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: Polymer Composite Fabrication |
SAQA QUAL ID | QUALIFICATION TITLE | |||
36155 | National Certificate: Polymer Composite 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 | 130 | Level 3 | NQF Level 03 | 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 polymer composite fabrication industry and to meet the challenges of such an environment.
This qualification recognises the skills, knowledge and values acquired by learners involved in polymer composite fabrication. The chief skill that is recognised in this qualification is the ability to produce composite components of some complexity using more demanding resin, reinforcement and impregnation techniques. This capability requires an understanding of the laying out and marking off of shapes; the setting up and use fabrication equipment; development and fabrication from drawings and sketches, the cutting and joining of components, the manufacture of simple moulds and room temperature cure repairs. Hand skills play a role in this qualification. Qualifying learners will be able to relate what they are doing to scientific principles and concepts.They will also be able to maintain and support the various policies and procedures related to the safety, health, environment and quality systems that govern their workplace. Qualified learners will also understand diversity and how to resolve conflict in the workplace, the basics of business finance and how to manage their own work time effectively. 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 safety critical products, fabrication processes requiring elevated temperature cure, setting up equipment with more complex control systems, manufacturing of moulds and tooling, and developing products from drawings. This qualification can be obtained in the following contexts: Rationale for the qualification: This is the second qualification in a series for learners who want to follow a career in polymer composite fabrication processes. This qualification focuses on developing skills and knowledge necessary to progress in such a career. The polymer composite 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 composites requires the combination of two or more different materials to form a product. What makes composites unique is that a composite material is formed at the same time as the structure itself is being fabricated. This means that the person who is making the structure is creating the properties of the resultant composite material, and so the manufacturing processes that are used have an unusually critical part to play in determining the performance of the resultant structure. Composites are not like metals, where a sheet might be made in one factory and shaped into a car roof in another. With composites it all happens at once. The products are often subjected to considerable or sometimes extreme stress when in operation and the manufacturing process needs to be consistent and accurate. There were previously no qualifications for general industry. There were, however, two designated trades for specialist areas in the industry: transport and aerospace. This series of qualifications will replace those trades to ensure uniformity across all industries. The general 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 this problem. The qualifications have been designed in a contextual way so that a learner is accredited for applying a generic set of skills in a specific context. This means it is not necessary to write unit standards for every variation of process or material. 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 polymer composite 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 polymer composite 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 National Certificate in Polymer composite Fabrication (Level 2). If the learner does not already have such a qualification, learning in preparation for this qualification would also have to include:
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? |
Y |
QUALIFICATION RULES |
N/A |
EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES |
1. Demonstrate the ability to produce components and assemblies of some complexity, including the manufacture of simple moulds, the commissioning and repairing of tooling using a variety of fabrication methods and operations, resins, reinforcements, core material and impregnation techniques.
2. Demonstrate the ability to read drawings, plan composite fabrication processes, develop work instructions, lay out, mark off and cut reinforcing and core materials. 3. Demonstrate the ability to select and apply appropriate quality checks to determine whether components and assemblies comply with specifications. 4. Select procedures to solve familiar problems within a composite fabrication environment and operate within clearly defined contexts, with some scope for personal decision-making and responsibility. 5. Contribute to workgroup efforts and support the maintenance of a safe, effective and efficient workplace. 6. Demonstrate the ability to communicate with peers and members of supervisory / management levels and to use information which has been gathered and summarised from a range of sources to produce simple written reports. |
ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA |
1.
