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: Electrical Engineering 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
48474  National Certificate: Electrical Engineering 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Electrical Engineering & Construction 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
Was EWSETA until Last Date for Achievement  OQSF - Occupational Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
National Certificate  Field 12 - Physical Planning and Construction  Electrical Infrastructure Construction 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  134  Level 4  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L4  Regular-Unit Stds Based 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 SAQA 0160/05  2007-04-03  2009-02-18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2010-02-18   2013-02-18  

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 replaces: 
Qual ID Qualification Title Pre-2009 NQF Level NQF Level Min Credits Replacement Status
20420  National Certificate: Electrical Engineering  Level 4  NQF Level 04  120  Complete 

This qualification is replaced by: 
Qual ID Qualification Title Pre-2009 NQF Level NQF Level Min Credits Replacement Status
63889  Further Education and Training Certificate: Electrical Engineering  Level 4  NQF Level 04  130  Complete 
91761  Occupational Certificate: Electrician  Not Applicable  NQF Level 04  360  Complete 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
This qualification will enhance the social status, productivity and employability of the learner within the electrical engineering and energy sector and contribute to the quality, production rate and growth of the electrical engineering and energy sector.

Through the critical crossfield component of the qualification, learners are able to demonstrate vocational skills through which they are able to engage in life skills activities, small business development, health and environmental issues.

A person acquiring this qualification will have skills, knowledge and experience to:
  • Evaluate and apply essential methods to technical operational systems.
  • Analyse and apply acquired knowledge in performing the tasks and solve common problems.
  • Gather and analyse relevant information, use data to apply theories and principles within electrical engineering related situations.
  • Execute role and responsibilities by being able to summarise, classify, discuss and estimate application processes required through mathematical concepts, technical and schematic diagrams, computer and technology usage in a range of different contexts.
  • Communicate with peers, customers and members of supervisory/management levels by presenting information reliably and accurately in spoken and written form.


    Rationale of the qualification

    This is the third occupational based qualification in a series for learners that reflect the workplace-based needs of the electrical engineering and energy field that is expressed by employers and employees, both now and for the future. This qualification provides the learner with accessibility to be employed within the electrical engineering and energy field and provides the flexibility to pursue different careers in the broader electrical engineering and energy sector and articulate within the Engineering, Electrical Construction, Generation, Transmission and Distribution specialization contexts. It also provides the Learner with enough knowledge and skills to pursue small business opportunities within the private sector through which the private sector and the economy can benefit.

    For those who have acquired experience in the workplace, this qualification represents part of the RPL process to acknowledge workplace skills acquired without the benefit of former education or training. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    NQF 3 or equivalent and competence in the following:
  • Occupational health, safety and environmental practices within the electrical environment.
  • Use and maintenance of hand tools, power tools and measuring instruments.
  • Communication and Language.


    Recognition of prior learning

    This qualification may be obtained through Recognition of Prior Learning (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 
    The rules of combination for this Qualification:

    A candidate will receive a FET certificate for this qualification if the Unit Standards for Communication and Language Studies are also completed in any other recognised second language.

    This Qualification`s Fundamental, Core and Elective components are made up as follows:

    Fundamental Unit Standards:
  • The "Communication and Language Studies" category contains 23 Credits. The "Mathematics and Science" and other categories 30 Credits. This amounts to 53 Credits for the Fundamental component of the Qualification.

    Core Unit Standards:
  • This amounts to 71credits.

    Elective Unit Standards:
  • This amounts to 170 Credits of which a minimum of ten Credits must be done.

    The total Credits for this Qualification are 299 Credits of which a minimum of 134 Credits must be done to achieve a Certificate. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Evaluate and apply essential methods to technical operational systems, by using procedures and equipment required in the electrical field that meet quality and output requirements, working safely in an environmental friendly manner.

    2. Analyse and apply acquired knowledge in performing the tasks and solve common problems related to the electrical field within familiar contexts.

    3. Gather and analyse relevant information, use data to apply theories or principles within electrical engineering situations and work in a disciplined manner. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    1.1 Knowledge and skills regarding technical operational systems on three phase circuits are demonstrated and problems solved according to maintenance procedures.
    1.2 Knowledge and understanding regarding personal safety practices in an industrial or domestic electrical engineering and energy environment is applied according to standard operating procedures and safety requirements.

    2.1 Knowledge and skills to install, commission and maintain three phase AC- and DC systems and control gear are demonstrated according to relevant procedures.
    2.2 Knowledge and skills to design three phase electrical systems are demonstrated according to specialised contexts requirements and relevant procedures.

    3.1 Electrical engineering sketches and drawings are evaluated and analysed in contexts with electrical engineering situations.
    3.2 Data is used, theories and principles applied to do fault finding and repairs on three phase electrical systems and control gear.
    3.3 Relevant information is gathered, analysed and data used to maintain electrical equipment and three phase systems.


    Integrated Assessment

    The applied competence (practical, foundational and reflective competencies) of this qualification will be achieved if a learner is able to achieve all exit level outcomes of the qualification.

