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: 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: 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? |
Y |
QUALIFICATION RULES |
The Qualification is made up of the following Knowledge, Practical and Work Experience module.
Knowledge Modules: Total number of credits for Knowledge Modules: 126 Practical Skill Modules: Total number of credits for Practical Skill Modules: 226 Work Experience Modules: 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:
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 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:
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: 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: New Zealand The Certificate in Print (Level 3) offered by Competenz offers the following Graduate Profile: The Certificate in Print (Level 4) offers the following Graduate Profile: 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: 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: 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: Assessment Quality Partner: RELATED QUALIFICATION(S) |
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. |