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 Liquid Penetrant Testing Operator

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
119459	Occupational Certificate: Non-Destructive Liquid Penetrant 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	25	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 Liquid Penetrant Testing Operator. A Non-Destructive Liquid Penetrant Testing Operator conducts liquid penetrant testing and then interprets whether indications are relevant or non-relevant, according to prescribed procedures. A Non-Destructive Liquid Penetrant Testing Operator will employ liquid penetrant testing methods, record the results, and escalate anomalies to the Non-Destructive Liquid Penetrant Testing Technician.

A qualified learner will be able to:

Prepare for liquid penetrant testing according to instructions.

Conduct liquid penetrant 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 Liquid Penetrant Testing Operator which would enable them to be recruited as operators by the industry. Liquid Penetrant Testing Operators performs liquid penetrant testing and recordings of the results in accordance with the industry standards. Non-destructive liquid penetrant testing operator is the branch of engineering concerned with all methods of detecting and evaluating flaws in materials. Flaws can affect the serviceability of the material or structure, so liquid penetrant testing is important in guaranteeing safe operation as well as in quality control and assessing plant life.

Typical learners are school leavers, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) college qualified learners 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. As current and past training has taken place against non-registered qualifications, this part-qualification will also be used as a benchmark in providing recognition for prior learning.

In terms of the learning pathway, acquisition of this part-qualification allows learners to enter the Non-Destructive Liquid Penetrant Testing Technician (NDT Level II) qualification and move on to become Non-Destructive Liquid Penetrant Testing Technologists (NDT Level III). The part-qualification will promote portability and accessibility within the Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) environment by providing learners with the competencies required. 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 Liquid Penetrant Testing Operators to conduct testing at NDT Level I 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 this benefiting their societies.

Upon completion of this part-qualification, the qualifying learners will be recruited by the industry as Non-Destructive Operators. It is important and a requirement that individuals be qualified as operators.

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.

RPL for access to the Part-Qualification:
Accredited providers and approved workplaces may recognise prior learning against the relevant access requirements.

Entry Requirements:
The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:

An 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:

311703-003-00-01-KM-01, Workplace Fundamentals, Level 3, 8 Credits.

311703-003-00-01-KM-02, Introduction to Non-destructive Testing, Level 3, 6 Credits.

311703-003-00-01-KM-03, Materials (NDT Level I), Level 3, 6 Credits.

311703-003-00-01-KM-05, Liquid Penetrant Testing, Recording and Classification (NDT Level I), Level 3, 6 Credits.

Total number of credits for Knowledge Modules: 26

Practical Skill Modules:

311703-003-00-01-PM-02, Conduct Liquid Penetrant Testing, Recording and Classification (NDT Level I), Level 3, 5 Credits.

311703-003-00-01-PM-03, Conduct Liquid Penetrant Testing, Recording and Classification in an Occupational Context (NDT Level I), Level 3, 5 Credits.

Total number of credits for Practical Skill Modules: 10

Work Experience Modules:

311703-003-00-01-WM-01, Liquid Penetrant 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 liquid penetrant testing.
2. Demonstrate relevant methods, procedures and techniques to conduct liquid penetrant testing and interpret relevancy of indications.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:

Prepare for liquid penetrant testing 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 liquid penetrant testing techniques.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:

Ensure that specimen preparation and demarcation of inspection area is in accordance with instruction.

Ensure that the detection, characterisation or classification of discontinuities is accurate.

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

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

Complete the tasks within specified time.

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

Ensure that the post- liquid penetrant testing and evaluation activities are appropriate to the test performed.

Demonstrate an understanding of instruction preparation and application of liquid penetrant testing procedures.

INTEGRATED ASSESSMENT
Integrated formative assessment
The skills development providers 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 leads to entrance into 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 part-qualification. The external integrated summative assessment will focus on the exit level outcomes and associated assessment criteria.

INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY

Industry offers non-destructive visual testing qualifications based on international standards and programmes. Some offer ISO 9712 based qualifications, others offer qualifications based on 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 Liquid Penetrant Testing. A Non-Destructive Liquid Penetrant Testing Operator (NDT Level 1) is the first of four NDT levels of operation.

International Standard Organisation (ISO) 9712
Training for Non-Destructive Liquid Penetrant 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 Liquid Penetrant Testing Operators need to perform and provides the minimum training requirements in terms of duration.

American Society for Non-destructive Testing (ASNT) has its 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'. 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 Liquid Penetrant 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 Liquid Penetrant 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 Liquid Penetrant 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 part-qualification was achieved. Every provider of non-destructive liquid penetrant 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 Liquid Penetrant Testing Operator qualification has been developed in line with ISO 9712 and other international non-destructive liquid penetrant testing documents. The South African qualification compares favourably with non-destructive liquid penetrant 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:

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

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

Vertical Articulation:

Occupational Certificate: Non-Destructive Liquid Penetrant 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, 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 Liquid Penetrant Testing Operator: 311703-003-00-01

Encompassed Trades
This part-qualification encompasses the following trades as recorded on the NLRD
None

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

Related Parent Qualification
Occupational Certificate: Non-Destructive Liquid Penetrant Testing Technician, 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