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: Railway Track Master |
SAQA QUAL ID | QUALIFICATION TITLE | |||
119662 | Occupational Certificate: Railway Track Master | |||
ORIGINATOR | ||||
Development Quality Partner -TETA | ||||
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY | NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK | |||
- | OQSF - Occupational Qualifications Sub-framework | |||
QUALIFICATION TYPE | FIELD | SUBFIELD | ||
Occupational Certificate | Field 12 - Physical Planning and Construction | Civil Engineering Construction | ||
ABET BAND | MINIMUM CREDITS | PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL | NQF LEVEL | QUAL CLASS |
Undefined | 540 | 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 |
The purpose of this qualification is to provide qualifying learners with the knowledge, understanding, competence and experience required to operate as a Railway Track Master.
A Railway Track Master constructs, aligns, repairs, and maintains permanent way infrastructure, components, and associated works to ensure the safe running of trains. A qualified learner will be able to: In addition, learner attributes (including problem solving, decision making, interpreting and communicating information and applying essential methods and techniques) will be integrated in the learning process. Learners will have to prove competence of the above knowledge, skills, attitudes, responsibilities, and tasks imbedded in the exit level outcomes. Rationale: The need for this qualification stems from the fact that "Railway Track Master" is recorded as a Trade (SAQA ID 96355). Currently there are two registered qualifications related to this Trade, i.e., SAQA ID 49795; National Certificate: Rail Construction and Maintenance; NQF Level 3 and SAQA ID 61670 Further Education and Training Certificate: Railway Construction and Maintenance; NQF Level 4. The Occupational Certificate: Railway Track Master is required for the recorded trade and to replace the mentioned existing unit standard based qualifications. Railway Track Masters have been identified as a scarce skill in the Transport sector. The development of railway infrastructure is a key driver for economic development. In South Africa, one of the barriers to accelerated economic development is the provisioning of cost effective and reliable mass transport systems for both freight and passenger services. A key strategy in the National Development Plan is the improvement and proper maintenance of infrastructure. Currently and in the future, there is a need for skills and abilities to build and maintain an ever-growing railway network. This qualification is targeted at providing the fundamental human resource capabilities required to deliver this strategy and will thus benefit the sector society and the economy. Typical learners likely to be attracted to this qualification are the out of school youth with limited formal qualifications as well as workers in the rail sector interested in working mainly outdoors and aspiring to obtain formal recognition for skills and knowledge. Learners entering this trade will exit with an NQF Level 4 trade which will be internationally accepted as entry into related careers and/or further studies within the Civil Engineering Construction field. This qualification will contribute to the full development of the learner by providing recognition, further mobility, and transportability within the sector. This qualification forms part of a suite of related qualifications (originally developed as part-qualifications but which had to be registered separately) to create an occupational pathway with several options to follow, each resulting in employment opportunities in areas of specialisation. In addition, this qualification also includes a part-qualification specifically to enable learners with any of the associated qualifications to further specialise. Learners wishing to follow such a route will be granted recognition for modules already completed (CAT). These qualifications include the Occupational Certificate: Railway Track Welder, NQF Level 3; Occupational Certificate: Railway Track Constructor, NQF Level 3. The relationship and career path opportunities between the various qualifications are quite complex and is outlined in detail in the various curricula. The part-qualification Occupational Certificate: Railway Track Supervisor NQF Level 4 will provide learners who have completed either the Occupational Certificate: Railway Track Welder, NQF Level 3 or Occupational Certificate: Railway Track Constructor, NQF Level 3 an opportunity for career progression. |
RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? |
Y |
QUALIFICATION RULES |
Total number of credits for Knowledge Modules: 148 Practical Skill Modules: Total number of credits for Practical Skill Modules: 176 Work Experience Modules: Total number of credits for Work Experience Modules: 216 |
EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES |
1. Prepare railway tracks and track components and apply specific welding and joining techniques to construct, maintain and repair rail tracks and track components demonstrating a fundamental understanding of related principles, theories, and safety requirements.
2. Apply civil construction processes and techniques to construct, maintain and rehabilitate railway lines and associated per-way elements demonstrating a fundamental understanding of established standards. 3. Inspect, plan, and manage rail construction and maintenance projects and processes, applying key terms, rules, concepts, established principles and theories and health and safety requirements. |
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: 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 External Integrated 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). The assessment will take place over a minimum of 2 days. |
INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY |
The countries selected for international comparability include the United Kingdom and Australia. These countries were selected as both has well-defined career paths for the railway sector that includes training related to rail construction and maintenance.
