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: Thermoplastic Fabrication

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
24215	National Certificate: Thermoplastic Fabrication
ORIGINATOR
SGB Plastics Manufacturing
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	121	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 "Reregistered"		SAQA 06120/18	2018-07-01	2023-06-30
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT		LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2024-06-30		2027-06-30

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

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 thermoplastic fabrication industry and to meet the challenges of such an environment.

This qualification recognises the skills, knowledge and values acquired by learners involved in thermoplastics fabrication. The chief skill that is recognised in this qualification is the ability to produce plastic assemblies using a variety of fabrication methods. This capability requires an understanding of basic fabrication theory; engineering tools; concepts of measurement; basic engineering drawing; properties of plastic materials and methods of joining plastic components. Hand skills play a role in this qualification.

This qualification requires that learners qualify in at least three of the five different welding processes. This requirement is a measure to allow for learners with work experience but limited access to training to achieve a qualification at this level. In the first revision of this qualification this requirement will change to include all five welding processes.

Qualified learners will also understand:

The basics of how a business functions

Their role in the business, i.e. in thermoplastic fabrication and related activities

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, laying out and marking off of regular and irregular shapes and developing work instructions from drawings.

Rationale for the qualification:
This is the first qualification in a series for learners who want to follow a career in thermoplastic fabrication processes. This qualification focuses on developing skills and knowledge necessary to begin such a career.

The thermoplastic fabrication industry operates in a competitive and challenging environment. The finished fabrications have to respond to a wide variety of exacting customer and consumer requirements. In addition, the industry has to respond to international competition, on-going development of new products as the result of changing customer needs, and environmental issues.

The fabrication of plastics products generally requires the joining of plastics components into assemblies. The assemblies are often subjected to considerable stress when in operation and the manufacturing process needs to be consistent and accurate.

There were previously no qualifications for this branch of industry, which consists of many micro and small enterprises. Few employees have any sort of formal qualification. The industry has low barriers to entry and invests little in developing people's skills. This, together with the ignorance of clients, has led to widely differing standards. Many products and services are safety critical in nature and there is a need to create skills standards to alleviate these problems.

This qualification forms part of a series of qualifications at different levels to create opportunities for development, a career path and greater security of employment within the thermoplastics fabrication 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 thermoplastic fabrication in particular and the plastics manufacturing industry in general.

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 a process of 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?

QUALIFICATION RULES

The qualification is composed of Fundamental, Core and Elective learning components:

Fundamental: 51 credits

Core: 62 credits
Three of the following Unit Standards must be selected:

Weld thermoplastics with extrusion equipment;

Weld thermoplastics with electrofusion equipment;

Weld thermoplastics with solvent cement;

Weld thermoplastics with heated-tool equipment;

Weld thermoplastics with hot gas.

Elective: a minimum of 8 credits
One or two of the following Unit Standards must be selected, if not selected under Core:

Weld thermoplastics with extrusion equipment;

Weld thermoplastics with electrofusion equipment;

Weld thermoplastics with solvent cement;

Weld thermoplastics with heated-tool equipment;

Weld thermoplastics with hot gas.

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

1. Demonstrate an understanding of fabrication methods and an ability to produce simple assemblies / components that meet quality and output requirements, working safely and in an environmentally aware manner.
2. Identify plastics materials used in the fabrication process and describe their characteristics and applications.
3. Demonstrate an ability to read and interpret basic engineering drawings and sketches as used in thermoplastic fabrication.
4. Demonstrate an ability to select, use and care for fabrication equipment and consumables.
5. Work effectively with others, understand own role in the organisation and understand the purpose of the organisation in the economy of the country.
6. 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

Output and quality requirements are met

Safe working practices are adhered to

Issues related to the theoretical principles of fabrication, the various fabrication methods and the functioning of equipment / machinery are discussed and an understanding is demonstrated by responding to questions
2.

Key fabrication materials are identified and their properties relevant to the fabrication process and end use are described

Issues related to the common applications and methods of fabricating using plastic materials are discussed and an understanding is demonstrated by responding to questions.
3.

Components / assemblies to be fabricated are identified and requirements interpreted from engineering drawing or sketch

Engineering drawing or sketch is produced to meet job requirements

Issues related to engineering drawing concepts and material lists for thermoplastic fabrication are discussed and an understanding is demonstrated by responding to questions .
4.

Equipment is used in accordance with manufacturer's specifications

Adjustments or responses are made according to an assessment of the specific requirements of the working environment

Issues related to the use and maintenance of equipment are discussed and an understanding is demonstrated by responding to questions.
5.

Information or decisions are received and acted on

Relevant information is reported or passed on

Issues at the level of the qualification related to own role and the purpose of the organisation are discussed and an understanding is demonstrated by responding to questions.
6.

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:
The purpose of assessment for this qualification is not to re-assess the outcomes of unit standards but to assess the evidence in terms of exit level outcomes. The exit level outcomes represent an integration of the various unit standards.

Integrated assessment at the level of the qualification provides an opportunity for learners to show they are able to integrate concepts, 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 (in primary activities as well as in other work-related interactions) or by relevant simulations

Asking questions and initiating short discussions to test understanding

Looking at records, reports, the portfolio and assessment reports for individual unit standards

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.

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

An extensive search has not revealed any comparable qualifications. The contents of this qualification do, however, conform to the first phase of trade-level fabrication qualifications in Germany. It is likely that this qualification will become a benchmark for future qualifications of this kind for other countries.

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 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 plastics fabrication at NQF Level 3 and a minimum of 2 years' experience in a thermoplastic fabrication environment. 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 MERS ETQA or any other relevant ETQA

REREGISTRATION HISTORY

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

NOTES

N/A

UNIT STANDARDS:

	ID	UNIT STANDARD TITLE	PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL	NQF LEVEL	CREDITS
Core	12466	Explain the individual`s role within business	Level 2	NQF Level 02	4
Core	14686	Identify thermoplastics and related materials and relate their properties to their application	Level 2	NQF Level 02	8
Core	13220	Keep the work area safe and productive	Level 2	NQF Level 02	8
Core	13258	Participate in work group activities	Level 2	NQF Level 02	4
Core	14693	Read and interpret basic engineering drawings as required for thermoplastic fabrication	Level 2	NQF Level 02	5
Core	12216	Select, use and care for engineering hand tools	Level 2	NQF Level 02	8
Core	12476	Select, use and care for engineering measuring equipment	Level 2	NQF Level 02	4
Core	14681	Select, use and care for power tools used for thermoplastic fabrication	Level 2	NQF Level 02	6
Core	14684	Weld thermoplastics with electrofusion equipment	Level 2	NQF Level 02	5
Core	14697	Weld thermoplastics with extrusion equipment	Level 2	NQF Level 02	5
Core	14694	Weld thermoplastics with heated-tool equipment	Level 2	NQF Level 02	5
Core	14696	Weld thermoplastics with hot gas	Level 2	NQF Level 02	5
Core	14690	Weld thermoplastics with solvent cement	Level 2	NQF Level 02	5
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	12484	Perform basic fire fighting	Level 2	NQF Level 02	4
Elective	12483	Perform basic first aid	Level 2	NQF Level 02	4
Elective	12481	Sling loads	Level 2	NQF Level 02	4

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