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:

Intermediate Occupational Certificate: Cleaning Practitioner

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
121689	Intermediate Occupational Certificate: Cleaning Practitioner
ORIGINATOR
Development Quality Partner - Services SETA
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY			NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
-			OQSF - Occupational Qualifications Sub-framework
QUALIFICATION TYPE	FIELD		SUBFIELD
Intermediate Occupational Cert	Field 09 - Health Sciences and Social Services		Preventive Health
ABET BAND	MINIMUM CREDITS	PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL	NQF LEVEL	QUAL CLASS
Undefined	120	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 function as a Cleaning Practitioner.

A Cleaning Practitioner supervises cleaning services to customer requirements as per service level agreement, organisational resources as well as safety of the staff, customer, and customer clients.

The typical graduate attributes for a Cleaning Practitioner include among other a reasonable level of physical fitness, punctuality, reliability, trustworthy, time management, independency, teamwork, and leadership.

A qualified learner will be able to:

Oversee Cleaning Operations on site.

Oversee Human Resources on site.

Rationale:
This qualification is aimed at providing updated supervisory and compliance monitoring skills within the fast-growing hygiene and cleaning sector with regards to managing cleaning resources, staff and facilities. The need for this occupational qualification arises from pending deregistration of the legacy qualification and an ongoing need by the industry to continue providing skills relevant for supervision of cleaning staff.

This qualification will provide the cleaning sector with a ready workforce that can deliver, guide, and promote safe and high-quality cleaning services. It is designed for supervision of cleaning teams working within commercial, residential, health and domestic situations.

The qualification accounts for soft skills and legal compliance, which shall improve the quality of service. A hygienically cleaned environment enhances employee wellness and productivity. The society will benefit from new employment of qualified employees and working environment that is healthy. This qualification will produce a more well-versed cleaners that have gained knowledge, practical, work experience and have been assessed at each component thereby leading to a more skilled Cleaning Practitioners.

Typical learners for this qualification will be drawn from those already employed in the cleaning services sector, namely, commercial cleaning, laundry work and domestic cleaning. Qualified learners will have an opportunity to pursue further training towards commercial housekeeping and supervisory roles in laundry and dry-cleaning business outlets contributing to career mobility.

This qualification does not require professional registration, membership or licencing by recognised professional bodies.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
RPL for access to a qualification

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.

RPL for exemption of modules

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:
An NQF Level 2 qualification.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

QUALIFICATION RULES

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

Knowledge Modules:

515104-000-00-00-KM-01: Workplace Fundamentals, Level 3, 8 Credits.

515104-000-00-00-KM-02: Basic Supervisory Skills, Level 3, 8 Credits.

515104-000-00-00-KM-03: Principles of Cleaning, Level 3, 10 Credits.

515104-000-00-00-KM-04: Compliance to Statutory Legislation and Legal Requirements, Level 3, 6 Credits.

Total number of credits for Knowledge Modules: 32

Practical Skill Modules:

5104-000-00-00-PM-01, Supervise the Scope and Application of Work on the Site, Level 3, 20 Credits.

5104-000-00-00-PM-02 Implement on-Site Training, Coaching, Mentoring, and Counselling in the Work Environment, Level 3, 12 Credits.

Total number of credits for Practical Skill Modules: 32

Work Experience Modules:

5104-000-00-00-WM-01, Processes and Procedures for Supervising the Scope of Work on Site, Level 3, 30 Credits.

5104-000-00-00-WM-02 Processes and Procedures for The Implementation of On-Site Training, Coaching, Mentoring, and Counselling in the Work Environment, Level 3, 26 Credits.

Total number of credits for Work Experience Modules: 56

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

1. Manage cleaning operation.
2. Develop human resources within required parameters.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
ELO 1: Manage cleaning operation.

Schedule cleaning operations according to the site requirements.

Allocate cleaning resources as per the cleaning requirements of the site.

Monitor cleaning operations to achieve the site requirements and in line with the site Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
ELO 2: Develop human resources within required parameters.

Analyse and report employee's skills gaps.

Identify, evaluate, compare, and implement training methods for various skills for various employees.

Schedule, implement, supervise, and evaluate employee's training to address competency needs of employees.

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 leads to entrance into the External Integrated Summative Assessment.