1.1 Ratios of materials are calculated, measured and mixed correctly and with due allowance for changing environmental conditions 1.2 Fabrication processes are completed consistently well and within standard times 1.3 Fabrication processes are performed safely with due care for self, fellow workers and the environment 1.4 Fabricated products made from the manufactured, repaired or newly commissioned tooling meet specifications 1.5 Repair options are discussed and the various steps or stages are demonstrated 1.6 Steps in commissioning of tooling are discussed and explained 1.7 Issues related to the theoretical principles of composite fabrication and the various fabrication methods and their respective operations at this level are discussed and understanding is demonstrated by responding to questions. 2. 2.1 Requirements for resins and re-inforcing and core materials are interpreted from drawings and reinforcing and core materials to be used are selected 2.2 Material lists are compiled 2.3 Work instructions are clear, logical and comprehensive 2.4 Re-inforcing and core materials are cut to shape and according to required orientation 2.5 The ability to plan fabrication processes for a variety of different situations and projects is demonstrated. 3. 3.1 A range of common quality checks is demonstrated 3.2 Checks are appropriate to the quality and the needs of the fabricated product and its end use 3.3 Specifications are explained 3.4 Can respond appropriately to questions and discuss issues related to various quality checks and procedures and the principles underpinning such quality checks. 4. 4.1 Appropriate procedures are selected to solve problems 4.2 Problems are solved in an efficient and effective manner 4.3 Corrective actions include steps to minimise the future occurrence of the problems experienced 4.4 Unfamiliar problems are accurately reported to appropriate personnel 4.5 Can respond appropriately to questions and discuss issues related to familiar problems in the composite fabrication of components and assemblies. 5. 5.1 Production schedules and assignments are met 5.2 Production workflow is managed efficiently 5.3 Safe working practices are adhered to 5.4 Workgroup goals are met 5.5 Assistance and support is provided where required 5.6 Active participation in workgroup discussions, in workgroup problem solving activities and in the implementation of solutions occurs 5.7 Relevant information is received and passed on. 6. 6.1 Information is gathered from a range of sources and accurately summarised 6.2 Information is presented clearly, in a timely manner and in the required format to appropriate parties 6.3 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 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. 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. The assessor will collect evidence of the learner`s competence by: 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 series of qualifications (NQF level 2 - 4) was compared to:
1. The Certificate in Polymer Processing from the Casey Institute of Technical and Further Education in Australia, which consists of 14 modules making up 432 hours. These modules cover only the technical areas that this series of qualifications covers from Level 2 to Level 4. 2. National Certificate in Composites (Level 4) registered on the National Qualifications framework in New Zealand. This qualification covers a range of specific skill sets related to composites as well as generic engineering skills. The qualification also allows for 33 credits to be selected from anywhere on the New Zealand NQF A comparison is made difficult because: 1. In both the Australian and New Zealand cases, neither the fundamental learning elements nor some of the generic core elements are specified. 2. In both the Australian and New Zealand cases, the learning required crosses several levels. 3. The Certificate in Polymer Processing does not require time to be spent producing portfolios. 