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: Production Process Controller 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
119977  Occupational Certificate: Production Process Controller 
ORIGINATOR
Development Quality Partner - MERSETA 
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  140  Not Applicable  NQF Level 04  Regular-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Registered  EXCO 0522/24  2022-11-22  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 learner to operate as a Production Process Controller.

A Production Process Controller conducts a range of administrative and control functions in the monitoring and control of a production process plant. This is done through a combination of electrical, electronic, mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, and/or computer technologies. Compliance with occupational health, safety and environmental requirements as well organisational standards, policies and procedures is an integral part the operational profile as well as routine/minor/first-line maintenance work where required.

A qualified learner will be able to:
  • Carry out production plant operational and administrative processes, duties, and functions.
  • Operate, monitor, and control production plant operations.

    Rationale:
    Manufacturing and production are key components of the Southern African economy. Sustained production stimulates the generation of revenue and economic growth. A strong economy attracts local and overseas investment which in turn contributes to sustainable employment impacting the various market sectors such as manufacturing, mining and minerals, chemical, food, and beverages.

    The qualification reflects the needs of the manufacturing and production sectors, represented by employers, employees, and training providers, for learners to develop the skills and competencies for Production Process Controllers.

    Production Process Controllers are found across a wide range of industries in the production and manufacturing sector. The qualification has, therefore, been developed in a generic format. The curriculum can be contextualised for production, manufacturing, mining and minerals, chemical, energy, and water sectors as well as for the food and beverage production. As the skills and competencies have been specified generically, this qualification will be portable across a wide range of operations.

    This qualification will train and equip the qualifying learner with the knowledge, skills, and experience necessary to ensure that a production plant is monitored and controlled productively and safely. Improved standards of training and assessment will lead to more productive operations and improved safety. The general application of the qualification will improve mobility of employment across various sectors. Most learners entering the qualification will already be employed. The career progression for Production Process Controllers will be to other operator specialisations and to related occupations in operations, engineering, or training. 

  • LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    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 results or by 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:
  • An NQF Level 3 qualification with Mathematical Literacy.
    Or
  • Occupational Certificate: Production Process Machine Operator and Assembler, NQF Level 3, SAQA ID 102580. 

  • RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification is made up of the following compulsory Knowledge, Practical Skills, and Work Experience Modules:

    Knowledge Modules:
  • 313916-001-00-KM-01, Occupational Health and Safety and Environment, Level 4, 8 Credits.
  • 313916-001-00-KM-02, Process Plant Management, Level 4, 24 Credits.

    Total number of credits for Knowledge Modules: 32.

    Practical Skill Modules:
  • 313916-001-00-PM-01, Carry out Operational and Administrative Processes, Duties and Functions, Level 4, 16 Credits.
  • 313916-001-00-PM-02, Operate, Monitor, and Control Manufacturing Production Process Plant, Level 4, 32 Credits.

    Total number of credits for Practical Skill Modules: 48.

    Work Experience Modules:
  • 313916-001-00-WM-01, Manufacturing Production Process Plant Operations, Level 4, 60 Credits.

    Total number of credits for Practical Skill Modules: 60. 

  • EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Carry out production plant operational and administrative processes, duties, and functions, applying and exercising policies, procedures, performance parameters, controls, and operating standards.
    2. Use applicable knowledge to operate, monitor, and control production plant operations, applying and exercising policies, procedures, performance parameters, controls, and operating standards. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Apply and exercise health, safety and environmental requirements.
  • Complete operational and administrative processes, duties and functions.
  • Compile and complete reports.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Complete start- and end-of-shift procedures.
  • Operate plant, machines, associated equipment and accessories.
  • Complete operational functions and duties.

    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 qualification. The external integrated summative assessment will focus on the exit level outcomes and associated assessment criteria. 

  • INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    Manufacturing production operations exist worldwide. Australia and New Zealand were selected for comparison.

