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: Grain Grader

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
118688	Occupational Certificate: Grain Grader
ORIGINATOR
Development Quality Partner - AgriSETA
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY			NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
-			OQSF - Occupational Qualifications Sub-framework
QUALIFICATION TYPE	FIELD		SUBFIELD
Part-Qualification	Field 01 - Agriculture and Nature Conservation		Secondary Agriculture
ABET BAND	MINIMUM CREDITS	PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL	NQF LEVEL	QUAL CLASS
Undefined	46	Not Applicable	NQF Level 04	Regular-ELOAC
REGISTRATION STATUS		SAQA DECISION NUMBER	REGISTRATION START DATE	REGISTRATION END DATE
Registered		EXCO 0522/24	2022-02-03	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 function as a Grain Grader.

A Grain Grader applies standard grading regulations and rules to determine the grade of grains and oilseeds delivered to and by the facility.

A qualified learner will be able to:

Conduct grain and oilseed grading processes.

Rationale:
This part-qualification will equip learners with the necessary skills and competence to function as a grader of grains and oilseeds. After successful completion of this qualification, the learner will be a skilled and capable of grading grains and oilseeds to specified national standards.

This part-qualification establishes a specific standard of competence required by industry for persons employed in the grading of grains and oilseeds. Employers benefit from appointing qualified grain graders as this is a standard requirement to access local and international marketing opportunities. This part-qualification forms part of a career path the grain silo industry and provides progression opportunities for many currently employed in the industry. The formal opportunity in the industry is associated with progressive positions in managerial and operational management functions. It is a common practice and a requirement in the industry to start a formal career by firstly achieving the standard of competence related to grain or oilseed grading service as an entry-level competence.

Learners will find employment as a grain grader at various grain handling and storage facilities. These facilities are mostly located in the rural farming areas of South Africa.

Target groups identified include learners with an NQF Level 3 qualification or persons working in the grain handling and storage industry without formal qualifications and desire to improve skills.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Learners will gain access to the qualification/ part-qualifiation through RPL for Access as provided for in the QCTO RPL Policy. RPL for access is conducted by accredited education institution, skills development provider or workplace accredited to offer that specific qualification/part qualification.

Learners who have acquired competencies of the modules of a qualification or part qualification will be exempted from modules through RPL.

Learners will be awarded credits for or towards the qualification or part qualification through RPL as provided in the QCTO RPL Policy. RPL for credits provides for the formal award of credits for, or towards a qualification or part-qualification registered on the NQF.

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 an workplaces must confirm prior learning by issuing a statement of result or certifying a work experience record.

Entry Requirements
The minimum entry requirement for this part-qualification is:

NQF Level 3 qualification.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

QUALIFICATION RULES

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

Knowledge Modules

132408-000-00-KM-04, Sampling and Grading of Grains and Oilseed, Level 4, 12 Credits.

132408-000-00-KM-07, Employee of choice, Level 4, 6 Credits.

Total number of credits for Knowledge Modules: 18

Practical Skill Modules

132408-000-00-PM-05, Plan and Execute Grains and Oilseeds Sampling and Grading Processes, Level 4 ,16 Credits.

Total number of credits for Practical Skill Modules: 16 Credits.

Work Experience Modules

132408-000-00-WM-03, Grain Grading Practices and Procedures, Level 4, 12 Credits.

Total number of credits for Work Experience Modules: 12 Credits.

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

1. Conduct grain and oilseed grading processes.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:

Apply standard prescribed sampling practices to assure valid and reliable grain and oilseed grading results

Comply and document Regulated grading standards and requirements.

Adhere to food safety standards and practices in accordance with standard procedures

Select and use grading equipment and consumables in accordance with standard procedures.

Plan and execute work in a structured manner to ensure that the pace of work meets accepted turnaround times.

Grade results and accurately interpret the results achieved in accordance with regulatory standards.

Demonstrate an understanding of work practices and concepts that promotes work outcomes achieved within accepted standards of business ethics and value systems.

Accurately complete grading documentations and meet administrative requirements in accordance with standard procedures.

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
The occupational qualification is assessed externally through an appropriate nationally standardised 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 assessment consists of one written theoretical and one practice related assessment managed by the AQP at an approved assessment site.

INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY

This qualification was compared with a training programme and a qualification, namely the:

The Federal Grain Inspection Service of the USA (FGIS) Grain Inspection Orientation training programme offered by the Grain Elevator and Processing Society (GEAPS) in conjunction with the Kansas State University, United States of America (USA); and the

Diploma of Grain Management (10842NAT) recognised under the Australian Skills Quality Authority

United States America
The training programs offered by the Grain Elevator and Processing Society (GEAPS) was specifically selected, as this institution is regarded by the South African industry as leaders in grain handling and storage training. The GEAPS programs are regarded as best practices examples by the South African industry.

A specific unit of learning available from the GEAPS training program in Grain Quality Management addresses training in grain inspection in accordance with the standards set by the USA Department of Agriculture through the Federal Grain Inspection Service of the USA (FIGIS): FGIS Grain Inspection Orientation.

This course introduces professional grain handling operations personnel to the knowledge of grain inspection. The course is presented as a ten-day program that covers a range of aspects related to grain inspection, inspection standards, legislation and trading rules.

The South African occupational qualification is comparable to the programs covered by GEAPS as well as the emphasis placed on the specific unit of learning in Grain Inspection.

Australia
The Diploma of Grain Management (10842NAT) was selected as it includes a unit that covers the skills and knowledge to Test grains and seeds on receiver (AHCBAC304). The SA qualification places comparable emphasis on this specific unit of learning and is referred to as Grain and oilseed grading in South Africa.

The Australian qualification covers the process of testing grains/seeds on receiver and defines the standard required to: identify different grains/seeds; conduct sampling and initial testing; record samples for further testing; communicate with customers and maintain records.

This part qualification represents the South African standard, in as far as testing of grain and seeds is concerned and is comparable with selected Australian qualification.

Conclusion
This part-qualification compares well with the components of the qualifications selected in terms of content and complexity. The part qualification is fit for purpose for the requirements of the grain handling and storage industry of South Africa.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

This part-qualification provides opportunities for horizontal and vertical articulation options.

Horizontal Articulation:

Occupational Certificate: Occupational Trainer; NQF Level 4.

Occupational Certificate: Quality Controller; NQF Level 4.

Vertical Articulation:

Occupational Certificate: Grain Depot Manager; NQF Level 5.

NOTES

Qualifying for External Assessment:
To qualify for an external assessment, learners must provide proof of completion of all required knowledge and practical modules by means of statements of results and a record of completed work experience.

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: 132408-000-00-01.

Encompassed Trade:
This qualification encompasses the following trades as recorded on the NLRD:
This is not a trade qualification.

Assessment Quality Partner (AQP)

AgriSETA.

Parent Qualification

Occupational Certificate: Grain Depot Manager: NQF Level 5.

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