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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: Telecommunications Specialist |
| SAQA QUAL ID | QUALIFICATION TITLE | |||
| 121587 | Occupational Certificate: Telecommunications Specialist | |||
| ORIGINATOR | ||||
| Development Quality Partner - MICT SETA | ||||
| 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 | Engineering and Related Design | ||
| ABET BAND | MINIMUM CREDITS | PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL | NQF LEVEL | QUAL CLASS |
| Undefined | 161 | Not Applicable | NQF Level 05 | 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 Telecommunications Specialist. A Telecommunications Specialist installs, configures, commissions, tests and maintains Customer Premises Equipment. A qualified learner will be able to: Rationale: The evolution of broad band technology and application thereof, is demanding converged network infrastructure in the Information Communication Technology (ICT) sector. This requires the workforce to continuously gain new competencies, skills and knowledge in new technologies resulting in the application of different installation processes and utilisation of new approaches to gain access to customers' premises. All these changes have prompted the industry to initiate the process of realigning the currently registered qualification to expand on the existing standards. This process was further motivated by the fact that there are no registered Telecommunications related qualifications. This qualification will be the first occupationally based qualification. Participants in the realignment process include representatives of various organisations within the telecommunications industry. Some of these organisations included amongst others: ICASA, Telkom, Training Providers, Vulatel, Orange Business Services, DARTCOM, etc. This qualification is aimed at learners ranging from: (1) people with workplace experience in the telecommunications Industry as well as other industries who would like to formalise their training, (2) school leavers and graduates who want to pursue a career as Telecommunications Network Engineers (Telecommunications Specialists). The qualification provides the learner with the flexibility to articulate in the Telecommunications environment with a wide variety of specialisation options within the Telecommunications Information Technology, Construction, Energy, Banking, Mining, Electronic sectors, etc. Learners who successfully complete this qualification can advance their careers by enrolling in higher level qualifications. Further enhancement of this qualification may lead to higher levels of business success or entrepreneurial opportunities. Upon completion of this qualification, learners are eligible for employment as Telecommunications Specialist into the different sectors such as Telecommunication Information Technology, Construction, Energy, Banking, Mining, Electronic, etc. Businesses, organisations, and communities will benefit from this qualification by being served by a qualified Telecommunications Specialist, who have the necessary competencies, skills and knowledge to install, maintain, upgrade, commission and test Customer Premises Equipment (CPE), efficiently and effectively. By addressing critical skills shortages in the industry, raising the level of service quality, and creating job opportunities that will contribute towards building the economy of South Africa. |
| LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING |
| Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
RPL for Access to the Qualification Accredited providers and approved workplaces may recognise prior learning against the relevant access requirements. 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 or certifying a work experience record. 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: 33 Practical Skill Modules: Total number of credits for Practical Skill Modules: 55 Work Experience Modules: Total number of credits for Work Experience Modules: 73 |
| EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES |
| 1. Plan and organise the installation of Customer Premises Equipment (CPE) according to specifications.
2. Install and configure Customer Premises Equipment according to industry standards and technologies. 3. Test and commission Customer Premises Equipment according to industry standards and technologies. 4. Support end-user to use the Customer Premises Equipment. 5. Trouble-shoot and maintain Customer Premises Equipment according to specifications. |
| 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: Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5: 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 leads to entrance into the integrated external summative assessment. Integrated Summative Assessment An 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 summative assessment will be conducted through integrated written exercises as well as the execution of practical tasks by registered assessors at accredited assessment centres. External assessment will be conducted in phases in relation to the part qualification. The assessment will take place over a maximum of 2 days. 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 assessment will be conducted through written assessment and the evaluation of practical tasks at decentralised approved assessment sites by a panel of assessors evaluated by assessor(s) registered with the AQP within a period of 1 day. |
| INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY |
| International comparability has been done against qualifications registered with New Zealand and Australia. The two countries were chosen because of best practice.
