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: Non-Destructive Visual Testing Operator

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
119454	Occupational Certificate: Non-Destructive Visual Testing Operator
ORIGINATOR
Development Quality Partner - MERSETA
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY			NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
-			OQSF - Occupational Qualifications Sub-framework
QUALIFICATION TYPE	FIELD		SUBFIELD
Part-Qualification	Field 06 - Manufacturing, Engineering and Technology		Engineering and Related Design
ABET BAND	MINIMUM CREDITS	PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL	NQF LEVEL	QUAL CLASS
Undefined	48	Not Applicable	NQF Level 03	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 part qualification is to prepare a learner to operate as a Non-Destructive Visual Testing Operator.

A Non-Destructive Visual Testing Operator conducts visual testing and then interprets whether indications are relevant or non-relevant, according to prescribed procedures. A Non-Destructive Visual Testing Operator will employ visual testing methods, record the results, and escalate anomalies to the Non-Destructive Visual Testing Technician.

A qualified learner will be able to:

Prepare for visual testing according to instructions

Conduct visual testing and then interpret whether indications are relevant or non-relevant, according to prescribed procedures

Rationale:
This part-qualification will equip learners with the necessary skills and competence to operate as Non-Destructive Visual Testing Operator which would enable them to be recruited as operators by the industry. Most of the people employed in non-destructive testing sector are operators. The competencies of as Non-Destructive Visual Testing Operator are the foundational basis within this sector and will allow the individual to pursue a career as a specialist Non-Destructive Visual Testing Technician. The competencies achieved from each module will serve as foundational knowledge and skills relevant to the Non-Destructive Technician specialisation, thereby ensuring greater flexibility for the learner.

Typical learners are school leavers, TVET college graduates or workers who have been employed in the NDT industry. Learners will receive a high standard of training and education that is occupationally aligned and internationally recognised.

In terms of the learning pathway, acquisition of this part-qualification allows learners to enter the Non-Destructive Visual Testing Technician (NDT Level II) qualification and move on to become Non-Destructive Visual Testing Technologists (NDT Level III). This will create a healthy employment cycle providing employment opportunities to unemployed youth who are interested in non-destructive testing.

Employers in the sector will gain access to suitably qualified Non-Destructive Testing Visual Testing Operators to conduct testing at NDT Level I. There are several distinct benefits of having a competent operator, the most obvious of which is that the pieces or product being tested are left undamaged during the testing process, allowing for an item to be repaired rather than replaced should any problems be found, costs are minimised This method allows for the detection of corrosion, misalignment, damage, cracks, and more. Visual testing is inherent in most other types of NDT as they will generally require an operator to look for defects.

Qualified learners of this part-qualification would be recruited by the industry as Non-Destructive Operators. It is important and a requirement that individuals be qualified as operators before they could be absorbed in the practice by industry hence the need for this part qualification.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
Gain access through RPL
Learners will gain access to the part-qualification 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.

Be exempted from modules through RPL
Learners who have acquired competencies of the modules of a part qualification will be credited for modules through RPL, be awarded credits for, or towards the qualification or part qualification.

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:

NQF Level 3 with Mathematics and Physical Science.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

QUALIFICATION RULES

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

Knowledge Modules

311703-001-00-01-KM-01, Workplace Fundamentals, Level 3, 8 Credits.

311703-001-00-01-KM-02, Introduction to non-destructive testing, Level 3, 6 Credits.

311703-001-00-01-KM-03, Materials (NDT Level 1), Level 3, 6 Credits.

311703-001-00-01-KM-05, Visual testing, recording and classification (NDT Level 1), Level 3, 6 Credits.

Total number of credits for Knowledge Modules: 26

Practical Skill Modules

311703-001-00-01-PM-02, Conduct visual testing, recording and classification (NDT Level 1), Level 3, 5 Credits.

311703-001-00-01-PM-03, Conduct visual testing, recording and classification in an occupational context (NDT Level 1) , Level 3, 5 Credits.

Total number of credits for Practical Skill Modules: 10

Work Experience Modules

311703-001-00-01-WM-01, Visual testing processes (NDT Level 1), Level 3, 12 Credits

Total number of credits for Work Experience Modules: 12

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

1. Apply essential methods and procedures for the preparation of visual testing.
2. Apply essential methods, procedures, and techniques to conduct visual testing, interpret relevancy of indications.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:

Prepare for visual testing to demonstrates understanding of the instructions.