Australia Centre of Excellence in Rail Training, Sydney Australia offers the qualification TL127120 Certificate II in Rail Infrastructure (Track Work) as a 1-year apprenticeship with no specified entry requirements and the qualification TL137120 Certificate III in Rail Infrastructure as a two-year apprenticeship with Certificate II as entry requirement. The Occupational Certificate: Railway Track Master is a three-year qualification and therefore incorporates both mentioned Certificates. TL127120 Certificate II in Rail Infrastructure (Track Work) requires completion of all generic core units as well as all the units from one of the specialist elective groups All units not also covered by the Occupational Certificate: Rail Track Master are marked with an asterisk. Generic Core Track specific The Certificate III in Rail Infrastructure requires completion of all generic core units as well as all the units from one of the specialist elective groups, i.e. track maintenance and construction; turnout installation; track welding; track examination; rail testing; turnout construction; rail track surfacing and track drainage maintenance. As the Occupational Certificate: Rail Track Master covers all the specialist areas, except for track drainage maintenance, all these units are also listed below. All units not covered by the Occupational Certificate: Rail Track Master are marked with an asterisk. Generic Core Track maintenance and construction Turnout installation Track welding Track examination Rail testing Turnout construction Rail track surfacing Track drainage maintenance Similarities and differences: The structure of the Occupational Certificate: Railway Track Master is different from the Australian Certificates as it is one qualification and not two. Furthermore, it encompasses the different specialisation areas provided for in the Level III Certificate and requires learners to complete all the units thereof with the exclusion of track drainage maintenance. The Occupational Certificate: Railway Track Master is however like the two Australian Certificates combined in terms of content, duration and approximate level. The Occupational Certificate: Railway Track Master also has a dedicated focus on supervision which include conduct workplace information briefings but is much broader. United Kingdom In the United Kingdom apprenticeship standards and several associated qualifications, under the City of Guilds, have been developed in the field of rail engineering for the disciplines track, overhead line, electrification, traction and rolling stock, signalling and telecoms. An entry level apprenticeship for a Rail Engineering Operative can be completed over a period of one year. This will require the learner to achieve two qualifications, i.e., 6497-02 Level 2 Diploma in Rail Engineering Operative Knowledge and 6499-02 Level 2 Diploma in Rail Engineering Operative Competence. Entry requirements are not specified. An advanced level apprenticeship for a Rail Engineering Technician can be completed over a period of three years. This will require the learner to achieve two qualifications, i.e., 6497-03 Level 3 Diploma in Rail Engineering Technician Knowledge and 6499-03 Level 3 Diploma in Rail Engineering Technician Competence. Entry requirements are not specified. Both knowledge qualifications are currently being offered by Fast Line Training Services with branches across the UK. The Level 2 Diplomas roughly correspond with NQF Level 3 (pre matric) and the Level 3 Diplomas with NQF 4 qualifications. Only the content of the knowledge qualifications is specified whilst the practical component remains the responsibility of the employer. The content of the two knowledge components is outlined below. All modules of these qualification are covered by the Occupational Certificate Railway Track Master. Level 2 Diploma in Rail Engineering Operative Knowledge (Duration 300 hours). Level 3 Diploma in Rail Engineering Technician Competence (Track) (Duration 680 hours). Similarities and differences: The structure of the Occupational Certificate: Railway Track Master is different from the UK Diplomas as it is one qualification and not two sets. The Occupational Certificate: Railway Track Master is however like the four UK Diplomas combined in terms of content, duration, and approximate level. The Occupational Certificate: Railway. Conclusion The Occupational Certificate: Railway Track Master (a three-year qualification) compares well and is like both the Australian Certificates combined and the UK Diplomas combined in terms of content, duration, and level. |
ARTICULATION OPTIONS |
This qualification allows possibilities for both vertical and horizontal articulation.
Horizontal Articulation: Vertical Articulation: |
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 Railway Track Master: 734212-000-00-00. Encompassed Trades: This qualification encompasses the following trades as recorded on the NLRD: Assessment Quality Partner: |
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. |