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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: Telecommunication Line Mechanic |
| SAQA QUAL ID | QUALIFICATION TITLE | |||
| 119461 | Occupational Certificate: Telecommunication Line Mechanic | |||
| ORIGINATOR | ||||
| Development Quality Partner - QCTO (MANU) | ||||
| 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 | 548 | 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 Telecommunication Line Mechanic. The Telecommunication Line Mechanic performs several tasks to ensure optimum operation of telecommunication equipment and components: A qualified learner will be able to: Rationale: The telecommunications industry has been impacted tremendously by the rapid evolution and expansion of new data and network services enabled by changing and advanced telecommunication technologies and infrastructure. The Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) represents a fundamental change in the way we live, work, and relate to one another. It is a new chapter in human development, enabled by extraordinary technology advances and therefore the qualification will be one of key skills required for the Internet of Things (IoT). The Telecommunication Line Mechanic Occupation forms part of the 2018 list of Occupations in High Demand that have been identified by the Department of Higher Education and Training, and it has been listed as a trade occupation as per Government Gazette 35625, published on 31 August 2012, and identified as a trade occupation in terms of Section 26B of the Skills Development Act, 1998 (Act No. 97 of 1998). It is for these policies that the QCTO prioritised the development of the Telecommunication Line Mechanic Occupational qualification. While it is noted that the Telecommunication Line Mechanic occupation is listed as a trade qualification, there is currently no structured training and no trade testing that is taking place for this trade qualification. The occupational qualification is aimed at new entrants as well as currently employed personnel. Qualified learners are likely to be employed across the economic sectors that include but not limited to security systems, data networks, broadcasting, rail, and mobile communication. This qualification will enable learners to perform first-line repairs, troubleshooting, maintenance, installation, and operations within the telecommunication related industries. This requires learners to be trained in line with the latest technologies that will empower them to become employed or self-employed and thereby contributing positively to the economy and society and further provide employment opportunities. |
| 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. Entry Requirements: |
| RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? |
| Y |
| QUALIFICATION RULES |
| This qualification is made up of compulsory Knowledge, Practical Skill and Work Experience Modules:
Knowledge Modules Total number of credits for Knowledge Modules: 122 Practical Skill Modules Total number of credits for Practical Skill Modules: 179 Work Experience Modules Total number of credits for Work Experience Modules: 247 |
| EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES |
| 1. Provide the correct answers to a range of formulated knowledge questions through a written assessment to assess fundamental knowledge and principles of telecommunications and related electronic and electrical theory and practice.
2. Apply hand skills to perform telecommunication tasks by using hand tools, power tools and test instruments and measuring instrument. 3. Demonstrate ways to install, maintain, and repair telecommunication cables. 4. Use relevant knowledge to install, maintain, and repair telecommunication equipment and components. |
| 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: Integrated Assessment: Integrated Formative Assessment The skills development provider will use the curriculum to guide learners 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. The external integrated assessment will be conducted through a trade test as prescribed under section 26 D of the Skills Development Act and defined in the Trade Test Regulations. It will be conducted through an evaluation of written and practical tasks covering critical aspects in a simulated environment at an assessment centre accredited by QCTO and conducted by an assessor registered by the National Artisan Moderation Body (NAMB). |
| INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY |
| The international comparability study conducted focused on identifying trade qualifications in the field of telecommunication qualification and the study compared qualification found in Australia and Germany.
The Occupational Certificate: Telecommunication Line Mechanic has been compared to similar qualification found in Australian Qualification Framework (AQF) and German Qualification Framework (DQR) as follows: Germany: Germany has the following qualifications both qualifications take a period of three years to three and a half years to complete: The above qualifications are found in the German Qualification Framework and there are vocational qualifications which are accessed through dual vocational training methodology, the majority of the German companies in the field of telecommunications apply this training methodology to train new entrants to the qualification. The German companies like Deutsche Telekom and its subsidiary T-Mobil and Kreutpointner employ apprentices who will gain experience while studying through the Vocational Schools under the Federal Institute of Vocational Education and Training (BIBB). Teaching of the knowledge, skills and competences needed for an occupation is based on the typical requirements of work and business processes and prepares the trainees for a specific job. The training is provided in a company and at part time vocational school: In the company, the trainees acquire practical skills in a real working environment. On one or two days per week, the trainees attend part-time vocational school, where they are taught general and vocational knowledge related to their training occupation. The qualification has the following unit of learning: Entry requirements are not governed by legislation; as a rule, young people are admitted after completing (nine or ten years of) general education. Australia: The ICT 41219, Certificate IV in Telecommunications Engineering Technology - AQF Lev 04 offered by Comtech Training and TafeNSW, registered training providers in Australia has the qualification has the following unit standards: Core units Elective units Group A - Workplace Group B - General The qualification has the following areas of specialisation: Entry into this qualification requires: A qualification at AQF level 2 or 3 in telecommunications from the ICT Information and Communications Technology or open registration as an ACMA registered cabler with certified evidence of at least 2100 hours of work experience within the customer premises doing cabling or telecommunications carrier work Scope and Similarities The Telecommunication Line Mechanic compares fairly with the qualifications from Australia, the qualification outcomes cover the installation, repair, configure and troubleshoot telecommunication systems. Each country has a specific methodology of determining the complexity of their qualifications, of which the complexity levels of the AQF and DQR qualifications compares favourably to SAQA Level Descriptors, and the training models applied are comparable to the South African methodologies of vocational/ occupational training. Differences Both countries under comparison have structured learning in place to achieve the Qualification in respective countries, Australia uses the unit standard based approach, while Germany uses the apprenticeship model and applies dual vocational education and training model of learning, while the South African industries may choose the apprenticeship/learnership or dual vocational model of learning. The South African and German qualifications have a duration of a minimum three years to complete while Australia has a maximum of two years to complete. Both Australia and Germany qualifications cover the information technology (IT) learning content, while the South African qualification does not. Conclusion The international comparability study has shown that the Telecommunication Line Mechanic Occupational Qualification, designed for the South African context and industries, favourably compares in terms of qualification outcomes and the complexity of the qualification to the Australian Qualification. |
| ARTICULATION OPTIONS |
| ARTICULATION OPTIONS
This qualification provides opportunities for horizontal and vertical articulation options. Horizontal Articulation: Vertical Articulation: |
| NOTES |
| Qualifying for External Assessment:
To qualify for an external assessment, learners must provide proof of completion of all required knowledge and practical modules by means of statements of results and a record of completed work experience including Foundational Learning Competences. Additional Legal or Physical Entry Requirements: Criteria for the accreditation of providers The curriculum title and code are: Telecommunications Line Mechanic - 672204-000-00. Encompassed Trade: This qualification encompasses the following trades as recorded on the NLRD: Assessment Quality Partner (AQP) RELATED PART-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. |