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: Railway Signalling Maintenance Mechanician

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
119443	Occupational Certificate: Railway Signalling Maintenance Mechanician
ORIGINATOR
Development Quality Partner- TETA
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		Engineering and Related Design
ABET BAND	MINIMUM CREDITS	PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL	NQF LEVEL	QUAL CLASS
Undefined	555	Not Applicable	NQF Level 04	Regular-ELOAC
REGISTRATION STATUS		SAQA DECISION NUMBER	REGISTRATION START DATE	REGISTRATION END DATE
Registered		EXCO 0522/24	2022-08-04	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 Railway Signalling Maintenance Mechanician.
A Railway Signalling Maintenance Mechanician assembles, wires, installs, performs fault finding, repairs and maintains all signalling equipment to ensure the reliability, availability, and safety of all equipment and systems for safe running of trains.

A qualified learner will be able to:

Assemble and wire signalling equipment.

Install signalling equipment.

Perform fault finding, repair, and maintenance of signalling equipment.

Rationale:
The South African government has set as a priority the shifting of as much traffic as possible - both freight and passenger services - from the road to rail. This move necessitates the timely development of the critical competencies of all services closely related to efficient functioning of both freight and passenger train services, and Railway Signalling Maintenance Mechanician is a significant component of these services. Efficiencies in transport systems are closely related to positive socio-economic changes. The reliable functioning of all railway equipment and systems to ensure the safe running of trains are at the core of this relationship. Economic opportunities are likely to increase where train infrastructure systems are geared towards efficient functioning to ensure access to markets and related economic opportunities.
Efficiently operated rail transport system will reduce the volume of road traffic pressures on our roads. When more volumes move by motor powered rolling stock supported by efficient signal equipment and systems, more jobs will be created as this ensures economic growth.
Persons operating within the rail transport industry, as well as other transport services, will benefit from all aspects of this qualification (theoretical, practical and work experience competencies) as it is needed to render effective and efficient rail transport services. These services are essential for operational requirements of all train services entering South Africa from neighbouring countries. As such, this qualification is essential to set the benchmark for all Railway Signalling Maintenance Mechanicians operating in South Africa as well as neighbouring countries.
The range of typical learners will, therefore, come from within the rail environment, from other sectors and outside the country. The Railway Signalling Maintenance Mechanician is part of a suit of occupational qualifications that has been developed by the rail sector to provide a learning pathway which includes the Train Control Officer, Electricians, Train Driver and other related occupations within the railway environment.

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 or 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:
An NQF Level 3 qualification with Mathematics and Science.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

QUALIFICATION RULES

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

Knowledge Modules:

672107-001-00-KM-01, Introduction to Railway Signalling, Level 2, 12 Credits.

672107-001-00-KM-02, Basic Principles of Health, Safety and Quality, Level 2, 4 Credits.

672107-001-00-KM-03, Occupational health, Safety and Environment, Level 3, 4 Credits.

672107-001-00-KM-04, Railway Signalling Tools, Measuring Equipment, Materials and Technique, Level 2, 10 Credits.

672107-001-00-KM-05, Electrical Systems and Basic Electronic, Hydraulic and Pneumatic Principles,
Level 4, 15 Credits.

672107-001-00-KM-06, Symbols in Railway Signalling Technology, Level 4, 5 Credits.

672107-001-00-KM-07, Railway Signalling Technology for Assembling, Level 4, 10 Credits.

672107-001-00-KM-08, Railway Signalling Technology for Wiring, Level 4, 10 Credits.

672107-001-00-KM-09, Railway Signalling Technology for Installation, Level 3, 10 Credits.

672107-001-00-KM-10, Railway Signalling Technology for Maintenance, Level 4, 10 Credits.

672107-001-00-KM-11, Railway Signalling Technology for Fault Finding, Level 4, 30 Credits.

Total number of credits for Knowledge Modules: 120

Practical Skill Modules:

672107-001-00-PM-01, Read, Interpret and Analyse the Engineering Designs, Level 4, 3 Credits.

672107-001-00-PM-02, Assemble Signalling Components, Level 4, 26 Credits.

672107-001-00-PM-03, Wire Signalling Components, Level 4, 20 Credits.

672107-001-00-PM-04, Install Signalling Components, Level 3, 30 Credits.

672107-001-00-PM-05, Communicate in the Railway Signalling Industry, Level 4, 3 Credits.

672107-001-00-PM-06, Diagnose, Locate Fault, Repair, Maintain and Test Functionality on the Signalling Equipment, Level 4, 130 Credits.

Total number of credits for Practical Skill Modules: 212

Work Experience Modules:

672107-001-00-WM-01, Processes and Procedures of Assembling and Wiring of Signalling Equipment,
Level 3, 43 Credits.

672107-001-00-WM-02, Processes and Procedures of Installing Signalling Components, Level 4, 40 Credits.

672107-001-00-WM-03, Perform Maintenance Processes and Procedures of Conducting Fault Finding and Repairing of Signalling Components, Level 4, 140 Credits.

