsory Knowledge, Practical Skill and Work Experience Modules:
Knowledge Modules: Total number of credits for the Knowledge Modules: 115 Practical Skills Modules: Total number of credits for the Practical Skills modules: 220 Work Experience Modules 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:
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2: Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3: Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4: Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5: Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6: 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: Safety: Distress and Urgency: 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: 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: Vertical Articulation: |
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: 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: Assessment Quality Partner (AQP): Related Part-Qualification: 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. |