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 Ultrasonic Wall Thickness Testing Operator

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
119456	Occupational Certificate: Non-Destructive Ultrasonic Wall Thickness 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	51	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 Ultrasonic Wall Thickness Testing Operator.

A Non-Destructive Wall Thickness Testing Operator (NDT Level 1) follows instructions prescribed to them by the technician. They record the test results and, if any anomalies are detected, escalate them to the technician.

A qualified learner will be able to:

Prepare for ultrasonic wall thickness testing according to instructions.

Conduct ultrasonic wall thickness testing and then interpret whether indications are relevant or non-relevant, according to prescribed procedures.

Rationale:
A non-destructive ultrasonic wall thickness testing, a method of non-destructive testing (NDT), is one of the engineering sciences, which is on par with materials sciences, materials engineering, welding sciences and engineering, transport engineering, chemical engineering and mechanical engineering - which includes finite element analysis (FEA), condition monitoring and fracture mechanics. This part-qualification is one of a suite of seven (7) non-destructive testing qualifications. All these non-destructive testing methods are based on international standards. The other six (6) methods are:

Non-Destructive Visual Testing Technician.

Non-Destructive Magnetic Particle Testing Technician.

Non-Destructive Liquid Penetrant Testing Technician.

Non-Destructive Radiographic Testing Technician.

Non-Destructive Eddy Current Testing Technician.

Non-Destructive Ultrasonic Testing Technician.

The same ultrasonic wall thickness testing methods and technologies, and the same type of codes, standards and procedures are applied in all industrial sectors (e.g., mechanical engineering, welding, materials, construction, mining, transport, chemical and electricity production engineering sectors). Most of the non-destructive testing (NDT) industry seems to offer ultrasonic wall thickness testing qualifications based on international standards and programmes. 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).

With the rapid growth of the NDT industry internationally and locally the industry believes that the part-qualification would give greater credence to ultrasonic wall thickness testing training programmes because these would be compared to national standards, which in turn, would be comparable to international standards. Typical learners are school leavers, qualifying learners from the Technical and Vocational education and Training (TVET) College or workers who have been employed in the NDT industry. A learner will become a Non-Destructive Ultrasonic Wall Thickness Testing Operator (NDT Level I) and then proceed to become a Non-Destructive Testing Technician in the other non-destructive testing methods at NDT Level II, after having done the Operator qualification in the selected NDT method. Learners will receive a high standard of training and education that is occupationally aligned. Qualified learners will be able to further their education and obtain access to industry related non-destructive testing qualifications available in the sector.

Employers in the sector will gain access to suitably qualified Non-Destructive Ultrasonic Wall Thickness Testing Operators to conduct testing at NDT Level I. The career pathways in the sector will create a healthy employment cycle, providing employment opportunities to unemployed youth and those interested in non-destructive testing. The manufacturing industries will be dependent on these skills to quality assure their products and maintain those products in operation and this shall benefit the economy by ensuring the supply of quality products. Qualifying learners 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):
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 part-qualification is:

NQF Level 3 qualification with Mathematics and Physical Science.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

QUALIFICATION RULES

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

Knowledge Modules:

311703-006-00-02-KM-01, Workplace Fundamentals, Level 3, 8 Credits.

311703-006-00-02-KM-02, Introduction to Non-Destructive Testing, Level 3, 6 Credits.

311703-006-00-02-KM-03, Materials (NDT Level I), Level 3, 6 Credits.

311703-006-00-02-KM-04, Materials, Statistics and NDT Drawings (NDT Level II), Level 4, 10 Credits.

Total number of credits for Knowledge Modules: 30.

Practical Skill Modules:

311703-006-00-02-PM-01, Perform Basic Statistical Calculations for NDT and Interpret NDT Drawings, Level 4, 4 Credits.

311703-006-00-02-PM-02, Conduct Ultrasonic Testing, Recording and Classification (NDT Level I), Level 3, 5 Credits.

