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 Certificate: Welding Application and Practice 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
24214  National Certificate: Welding Application and Practice 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Welding 
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 Certificate  Field 06 - Manufacturing, Engineering and Technology  Manufacturing and Assembly 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  161  Level 2  NQF Level 02  Regular-Unit Stds Based 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Registered" 		 SAQA 0151/03  2003-12-03  2006-12-03 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2007-12-03   2010-12-03  

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 is replaced by: 
Qual ID Qualification Title Pre-2009 NQF Level NQF Level Min Credits Replacement Status
57881  National Certificate: Welding Application and Practice  Level 2  NQF Level 02  158  Complete 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
The purpose of this Qualification is to provide learners, education and training providers and employers with the standards and the range of learning required to work effectively in the welding industry and to meet the challenges of such an environment.

This Qualification recognises the skills, knowledge and values acquired by learners involved in welding. The chief skill that is recognised in this Qualification is the ability to weld and cut materials to create a product, using specific welding methods. This capability requires an understanding of basic welding theory; welding tools and equipment, welding symbols; concepts of measurement; basic engineering drawing and properties of materials. Hand skills play a role in this Qualification.

This Qualification requires that learners qualify in basic welding practice and theoretical knowledge in weld preparation, cutting and brazing.

Qualified learners will also understand:
  • The basics of how a business functions
  • Their role in the business
  • How they are affected by legislation, regulations, agreements and policies related to their particular work environment
    With this understanding, learners will be able to participate in workplace activities.

    What learners achieve in this Qualification will also serve as a basis for further learning where they will further develop their skills and knowledge to include more complex welding processes, equipment and techniques, and the interpretation of engineering drawings for welding purposes.

    Rationale for the Qualification:

    This is the first Qualification in a series for learners who want to follow a career in welding. This Qualification focuses on developing skills and knowledge necessary to begin such a career.

    The welding industry operates in a competitive and challenging environment. The finished processes have to respond to a wide variety of exacting customer and consumer requirements. In addition, the industry has to respond to international competition and environmental issues.

    Welding application and practice require joining and cutting of materials that meet national and international requirements. Welding generally requires the joining of material that is subjected to considerable stress when in operation and the welding process needs to be consistent and accurate.

    There were previously no formal recognised Qualifications for this industry. This Qualification forms part of a series at different levels to create opportunities for development, a career path and greater security of employment within the welding industry.

    This Qualification enables learners who have gained relevant experience in the workplace to obtain credits through the RPL process. This Qualification also forms the basis for further development in polymeric composites fabrication in particular and the plastics manufacturing industry. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    This Qualification assumes learners have a General Education and Training Certificate at NQF Level 1, or alternatively, ABET Qualifications.
    If the learner does not already have such a Qualification, learning in preparation for this Qualification would also have to include:
  • Communication and numeracy.
  • Basic concepts of science and technology.

    Recognition of prior learning:
    This Qualification may be obtained through RPL. The learner should be thoroughly briefed on the mechanism to be used and support and guidance should be provided. Care should be taken that the mechanism used provides the learner with an opportunity to demonstrate competence and is not so onerous as to prevent learners from taking up the RPL option towards gaining a Qualification. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    N/A. 

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Demonstrate an understanding of welding processes and practice and an ability to weld work pieces using different methods and processes that meet quality and output requirements, working safely and in an environmentally aware manner.
    2. Identify welding materials and consumables used in the welding process and describe their characteristics and applications.
    3. Demonstrate an ability to select, use and care for welding equipment and consumables.
    4. Work effectively with others, understand own role in the organisation and understand the purpose of the organisation in the economy of the country.
    5. Demonstrate the ability to communicate with peers and members of supervisory / management levels by summarising information and expressing opinions on given information in spoken form. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    1.> Output and quality requirements are met.
  • Safe working practices are adhered to.
  • Can respond to questions and discuss issues related to the theoretical principles of welding, the various welding processes in a down-hand position and the functioning of equipment/machinery.
  • Adjustments or responses are made according to assessment of the changes in the working environment.

    2.>Welding materials and equipment are identified and their properties described.
  • Can respond to questions and discuss issues related to the common applications and methods of welding materials.

    3.> Equipment is used in accordance with manufacturer's specifications.
  • Assess the working environment and adjust or respond accordingly.
  • Respond to questions and discuss issues related to the use and maintenance of equipment and consumables.

    4.> Receive and act on information or decisions.
  • Report or pass on relevant information.
  • Respond to questions and discuss issues at the level of the Qualification related to own role and the purpose of the organisation.

    5.> Communication is effective, regular and ongoing.
  • Information is clear and accurate and conveyed in a timely manner.
  • Relationships with peers and supervisory / management levels are established and functioning.

    Integrated Assessment:

    Integrated assessment at the level of the Qualification provides an opportunity for learners to show they are able to integrate concept, actions and values 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.

    Some assessment aspects will demand practical demonstration while others may not. In some cases inference will be necessary to determine competence depending on the nature and context within which performance takes place.
    Assessors will collect evidence of the learner's competence by:
  • Observing the learner at work (both in primary activities as well as other interactions) or by relevant simulations.
  • Asking questions and initiating short discussions to test understanding.
  • Looking at records and reports.

    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 on the approach being taken.

