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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: Air Quality Policy and Planning Specialist |
| SAQA QUAL ID | QUALIFICATION TITLE | |||
| 122009 | Occupational Certificate: Air Quality Policy and Planning Specialist | |||
| ORIGINATOR | ||||
| Development Quality Partner - LGSETA | ||||
| PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY | NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK | |||
| - | OQSF - Occupational Qualifications Sub-framework | |||
| QUALIFICATION TYPE | FIELD | SUBFIELD | ||
| Part-Qualification | Field 01 - Agriculture and Nature Conservation | Nature Conservation | ||
| ABET BAND | MINIMUM CREDITS | PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL | NQF LEVEL | QUAL CLASS |
| Undefined | 28 | Not Applicable | NQF Level 07 | 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 part-qualification is to prepare a learner to operate as an Air Quality Policy and Planning Specialist. An Air Quality Policy and Planning Specialist manages the policy development and planning processes in line with the implementation and regulation of air quality rights in terms of the relevant legislation to ensure that air quality rights for human health and the environment are protected. Rationale: Air pollution and air quality management are pivoted on the Bill of Rights in the Constitution of South Africa. To give effect to this right, it is necessary to ensure that levels of air pollution in the republic are not harmful to human health or well-being. The National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act (NEMAQA), 2004 (Act No. 39 of 2004) provides an objectives-based approach to the management of air quality at different governance and operational levels and is the legislation meant to ensure that the rights to clean air are upheld. The NEMAQA framework prescribes the government's roles and responsibilities across all spheres. These roles include: The implementation of the National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act requires specialised administration and technical capacity for government officials to fulfil their functions, roles and responsibilities, and to deliver on their mandate fully. The National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act implementation also requires specialised technical knowledge in understanding legislation, air pollution control and management, strategy development and implementation, as well as enhanced knowledge in atmospheric science. Over the years, the government has undertaken a number of capacity development programmes in order to support officials in this regard. However, the training programs are ad hoc, neither accredited nor recognised in career-pathing programmes. On the other hand, environmental qualifications offered at tertiary institutions are not focused on providing the required knowledge, work experience, or practical skills that cover the scope necessary for government officials. As a result, air quality management expertise is scarce, and skilled personnel working in government are mostly absorbed by the private sector. There is therefore an urgent need to build sector capacity in air quality specialists; air quality control officers; atmospheric emission licensing officers; compliance monitoring and enforcement officers; strengthening capacity within mandated agencies; training regulators to understand air quality and related legislation, procedures and report writing. Upon completion of this qualification, the skills levels of environmental practitioners and policymakers will be enhanced in air quality management improving the skills base of the sector, especially in local government, reducing high vacancy rates, in particular, within the public sector; and improving service delivery toward protecting the human health and the environment. The Air Quality Policy and Planning Specialist would be able to progress to an Air Quality Analyst. The key economic benefits from this occupational qualification would be to improve the quality of service delivery in air quality management, ensuring adequate protection of the health of the poor and most vulnerable people, and effectively lessening the burden on the health care system, as well as encouraging more investment from the private sector and foreign investors in cleaner production initiatives. Typical learners to the qualification are those holding any NQF Level 6 in Environmental Management or related qualification. This part qualification offers learners air quality policy development and planning knowledge and skills. The Occupational Certificate: Air Quality Policy and Planning Specialist will address the capacity gaps in air quality management practitioners and policymakers. This part qualification was developed in consultation with both statutory and non-statutory bodies. |
| LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING |
| RPL for access in 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 Environmental or Natural Science qualification at NQF Level 6. |
| RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? |
| Y |
| QUALIFICATION RULES |
| This part-qualification is made up of the following Knowledge, Practical and Work Experience modules:
Knowledge Modules: Total number of credits for Knowledge Modules: 6 Practical Skill Modules: Total number of credits for Practical Skill Modules:10 Work Experience Modules: Total number of credits for Work Experience Modules:12 |
| EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES |
| 1. Manage air quality management policies, regulations and strategies. |
| ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA |
| Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
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 together with work experience leads to entrance in the external integrated 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 |
| This qualification was compared with two qualifications from the United Kingdom (UK) and United States of America (USA).
United Kingdom The Diploma in Air Pollution Management and Control qualification offered at the University of Birmingham is designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of the causes and effects of air pollution, management measures and engineering technologies available for its control. This qualification is a one-year course, consisting of 120 credits. The qualification consists of the following modules: Learners must have the equivalent bachelor's qualification as an entry level to the qualification. Similarities Both qualifications have similar purpose, content and are graduate qualifications. Differences The South African qualification has practical and work experience which is not the case with the UK qualification. United States of America (USA) The Graduate Certificate in Air Resources, offered by Illinois University consists of 80 Credits. Its qualification modules/content are: Learners must have the equivalent of a Bachelor's qualification as an entry requirement to the qualification. Similarities Both qualifications have a similar purpose, and content, and are graduates' qualifications. Differences The South African qualification has a minimum of 28 credits, practical and work experience. The American qualification has 80 credits, without practical and work experience. Conclusion The UK qualification is designed slightly differently, but comparable skills and knowledge are integrated within the modules. The UK qualification has two additional modules, Air Pollution Meteorology and Air Pollution Chemistry. The second compared qualification from the USA compares well in terms of areas of expertise in the air quality management processes. The USA qualification covers the causes of outdoor pollution, which is also integrated into the rest of the modules, though longer in duration and has more credits. The Occupational Certificate: Air Quality Policy and Planning Specialist compares well with the two identified qualifications in terms of related purpose, content and modules. |
| ARTICULATION OPTIONS |
| This part-qualification allows possibilities for both vertical and horizontal articulation.
Horizontal Articulation: Vertical Articulation: |
| 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 records. Additional Legal or Physical Entry Requirements: None Criteria for the Accreditation of Providers: Encompassed Trades: None. Assessment Quality Partner: LGSETA. PARENT QUALIFICATION RELATED PART-QUALIFICATION(S) |
| 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. |