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: Sewing Machine Maintenance and Repair Technician Assistant 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
118105  Occupational Certificate: Sewing Machine Maintenance and Repair Technician Assistant 
ORIGINATOR
Development Quality Partner - FPMSETA (MAN) 
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  86  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 this part-qualification is to prepare a learner to operate as a Sewing Machine Maintenance and Repair Technician Assistant. A Sewing Machine Maintenance and Repair Technician Assistant services, maintains and performs major repairs across a range of advanced Fixed Cycle Lock Stitch machines and Multi-needle Chain Stitch Sewing Machines.

Rationale:
This part-qualification will equip learners with the necessary skills and competence to operate as Sewing Machine Maintenance and Repair Technician Assistants. After successful completion of this qualification, the learner will be skilled and capable of performing major machine repairs across a range of advanced sewing machines inclusive of Fixed Cycle Lock Stitch Machines (Button Hole machine and Button Sew on Machine) as well as Multi-needle Chain Stitch Machines.

Learners will find employment as Sewing Machine Maintenance and Repair Technician Assistants. These skills will also open opportunities for self-employment. Target groups identified include school leavers with an NQF Level 1 qualification or a person who has been working for three years as Sewing Machine Operators in the clothing industry without formal qualifications and has the desire to formalise their skills and knowledge.

Employers will benefit from appointing qualified workers in terms of increased productivity and ability to be competitive in the international market and seek markets abroad supplying quality apparel wear. 

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 Part-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 with Mathematics and Communication.
    Or
  • Three years of experience as a Sewing Machine Maintenance and Repair Technician Assistant. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This part-qualification consists of the following compulsory Knowledge, Practical Skill and Work Experience Modules:

    Knowledge Modules:
  • 684901-001-00-KM-09, Fixed Cycle Lock Stitch Machines (Button Hole Machine), Level 4, 12 Credits.
  • 684901-001-00-KM-10, Fixed Cycle Lock Stitch Machines (Button Sew on Machine), Level 4, 8 Credits.
  • 684901-001-00-KM-11, Chain Stitch Machine (Range of Machines: Cover Seam/Single Needle/Multi Needle/Elasticator): Multi-needle Chain Stitch Machine, Level 4, 12 Credits.
    Total number of credits for Knowledge Modules: 32

    Practical Skill Modules:
  • 684901-001-00-PM-03, Perform Major Machine Repairs across a Range of Sewing Machine, Level 4, 30 Credits.
    Total number of credits for Practical Skill Modules: 30

    Work Experience Modules:
  • 684901-001-00-WM-03, Repairing and Maintenance of Advanced Sewing Machines, Level 4, 24 Credits.
    Total number of credits for Work Experience Modules: 24 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Undertake a range of tasks for the repair of a range of machines according to manufacturer specification within set time limits. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
  • Repair faulty sewing machine mechanisms by dismantling, conducting the repair and assembling machine parts.
  • Conduct the selection and installation of correct spare parts for a specific repair function.
  • Recondition and replace machine parts (which are within tolerance).
  • Sewing machine components and parts are cleaned and lubricated where required.
  • Do repairs utilising the right sequence and process.
  • Repair machine faults through applying mechanical or engineering principles.
  • Select the correct equipment and consumables for the task.
  • Repair the machine without causing damage to the machine.

    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 for the issuing of this part-qualification. The external integrated summative assessment will focus on the Exit Level Outcomes and Associated Assessment Criteria. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This part-qualification was compared with components of two qualifications offered in India and New Zealand:

    India:
    The ALT Training College offers Industrial Sewing Machine Technician course, which covers the following "performance criteria":
  • Practice Health and Safety - select, use, maintain and store - tools, equipment and clothing safety.
  • Machine control, Opening the machines for maintenance.
  • Installation on single needle, double needle, over lock, high speed sewing machines, cutting machine, fusing machine and finishing machinery.
  • Installation of Special machine.
  • Practice of stitches per inches, changing of needles, changing of special attachments and fixing.
  • Checking the conditions of parts in each mechanism.
  • Servicing the parts.
  • Follow up for Annual Maintenance from the service engineer. Mock drill on fire fighting and first aid.

    In addition to the above mentioned "performance criteria", the qualification further draws reference to the following knowledge or theory components:
  • Generic contextual knowledge such as safe work practices, company specific procedures, guidelines and standards.
  • Technical knowledge relative to different types of machines.
  • Parts of the sewing machine and their functions.
  • Stitch formation.
  • Different types of feed mechanism.
  • Threading.
  • Needles.
  • Lubrication systems.
  • Dealing with faults and troubleshooting machine problems.
  • Maintenance of tools and machine.

    New Zealand:
    The National Certificate in Clothing Manufacture (Mechanic) Level 3, offered by Competenz, is geared toward people working in the sewing machine maintenance and servicing areas of the Clothing Manufacturing industry. The compulsory sections of the qualification ensure that all holders have knowledge of workplace practice. This qualification also provides the basis for further education and training leading to the National Certificate in Clothing Manufacture (Mechanic) Level 4. Essentially, the qualification spans Levels 2, 3 and 4, with credits allocated at each of the three levels. Across Levels 2 and 3 of this qualification, the following standards would be achieved:
  • Maintain and adjust industrial sewing machines.

    The Level 4 qualification is geared toward people working at senior level in the clothing manufacturing industry. It is designed to recognise the on-job competence of a skilled tradesperson able to organise and supervise all maintenance activities of the sections under their responsibility. This Level 4 qualification builds on the aforementioned Level 3 qualification and specifically then comprises the following modules:
  • Servicing of fixed cycle lockstitch sewing machines.
  • Servicing of chain-stitch sewing machines.
  • Servicing lockstitch buttonhole sewing machines.

    Conclusion:
    This part-qualification compares favourably with the above qualifications in terms of content and complexity. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This part-qualification allows possibilities for both vertical and horizontal articulation.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Occupational Certificate: Ancillary Machine Maintenance Assistant, NQF Level 4.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • National Certificate in Clothing Production, NQF 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 statements of results and work experience records.

    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 are: Sewing Machine Maintenance and Repair Technician Assistant: 684901-001-00-07

    Encompassed Trades:
    This part-qualification encompasses the following trades as recorded on the NLRD:
  • None

    Assessment Quality Partner (AQP):
  • National Artisan Moderation Body (NAMB).

    Related Parent Qualification:
  • Occupational Certificate: Apparel and Related Manufacturing Machine Mechanic, NQF Level 4.

    Related Part-qualification:
  • Occupational Certificate: Sewing Machine Mechanic Repairer, Level 2.
  • Occupational Certificate: Cutting Machine Maintenance Assistant, Level 3.
  • Occupational Certificate: Sewing Machine Mechanic Operator, Level 3.
  • Occupational Certificate: Ancillary Machine Maintenance Assistant, 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 


    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.