    Since this is a foundational Qualification, 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 the critical cross-field outcomes have been achieved. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This Qualification was compared with the National Certificate in Engineering - Fabrication (level 4) with specialist strands in Heavy Fabrication, Light Fabrication and Welding from the Engineering Training Organisation. There are 320 different Unit Standards registered from level 1 to level 4 on the New Zealand National Qualifications Framework (NZNQF). These Unit Standards were packaged to form three different Qualifications. The Welding Qualification is pitched on level 4 with a total credit value of 275. The Unit Standards are fairly small and consist of 2 to 3 elements (specific outcomes). It is also very task based. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    The Qualification has been designed and structured so that qualifying learners can move from one context to another. Employers or institutions should be able to evaluate the outcomes of this Qualification against the needs of their context and structure top-up learning appropriately. Equally, holders of other similar welding Qualifications may be evaluated against this Qualification for the purpose of RPL. 

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Anyone assessing a learner against this Qualification must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA.
  • Any institution or learning provider offering learning towards the achievement of this Qualification should be accredited as a provider with the relevant ETQA.
  • Moderation of assessment should be overseen by the relevant ETQA according to the moderation guidelines provided for in this Qualification as well as the agreed ETQA guidelines. 
    		•

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    The following criteria should be applied by the relevant ETQA:
    1. Appropriate Qualification in the field of welding application and practice at NQF level 4 and a minimum of 2 years' experience in the welding industry. The subject matter experience of the assessor can be established by recognition of prior learning.
    2. Appropriate experience and understanding of assessment theory, processes and practices.
    3. Good inter-personal skills and the ability to balance the conflicting requirements of:
  • Maintaining national standards.
  • The interests of the learner.
  • The need for transformation and redressing the legacies of the past.
  • The cultural background and language of the learner.
    4. Registration as an assessor with the relevant ETQA. 
    		•

    NOTES 
    This qualification has been replaced by qualification 57881, which is " National Certificate: Welding Application and Practice ", Level 2, 158 credits. 

    UNIT STANDARDS: 
      ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
    Core  14683  Apply work site practices  Level 2  NQF Level 02  5 
    Core  14687  Assemble work pieces in jigs  Level 2  NQF Level 02  3 
    Core  14691  Braze metals using the oxy-fuel gas welding process  Level 2  NQF Level 02  10 
    Core  12243  Cut materials using the oxy-fuel gas cutting process (manual cutting)  Level 2  NQF Level 02  6 
    Core  14722  Describe the welding industry`s composition its productivity requirements and communication techniques  Level 2  NQF Level 02  5 
    Core  14712  Identify and select material to specification  Level 2  NQF Level 02  5 
    Core  14682  Prepare and assemble welding equipment related to welding processes  Level 2  NQF Level 02  5 
    Core  14689  Prepare and secure work pieces for welding  Level 2  NQF Level 02  8 
    Core  14713  Use welding definitions and symbols  Level 2  NQF Level 02  5 
    Core  12249  Weld workpieces with the gas metal arch welding process in the down-hand position  Level 2  NQF Level 02  12 
    Core  12242  Weld workpieces with the oxy-acetylene gas welding process in the down hand position  Level 2  NQF Level 02  10 
    Core  12241  Weld workpieces with the shielded metal arc welding process in the down-hand position  Level 2  NQF Level 02  20 
    Fundamental  8963  Access and use information from texts  Level 2  NQF Level 02  5 
    Fundamental  9009  Apply basic knowledge of statistics and probability to influence the use of data and procedures in order to investigate life related problems  Level 2  NQF Level 02  3 
    Fundamental  12461  Communicate at work  Level 2  NQF Level 02  5 
    Fundamental  7480  Demonstrate understanding of rational and irrational numbers and number systems  Level 2  NQF Level 02  3 
    Fundamental  12465  Develop a learning plan and a portfolio for assessment  Level 2  NQF Level 02  6 
    Fundamental  8962  Maintain and adapt oral communication  Level 2  NQF Level 02  5 
    Fundamental  9268  Manage basic personal finance  Level 2  NQF Level 02  6 
    Fundamental  12444  Measure, estimate and calculate physical quantities and explore, describe and represent geometrical relationships in 2-dimensions in different life or workplace contexts  Level 2  NQF Level 02  3 
    Fundamental  12463  Understand and deal with HIV/AIDS  Level 2  NQF Level 02  3 
    Fundamental  7469  Use mathematics to investigate and monitor the financial aspects of personal and community life  Level 2  NQF Level 02  2 
    Fundamental  9007  Work with a range of patterns and functions and solve problems  Level 2  NQF Level 02  5 
    Fundamental  8964  Write for a defined context  Level 2  NQF Level 02  5 
    Elective  13222  Deal with safety, health and environmental emergencies in the workplace  Level 2  NQF Level 02  4 
    Elective  9672  Erect and dismantle scaffolding  Level 2  NQF Level 02  5 
    Elective  14701  Join sheetmetal with resistance arc welding process  Level 2  NQF Level 02  4 
    Elective  14723  Operate automatic welding machine  Level 2  NQF Level 02  20 
    Elective  12484  Perform basic fire fighting  Level 2  NQF Level 02  4 
    Elective  12483  Perform basic first aid  Level 2  NQF Level 02  4 
    Elective  14706  Perform basic rigging procedures  Level 2  NQF Level 02  4 


    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    When qualifications are replaced, some of their learning programmes are moved to being recorded against the replacement qualifications. If a learning programme appears to be missing from here, please check the replacement.
     
    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.