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: Train Control Officer

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
121005	Occupational Certificate: Train Control Officer
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 11 - Services		Transport, Operations and Logistics
ABET BAND	MINIMUM CREDITS	PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL	NQF LEVEL	QUAL CLASS
Undefined	129	Not Applicable	NQF Level 05	Regular-ELOAC
REGISTRATION STATUS		SAQA DECISION NUMBER	REGISTRATION START DATE	REGISTRATION END DATE
Registered		EXCO 0817/23	2023-07-04	2028-07-04
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT		LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2029-07-04		2032-07-04

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 Train Control Officer. A Train Control Officer manages the planning, preparation, communication, and operationalisation for the safe movement of motor-powered rolling stock using different train control systems.

A qualified learner will be able to:

Plan and prepare for the safe movement of motor-powered rolling stock.

Manage power supply and monitor the movement of motor-powered rolling stock service.

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 necessity to revise and update an existing unit standards-based qualification. A safe and efficient rail transport system is of critical importance for the transport sector of an economy. The Train Control Officer plays a pivotal role in terms of the safe movement of motor-powered rolling stock. The upgrading of rolling stock and control systems requires new skills and revised processes and thus the need to revise and replace the existing qualification. In addition, upgraded technology also requires skills at a higher level (thus the move from a NQF Level 4 to an NQF Level 5 qualification).

The rail sector in South Africa is an economic and social enabler as it plays an important role in the transportation of both goods and commuters. The safe rail movement is therefore of critical importance, and this is only possible if there are competent and qualified personnel. This qualification will benefit the Rail sector as it will equip qualifying learners with the ability to perform functions related to administering train control methods and systems for the safe movement on rail.

Typical learners that will benefit from this qualification include existing employees currently serving in the railway system as well as new entrants to the labour market or joining from other occupations with an interest to build a career related to the planning and signalling systems for the safe movement of rolling stock.

This qualification does not form part of a specific learning pathway but will allow learners to progress to the Occupational Certificate: Railway Safety Inspector.

There are no professional registration or international requirements impacting on this qualification. The Department of Transport, African Rail and Traction, Metrorail, Railway Safety Regulator, Shelton (Pty) Ltd, Transnet Freight Rail, Richards Bay Coal Terminal and PRASA Rail were consulted and contributed to the development of the qualification.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):

Learners will gain access to the qualification through RPL for Access as provided for in the QCTO RPL Policy. RPL for access is conducted by accredited education institution, skills development provider or workplace accredited to offer that specific qualification/part qualification.

Learners who have acquired competencies of the modules of a qualification or part qualification will be credited for modules through 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:

NQF Level 4 qualification with Mathematics and Physical Science.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

QUALIFICATION RULES

This qualification is made up of compulsory Knowledge, Practical Skill and Work Experience Modules:

Knowledge Modules:

731202-001-00-KM-01 Train Control Theory, Level 5, 50 Credits.

731202-001-00-KM-02 Health, Safety, Quality and Legislation, Level 3, 6 Credits.

731202-001-00-KM-03 Environment, Energy Efficiency and Ethics, Level 3, 1 Credit.

731202-001-00-KM-04 Business Essentials, Level 3, 1 Credit.

731202-001-00-KM-05 Transportation Risk, Level 4, 2 Credits.

Total number of credits for Knowledge Modules: 60

Practical Skill Modules:

731202-001-00-PM-01 Plan for and Authorise the Safe Movement of Motor-powered Rolling Stock, Level 5, 8 Credits.

731202-001-00-PM-02 Grant and Cancel Occupations (work permits), Level 5, 6 Credits.

731202-001-00-PM-03 Control and Monitor Power Supply Indicators, Level 4, 6 Credits.

Total number of credits for Practical Skill Modules: 26

Work Experience Modules:

731202-001-00-WM-01 Planning and Preparation Processes and Procedures for Motor-Powered Rolling Stock Movement, Level 5, 20 Credits.

731202-001-00-WM-02 Processes and Procedures to Monitor and Control the Safe Movement of Motor-Powered Rolling Stock, Level 5, 23 Credits.

Total number of credits for Work Experience Modules: 43

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

1. Demonstrate the ability to plan, set up and sanction the safe movement of motor-powered rolling stock by applying standard methods, procedures, and techniques relevant to the control system.
2. Apply skills to manage and control power supply and monitor the movement of motor-powered rolling stock service by monitoring and identifying and evaluating deviations and applying corrective measures relevant to the control system.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
ELO 1: Demonstrate the ability to plan, set up and sanction the safe movement of motor-powered rolling stock by applying standard methods, procedures, and techniques relevant to the control system.

Identify correct procedures and safety standards for the handover process and the logging of the train register to auxiliary equipment.

Identify and set up planned route and relevant sidings and platforms that will be affected by the power supply for motor-powered rolling stock movement in accordance with all relevant safety standards.

Identify and explain the processes and communication requirements for authorisation and granting of occupations (work permits) for the safe movement of motor-powered rolling stock correctly.

Identify and explain processes for the cancellation and recording of occupation (work permit) documents.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
ELO 2: Apply skills to manage and control power supply and monitor the movement of motor-powered rolling stock service by monitoring and identifying and evaluating deviations and applying corrective measures relevant to the control system.

Control the safe passage of motor-powered rolling stock through the on and off switching of isolating and earthing switches following all safety precautions in accordance with high voltage instruction.

Monitor the progress of the occupation (work permit), evaluate deviations and identify, update and report on corrective measures in accordance with safety standards.