    Australia
    MSM30116 - Certificate III in Process Manufacturing offered by South Metropolitan TAFE and Nationwide Training Pty Ltd Units include monitor process operations; monitor process capability; operate equipment; use equipment; use organisation computers or data systems; interact with computing technology; identify and apply process improvements; use improvement processes in team activities; sustain process improvements; adjust a production schedule; set assembly stations; perform tasks to support production; organise on-site work; work in accordance with an issued permit; monitor and control work permits; ; observe permit work; apply workplace context to own job; clean workplace or equipment; work in a team; achieve work outcomes; process and record information; undertake minor maintenance; participate in continuous improvement; sample and test materials and product; apply hazard analysis and critical control point (HACCP) principles to the workplace; identify equipment faults; maintain and organise workplace records; contribute to the development of workplace documentation; interpret technical drawing; administer inventory procedures; work safely with industrial chemicals and materials; perform basic statistical quality control; perform inspection; organise and communicate information; work with others in a manufacturing, engineering or related environment; perform basic tests; identify and minimise environmental hazards; participate in environmentally sustainable work practices; make measurements; provide coaching/mentoring in the workplace; facilitate a team; use structured problem-solving tools; follow workplace health and safety procedures; follow emergency response procedures; work safely; conduct hazard analysis; control minor incidents; facilitate the implementation of workplace health and safety for a work group; apply quick changeover procedures; apply just in time procedures; apply cost factors to work practices; apply planning and organising, problem solving and self-management procedures; apply quality standards. All the above skills and competencies are included in the qualification.

    New Zealand
    New Zealand Certificate in Manufacturing (Level 4), 80 credits. The purpose of this qualification is to provide the manufacturing sector with self-managing skilled operational people, capable of setting up, troubleshooting, and coordinating one or more stages of a manufacturing process to meet production and customer requirements. Graduates of this qualification will be able to: Identify, diagnose, and rectify operational issues in a manufacturing environment; coordinate one or more stages of a manufacturing operation; set up and control equipment to meet daily production safety and quality requirements of a manufacturing process; use technical knowledge to complete tasks to support manufacturing operations. All the above skills and competencies are included in the qualification.

    Conclusion
    The content and level of the two qualifications referenced compares well with this qualification and the conclusion is that the curriculum is comparable to international practice. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification allows possibilities for both vertical and horizontal articulation.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Occupational Certificate: Metal Manufacturing Casting Process Controller, NQF Level 4.
  • Occupational Certificate: Manufacturing Electrolysis Process Controller, NQF Level 4.
  • Occupational Certificate: Metal Manufacturing Finishing Process Controller, NQF Level 4.
  • Occupational Certificate: Metal Manufacturing Material Preparation Process Controller, NQF Level 4.
  • Occupational Certificate: Metal Manufacturing Rolling Process Controller, NQF Level 4.
  • Occupational Certificate: Metal Manufacturing, Smelting and Refining Process Controller,
    NQF Level 4.
  • Occupational Certificate: Mineral Beneficiation Process Controller (Material Handler), NQF Level 4.
  • Occupational Certificate: Mineral Beneficiation Process Controller (Materials Preparer: Lump Ore), NQF Level 4.
  • Occupational Certificate: Mineral Beneficiation Process Controller (Mineral Processor: Calcining) NQF Level 4.
  • Occupational Certificate: Mineral Beneficiation Process Controller (Mineral Processor: Hydrometallurgy), NQF Level 4.
  • Occupational Certificate: Mineral Beneficiation Process Controller (Mineral Processor: Smelting), NQF Level 4.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Occupational Certificate: Production Supervisor, NQF Level 5 (Part of pack). 

  • MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    NOTES 
    Qualifying for External Assessment:
    To qualify for the external summative assessment learners must provide proof of completion of all required modules by means of a statement of results and a signed Statement of Work Experience including Foundational Learning Competence.

    Additional Legal or Physical Entry Requirements:
    Physical requirements: Meet legal, health and medical requirements.
    Legal requirements: Meet all organisation and legal requirements to enter the training programme.

    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: Production Process Controller: 313916-001-00-00.

    Encompassed Trades:
    This qualification encompasses the following trades as recorded on the NLRD:
  • None.

    Assessment Quality Partner:
  • Manufacturing, Engineering and Related Services Sector Education Training Authority (merSETA). 

  • 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.