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: Close Protector |
SAQA QUAL ID | QUALIFICATION TITLE | |||
118746 | Occupational Certificate: Close Protector | |||
ORIGINATOR | ||||
Development Quality Partner-SASSETA | ||||
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY | NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK | |||
- | OQSF - Occupational Qualifications Sub-framework | |||
QUALIFICATION TYPE | FIELD | SUBFIELD | ||
Occupational Certificate | Field 08 - Law, Military Science and Security | Safety in Society | ||
ABET BAND | MINIMUM CREDITS | PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL | NQF LEVEL | QUAL CLASS |
Undefined | 52 | Not Applicable | NQF Level 05 | 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 qualification is to prepare a learner to operate as a Close Protector. A Close Protector proactively and reactively facilitates safety and security of a defined client, whilst on foot, in a venue or vehicle, effectively rendering these environments more secure with respect to physical threats, harassment, embarrassment and discomfort with minimal impact on the client's daily activities. A qualified learner will be able to: Rationale: The security sector plays an integral part in South Africa as it assists the law enforcement sector with a sustained environment in which crime is prevented and deterred. It is therefore, vital to ensure that persons within the ambit of private and public close protection are adequately trained and educated in terms of their competencies, skills and values. The security domain is divided into different sectors of which close protection is one. Close protection is a vital domain of security as it provides protection services to public and private figures such as high-ranking governmental officials and dignitaries. The creation of a safe and secure environment for these public and private figures is important as it creates a stable platform for them to fulfil their mandates and roles. Without their safety they would be unable to contribute to the country on various levels including, political, business, and scientific, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and entertainment levels. While the general security of the society in the country plays an important role to ensure that all citizens are secured and protected, it is of national interest that individuals such as business leaders, diplomats, dignitaries, celebrities, and the general public are protected. Therefore, this qualification plays a pivotal role in fulfilling the need for a safe and protected environment. This qualification will enable learners to gain knowledge and skills to assist principal(s) to live their lives in a safe and secure environment. The importance and impact of Close Protection in South Africa is significant, especially with the current development initiatives by government to improve the economy of the country, for example, protection of dignitaries from other countries visiting the South African government, international sporting events and concerts where protection is needed for both individuals and spectators. Close protectors are often the first ambassadors of South Africa that influential persons will meet on their first arrival into the country and therefore the Close Protectors need to be suitably trained and capable of performing the required task at the expected professional levels. Most learners endeavouring to complete this qualification may come from the law enforcement, defence and private security sector. Many of them would have completed a qualification in basic security aspects and will then move on to complete this qualification as it forms an area of specialisation within the security sector. However, this qualification has also been designed to allow learners who have no previous experience to access the sector. Learners entering this qualification will be able to progress vertically from generic security and law enforcement services qualifications to more specialised close protection services as well as articulate horizontally to security management practices, bomb disposal, policing, special combat capabilities and certain emergency medical care qualifications, within the prevailing regulations and legal prescripts. The qualification facilitates access to education, training and a career path within the close protection services thus developing a pool of qualified, professional close protection personnel. Upon completion of the qualification, learner will be able to gather Protective Information within the close protection environment; determine and organise logistics within the close protection environment; conduct planning within the close protection environment; implement protective measures within the close protection environment and conduct demobilisation; administration and debrief of a close protection operational task. In addition to these, learners will also gain valuable skills in terms of conflict management, protocol, etiquette, diplomacy and threat and risk analysis. This will enable learners to manage difficult and sensitive situations. The qualification has a minimum of 52 credits. The nature of occupation is such that it only requires training for competence over the period of 520 notional hours. This qualification addresses the critical niche in the security industry with limited competencies wherein there are no registered qualifications on the NQF currently. |
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 result. 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 Knowledge Modules: 17 Practical Skill Modules Total number of credits for Practical Skill Modules: 21 Work Experience Modules Total number of credits for Work Experience Modules: 14 |
EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES |
1. Gather protective information within the close protection environment.
2. Determine and organise logistics within the close protection environment. 3. Conduct planning and coordination activities for venues within the close protection. 4. Conduct planning and coordination activities for transit movements within the close protection. 5. Implement Close Protective measures to a defined principal at venues within the close protection environment. 6. Implement close protective measures to a defined principal in transit. |
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 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 together with work experience leads to entrance in 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. The assessment will be conducted through written assessment and the evaluation of practical tasks at decentralised approved assessment sites by a panel of assessors evaluated by assessor(s) registered with the AQP within a period of 1 day. |
INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY |
Australia and United Kingdom were selected as the best well renowned countries in the field of regulated private security training, registration, and licensing as qualified security personnel. Currently there are no qualifications registered in the respective framework. Comparison has been made with qualifications set by the respective regulatory authorities.
Australia Certificate IV in Close Personal Protection, that is offered by Talon Education and Training, was compared to the South African Close Protector qualification. The qualification is aimed at learners who provide high level security services to organisations and individuals who are exposed to dangerous situations such as political unrests, crime, assault, kidnap, etc. It is delivered over a minimum duration of 4 weeks. This qualification provides learners with knowledge and skills that empower them to: Upon completion of this qualification, learners will be able to offer Close Personal Protection services to government agencies, dignitaries, diplomats, VIPs, high profile personalities, celebrities and businesspeople. United Kingdom. The Security Industry Authority (SIA), a body that regulates private security services in the UK, coordinates the development security related qualifications and licensing of personnel operating within the security industry. One of the qualifications, whose implementation is coordinated by the SIA is the Certificate for Working as a Close Protection Operative within the Private Security Industry (RQF). The qualification is offered by UCP Training Academy, over a 12 to 28-day period. Upon completion of the qualification learners will be equipped with skills that will enable them to: Learners are required to undergo written assessment comprising multiple choice questions. In some instances, learners are expected to either perform practical exercises or submit their Portfolio of Evidence, as a part of summative assessment. Similarities have been found to be in relation to the organisations and individuals to whom the Close Protection services are rendered; core competencies to be demonstrated by learners upon completion; exposure to real environments under the guidance of experienced facilitators and make provision for RPL. Differences have been noted with regard to the structure of the two qualifications, the absence of NQF levels, credits, duration; external assessment as well as the exclusion of modules that develop learners' knowledge and skills on dealing with physical interventions, advanced driving and application of firearms, which is illegal in the United Kingdom. Conclusion: In conclusion, the South African Close Protector's occupational qualification compares favourably to qualifications that are offered in the countries compared to. |
ARTICULATION OPTIONS |
This qualification provides opportunities for horizontal and vertical articulation options.
Horizontal Articulation: Vertical Articulation: |
NOTES |
Qualifying for External Assessment:
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 qualifications 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 are: Close Protector: 541404-000-00-00. Encompassed Trade: This qualification encompasses the following trades as recorded on the NLRD: Assessment Quality Partner (AQP) Related Part-qualification LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION |
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. |