4. While both qualifications require the learner to master a wider range of polymer composite techniques than the South African qualifications do, they do not specify the level of complexity that has to be achieved. The applied competence in the South African qualifications focuses on achieving a specific level of competence required by a person working in a real-world fabrication context in which a degree of specialisation, experience and problem-solving ability is required. A broad comparison can, however, be made and is summarised as follows: Australia Scope Broad in scope Approach Course-based Level Not specified Context De-contextualised Assessment Institution-based Essential embedded knowledge Theory specified Credits Nominally 43 Fundamental learning Not formally specified Business relations Not formally specified Working with and developing others Not covered Life skills Not covered New Zealand Scope Nominal competence in a wide range of fabrication methods Approach Task based Level Level 4 Context Partly contextualised Assessment Institution or work-based Essential embedded knowledge Not clear Credits 212 Fundamental learning Not formally specified Business relations Not formally specified Working with and developing others Not formally specified Life skills Not formally specified South Africa Scope Mastery of specific fabrication methods in context Approach Skills development-based Level Level 2, 3 and 4 Context Contextual Assessment Work-based and portfolio-based Essential embedded knowledge Specified Credits 360 Fundamental learning Specified Business relations Specified Working with and developing others Specified Life skills Specified In summary, there are considerable similarities in the technical competence required but the approach of the South African series of qualifications looks at whole-person development in not only technological, but also in team- and business-related skills and makes explicit assumptions related to level of schooling and life skills. |
ARTICULATION OPTIONS |
The qualification has been designed and structured so that qualifying learners can move from one context to another, within the composite fabrication environment. Learners may need to receive structured top up learning when moving to a thermoplastics or industrial rubber environment. |
MODERATION OPTIONS |
CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS |
The following criteria should be applied by the relevant ETQA:
1. Appropriate qualification in the field of polymer composite fabrication at NQF level 4 and a minimum of 2 years` experience in a polymer composite fabrication environment. The subject matter experience of the assessor can be established by recognition of prior learning. Until there is a sufficient body of competent people, interim arrangements may have to be adopted. 2. Appropriate experience and understanding of assessment theory, processes and practices. 3. Good interpersonal skills and the ability to balance the conflicting requirements of: 4. Registration as an assessor with the MERS ETQA or any other relevant ETQA 5. Any other criteria required by 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 | 12457 | Develop learning strategies and techniques | Level 3 | NQF Level 03 | 3 |
Core | 14688 | Develop work instructions for thermoplastic fabrication using drawings | Level 3 | NQF Level 03 | 10 |
Core | 14700 | Lay out and mark off regular and irregular shapes for thermoplastic fabrication | Level 3 | NQF Level 03 | 25 |
Core | 9526 | Manage basic business finance | Level 3 | NQF Level 03 | 6 |
Core | 9530 | Manage work time effectively | Level 3 | NQF Level 03 | 3 |
Core | 110280 | Produce complex polymer composite products | Level 3 | NQF Level 03 | 28 |
Core | 116720 | Show understanding of diversity in the workplace | Level 3 | NQF Level 03 | 3 |
Core | 9533 | Use communication skills to handle and resolve conflict in the workplace | Level 3 | NQF Level 03 | 3 |
Fundamental | 8968 | Accommodate audience and context needs in oral communication | Level 3 | NQF Level 03 | 5 |
Fundamental | 9528 | Communicate with clients | Level 3 | NQF Level 03 | 3 |
Fundamental | 9529 | Compile feasibility and commissioning reports | Level 3 | NQF Level 03 | 3 |
Fundamental | 9010 | Demonstrate an understanding of the use of different number bases and measurement units and an awareness of error in the context of relevant calculations | Level 3 | NQF Level 03 | 2 |
Fundamental | 9013 | Describe, apply, analyse and calculate shape and motion in 2-and 3-dimensional space in different contexts | Level 3 | NQF Level 03 | 4 |
Fundamental | 8969 | Interpret and use information from texts | Level 3 | NQF Level 03 | 5 |
Fundamental | 9012 | Investigate life and work related problems using data and probabilities | Level 3 | NQF Level 03 | 5 |
