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:

Certificate: PC Network Engineering

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
24417	Certificate: PC Network Engineering
ORIGINATOR
Berea College of Technology (Pty) Ltd
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 Certificate	Field 10 - Physical, Mathematical, Computer and Life Sciences		Information Technology and Computer Sciences
ABET BAND	MINIMUM CREDITS	PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL	NQF LEVEL	QUAL CLASS
Undefined	120	Level 5	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5	Regular-Provider-ELOAC
REGISTRATION STATUS		SAQA DECISION NUMBER	REGISTRATION START DATE	REGISTRATION END DATE
Passed the End Date - Status was "Reregistered"		SAQA 06120/18	2018-07-01	2018-12-31
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT		LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2019-12-31		2022-12-31

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 (new entrants and existing unqualified employees in the industry) who have been schooling at NQF level 4 or RPL this opportunity to acquire skills required to perform basic and elementary functions in a PC and Network Engineering environment.

The Programme is highly relevant to today`s business world as it focuses on what is current and in demand. It caters for learners that cannot financially afford to study for 3 years, and allows learners to grasp fundamental knowledge in the workings of various software packages and the modern office environment. This programme also caters for individuals that might be employed but lack the certification to be promoted. These programmes satisfy/meets the needs of learners that are technically minded. To impart to the learner the ability to find diagnosis faults and repairs faults in a computer as well ability to build and maintain networks and the associated software. There has been a rapid development and a need for graduates with this qualification.

The learner will have acquired the following attributes at the exit of this qualification:

Able to repair a computer

Assemble a computer

Having a good understanding of operating platforms

Able to build a network - using various topologies

Able to run the network using various network operating systems

Able to know and understand programming languages e.g., VB, Turbo C.

Able to understand the various software packages e.g. Microsoft office

Able to understand the different architecture of computers

Understand web designing

This qualification will contribute to the full development of the learner with in the PC and Network Engineering Environment by providing recognition, further mobility and transportability with in the field hardware, networking and engineering the skills, knowledge and understanding demonstrated within this qualification are essential for social and economic transformation and contribute to the enlistment and economic growth within the PC and Network Engineering sector.

The unit standards in the qualification are intended as building blocks that will make the learner a more Skilled, knowledgeable, informed, and efficient worker in the PC and Network Engineering industry.

Rationale of the Qualification:

This qualification meets the needs of the Industry both for the present and the future. The qualification will enhance the employablity, of the learner and contribute to the quality, production rate and growth of the industry. It is designed and structured for learners who want to pursue careers in the PC Network Engineering Field. It is to design to meet the demands of today`s business world. Learners will gain competency in the workings of various software packages and technical aspects of computer technology. The qualification satisfies the needs of learners that are technically minded, and knowledge gained will be applied to diagnose faults and repairs required in computers, maintain network systems in businesses. The learners who pursue this qualification play an important role in the smooth functioning of businesses.

It will enable holders to enter learning programmes for a Higher Certificate in PC and Network Engineering

This qualification is the start of a career path in the PC and Network Engineering environment. The skills, value attributes, and knowledge reflected in this qualification are building blocks that will prepare learners for progression along the learning ladder. Such a qualification will also provide opportunities for current employees in the industry to seek recognition for prior learning, gained in the workplace or through other studies, against the outcomes of the unit standard in this qualification.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

The learner must have the capacity to learn from written material, and be able to gather information and conduct an analysis of information.

Prior learning is taken into consideration on the merit of each learner and the unique circumstances of each Learner.

Recognition of prior learning (RPL):

The qualification can be obtained by means of RPL learner has to provide proof of prior learning through references of work experience and tasks carried out. The prior learning may be informal, formal and Non-formal learning and work experience.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

QUALIFICATION RULES

N/A

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

Exit - level outcomes

On competition the learner will be competent in:

The learner will be able to understand and e explain the fundamentals of electronics

Competent in understanding digital fundamentals

Demonstrate/Describe understanding of the hardware composition / functioning of computer components

Able to explain Network design and applications

Ability to explain and define the concept programming

Understand and explain and History of computer operating systems

The learner will be able to operate various Software packages and operate the hardware components of a computer i.e. keyboard , mouse, stiffy drive and display

The learner will be able to explore broader competencies which are required for entrepreneurial opportunities

Effectively communicate in writing and oral with co-workers, management and customers when discussing information, expressing opinions and summarizing information sourced.

Ability to explain , interpret and use local knowledge and contexts in performing tasks

The learner will be competent in describing system software and its application , identify their purpose and relationship

Critical Cross Field Outcomes:

Work effectively with others as a member of a team, group, organization or community

Organize and manage oneself and ones activities responsibly and effectively

Collect, analyze, organize and critically evaluate information

Communicate effectively using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in the modes of oral and/or written presentation.

Exploring education and career opportunities

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

Developing Entrepreneurial opportunities

Identify and solve problems

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Knowledge and understanding of terminology

Comprehension of concepts and principles ,ability to explain and apply

Provide feedback regarding condition of equipment and sub standards in terms of specified requirements

Knowledge and understanding to apply oneself to given tasks as part of related systems and not in isolation

Collect, analyze, organize and evaluate information when preparing for written or oral discussions

Engage critically with procedure systems which impact on work activities

Work and communicate effectively with colleagues when organizing work activities

Demonstrate reasoning and problem solving skills

Make connections from theory to practical applications

Provide evidence of learning competency i.e. skills , knowledge and attitude in performing functions

Integrated Assessment

The integrated assessment gives learners the ability to integrate concepts across the unit standards to achieve competency for the purpose of the qualification. Integrated assessment is to assess the quality of performance thinking and understanding. It is applicable to formative and summative assessment, which is both practical and theoretical. The integrated assessment must enable learners to display capabilities in integrating practical performance, concepts and theory.

INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY

This qualification is unique to our institution, therefore comparison was difficult. Nevertheless the qualification was benchmarked against the A+, N+, I+, of the COMPTIA and the (MCSE) Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer of Microsoft. There was certain comparability with some of the unit standards but not all.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

With this particular programme learners can further there learning both horizontally and vertically. Learners can receive credits at our institution and move onto other programmes offered at our Institution or they may obtain credits from public institutions and progress vertically. The Professional training obtained from this programme allows our learners entrance to additional Qualifications the credits obtained can be used as evidence for RPL for other qualifications.

MODERATION OPTIONS

Moderation ensures that learners who are being assessed are assessed in a consistent, accurate and well designed manner. We ensure that all moderators who moderator a particular unit standard of qualification are using comparable assessment methods and are making similar and consistent judgments about Learner`s performance. The moderators are responsible for the moderation of question papers, the marking process and marked scripts. External examiners conduct the moderation.

To ensure that the moderation is credible, we make sure that the following guidelines are followed:

To ensure that the assessment covers, the unit standards completed in the training programme

To verify that the assessments are fair, valid, reliable and practicable

To identify the need to redesign an assessment if need be

To provide an appeals procedure for the dissatisfied learners

To evaluate the performance of assessors

Recommendation of a moderating body or bodies:

Moderators are used for assessments. Moderators are normally appointed from outside the Institution I.e. either from a public tertiary institution or industry, where the qualification of the moderator must be relevant to and a higher qualification level than that of the level of the programme they are responsible for moderating. As a quality control mechanism the moderators must provide certified copies of there qualifications.

CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS

N/A

REREGISTRATION HISTORY

As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this qualification was Reregistered in 2006; 2009; 2012; 2015.

NOTES

N/A

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.

1.	Berea College of Technology (Pty) Ltd