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: Heatset Rotary Offset Lithography Printing Technician

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
119444	Occupational Certificate: Heatset Rotary Offset Lithography Printing Technician
ORIGINATOR
Development Quality Partner - PIFSA
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		Manufacturing and Assembly
ABET BAND	MINIMUM CREDITS	PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL	NQF LEVEL	QUAL CLASS
Undefined	631	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 Heatset Rotary Offset Lithography Printing Technician.

A Heatset Rotary Offset Lithography Printing Technician performs pre-makeready and makeready operations for a printing production run, operates printing presses to produce printed material according to customer specifications and set quality standards, performs preventative and routine maintenance operations on printing presses and auxiliary equipment and machinery and complies with and reports on safety, health and environmental protection best practices and procedures for a heatset printing environment. They also oversee a printing team's performance and conduct.

A qualified learner will be able to:

Conduct pre-makeready operations.

Set-up and operate a printing press to produce printed material according to customer specifications and set quality standards.

Conduct maintenance operations on printing presses, auxiliary equipment and machinery.

Comply with and report on safety, health and environmental protection best practices and procedures for a printing environment.

Oversee printing team's performance and conduct.

Rationale:
South Africa has a sizeable printing industry in terms of its contribution to the economy of the country. Its printing industry is one of the most advanced on the African continent, with companies prepared to invest huge amounts in purchasing advanced printing machines used in various printing processes and specialisations requiring specialised skills. The industry has a need for Printing Technicians who can manage these machines during a print production run. Heatset printing is the process through which newspapers, glossy magazines, flyers etc are printed. Generally, heatset printing is used for high-quality printing work.

Printing SA engaged with the printing industry to address the concerns regarding the competitiveness of the industry against international markets during which the Printing Trades and Occupations were identified as scarce and critical skills in the industry. The existing FETC: Printing and Manufacture of Packaging (ID57898) is outdated and does not meet the requirements for a trade qualification in terms of the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations and the National Artisan Moderation Body. The lack of such quality training and education has placed the Sector in a precarious position in so far as international competitiveness is concerned not to mention the devastating impact of the increasing scarcity of skills on the Sector.

The Heatset Rotary Offset Lithography Printing Technician qualification will fill a huge gap in terms of the qualification requirements.

The qualification also specifies the training requirements for several specialised skills, which are:

Heatset Rotary Offset Lithography Reel-stand Operator.

Heatset Rotary Offset Lithography Stacker Operator.

Heatset Rotary Offset Lithography Assistant Printer.

Considering the above, this qualification will have far-reaching positive implications for those who are or intend to be in the trade. Typical learners for this qualification are school leavers and TVET college graduates or workers who have been employed in the printing and packaging industry. Learners will benefit by receiving a high standard of training and education that is occupationally aligned. Once qualified, learners may gain access to industry related supervisory, master craftsman or management programmes that will be made available in the Printing and Packaging Sector to facilitate vertical career advancement.

Employers in the printing industry will gain access to suitably qualified artisans who will be able to produce high-quality work through operating costly printing presses and reducing downtime and loss in productivity. By creating career pathways in the sector, employees will be able to progress from general factory workers to qualified Artisans. Related qualifications will create a healthy employment cycle in providing employment opportunities to unemployed youth.

The work of Heatset Rotary Offset Lithography Printing Technicianis critical to the economy because of the fundamental role printing and print products play in the lives of every South African.

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 printing costs within a green economy.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

QUALIFICATION RULES

The Qualification is made up of the following Knowledge, Practical and Work Experience module.

Knowledge Modules:

662210-000-00-KM-01, Introduction to the Printing and Packaging Industry, Level 3, 4 Credits.

662210-000-00-KM-02, Legal and Regulatory Requirements, Level 3, 15 Credits.

662210-000-00-KM-03, Printing Science and Chemistry, Level 3, 7 Credits.

662210-000-00-KM-04, Quality studies in the Printing and Packaging Industry, Level 4, 4 Credits.

662210-000-00-KM-05, Productivity and Economics, Level 4, 11 Credits.

662210-000-00-KM-06, Workplace Fundamentals, Level 3, 7 Credits.

662210-000-00-KM-07, Printing Pesses and Auxiliary Equipment Level 3 ,8 Credits.

662210-000-00-KM-08, Reelstand, Level 2, 3 Credits.

662210-000-00-KM-09, Delivery System (stacker and Delivery conveyor), Level 3, 5 Credits.