Total number of credits for Work Experience Modules: 223

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

1. Demonstrate an understanding of the theory underpinning working safely on a railway signal system.
2. Apply knowledge to assemble and wire signalling equipment.
3. Demonstrate ways and methods to install signalling equipment.
4. Perform fault finding, repair, and maintenance of signalling equipment.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:

Discuss different ways of labelling railway signalling conductors.

Identify and discuss different colour codes used in labelling railway signalling conductors.

Identify the electronic components used for railway signalling and describe their functions and applications.

Explain hydraulic and pneumatic symbols.

Make freehand sketches of hydraulic and pneumatic circuits.

Identify hydraulic components and describe and explain their purpose and functions.

Describe and explain the construction and operation of hydraulic and pneumatic circuits and indicate the direction of air and oil flow.

Describe and explain hydraulic and pneumatic applications in railway signalling.

Describe safety precautions to be taken when working with hydraulic and pneumatic applications and explain the reasons for these.

Define and explain electrical terms and electrical symbols.

Describe and explain safe work practices for working with electricity.

Identify components in electrical circuits and describe the function of each component using the correct terminology.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:

Undertake planning and preparation for assembly and wiring activities in accordance with task specifications.

Assemble and wire railway signalling equipment in accordance equipment specifications.

Conduct quality checks on the assembled and wired railway signalling equipment to verify the functionality of the equipment.

Demonstrate an understanding and application of health and safety regulations through hazard identification, risk mitigation and restoration of the work area.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:

Plan and prepare installation and scheduled maintenance tasks on railway signalling equipment including the communication of tasks, assigning work team responsibilities and solving potential problems that may arise.

Install railway signalling equipment according to signalling practice and specifications within a team environment, by using effective communication, and the correct application of specific tools, instrumentation, and equipment.

Conduct quality checks on installed railway signalling equipment to verify the functionality of the equipment.

Undertake planning and preparation to perform fault finding, repair and maintenance activities in accordance with task specifications.

Conduct fault finding, repairing, and maintenance activities on railway signalling equipment in accordance equipment specifications.

Conduct quality checks on repaired and maintained railway signalling equipment to verify the functionality of the equipment.

Demonstrate an understanding and application of health and safety regulations through hazard identification, risk mitigation and restoration of work area.

Demonstrate an understanding of the need for communications by communicating effectively while working on live equipment under operational conditions.

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 qualification. The external integrated summative assessment will focus on the exit level outcomes and associated assessment criteria.

INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY

An international comparability study was undertaken to evaluate a selected number of comparable qualifications from various countries in terms of their scope, levels and curriculum content.

International qualifications from Australia and the United Kingdom (UK) were used for this comparability study.
In Australia, the Industry Skills Council offers a Certificate in Mechanical Rail Signalling III and is assumed to be equivalent to NQF level 3, with conditional entry being Certificate II in Rail Infrastructure. The certificate covers a total of 18 units of competency comprising: 11 core units and selection of 7 from 15 elective units. The core units are:

Carry out measurements and calculations.

Read and interpret plans and job specifications.

Service and clean mechanical signalling equipment and infrastructure.

Repair and adjust mechanical signalling equipment and infrastructure.

Carry out off-site repair, overhaul and assembly of mechanical signalling equipment.

Maintain mechanical signalling locking and interlocking devices.

Test mechanical signalling equipment and isolate faults.

Process workplace documentation.

Apply awareness of safe working rules and regulations.

Use info technology devices in the workplace and install mechanical infrastructure for signalling.

The content of this qualification focuses exclusively on mechanical components of the railway signal and does not cover the electrical component which is rather significant for the occupational certificate. Significant aspects covered in the core units are addressed in the several components of the occupational certificate.

A one-year certificate in railway operations offered in the UK is closely comparable to the Occupational Certificate: Railway Signalling Maintenance Mechanician. The certificate covers the following modules: Becoming a Reflective Practitioner, Railway Operating principles, Railway business organisation, railway systems, Railway customer service, safety law and management, train planning and performance management, managing people and lastly integrated work-based learning project.

There are modules like railway operating principles, railway system as well as safety law and management that cover aspects very much similar to those covered in the occupational certificate. However, the rest of the modules addresses overall management of the railway operations and not signal operations per se. Although somewhat comparable in some instances, the broader thrust of this qualification is not comparable to the occupational certificate.

Conclusion
It cannot be concluded that the qualifications identified from different countries are represented and a fair reflection of similar qualifications. Similarities from the countries identified are limited in scope to issues of safety, signal system, and their operations. However, there are no similarities in terms duration, entry requirements and the exit levels.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

This qualification allows possibilities for both vertical and horizontal articulation.

Horizontal Articulation:

Further Education and Training Certificate: Railway Construction and Maintenance, NQF Level 4.

Vertical Articulation:

National Certificate: Railway Signalling Technology, NQF Level 5.

NOTES

Qualifying for External Assessment:
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: Railway Signalling Maintenance Mechanician: 672107-001-00-00.

Encompassed Trades
This qualification encompasses the following trades as recorded on the NLRD

None

Assessment Quality Partner (AQP)

Transport Education Training Authority (TETA)

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