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 THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE:

National Higher Diploma: Polymer Technology

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
1659	National Higher Diploma: Polymer Technology
ORIGINATOR
Committee of Technikon Principals
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY			NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education			HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework
QUALIFICATION TYPE	FIELD		SUBFIELD
National Higher Diploma	Field 06 - Manufacturing, Engineering and Technology		Manufacturing and Assembly
ABET BAND	MINIMUM CREDITS	PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL	NQF LEVEL	QUAL CLASS
Undefined	120	Level 7	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L7	Regular-Provider-ELOAC
REGISTRATION STATUS		SAQA DECISION NUMBER	REGISTRATION START DATE	REGISTRATION END DATE
Passed the End Date - Status was "Registered"		SAQA 9900/00	2003-07-01	2006-06-30
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT		LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2007-06-30		2010-06-30

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

A qualifying learner will be competent to implement and commission production processes in the field of polymer and plastics manufacture. The learner will be able to anticipate and solve problems by application of technical and scientific principles

The learner will be able to exercise independent technological judgement and responsible decision making by taking into account the relevant financial, economic social environmental and statutory factors.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

National Diploma in Polymer Technology or equivalent NQF level 6, or recognised prior learning equivalent (RPL equivalent).

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

QUALIFICATION RULES

The qualification will be awarded to a learner who has provided evidence to the satisfaction of the assessors that the stated competence of the qualification, as detailed in the specified outcomes, has been achieved, either through education and training in a single providers learning programme, or through experience that complies with the stated specified outcomes

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

1. Implement all aspects of the plastics production process and quality, identifying, reducing and eliminating problems.

2. Specify materials to take into account end use application.

3. Implementation of a solution to a plastics material related topic.

4. Apply chemical and physical principles to plastics processing and polymerisation.

5. Monitor production processes to achieve cost effective manufacture.

Specified outcomes:

1. Identify and solve problems using techniques and scientific and engineering principles.

2. Preventing downtimes and faulty production.

3. Implement processes for new production and products.

4. Synthesise a range of potential solutions to production process problems.

1. Use materials to suit processing, product and end use requirements.

2. Ensure environmental sensitive and cost sensitive use of all materials and consumables.

3. Conduct material and product testing.

4. Implement and maintain quality assuring systems and equipment.

1. Identification and selection of appropriate physical and chemical principles to the project.

2. Use and locate resources necessary to realise the solution or complete the project are identified, sourced and managed.

3. Use and maintain computer based information and data systems.

4. Quality management principles are applied.

1. Polymerise compounds using conventional techniques.

2. Analyse and characterise polymerised materials using conventional polymer based techniques.

3. Relate material characteristics to expected performance.

4. Apply characterisation techniques to solving of problems.

1. Analyse cost contributions to manufacturing processes.

2. Manage and set priorities in the work place.

3. Manage people work and manufacturing processes.

4. Establish maintain and cultivate professional business contact and associations.

Critical outcomes:

1. Identify and solve problems in a cost effective way, which demonstrate that responsible decisions using critical and creative thinking have been made.

Embedded in specified outcomes.

2. Work effectively with others as members of a team, group, organisation, and community.

Embedded in specified outcomes.

3. Organise and manage myself, my activities responsibilities in an effective way.

Embedded in specified outcomes.

4. Collect organise and critically evaluate information

Embedded in specified outcomes.

5. Communicate effectively using visual, language and other skills by written, oral, or demonstration techniques.

Embedded in specified outcomes.

6. Demonstrate an understanding of the world set of related systems by recognising the contribution of multi disciplinary inputs to processes such as problem solving

Embedded in specified outcomes

7. Be aware of the importance of:

Reflecting on and exploring a variety of strategies to learn more effectively

Participating as a responsible citizen in the life of local, national and global communities

Being culturally ad aesthetically sensitive across a range of social contexts

Exploring education and career opportunities

Developing career opportunities

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

1.1. Deviations from normal operation are identified and the correct corrective actions are applied or proposed.
1.2. Reports and records and procedures are documented and reflect events and conditions.
1.3. Variations and cause effect relationships are identified and expressed.
1.4. Design processes are done systematically, using appropriate techniques.
1.5. Range of solutions for project execution.