Total number of credits for Practical Skill Modules: 9.
Work Experience Modules:

311703-006-00-02-WM-01, Ultrasonic Testing Processes (NDT Level I), Level 3, 12 Credits.

Total number of credits for Work Experience Modules: 12

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

1. Apply essential methods and procedures for the selection of ultrasonic wall thickness testing techniques.
2. Apply essential methods and procedures for the preparation of ultrasonic wall thickness testing.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:

Prepare ultrasonic wall thickness testing according to the instructions.

Correct and appropriate selection and setting-up of equipment, choice of specimens, consumables, and PPE to the test.

Apply all relevant safety precautions.

Demonstrate an understanding of the preparations for ultrasonic wall thickness testing techniques.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:

Prepare specimen and demarcation of inspection area in accordance with instruction.

Accurate detection, characterisation, or classification of discontinuities.

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

Correct and appropriate use of equipment and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to the method.

Complete the tasks within specified time.

Ensure that no equipment, parts, materials, and tools are damaged.

Undertake post-ultrasonic wall thickness testing and evaluation activities appropriate to the test performed.

Demonstrate an understanding of instruction preparation and application of ultrasonic wall thickness testing
procedures.

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.

INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY

The industry offers non-destructive visual testing qualifications based on international standards and programmes. 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).

International Standard Organisation (ISO) 9712
Apart for the NDT engineer, training for the Non-Destructive Ultrasonic Wall Thickness Testing Operators is specified in international documents, the primary one being International Standard Organisation (ISO) 9712. All other standards, documents and all NDT training globally are guided by this document. ISO 9712 covers Non-Destructive Ultrasonic wall thickness Testing (VT) for Technicians. The ISO document spells out the tasks that Non-Destructive Ultrasonic Wall Thickness Testing Operators need to perform and provides the minimum training requirements in terms of duration. All the other international standards are based on this document.

American Society for Non-destructive Testing (ASNT) standard SNT-TC-1A
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'. In its recommended practice, it covers non-destructive ultrasonic wall thickness testing for Operators. Included in the ASNT list are the basic methods covered in ISO 9712. The ASNT document provides guidance like the ISO document on non-destructive ultrasonic wall thickness testing, including training requirements for Non-Destructive Ultrasonic Wall Thickness Testing Operators.

Technical Report ISO/TR 25107
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 Ultrasonic Wall Thickness Testing Operators and the means for evaluating and documenting the competence of personnel whose duties demand the appropriate theoretical and practical knowledge.

Technical Documentation (TECDOC) of the International Atomic Energy Association (IAEA)
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 Ultrasonic Wall Thickness 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 training provider for Non-Destructive Ultrasonic Wall Thickness Testing Operators globally, including colleges and universities, implement the prescriptions and guidelines of ISO 9712 mainly 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 these institutes' training courses are accredited by the British Institute of Non-Destructive Testing (BINDT).

Conclusion
The Occupational Certificate: Non-Destructive Ultrasonic Wall Thickness Testing Operator has been developed in line with ISO 9712 and other international non-destructive ultrasonic wall thickness testing documents. The South African part-qualification compares favourably with Non-Destructive Ultrasonic Wall Thickness Testing training internationally in terms of content and international standards.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

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

Horizontal Articulation:
This qualification articulates horizontally with the following qualifications:

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

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

Occupational Certificate: Non-Destructive Eddy Current Testing Operator, NQF Level 3.

Vertical Articulation:
This qualification articulates vertically with the following qualification:

Occupational Certificate: Non-Destructive Ultrasonic 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 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: Non-Destructive Ultrasonic Wall Thickness Testing Operator: 311703-006-00-02.

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

None.

Assessment Quality Partner (AQP)

Manufacturing, Engineering and Related Services SETA (merSETA).

Parent qualification

Occupational Certificate: Non-Destructive Ultrasonic 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.

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