662210-000-00-KM-10, Basic maintenance and Problem-solving in Heatset and Coldset Printing Environments, Level 3, 11 Credits.

662210-000-00-KM-11, Setting-up, Maintaining and Resolving Problems on Printing Presses, Level 4, 11 Credits.

662210-000-00-KM-12, Colour Theory and Colour Management for Heatset and Coldset Lithographers, Level 4,10 Credits.

662210-000-00-KM-13, Printing Press Operation, Level 4, 18 Credits.

662210-000-00-KM-14, Advanced Maintenance and Problem-solving in Heatset and Coldset Printing, Environments Level 4, 12 Credits.

Total number of credits for Knowledge Modules: 126

Practical Skill Modules:

662210-000-00-PM-01, Identify Press Components and Handle Substrates, Plates and Inks in a Heatset Printing Environment, Level 3, 5 Credits.

662210-000-00-PM-02, Set-up and Maintain a Reelstand and solve Reelstand-related Problems in a Heatset Printing Environment, Level 3, 8 Credits.

662210-000-00-PM-03, Set-up and Maintain a Stacker and Delivery Conveyor and Solve Stacker and Delivery Conveyor-Related Problems, Level 3, 10 Credits.

662210-000-00-PM-04, Conduct basic Maintenance in a Heatset Printing Environment, Level 3, 22 Credits.

662210-000-00-PM-05, Set-Up Printing Couple on a Heatset Printing Press, Level 4, 32 Credits.

662210-000-00-PM-06, Conduct Planned Maintenance of the Printing Press in a Heatset Printing Environment, 4 Level, 4 Credits.

662210-000-00-PM-07, Conduct Preventative and Routine Maintenance on Components of the Printing Press in a Heatset Printing Environment, Level 4, 12 Credits.

662210-000-00-PM-08, Conduct Advanced Set-up Activities on Heatset Printing Press and Operate the Press, Level 4, 66 Credits.

662210-000-00-PM-09, Maintain Heatset Dryer, Folder and Chill Roll Assembly, Level 4, 16 Credits.

662210-000-00-PM-10, Resolve Advanced Problems Associated with a Heatset printing press, Level 4, 24 Credits.

662210-000-00-PM-11, Achieve the Quality Requirements of a Product in a Heatset Printing Environment Level, Level 4, 12 Credits.

662210-000-00-PM-12, Manage Preventative Maintenance of a Printing Press and Auxiliary Equipment in a Heatset Printing Environment, Level 4, 5 Credits.

662210-000-00-PM-13, Comply with Safety, Health and Environmental Protection Best Practices and Procedures for a Heatset Printing Environment, Level 3, 4 Credits.

662210-000-00-PM-14, Supervise a Team in a Heatset Printing Environment, Level 4, 6 Credits.

Total number of credits for Practical Skill Modules: 226

Work Experience Modules:

662210-000-00-WM-01, Structured Planning and Communication Processes in the Workplace, Level 4, 3 Credits.

662210-000-00-WM-02, Pre-Make Ready Operations in a Heatset Printing Environment, Level 3, 28 Credits.

662210-000-00-WM-03, Processes to Set-Up Stacker and Delivery Conveyor and Maintain the Heatset Delivery System, Level 3, 36 Credits.

662210-000-00-WM-04, Processes to Acquire Familiarity With the Electronic Pre-Press and Printing Maintenance Departments in a Heatset Printing Environment, Level 4, 12 Credits.

662210-000-00-WM-05, Processes to Acquire Familiarity with Production Planning and Estimation Departments in a Heatset Printing Environment, Level 4, 4 Credits.

662210-000-00-WM-06, Processes to Perform Basic Maintenance on Heatset Printing Press, Level 3, 16 Credits.

662210-000-00-WM-07, Processes to Set-Up Printing Couple and Conduct Planned Maintenance in a Heatset Printing Environment, Level 4, 26 Credits.

662210-000-00-WM-08, Processes to Conduct Advanced Set-Up Activities on Heatset Printing Press, Level 4, 46 Credits.

662210-000-00-WM-09, Processes to Maintain Components and Resolve Problems in a Heatset Printing Environment, Level 4, 26 Credits.

662210-000-00-WM-10, Processes to Manage Preventative Maintenance of a Heatset Printing Press and Auxiliary Equipment, Level 4, 10 Credits.

662210-000-00-WM-11, Processes to Achieve Quality Requirements of a Product in a Heatset Printing Environment, Level 4, 42 Credits.