Summative Assessment:
The occupational qualification is assessed externally through an appropriate nationally standardised 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 assessment will be conducted using an integrated assessment model consisting of a written assessment to evaluate both theory and practical skills at decentralised accredited assessment centres where both theory and practical ability will be tested. The assessment will be evaluated and moderated by assessment specialists registered with the Quality Partner- Assessment. Assessment will take place within a period of one day.

INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY

This qualification was compared with similar qualifications from New Zealand and United Kingdom. The specific qualifications compared hereunder are the Certificate in Cleaning (Level 3) offered by Career force (Industry Training Organisation) from New Zealand and the Certificate in Cleaning Supervision (Level 3) offered by East Riding College in the United Kingdom.

New Zealand
The Career Force (Industry Training Organisation) for health and related sectors, provides the Certificate in Cleaning (Level 3) to the cleaners who are already qualified but aspiring to lead cleaning teams. Although it is mostly appropriate to find a qualification with more or less similar credits, it was unfortunately difficult to come across one hence this qualification with the eight (8) months period and the duration of 52 credits was used as a comparability.

This qualification builds on the New Zealand Certificate in Cleaning (Level 2) and may lead to other education opportunities in a specialist cleaning context, or further study in leadership or management. Upon completion, the evidence must be produced demonstrating the learner's ability in respect of the following credit bearing outcomes.

Apply knowledge of cleaning products, equipment, and current methodologies to carry out cleaning duties autonomously, to the standard required and within the agreed timeframes.

Apply knowledge of health and safety legislative requirements when responding to risks for themselves and others in the workplace, and for the public, when working as a cleaner.

Communicate clearly within own organisation and with clients in accordance with organisational requirements when working as a cleaner, and lastly.

Apply knowledge of organisational policies and procedures to supervise a team of cleaners.

Similarities
The qualification is similar to the Intermediate Occupational Certificate: Cleaning Practitioner in terms of outcomes and level.

Differences
In the New Zealand qualification, the learners can choose a cleaning specialist option after completing the first three qualification outcomes, and also has fewer credits.

United Kingdom (UK)
The East Riding College offers a Certificate in Cleaning Supervision Level 3. This is a part time, flexible duration training programme for learners with prior exposure to cleaning. There are some modules that require the learner to be above 18 years to enrol. The Certificate offers four mandatory learning units, and the learner is then free to select additional modules from the options listed.

Mandatory Units:

Supervise cleaning staff.

Contribute to the implementation of systems and best practise.

Support equality, diversity, and individual rights in the workplace.

Develop and implement a risk assessment plan.

Optional Units:

Monitor and solve customer service problems.

Give customers a positive impression of yourself and organisation.

Examine staff turnover issues and recruit staff.

Contribute to the control of resources (People 1st).

Supervise the cleaning of food areas.

Provide guidance, resources, and support to minimise the spread of infection.

Maintain a sustainable environment in cleaning.

Set objectives and provide support for team members.

Train and develop cleaning staff.
On completion, learner exit, and competence is assessed through observations and completed development of a portfolio of evidence.

Similarities
The qualification is similar to the Intermediate Occupational Certificate: Cleaning Practitioner in terms of content, level and address soft skills as part of their curriculum.

Differences
The United Kingdom qualification is flexible in that it only prescribes 4 mandatory modules and on a part time basis, the learner can enrol for as many modules as are available. Hence, the duration is indeterminate.

Conclusion
The qualifications from New Zealand and United Kingdom are comparable to the Intermediate Occupational Certificate: Cleaning Practitioner qualification in terms of the content and outcomes, which address knowledge and application, learning pathways are similar and soft skills are addressed as part of the qualifications.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

This qualification allows possibilities for both vertical and horizontal articulation.

Horizontal Articulation:

Occupational Certificate: Dispatching and Receiving Clerk, NQF Level 3.

National Certificate: Vocational, Level 3, NQF Level 3.

Vertical Articulation:

Occupational Certificate: Retail Supervisor, NQF Level 4.

NOTES

Qualifying for External Assessment:
To qualify for an external assessment, learners must provide proof of completion of all required modules by means of statements of results and work experience as well as proof of successful completion of the subjects and modules or alternative programmes where applicable.

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: Cleaning Practitioner: 515104-000-00-00.

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

None.

Assessment Quality Partner:

Services Sector Education and Training Authority (SSETA).

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