Fundamental | 7456 | Use mathematics to investigate and monitor the financial aspects of personal, business and national issues | Level 3 | NQF Level 03 | 5 |
Fundamental | 8970 | Write texts for a range of communicative contexts | Level 3 | NQF Level 03 | 5 |
Elective | 10567 | Transport personnel, material and equipment using Light Delivery Vehicle | Level 1 | NQF Level 01 | 4 |
Elective | 116231 | Operate a cab controlled overhead crane | Level 2 | NQF Level 02 | 8 |
Elective | 116254 | Operate a mobile crane | Level 2 | NQF Level 02 | 20 |
Elective | 243272 | Operate a Mobile Elevating Work Platform (MEWP) | Level 2 | NQF Level 02 | 10 |
Elective | 116235 | Operate a pendant controlled overhead crane | Level 2 | NQF Level 02 | 5 |
Elective | 262824 | Operate a Sideboom | Level 2 | NQF Level 02 | 8 |
Elective | 116255 | Operate a tower crane | Level 2 | NQF Level 02 | 20 |
Elective | 116253 | Operate a truck mounted loader crane | Level 2 | NQF Level 02 | 20 |
Elective | 13214 | Operate and monitor a drilling machine to produce simple components | Level 2 | NQF Level 02 | 6 |
Elective | 13205 | Operate and monitor a lathe to produce simple components | Level 2 | NQF Level 02 | 12 |
Elective | 13204 | Operate and monitor a milling machine to produce simple components | Level 2 | NQF Level 02 | 12 |
Elective | 242981 | Operate defined purpose lift trucks | Level 2 | NQF Level 02 | 4 |
Elective | 242976 | Operate overhead/gantry cranes | Level 2 | NQF Level 02 | 5 |
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 | 243021 | Shift loads using lifting equipment | Level 2 | NQF Level 02 | 4 |
Elective | 14720 | Adapt to working in a client`s work environment | Level 3 | NQF Level 03 | 3 |
Elective | 244407 | Lift and move a load using mechanical lifting equipment | Level 3 | NQF Level 03 | 7 |
Elective | 260798 | Operate a cantilever container crane (ship to shore) | Level 3 | NQF Level 03 | 12 |
Elective | 260777 | Operate a container side loader | Level 3 | NQF Level 03 | 8 |
Elective | 260818 | Operate a counter balanced lift truck in excess of 15 tons | Level 3 | NQF Level 03 | 9 |
Elective | 260763 | Operate a floating crane | Level 3 | NQF Level 03 | 12 |
Elective | 260760 | Operate a inland container crane (rail mounted) | Level 3 | NQF Level 03 | 10 |
Elective | 260761 | Operate a reach stacker | Level 3 | NQF Level 03 | 10 |
Elective | 260765 | Operate a rubber tyred gantry crane | Level 3 | NQF Level 03 | 12 |
Elective | 260817 | Operate a scotch derrick crane (ship mounted) | Level 3 | NQF Level 03 | 10 |
Elective | 260764 | Operate a ships crane | Level 3 | NQF Level 03 | 8 |
Elective | 260797 | Operate a sideloader lift truck | Level 3 | NQF Level 03 | 8 |
Elective | 260757 | Operate a straddle carrier | Level 3 | NQF Level 03 | 10 |
Elective | 260780 | Operate a sugar cane crane | Level 3 | NQF Level 03 | 8 |
Elective | 260781 | Operate a telescopic boom handler | Level 3 | NQF Level 03 | 10 |
Elective | 260758 | Operate a wall-mounted jib | Level 3 | NQF Level 03 | 7 |
Elective | 242972 | Operate advanced defined purpose lift trucks | Level 3 | NQF Level 03 | 7 |
Elective | 242974 | Operate counter-balanced lift truck | Level 3 | NQF Level 03 | 7 |
Elective | 242982 | Operate heavy crane | Level 3 | NQF Level 03 | 14 |
Elective | 260762 | Operate rough terrain/earthmoving/agricultural equipment | Level 3 | NQF Level 03 | 11 |
Elective | 123260 | Operate tailgates and tail-lifts | Level 3 | NQF Level 03 | 2 |
Elective | 242978 | Operate truck-mounted cranes | Level 3 | NQF Level 03 | 8 |
Elective | 8039 | Operating cranes | Level 3 | NQF Level 03 | 10 |
Elective | 8038 | Operating lift trucks | Level 3 | NQF Level 03 | 6 |
Elective | 253658 | Perform a lifting task by using a mobile crane | Level 3 | NQF Level 03 | 8 |
Elective | 7567 | Produce and use spreadsheets for business | Level 3 | NQF Level 03 | 5 |
Elective | 7570 | Produce word processing documents for business | Level 3 | NQF Level 03 | 5 |
Elective | 117001 | Use a mobile crane to carry out pile driving | Level 3 | NQF Level 03 | 8 |
Elective | 243273 | Monitor and control the safety and operations of Mobile Elevating Work Platforms | Level 4 | NQF Level 04 | 8 |
Elective | 116583 | Perform tandem lifting | Level 4 | NQF Level 04 | 12 |
Elective | 253660 | Supervise advanced mobile crane operations | Level 4 | NQF Level 04 | 20 |
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 |
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. |