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: Folding Machine Operator 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
118117  Occupational Certificate: Folding Machine Operator 
ORIGINATOR
DQP - Printing South Africa 
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  50  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 Folding Machine Operator.

A qualified Learner will be able to:
  • Set up, operate and maintain folding machines to fold various impositions and formats of paper products.

    Rationale:
    Printing South Africa engaged with the Printing and Packaging Industry to address the concerns regarding the competitiveness of the industry against international markets during which time the Bookbinding Trades and Occupations were identified as a scarce and critical skills in the industry. The existing National Craft Diploma: Bookbinding Mechanised/Cutting qualification is outdated and does not cater for skills progression in the various occupations associated with the Bookbinding trade. The lack of skilled operators with up to date technological skills has placed the Sector in a precarious position in so far as International competitiveness is concerned.

    Learners will benefit by receiving a high standard of training and education that is occupationally aligned. Once qualified, Learners may progress to obtain additional associated qualifications on their path to becoming an artisan. Printing and Packaging employers will benefit by gaining access to suitably qualified operators to operate and maintain costly bookbinding, finishing equipment and machinery. By creating career pathways in the Sector employees will be able to progress from General Factory Workers to qualified Artisans. This will create a healthy employment cycle providing employment opportunities to unemployed youth. Learners will be drawn from schools and TVET Colleges and will secure employment in the Sector and open themselves up to career advancement opportunities.

    Paper making, waste efficiency and recycling are subjects covered in this curriculum. The efficient and responsible use of paper, adhesives and other materials is of critical importance to the Industry as it forms a significant component of print finishing and bookbinding manufacturing costs within a green economy. 
    		•

    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 1 qualification. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

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

    Knowledge Modules:
  • 662301-000-KM-01, Introduction to the Printing and Packaging Industry, NQF Level 3, 4 Credits.
  • 662301-000-KM-02, General Bookbinding and Print Finishing Technology, NQF Level 2, 4 Credits.
  • 662301-000-KM-04, Folding Machine Operating Technology, NQF Level 2, 3 Credits.

    Total number of credits for Knowledge Modules: 11.

    Practical Skill Modules:
  • 662301-000-PM-02, Set up, operate and maintain folding machines to fold various impositions and formats of paper products, NQF Level 2, 18 Credits.

    Total number of credits for Practical Skill Modules: 18.

    Work Experience Modules:
  • 662301-000-WM-05, Folding machine operations, NQF Level 2, 15 Credits.
  • 662301-000-WM-07, Operational and support processes in the printing environment, NQF Level 2, 6 Credits.

    Total number of credits for Work Experience Modules: 21. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Set up, operate and maintain folding machines to fold various impositions and formats of paper products. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Collect, inspect and safely transport correct resources to the folding machine.
  • Identify and check correct lay side and squareness of sheets.
  • Produce a folded hand copy that conforms to job specifications.
  • Correctly set up the machine according to job specifications and safety requirements.
  • Ensure end products conform to job specifications throughout the folding process.
  • Diagnose faults and take corrective action in accordance with standard operating procedures.
  • Dispatch products to the next process to comply with production flow requirements.
  • Inspect and repair a folding machine according to standard operating procedures.
  • Perform maintenance and check safety devices to determine proper working conditions.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Integrated Formative Assessment:
    The skills development provider 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 qualification. The external integrated summative assessment will focus on the Exit Level Outcomes and Associated Assessment Criteria. An external integrated summative assessment, conducted through the relevant QCTO Assessment Quality partner is required for the issuing of this qualification.

    The external summative assessment will be a trade test conducted in terms of the Skills Development Act, Section 26d 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 NAMB.

    The assessment will take place over a minimum of 2 days. No recognition will be granted to candidates for those trade test tasks in which they were found competent, if all tasks were not passed and the candidate will be re-tested on all trade test categories in all trade test attempts. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    City & Guilds of London was chosen for international comparability purposes in light of the fact that they are the United Kingdom's leading provider of vocational qualifications and have over 8500 centres in 100 countries and are recognised by employers worldwide for providing quality qualifications. For purposes of comparability Unit 332 (Control folding machinery) of the Level 3 NVQ Mechanised Print Finishing and Binding, General Print (5158-32) qualification was chosen.

    The Performance criteria, Knowledge and understanding and Performance evidence detailed in the following elements are well aligned to this qualification:
  • Element 332.1 Set up folding machinery.
  • Element 332.2 Run folding machinery.
  • Element 332.3 Plan and implement a programme of maintenance for folding machinery.
  • Element 332.4 Keep folding machinery in a clean and safe operating condition.

    Conclusion:
    In conclusion the Folding Machine Operator qualification is comparable to the chosen internationally recognised unit of the City & Guilds qualification. 
    		•

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

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Occupational Certificate: Guillotine Operator, NQF Level 2.
  • Occupational Certificate: Gathering Machine Operator, NQF Level 2.
  • Occupational Certificate: Book Sewing Machine Operator, NQF Level 2.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Occupational Certificate: Saddle Stitching Machine Operator, NQF Level 3.
  • Occupational Certificate: Adhesive Binding Machine Operator, NQF Level 3. 
    		•

    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 including the Foundational Learning Competence.

    Additional legal or physical entry requirements:
    Colour vision testing.

    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: Folding Machine Operator: 662301-000-00-02.

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

    Related Parent Qualification:
  • Occupational Certificate: Mechanised Soft-Cover Bookbinding Technician, NQF Level 4.

    Related Part-Qualifications:
  • Occupational Certificate: Guillotine Operator, NQF Level 2.
  • Occupational Certificate: Saddle Stitching Machine Operator, NQF Level 3.
  • Occupational Certificate: Adhesive Binding Machine Operator, NQF Level 3. 
    		•

    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.