INDICATORS:
Organisation of work, methods and procedures.
Safe working and good housekeeping.
Artefacts that work as specified.

RANGE
1.1. Parameters, output quantities, qualities, artefacts.
1.2. The selection of the material for a given application is done taking the scientific and technological aspects of the material and its end use into account.
1.3. Mixtures and modifications are made using the best available practise.
1.4. Costs are calculated using the optimum methods and procedures.
1.5. Quality assurance aspects are applied as applicable.

INDICATORS
1.1. Systematic categorisation of materials and additives.
1.2. Interaction with suppliers of materials and additives
1.3. Recording and documentation of formulations.
1.4. Safe working practice and good housekeeping.

RANGE
1.1. Information retrieval for materials cost and properties for cost performance evaluation.
1.2. The specification and criteria for projects are correctly applied to selection processes.
1.3. Research protocols are documented.
1.4. Rationale and supportive costing are done to support new equipment and processes as needed.
1.5. Cost implications are established.

INDICATORS
1.1. Data is retrievable, relevant and recent.
1.2. Processes and products are to specification.

RANGE
1.1. Application of technical criteria balanced with cost principles for decision-making.
1.2. Reactions, and processes performed to standard processes
1.3. Characterisation techniques are applied and interpreted in accord with physical and chemical principles.
1.4. The results of characterisation are applied to state of the polymer.
1.5. Interpretation of integrated analyses for projects and problem solution.

INDICATORS
1.1. Interpretations, application and implementation of results.

RANGE
1.1. General analysis techniques.
1.2. Ability to calculate costs of manufacture.
1.3. Calculation and detection of economic batch quantities.
1.4. Apply sequencing and scheduling of production.
1.5. Apply manufacturing control techniques.
1.6. Allocation of resources within a manufacturing environment.
1.7. Activities related to professional organisations in the field.

INDICATORS
1.1. Cost analysis, organisation of data, presentation of plans and sub plans.

RANGE
1.1. Fundamental level of cost accounting practice.

INTEGRATED ASSESSMENT:

1. Combinations of the following forms of assessment will be used in the context of the typical roles of a Professional Polymer Technologist.

Observation
The assessor will assess the candidate perform a typical workplace task especially designed for assessment purposes. This need not be at the place of work, nor a task that is part of the normal workplace routine.

Computer simulation
The assessment may be done using a simulated task on a computer, with the assessor or the computer as assessor.

Role-play simulation
The assessors will assess the candidate in a typical workplace situation for assessment of their interpersonal skills.

Written tests and or examination.
The assessor will evaluate the candidates' knowledge and understanding by means of written tests or examination.

Oral assessment
The assessor will evaluate the candidate's knowledge and understanding by a verbal assessment.

Projects
The assessor will evaluate the candidate's level of competency by setting the individual and or team, projects to complete.

Portfolios
The assessor will evaluate the candidate's level of competency by considering a portfolio of their work.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

Masters degree in Polymer Technology

Masters degree in Polymer Technology Mould design

MODERATION OPTIONS

SERTEC

CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS

Assessors must be qualified at a minimum of one level higher than the qualification for which they are assessing candidates.

Assessors must have a minimum of 2 years post qualification experience at the level for which they are assessing.

NOTES

While South Africa still had Technikons, all of their qualifications were registered under the Committee of Technikon Principals. After the Technikons became Universities of Technology or merged with Universities, the qualifications were registered under each of these institutions, and the CTP qualifications fell away (hence the end date of 2006, above). Where relevant, replacement information is
shown in the table above.

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