662210-000-00-WM-12, Processes to Comply with Safety, Health and Environmental Protection Best Practices and Procedures for a Heatset Printing Environment, Level 3 ,10 Credits.

662210-000-00-WM-13, Processes to Supervise Team Members in a Heatset Printing Environment, Level 4,20 Credits.

Total number of credits for Work Experience Modules: 279

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

1. Conduct pre-makeready operations and perform basic and planned maintenance on a heatset printing press and auxiliary components.
2. Use acquired knowledge to set-up and maintain a reelstand and to solve reelstand-related problems in heatset printing environment.
3. Use acquired knowledge to set-up and maintain stacker and delivery system conveyor and to solve stacker and delivery conveyor-related problems.
4. Conduct set-up activities on heatset printing press and perform preventative and routine maintenance on components of the printing press.
5. Operate the press, resolve problems and achieve quality requirements in a heatset printing environment.
6. Oversee a printing team's performance and conduct in a heatset printing environment.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:

Read the work ticket correctly.

Apply safe handling and transportation techniques correctly to handle substrates, plates and special inks.

Check, monitor and clean a range of components (galleries, stairs, footplates, indicator lights, sensors, motors, idler (pipe) roller, cooling passages, loose components, air intakes, chill roll assembly, dryer, silicone unit).

Carry out basic maintenance on a range of components according to correct procedures (roller, ink ducts, printing blanket, dampening systems printing plates, blanket cylinders, strapping unit).

Conduct planned maintenance of the printing press and auxiliary equipment.

Prepare a report on press components.

Apply safety and environmental standards in all operations.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:

Prepare and set-up reelstand according to manufacturer's specifications and work ticket instructions.

Prepare and splice Reels according to correct procedures.

Calculate, order, and make the correct number of reels available.

Handle and load substrates into the reelstand, using the correct technique.

Inspect and maintain the reelstand according to procedures.

Resolve reelstand-related problems using problem-solving techniques.

Webb-up printing press according to production specifications.

Apply safety and environmental standards.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:

Set-up the stacker according to product size requirements and procedures.

Set-up the delivery conveyor according to product requirements.

Perform a visual inspection of the delivery conveyor according to procedure.

Maintain the stacker and delivery convey according to the procedures.

Resolve stacker and delivery conveyor -related problems are using problem-solving techniques.

Apply safety and environmental standards.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:

Set-up dampening, inking trains and systems according to the procedures.

Mount Blankets/packings on a press.

Mount a set of printing plates for a specified printing job.

Maintain and set inking rollers and dampeners on a printing press.

Maintain gluing and softening unit and blankets.

Apply safety and environmental standards.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:

Interpret the work ticket correctly and identify and resolve errors or anomalies.

Prepare the press correctly by setting-up a range of systems.

Operate the press correctly and maintain the quality of the printing job.

Resolve a range of high-level problems through problem-solving techniques.

Achieve quality requirements through Inspection of printed products.

Confirm availability of resources to ensure continuous operation.

Apply safety and environmental standards.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:

Perform delegation to ensure team members understand their tasks.

Carry out and communicate with team members effectively, so that setting-up and managing a production run is according to plan.

Conduct motivation of the team to achieve improved team performance.

Maintain efficiency throughout the production run.

Integrated Assessment
Integrated Formative Assessment:
The skills development provider will use the curriculum to guide them on the stipulated assessment criteria and the weighting. They will also apply the scope of practical skills and applied knowledge as stipulated by the internal assessment criteria. The formative assessment leads to entrance into the integrated summative external 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 Section 26 D of the SDA through an evaluation of written and practical tasks covering critical aspects 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. The candidate will be re-tested on all trade test categories in all trade test attempts.

INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY

The qualification was compared with qualifications in the following countries:

The United Kingdom

United States

New Zealand

United Kingdom
The GQA Level 2 NVQ Certificate in Machine Printing (QCF) offered by various colleges including AYRSHIRE COLLEGE is aimed at aimed at those who work as machine operatives (minders) on single and multi-unit production printing presses.

Some of the competencies shared with the South African qualification are:

Maintain Health and Safety within a Print Related Working Environment.

Communicating and working with others in the Print Working Environment.

Keep equipment clean and in working order for use in the Print Industry.

Set up and run machinery within the Print Industry.

Prepare inks and coatings for printing.

Set and run ancillary printing machine equipment.

Set and run over-printing machinery.

Set and use ink drying equipment.

Set and use reel handling equipment.