Select and set-up equipment, choice of specimens, consumables and PPE is correct and appropriate to the test.

Apply all relevant safety precautions.

Demonstrate an understanding of the preparations for visual testing techniques.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:

Prepare and demarcate specimen inspection area in accordance with instruction.

Detection, characterisation, or classification of discontinuities is accurate.

Establish position and orientation of the relevant discontinuity through various methods.

Use of equipment and PPE is correct and appropriate to the method.

Apply all relevant safety precautions.

Complete the tasks within specified time.

Damage no equipment, parts, materials, and tools.

Perform post-visual testing and evaluation activities appropriately to the test.

Demonstrate understanding of instruction preparation and application of visual testing procedures.

Integrated Assessment 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 Assessment 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

Industry offers non-destructive visual testing programmes based on international standards and qualifications. Some offer ISO 9712 based programmes, others offer qualifications based on those of the British Standard Institute (BSI, or the European Standard (EN ISO: 9712) or the Training Guidelines in Non-destructive Testing Techniques: 2008 Edition of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) or the standards of the American Society for Non-destructive Testing (ASNT).

This South African qualification focuses on Non-Destructive Visual Testing. A Non-Destructive Visual Testing Operator (NDT Level 1) is the first of four NDT levels of operation.

International Standard Organisation (ISO) 9712
Training for Non-Destructive Visual Testing Operators is specified in internationally approved documents, the primary one being International Standard Organisation (ISO) 9712. All other standards, documents and all NDT training globally are guided by this document. The ISO document also spells out the tasks that Non-Destructive Visual Testing Operators need to perform and provides the minimum training requirements in terms of duration.

American Society for Non-destructive Testing (ASNT)
The American Society for Non-destructive Testing (ASNT) has its standard SNT-TC-1A 2011 Edition entitled 'Personnel Qualification and Certification in Non-destructive Testing'. Included in the ASNT list are the basic methods covered in ISO 9712. The ASNT document provides guidance similar to the ISO document on the qualifications for Non-Destructive Visual Testing Operators.

The Technical Report ISO/TR 25107 entitled "Non-destructive testing - Guidelines for NDT training syllabuses" is yet another important document against which this South African qualification can be measured. The Technical Report provides recommendations for both the minimum technical knowledge to be acquired by Non-Destructive Visual Testing Operators and the means for evaluating and documenting the competence of personnel whose duties demand the appropriate theoretical and practical knowledge.

The last very significant document, but not the least, is the Tecdoc of the International Atomic Energy Association (IAEA), which constitutes significant international guidelines for the development of curriculum for the training of Non-Destructive Visual Testing Operators.

The Knowledge and Practical Skills Modules of this South African Qualification were developed using the documents referred to above. Through this endeavour the international comparability for this qualification was achieved.

Every provider of non-destructive visual testing globally, including colleges and universities, provide training in line with mainly ISO 9712 and other relevant national standards and documents, based on ISO 9712.
Examples of such training centres are:

General Electric's Inspection Technologies' NDT Training Academies based in Cincinnati, Lewistown and Boston in the United States.

FIFE College Training and Development offers NDT training in a number of methods and so does Lavender Training Institute. All this institute's training courses are accredited by the British Institute of Non-Destructive Testing (BINDT).

Conclusion
The South African Non-Destructive Visual Testing Operator qualification has been developed in line with ISO 9712 and other international non-destructive visual testing documents. The South African qualification compares favourably with non-destructive visual testing training internationally in terms of content and international standards.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

This part-qualification allows possibilities for both vertical and horizontal articulation.

Horizontal Articulation:
This part-qualification articulates horizontally with the following:

Occupational Certificate: Non-Destructive Liquid Penetrant Testing Operator, NQF Level 3.

Occupational Certificate: Non-Destructive Magnetic Particle Testing Operator, NQF Level 3.

Vertical Articulation:

Occupational Certificate: Non-Destructive Visual Testing Technician, NQF Level 4.

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 programmes where applicable including Foundational Learning Competence.

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: Non-Destructive Visual Testing Operator: 311703-001-00-01

Encompassed Trades:
None.

Assessment Quality Partner:
Manufacturing, Engineering and Related Services SETA (merSETA).

PARENT QUALIFICATION
Non-Destructive Visual Testing Technician, NQF Level 4.

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