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: Flexographic Plate Mounter

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
121467	Occupational Certificate: Flexographic Plate Mounter
ORIGINATOR
Development Quality Partner - PIFSA
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	131	Not Applicable	NQF Level 03	Regular-ELOAC
REGISTRATION STATUS		SAQA DECISION NUMBER	REGISTRATION START DATE	REGISTRATION END DATE
Registered		EXCO 1121/24	2024-01-30	2029-01-30
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT		LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2030-01-30		2033-01-30

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 Flexographic Plate Mounter within the printing environment. A Flexographic Plate Mounter prepares plate cylinders or sleeves in readiness for print production.

A qualified learner will be able to:

Identify and mount flexographic printing plates accurately on plate cylinders or sleeves.

Rationale:
The shared purpose of this qualification is to assess and recognise workplace skills acquired with the benefit of formal education and training.
Learners who are assessed as competent against this qualification will be competent to act as a Flexographic Plate Mounters within the printing industry. Learners will be able to identify and mount flexographic printing plates accurately on plate cylinders or sleeves. This qualification represents a specialised skill within a printing trade or industry. The shared purpose of this qualification is to assess and recognise workplace skills acquired with the benefit of formal education and training.
The existing National Craft Diploma: Rotary Printing and Re-Reeling Flexography is outdated and does not cater for skills progression in the various occupations associated with the printing trade. The lack of skilled operators with up-to-date technological skills has placed the Sector in a precarious position in so far as international competitiveness is concerned.
Learners will benefit by receiving a high standard of training and education that is occupationally aligned. Once qualified, Learners may progress on their pathway to becoming an artisan.
Printing and Packaging employers will benefit by gaining access to suitably qualified operators to maintain costly printing presses and auxiliary equipment.
Benefits to society and economy: By creating career pathways in the Sector employees will be able to progress from General Factory Workers to Artisans. This will create a healthy employment cycle providing employment opportunities to unemployed youth.
Typical Learners / Target Group: Learners will be drawn from the school leavers.
Possible Employment: By obtaining an occupational qualification, Learners will secure employment in the Sector and open themselves up to career advancement opportunities.
Waste efficiency and recycling are subjects covered in this curriculum. The efficient and responsible use of materials is of critical importance to the Industry as it forms a significant component of print manufacturing costs within a green economy.

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

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:
The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:

NQF Level 1 qualification.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

QUALIFICATION RULES

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

Knowledge Modules:

662212-001-00-KM-01: Introduction to the Printing and Packaging Industry, Level 3, 6 Credits.

662212-001-00-KM-02: Legal and Regulatory Requirements, Level 3, 21 Credits.

662212-001-00-KM-03: Printing Science and Chemistry, Level 3, 9 Credits.

662212-001-00-KM-04: Productivity and Economics, Level 3, 11 Credits.

Total number of credits for Knowledge Modules: 56

Practical Skill Modules:

662212-001-00-PM-01: Mount and Proof Printing Plates, Level 3, 23 Credits.

662212-001-00-PM-02: Perform Basic Maintenance, Level 3, 8 Credits.

662212-001-00-PM-03: Comply with Safety, Health and Environmental, Best Practices and Procedures for a Printing Environment, Level 2, 8 Credits.

Total number of credits for Practical Skill Modules: 39

Work Experience Modules:

662212-001-00-WM-01: Processes and Procedures for Mounting Print Plates for Flexographic Printing Press, Level 3, 45 Credits.

Total number of credits for Work Experience Modules: 45

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

1. Identify and mount flexographic printing plates accurately on plate cylinders or sleeves.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:

Mount and proof printing plates according to job specifications.

Perform basic maintenance on plate mounting equipment.

Safety, health and environmental, best practices and procedures for a printing environment are complied with

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.

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

United Kingdom

City & Guilds of London was chosen for international comparability purposes in light of the fact that they are the United Kingdom's leading provider of vocational qualifications and have over 8500 centres in 100 countries and are recognised by employers worldwide for providing quality qualifications.

For purposes of comparability Unit 215 (Maintain the condition of plates for printing) of the Level 2 NVQ in Machine Printing - Flexography (5158-21) qualification was chosen.

The Performance criteria, Knowledge and understanding and Performance evidence detailed in the following elements are well aligned to this qualification:

Element 215.1 Protect and store plates.

Element 215.2 Retrieve and mount plates for printing.

Australia

The Certificate III in Printing found in the National Register on Vocational Education and Training (VET)żin Australia incorporates the following unit of competency:

ICPPRN2110 - Mount and proof flexographic plates for basic printing.

Qualification Description

This qualification applies to individuals working as print machinists who typically set up and operate letterpress, lithographic, flexographic, gravure printing presses, digital printers or screen printers and work on a range of printed products. They prepare material, monitor and run equipment and machinery and apply solutions to a defined range of unpredictable problems. They may also provide guidance to others with some limited responsibility for the output of others.

Licensing/Regulatory Information

No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this qualification at the time of publication.

Entry Requirements:
Nil

Core units related:

ICPSUP2160: Inspect quality against required standards in a production environment.

ICPSUP2600: Maintain a safe work environment.

The elements and performance criteria, foundational skills, performance evidence, knowledge evidence, and assessment conditions defined in this unit of competence compares favourably with this qualification.

Conclusion:
In conclusion the Flexographic Plate Mounter qualification compares favourably to what is found in the chosen international best practice, in terms of what the qualification covers and the level of skills, knowledge and experience that learners have to acquire.ż

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

This qualification provides opportunities for horizontal and vertical articulation options.

Horizontal Articulation:

Occupational Certificate: Electronic Pre-Press Flexographic Plate-maker, NQF Level 3.

Vertical Articulation:

Occupational Certificate: Rotary Printing and Re-reeling Flexographic Machine Technician, NQF Level 4.

MODERATION OPTIONS

N/A

CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS

N/A

NOTES

Qualifying for External Assessment:
In order 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.

Additional Legal or Physical Entry Requirements:

None.

Criteria for the accreditation of providers

The curriculum title and code is: Flexographic Plate Mounter: 662212-001-00-00

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

None.

Assessment Quality Partner (AQP)

National Artisan Moderating Body (NAMB).

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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