Set and run in-line converting or enhancing equipment.

Set and run in-line folding equipment.

Materials handling, transportation, and storage within the print working environment.

Set and run slitting and re-reeling equipment - adhesive label production.

The GQA Level 3 NVQ Diplomas in Machine Printing (QCF) is at Level 3 and should be taken by those who have the responsibility for managing the machines, including monitoring, and controlling the quality of output using a range of methods, and are responsible for ensuring the production records are completed in line with company requirements. Assessment of the qualification can take place in several contexts including Lithography (Sheet-fed) Printing, Lithography (Web-fed) Printing, Flexography Printing, Gravure Printing and Screen Printing.

United States
In the United States, printing machine operators learn skills through on-the-job training or apprenticeships. Community colleges and technical schools offer vocational training, such as 2-year programs in printing technology or graphic communications technology, which may be preferred by employers. These programs prepare students for entry-level positions in the modern printing industry through courses in design, typography, digital media and binding.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labour Statistics, completing a certification program by professional organizations such as the Gravure Association of America (GAA) and the Flexographic Technical Association can attest to an operator's abilities to improve print machine efficiency and productivity as well as product quality and customer satisfaction.

Fullerton College offers a Printing Technology Associate in Science Degree which provides the skills needed to enter the printing industry at entry level and teaches skills in digital imaging systems, offset lithographic presswork, prepress for offset and flexography, screen printing, flexographic presswork, package production, and applications of graphic design. This degree requires a total of 24-29 units from their listed of courses.

The following units compare favourably with this qualification:

PRNT 101 F, Introduction to Printing.

PRNT 171 F, Offset Presswork.

PRNT 172 F, Intermediate Offset Presswork.

PRNT 973 F, Advanced Offset Presswork.

New Zealand
The Certificate in Print (Level 3) offered by Competenz offers the following Graduate Profile:

Maintain personal safety around machinery in the workplace.

Prepare job components and make ready, under limited supervision, the machinery required to undertake production for simple print jobs as per customer specifications.

Run, with limited supervision, the machinery required to produce simple print jobs.

Take some responsibility for maintaining quality standards through communication with colleagues and undertake postproduction tasks to meet customer and workplace requirements.

Carry out routine and preventive maintenance in the workplace, according to the maintenance schedule, and including gauges and instruments.

Implement a range of basic technical production skills to support print production requirements, while embedding relevant industry knowledge for terminology, machinery, equipment and production processes.

Apply workplace practices required of a printer's assistant, which may include communication skills, teamwork and business skills.
The Certificate in Print (Level 4) offers the following Graduate Profile:

Prepare job components and make ready, without supervision, the machinery to produce complex print jobs to meet customer requirements.

Produce, without supervision, complex print jobs to meet customer requirements and industry standards.

Troubleshoot and rectify faults and problems throughout the print production process.

Assist with supervision and people management, and training of production staff, using appropriate communication skills.

Assist with production planning including target setting, estimating production costs, and estimating production requirements.

Assist with quality assurance of production and sustainable environmental practices, utilising preferred industry methods.

Conclusion
The South African qualification compares favourably with the GQA Level 2 NVQ Certificate and the GQA Level 3 NVQ Diplomas in Machine Printing combined in terms of content and duration.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

This qualification allows possibilities for both vertical and horizontal articulation.

Horizontal Articulation:

Occupational Certificate: Sheetfed Lithography Technician, NQF Level 4.

Occupational Certificate: Coldset Rotary Offset Lithography Printing Technician, NQF Level 4.

Vertical Articulation:
This qualification does not currently articulate vertically to any registered qualification at an NQF Level 5 or higher. It is envisaged that Supervisory and or Master Craftsmen qualifications will be developed soon to provide career pathway opportunities.

NOTES

Qualifying for External Assessment:
To qualify for an external assessment, learners must provide proof of completion of all required standards by means of statements of results and work experience.

Additional Legal or Physical Entry Requirements:

Colour vision and acuity

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: Heatset Rotary Offset Lithography Printing Technician: 662210-000-00-00.

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

None

Assessment Quality Partner:

National Artisan Moderation Body (NAMB).

RELATED QUALIFICATION(S)

Occupational Certificate: Heatset Rotary Offset Lithography Reelstand Operator, Level 2.

Occupational Certificate: Heatset Rotary Offset Lithography Stacker Operator, Level 3.

Occupational Certificate: Heatset Rotary Offset Lithography Assistant Printer, 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.

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