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 Diploma: Rubber Technology

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
22774	National Diploma: Rubber Technology
ORIGINATOR
SGB Manufacturing and Assembly Processes
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY			NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
MERSETA - Manufacturing, Engineering and Related Services Education and Training Authority			OQSF - Occupational Qualifications Sub-framework
QUALIFICATION TYPE	FIELD		SUBFIELD
National Diploma	Field 06 - Manufacturing, Engineering and Technology		Manufacturing and Assembly
ABET BAND	MINIMUM CREDITS	PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL	NQF LEVEL	QUAL CLASS
Undefined	240	Level 5	NQF Level 05	Regular-Unit Stds Based
REGISTRATION STATUS		SAQA DECISION NUMBER	REGISTRATION START DATE	REGISTRATION END DATE
Passed the End Date - Status was "Reregistered"		SAQA 9900/00	2018-07-01	2023-06-30
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT		LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2024-06-30		2028-06-30

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

Purpose:

The purpose of the qualification is to provide learners, education and training providers and employers with the standards and the range of learning required to work effectively as rubber technologists within the rubber manufacturing and assembly environment and meet the challenges of such an environment.

The chief skills that are recognised in this qualification are the ability to test and analyse rubber materials, components and products, determine requirements for rubber applications, perform auditing activities and manage projects. These skills require an in-depth understanding of rubber manufacturing and assembly processes and applicable rubber chemistry, rubber physics, organic chemistry and mathematical concepts.

Qualified learners will also understand:

How to maintain and influence relationships in a complex production environment.

How to achieve change.

How to maintain quality specifications to optimise the quality assurance process.

How to work with a range of information sources to optimise performance.

Qualifying learners will also be able to support the various policies and procedures related to the safety, health and environmental systems that govern their workplace.

Rationale:

The rubber manufacturing industry is characterized by a sophisticated manufacturing and assembly process within a competitive and challenging environment. The rubber products produced must meet a wide variety of exacting safety, quality, customer and consumer specifications. The industry has to respond to quality issues and increasing competition in export and domestic markets and ensure the on-going development of new products required by changing customer needs. Within the rubber manufacturing and assembly industry, the rubber technology skills area is concerned with ensuring that all inputs to the manufacturing and assembly process deliver the required quality and quantity of product. People working as rubber technologists require specialized technical skills and knowledge in order to assure that material specifications critical to the manufacturing process are met, quality assurance practices are adhered to during the rubber manufacturing and assembly process, and processes are in place to adapt to and meet the requirements of the constantly changing products that must be manufactured.

This is one of a series of qualifications for learners who want to follow a career in any industry in which rubber (elastomeric) materials are used.

For those who have been in the workplace for a long time, this qualification represents part of the RPL process to acknowledge workplace skills acquired without the benefit of formal education or training.

The qualification also forms the basis for further development within rubber technology, materials technology and management in the higher education and training band.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

This qualification assumes that learners have an FETC in Industrial Rubber or equivalent. If the learner does not already have such a qualification, it is assumed that learners are competent in:

Communication and Mathematical Literacy at NQF Level 4.

Understand rubber materials, components and products and their functions.

Understand rubber manufacturing process.

Concepts of influencing small levels of changes in quality assurance practices.

Dealing with change in relation to procedures that support workplace relationships, procedures, roles and responsibilities.

Recognition of prior learning:

This qualification may be obtained through a process of RPL. The learner should be thoroughly briefed prior to the assessment and support provided and guidance should be provided to assist in the process of developing a portfolio. While this is primarily a workplace-based qualification, evidence from other areas of endeavour may be introduced if pertinent to any of the exit-level outcomes.

Care should be taken that the process used provides the learner with an opportunity to demonstrate competence and is not too demanding as to prevent learners from taking up the RPL option towards gaining the qualification.

Access to the qualification:

This qualification is designed for learners who:

Are new-entry workers to a rubber and material technology environment.

Have attended courses and then apply the knowledge gained to activities in the workplace.

Are already workers and have acquired the skills and knowledge without attending formal courses.

Are part of a learnership programme, which integrates structured learning, and work experience.

Access for learners with physical disabilities is dependent on the:

Type and severity of disability.