New Zealand The South African Telecommunications Specialist occupational qualification has been compared with the New Zealand Certificate in Customer Premises Systems. This qualification covers areas of specialisation which included Structured Cabling, Control and Automation, Signal Reception and Distribution, and System Installations for Re-locatable and/or Mobile Locations. Comparison has been in terms of target learners, entry requirements, content covered and complexity, level of the qualification, duration and credits as well. This qualification is pitched at Level 4, with 200 credits. Learners who wish to gain entry into this qualification must hold a Trainee Limited Certificate (TLC) issued by the EWRB. The purpose of the qualification is to provide a range of technology and communications industry sectors with people who are able to install, maintain and repair cabling, equipment and devices for specialist distribution systems and services in residential or commercial areas; fixed, mobile or re-locatable end-user premises. The Structured Cabling Strand has been found to cover competencies similar to those covered in the South African Telecommunications Specialist qualification. Upon completion of this strand, learners will be able to: These four (4) units standards have a credit bearing of 100. To be awarded the qualification, learners should complete core unit standards with a credit bearing of 100. This implies that upon completion of this qualification, learners would have accumulated 200 credits. Once qualified, learners will be able to operate independently as technicians at an advanced level for installations across a broad range of situations. In addition to this, qualified learners will be able to supervise electrical workers and will also be eligible to be registered and licensed as an Electrical Appliance Serviceperson (endorsed to disconnect and connect) (EAS endorsed) or as an electrical service technician (EST) and supervise electrical workers. The candidate will be awarded the qualification by the accredited Tertiary Education Organisation (TEO) where the programme has been completed. Graduates of this qualification will be able to work in the electrical appliance service industry as an advanced technician in the roles such as: Similarities: The South African Telecommunications Specialist occupational qualification is similar to the New Zealand Certificate in Customer Premises Systems in terms of course content, target learners, qualification's purpose, entry level requirements, area of practice and duration. Differences: Differences between the two qualifications have been noted with structure and layout of the qualifications. The South African qualification is made up of knowledge modules that expose learners to related theories, this is coupled with practical skills, modules that familiarise learners with the required skills that are implemented in simulated or controlled environments. Once the required skills have been learnt, learners are required to gain experience by going through work experience modules which are implemented in the real world of work. Learners are required to complete all modules in order to qualify as Telecommunications Specialists. Regarding the New Zealand qualification, the composition is such that the qualification consists of core unit standards that are compulsory to all learners as well as elective unit standards that allow learners to pursue a specialised are of practice. Differences have also been noted with credits. The South African Telecommunications Specialist qualification is assigned 180 credits whilst the New Zealand qualification has been assigned 200. Australia Certificate III in Telecommunications Technology, ICT30519 was found to cover competencies that are covered in the South African Telecommunications Specialist. This qualification is offered by providers such as Aurora Training Institute Pty (Ltd), J B Hunter, Aspire Education and Training over a period of 2 years through an apprenticeship. Entry into this qualification is Certificate II in Telecommunications Technology. The qualification is aimed at providing telecommunications technology operators with knowledge and skills that will enable them to assess installation requirements, plan and perform installations, test installed equipment, and fault-find when issues arise with installed equipment. These competencies will be addressed by course content covering topics listed below: Learners who successfully complete this qualification can specialise in any of the fields reflected below, through the selection of specific units of competency: Competent leaners will be subjected to adhere to regulatory requirements in areas concerning licensing, legislative or certification requirements. Comparison regarding credits was not possible due to unavailable information. Similarities: The South African Telecommunications Specialist occupational qualification is similar to the Australian Certificate III in Telecommunications Technology in terms of course content, target learners, qualification's purpose and area of practice. Differences: Differences between the two qualifications have been noted with structure and layout of the qualifications. The South African qualification is made up of knowledge modules that expose learners to related theories, this is coupled with practical skills, modules that familiarise learners with the required skills that are implemented in simulated or controlled environments. Once the required skills have been learnt, learners are required to gain experience by going through work experience modules which are implemented in the real world of work. Learners are required to complete all modules in order to qualify as Telecommunications Specialists. With regard to the Australian qualification, the composition is such that the qualification covers core competencies that are compulsory to all learners. Differences have also been noted with the duration over which the qualification is offered. The South African Telecommunications Specialist qualification is offered over a period of 1 year and six (6) months whilst the Australian qualification is offered online, over two (2) years. Differences were also noted with the levels at which the qualifications are pegged. The South African qualification is pegged at level 5 whilst the Australian qualification is pegged at level 3. However, despite differences in levels, core competences covered, level of responsibility and accountability as well as area of practice were found to be similar. Credit values have not been specified for the Australian qualification, therefore comparison in this regard was not possible. Conclusion The South African Telecommunications Specialist qualification compares favourably with qualifications offered in countries whose qualifications are compared with. |
| ARTICULATION OPTIONS |
| This qualification provides opportunities for horizontal and vertical articulation options.
Horizontal Articulation: Vertical Articulation: |
| NOTES |
| Qualifying for External Assessment
To qualify for the external assessment, learners must provide proof of completion of all required modules by means of statement of results and work experience records. Additional Legal or Physical Entry Requirements: 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: Telecommunications Specialist: 215303-001-00-00. Encompassed Trades This qualification encompasses the following trades as recorded on the NLRD: Assessment Quality Partner (AQP) |
| 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. |