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 Testing Operator

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
119457	Occupational Certificate: Non-Destructive Ultrasonic 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	52	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 Testing Operator. A Non-Destructive Ultrasonic Testing Operator conducts ultrasonic testing and then interprets whether indications are relevant or non-relevant, according to prescribed procedures. A Non-Destructive Ultrasonic Testing Operator will employ ultrasonic testing methods, record the results and escalate anomalies to the Non-Destructive Ultrasonic Testing Technician.

A qualified learner will be able to:

Prepare for ultrasonic testing according to instructions.

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

Rationale:
The part-qualification will equip learners with the necessary skills and competence to operate as Non-Destructive Ultrasonic Testing Operators which would enable them to be recruited as operators by the industry. Most of the people employed in non-destructive testing sector are operators. 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. Learners will receive a high standard of training and education that is occupationally aligned and internationally recognised.

This part-qualification allows learners to enter the Non-Destructive Ultrasonic Testing Technician (NDT Level II) qualification and progress to become Non-Destructive Ultrasonic 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 Ultrasonic Testing Operators to conduct testing at NDT Level II and this shall bring great benefit to the economy as more qualified Non-Destructive Radiographic Testing Operators and Technicians will be available in industries while these individuals would be benefiting themselves as recruits into the industry as well as benefiting their societies.

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 2 qualification with Mathematics and Physical Science.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

QUALIFICATION RULES

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

Knowledge Modules:

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

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

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

311703-006-00-KM-05, Ultrasonic Testing, Recording and Classification (NDT Level I), Level 3, 6 Credits.

Total number of credits for Knowledge Modules: 26.

Practical Skill Modules:

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

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

311703-006-00-PM-03, Conduct Ultrasonic Testing, Recording and Classification in an Occupational Context (NDT Level I), Level 3, 5 Credits.

Total number of credits for Practical Skill Modules: 14.

Work Experience Modules:

311703-006-00-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 preparation of ultrasonic testing.
2. Apply essential methods, procedures and techniques to conduct ultrasonic testing, interpret relevancy of indications.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:

Preparation ultrasonic testing according to 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 testing techniques.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:

Ensure that specimen preparation and demarcation of inspection area is 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 to the method.

Complete the tasks within specified time.

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

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

Demonstrate an understanding of instruction preparation and application of Non-Destructive Ultrasonic 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 qualifications. Some offer ISO 9712 based qualifications, 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). There are four levels of operation in Non-destructive Radiographic Testing (NDT) which are developed with strict guidance and adherence to the standards alluded to above. These are:

The Non-Destructive Radiographic Testing Engineer.

The Non-Destructive Radiographic Testing Level III Technologist.

The Non-Destructive Radiographic Testing Level II Technician.

The Non-Destructive Radiographic Testing Level I Operator.

International Standard Organisation (ISO) 9712
Apart for the engineer, training for the other Non-Destructive Ultrasonic Testing Technician is very clearly spelt out in international standards 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 Testing for Technicians.

The South African qualification focuses on Non-Destructive Ultrasonic Testing Technicians. The ISO document also spells out the tasks that Non-Destructive Ultrasonic Testing Technicians need to perform and provides the minimum training requirements in terms of duration. All the other international standards are based on this document.

The American Society for Non-Destructive Testing (ASNT)
The American Society for Non-Destructive Testing (ASNT) has its standard SNT-TC-1A 2011 Edition Personnel Qualification and Certification in Non-destructive Testing. In this recommended practice it covers non-destructive ultrasonic testing for Technicians. 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 levels of non-destructive ultrasonic testing qualifications, including training requirements for Non-Destructive Ultrasonic Testing Technicians.

The 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 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 Ultrasonic Testing Operators.

The knowledge and practical skills modules of encompassed in the Non-Destructive Ultrasonic Testing Operator were developed using the documents referred to above. Through this endeavour the international comparability for this qualification was achieved. Every provider of ultrasonic 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 these institute's training courses are accredited by the British Institute of Non-Destructive Testing (BINDT).

Conclusion
The South African Occupational Certificate: Non-Destructive Ultrasonic Testing Operator has been developed in line with ISO 9712 and other international non-destructive ultrasonic testing documents. This qualification compares favourably with non-destructive ultrasonic 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:

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

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

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

Vertical Articulation:

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 Testing Operator: 311703-006-01

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).

Related Part-Qualification

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

Occupational Certificate: Non-Destructive Ultrasonic Wall Thickness Testing Operator, NQF 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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