Nature of the manufacturing process and the requirements of equipment operation.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

QUALIFICATION RULES

In order to be awarded this qualification, learners have to be declared competent in:

All listed unit standards in the Fundamental (42 credits) and Core category (167 credits) of the qualification.

A minimum of 31 credits from the list specified under the elective category.

The learner may also choose additional elective unit standards in excess of the minimum required.

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

1. Demonstrate an understanding of rubber compounding and processing and an ability to conduct investigations for verification purposes, to explain product non-conformances, for product modifications and for new product development.

2. Demonstrate an ability to determine the requirements for common commercial rubber applications.

3. Demonstrate an ability to implement new projects in a rubber manufacturing and assembly process.

4. Demonstrate an ability to audit materials, components, process performance and final product for compliance with specifications, e.g. policies and procedures, company performance criteria.

5. Demonstrate an ability to coordinate work activities and plan, schedule and arrange work.

6. Demonstrate an understanding of options for further learning in this or a related field of learning and preparation requirements for such learning.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

1.1 Experimental design is determined based on evaluation of presented task.
1.2 Tests are conducted and reliability of test results confirmed.
1.3 Report on findings is generated.
1.4 Can respond to and discuss issues related to rubber compounding and physics as they apply to the testing and analysis of rubber materials, components and products.

2.1 Predictions are formulated.
2.2 Relevant and appropriate information is collected.
2.3 Recommendations are made based on customer requirements.
2.4 Customer is satisfied with performance criteria of product in use, recommendations made and cost/quality relationship.
2.5 Report is compiled.
2.6 Recommendations made are justified with reference to rubber chemistry and physics.

3.1 Project plan is formulated with performance indicators.
3.2 Project is completed.
3.3 Feasibility of implementing project results is determined.
3.4 Report is generated and applicable persons briefed.
3.5 Can respond to and discuss issues related to project management.

4.1 Audit plan is produced.
4.2 Affected stakeholders are informed of audit plan.
4.3 Audit data is collected and recorded.
4.4 Findings are evaluated for conformance / non-conformance to legislation, company policy and procedures.
4.5 Findings report is compiled, processed and circulated to affected parties.
4.6 Audit findings and suitable recommendations are discussed with affected parties.
4.7 Corrective action(s) / improvements made are evaluated, recorded and processed.
4.8 Can respond to and discuss issues related to auditing activities.

5.1 Work schedules are met.
5.2 Work activities are planned.
5.3 Goals set are specific, measurable and achievable and aligned to customer and business needs.
5.4 Schedules are developed in consultation with relevant parties and any scheduling conflicts are resolved.

6.1 Options are explained.
6.2 Preparation requirements are explained.
6.3 Learning plan is developed.

Integrated assessment:

Integrated assessment at the level of the qualification provides an opportunity for learners to show they are able to integrate concepts, actions and ideas achieved across a range of unit standards and contexts.

Integrated assessment must evaluate the quality of observable performance as well as the thinking behind the performance, and must be based on a summative assessment guide. The guide will spell out how the assessor will assess different aspects of the performance and will include:

Observing the learner at work (both in the primary activity as well as other interactions).

Asking questions and initiating short discussions to test understanding.

Looking at records and reports in the portfolio and reviewing previous assessments.

In some cases inference will be necessary to determine competence depending on the nature and context within which performance takes place.

It is necessary to ensure that the fundamental part of the qualification is also targeted to ensure that while the competence may have been achieved in a particular context, learners are able to apply it in a range of other contexts and for further learning. The assessment should also ensure that all the critical cross-field outcomes have been achieved.

The learner may choose in which language s/he wants to be assessed. This should be established as part of a process of preparing the learner for assessment and familiarising the learner with the approach being taken.

While this is primarily a workplace-based qualification, evidence from other areas of endeavour may be introduced if pertinent to any of the exit-level outcomes. The assessment process should cover both the explicit tasks required for the qualification as well as the understanding of the concepts and principles that underpin the activities associated with the tube and pipe manufacturing process.

INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY

This qualification has been designed in response to a need from the rubber manufacturing and assembly industry for persons at NQF level 5 with a particular set of skills. No direct international comparisons were found for this qualification at the equivalent of NQF level 5. However, this qualification articulates into further learning within the higher education band in materials and polymer technology. Such higher level qualifications are found in many countries such as Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom, the United States and Canada.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

The qualification has been designed and structured so that qualifying learners can move both horizontally from one area of specialisation to another, and vertically, further specialising in a particular skills area.

Vertical articulation can occur with the National Diploma in Rubber Technology: NQF Level 6 (NLRD ID 1655) and horizontally with the National Certificate in Industrial Rubber Level 5 (NLRD ID 23260).

Employers or institutions should be able to evaluate the outcomes of these qualifications against the needs of their context and structure top-up learning appropriately. Equally, holders of other qualifications may be evaluated against this qualification for the purpose of RPL.

MODERATION OPTIONS

Anyone assessing a learner or moderating the assessment of a learner against this unit standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant Education, Training, Quality, Assurance (ETQA) Body, or with an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA.

Any institution offering learning that will enable the achievement of this unit standard must be accredited as a provider with the relevant Education, Training, Quality, Assurance (ETQA) Body, or with an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA.

Assessment and moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant Education, Training, Quality, Assurance (ETQA) Body, or by an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA, according to the ETQA's policies and guidelines for assessment and moderation.

Moderation must include both internal and external moderation of assessments, unless ETQA policies specify otherwise. Moderation should also encompass achievement of the competence described in the Unit Standard.

Anyone wishing to be assessed against this unit standard may apply to be assessed by any assessment agency, assessor or provider institution that is accredited by the relevant ETQA.

CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS

Assessors should be in possession of:

Appropriate qualification at one level above the level of the qualification and a minimum of three years experience in a rubber manufacturing and assembly environment. The subject matter experience of the assessor can be established by recognition of prior learning.

Registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA.

REREGISTRATION HISTORY

As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this qualification was Reregistered in 2012; 2015.

NOTES

As per the SAQA decision to re-register all provider-based qualifications on the National Qualifications Framework that meet the criteria for re-registration, this qualification has been re-registered from 1 July 2018. N/A

UNIT STANDARDS:

	ID	UNIT STANDARD TITLE	PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL	NQF LEVEL	CREDITS
Core	12671	Determine requirements for rubber applications	Level 5	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5	60
Core	12669	Implement new projects in a rubber manufacturing and assembly process	Level 5	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5	30
Core	13256	Maintain business processes	Level 5	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5	10
Core	9406	Manage a team	Level 5	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5	4
Core	13237	Optimise the quality assurance system	Level 5	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5	6
Core	12674	Perform auditing activities	Level 5	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5	12
Core	12670	Test and analyse rubber materials, components and products	Level 5	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5	45
Fundamental	12433	Use communication techniques effectively	Level 5	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5	8
Fundamental	12675	Use mathematical and statistical techniques effectively as a rubber technologist	Level 5	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5	34
Elective	13949	Apply technical knowledge and skill to align business unit performance to business goals	Level 4	NQF Level 04	5
Elective	13942	Demonstrate a basic understanding of the role of a business strategy in managing a small business or a business unit	Level 4	NQF Level 04	5
Elective	14539	Demonstrate an understanding and apply physical science and chemistry in construction materials testing	Level 4	NQF Level 04	8
Elective	14473	Develop and produce computer aided drawings	Level 4	NQF Level 04	4
Elective	114585	Plan strategically to improve business performance	Level 4	NQF Level 04	4
Elective	13301	Produce complex engineering drawings	Level 4	NQF Level 04	6
Elective	114210	Use drawing equipment and apply drawing techniques to produce detail drawings of basic structural steelwork assemblies and arrangement drawings	Level 4	NQF Level 04	28
Elective	115824	Appraise the SMME business owner and or manager	Level 5	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5	5
Elective	116793	Determine the viability of a business and monitor its performance	Level 5	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5	10
Elective	113810	Interpret the principles contained in basic South African law as entrenched in the constitution and the Bill of Rights	Level 5	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5	6
Elective	114204	Use advanced 3D computer modelling techniques in the production of detail drawings and other data leading to the fabrication of commercial and industrial structural steel buildings	Level 5	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5	28

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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