Monitor and interpret the power supply indicators and address deviations according to relevant policies and procedures and high voltage instruction.

Integrated Assessment:
Integrated Assessment 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 Assessment 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.

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 assessment will be conducted through a combination of a written assessment and practical task at an accredited assessment centre. The written examination will be concluded at the registered assessment centre and marked by registered assessors. Practical tasks will also be assessed by registered assessors. The combination of the written and practical assessment will take place over a maximum of 2 working days.

INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY

Countries which run systems like South African high speed inter-city/Metro operations that offer training related to control centre management include the USA, United Kingdom, France, Algeria, Philippines, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand Greece, and Arab emirates. Except for Australia and the UK, none of these countries has national qualifications or standardised training courses in this field and in-house training is product or system specific offered by the developers.

The countries chosen for international comparability are therefore Australia and the UK. Australia was chosen because of the availability of a registered qualification and the UK was chosen because of the variety of training courses offered by the Institution of Railway Operators (IRO) as part of a career path in the rail industry that also includes the occupation "Railway Control Room Operator". The IRO is a professional body, based in the UK, for all those involved or interested in railway operations and related disciplines. It is an international organization active worldwide with several local offices in several countries.

United Kingdom (UK):
The Institution of Railway Operators (IRO) offers 4 academic work-based learning courses related to Railway Operations Management in collaboration with the Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU). These courses are a Certificate of Higher Education in Railway Operations Management (1 year), Diploma of Higher Education in Railway Operations Management, (2 years), Bachelor of Science in Railway Operations Management, (2 years) an Applied Professional Practice MBA (Railway Operations) (Degree Apprenticeship) lasting 16 months.

The Diploma of Higher Education in Railway Operations Management includes modules aimed at control room operations. This is a work-based learning course. It comprises 5 modules which are delivered over 6 trimesters. The entry level is a NVQ Level 4 or equivalent. The 5 modules are listed below. The syllabus for Module 4 is also outlined as this is also covered by the Occupational Certificate:
Train Control Officer.

Module 1: Continuing Personal and Professional Development.

Module 2: Customer and Stakeholder Delivery Improvement.

Module 3: Whole System Thinking in Rail.

Module 4 Quality and Efficiency in a High Performing Railway.

Syllabus:

The working of single, double, and multiple track railways, basic signalling principles and systems for train spacing, track layout, headways, line speed, train speed, line capacity, single lines, bi-directional, electric power supply, level crossings, station, yard and terminal working.

Timetable construction.

Types of Train Planning.

The train planning-performance loop.

Brief history of railway safety law and current safety legislation.

Module 5: Work Based Project: Improving Business Practice.

Similarities:
Both the Occupational Certificate: Train Control Officer and the Diploma of Higher Education in Railway Operations Management have a work experience component. Both require a level four qualification as an entry.

Differences:
The Occupational Certificate: Train Control Officer can be delivered over a period of less than one year whereas the Diploma of Higher Education in Railway Operations Management is delivered over a period of two years.

Australia:
ARC Infrastructure in Midland offers TLI42215 - Certificate IV in Rail Network Control (Release 3) as an apprenticeship over 3 years.

The qualification comprises several core and elective modules which are listed below. Those indicated with an Asterix are also covered by the Occupational Certificate: Train Control Officer.

Managing autonomous rail traffic operations by network control.

Control and coordinate rail traffic movement.

Work in a socially diverse environment.

Write simple documents.

Implement and amend daily train plan.

Identify and meet customer requirements.

Follow work health and safety, and environmental procedures in the rail industry.

Complete workplace documents.

Use electronic communication systems.

Apply awareness of dangerous goods and hazardous materials requirements.

Implement safe working rules and regulations for network control activities*.

Recognise the impact of human capabilities/limitations on human performance in a rail environment.

Apply fatigue management strategies.

Monitor and record rolling stock locations.

Work effectively with others.

Apply quality procedures.

Participate in environmentally sustainable work practices.

Plan urban passenger train consists.

Apply awareness of railway fundamentals.

Develop out-of-course rail traffic plans and schedules.

Allocate rolling stock.

Control and coordinate incident responses.

Organise marshalling and shunting operations.

Allocate motive power.

Organise personal work priorities and development.

Apply and amend rosters.

Arrange alternative passenger transport.

Manage personal stress in the workplace.

Apply safety critical communications in the rail environment.

Similarities: The two qualifications in comparison are similar in terms of modules which are marked with an Asterix above.

Differences:
Both the Occupational Certificate: Train Control Officer and the Certificate IV in Rail Network Control (Release 3) differ in terms of duration wherein the south African occupational qualification could be delivered in less than a year whilst the Australian Certificate IV in Rail Network Control (Release 3) is delivered in 3 years.

Conclusion
Even though some aspects of both international qualifications are met by the Occupational Certificate: Train Control Officer, it cannot be said that it correlates well in terms of content. It also does not correlate well in terms of duration.

The Occupational Certificate: Train Control Officer is much more focussed than the international qualifications, therefore the difference in terms of duration and scope of coverage.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

This qualification allows possibilities for both vertical and horizontal articulation.

Horizontal Articulation:

National Certificate: Railway Signalling Technology, NQF Level 5.

Vertical Articulation:

Occupational Certificate: Railway Safety Inspector, NQF Level 6.

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 Train Control Officer: 731202-001-00-00.

Encompassed Trade:
This qualification encompasses the following trades as recorded on the NLRD:

None.

Assessment Quality Partner:
Transport Education and Training Authority (TETA).

RELATED PART-QUALIFICATIONS (Where Applicable)

None.

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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