    The identification and solving of problems, team work, organising self, using of technical diagrams, implication of actions and reactions in the world as a set of related systems must be assessed during any combination of practical, foundational and reflexive competencies assessment methods and tools to determine the whole person development and integration of applied knowledge and skills.
  • Certain exit level outcomes are measurable and verifiable through assessment criteria assessed in one application.
  • Applicable assessment tool(s) to establish the foundational, reflective and embedded knowledge to problem solving and application of the world as a set of related systems within the electrical installation and maintenance environment.
  • A detailed portfolio of evidence is required to proof the practical, applied and foundational competencies of the learner.
  • Assessors and moderators should develop and conduct their own integrated assessment by making use of a range of formative and summative assessment methods. Assessors should assess and give credit for the evidence of learning that has already been acquired through formal, informal and non-formal learning and work experience. Summative assessment should also encompass achievement of the competence described both in individual unit standards, exit level outcomes as well as the integrated competence described in the qualification.

    Unit standards associated with the qualification must be used to assess specific and critical cross-field outcomes.
    During integrated assessments the assessor should make use of formative and summative assessment methods and should assess combinations of practical, applied, foundational and reflective competencies. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This Qualification was benchmarked against international standards and qualifications. The unit standards on which this qualification is based were compared with unit standards from New Zealand, Australia and Scotland in terms of their range of electrical qualifications, unit standard titles, specific outcomes, assessment criteria and degree of difficulty.

    This Qualification has been compiled to be more generic to the entire low-and high voltage electrical engineering, construction and renewable energy industry with special emphases on three phase industrial and high voltage installations. The qualifications for the above mentioned countries are subdivided into different domains of the low voltage electrical engineering field, with very little evidence of high voltage applications.

    The overall scope of the other countries` Unit Standards for the electrical field has been adequately covered in the core requirement of this qualification. The focus and complexity level of the core Units Standards compares very well, but the upliftment of literacy, numeracy and social skills have been emphasized more in the fundamental requirement of this Qualification to redress the inequalities of the past. More credits are therefore needed for this level than what is required for similar international levels.

    The core-and elective unit standards of this qualification are more focused on the practical application, with the theoretical requirements built into the embedded knowledge. Only a few Unit Standards focus on theory, but they are written more generically than those of the other countries. The international Qualifications on the other hand, included more knowledge-based Unit Standards with less credits linked to it. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification will allow a person to advance to learning for an electrical engineering certificate at NQF level 5. This qualification provides the learner with the flexibility to pursue different careers in the electrical industry and articulation within the engineering industries. The level of flexibility within the range of electives will allow the individual to pursue further learning within an entrepreneurship, supervision/management, quality assurance, health and safety and engineering contexts. 

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Anyone assessing a learner or moderating the assessment of a learner against this Qualification must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable the achievement of this Qualification must be accredited as a provider with the relevant ETQA.
  • Assessment and moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant ETQA according to the ETQAs policies and guidelines for assessment and moderation; in terms of agreements reached around assessment and moderation between ETQAs (including professional bodies); and in terms of the moderation guideline detailed immediately below.
  • Moderation must include both internal and external moderation of assessments at exit points of the qualification, unless ETQA policies specify otherwise. Moderation should also encompass achievement of the competence described both in individual unit standards, exit level outcomes as well as the integrated competence described in the qualification.

    Anyone wishing to be assessed against this Qualification 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 need experience in the following areas:
  • Interpersonal skills, subject matter and assessment.

    The assessor needs to be competent in planning, conducting and providing feedback on assessment of learning outcomes and in the design and development of assessments as described in the unit standards. The assessor should at least be competent at the same level or be at a level above this level 4 Qualification with at least two years of practical experience in the electrical engineering or related environment. The assessor must comply with the criteria set by the relevant ETQA.

    The subject matter experience of the assessor can be established by recognition of prior learning.

    Assessors need to be registered with the relevant Education and Training Quality Assurance Body. 
    		•

    NOTES 
    This Qualification has been replaced by the following qualifications:
  • ID 91761, "Occupational Certificate: Electrician", Level 4, 360 credits.
  • ID 63889, "Further Education and Training Certificate: Electrical Engineering", Level 4, 130 credits.

    This qualification is the reviewed version of 20420 - National Certificate: Electrical Engineering, Level 4.
    SAQA 2552/04 on 11 February 2004.


    Qualification review and linkages:

    This Qualification is part of a review of four registered ones called "General Education and Training Certificate in Basic Technical Practice (Energy) - NQF Level 1" and "National Certificates in Electrical Engineering - NQF Level 2-4".

    During the review it was found that the registered "General Education and Training Certificate in Basic Technical Practice (Energy) - NQF Level 1" is too specific to the electrical engineering and construction environment, instead of being more generic to the entire electrical engineering and electrical engineering and energy industry. Its Elective component mainly contains Unit Standards that should be part of the NQF Level 2 Qualification. The registered Qualifications for NQF Levels 1-4 also contain a lot of Unit Standards that were designed specifically for multi-skilling persons within the mechanical trade, of which some are too activity based.

    There shall be a clear link between the currently registered-and the new proposed Qualifications in the sense that many of the Unit Standards shall be the same, but shall be placed differently in mainly the Core component of the Qualifications. This is done to achieve a more progressive build-up from an entry level for the electrical industry at NQF 2, single-phase installations at NQF 3, through to more complex Unit Standards such as those for three phase installations at NQF 4. Renewable energy shall also be part of the Elective component of these Qualifications.

    The future GETC Qualification for Basic Technical Practice (Energy) at NQF Level 1 shall be mainly knowledge-based and shall be a generic entry level for the entire electrical engineering and electrical engineering and energy industry.

    All the activity-based Unit Standards shall not be part of the new Qualifications, but shall be replaced with new Elective Unit Standards that are required by the different electrical industries. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARDS: 
      ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
    Core  113899  Demonstrate an understanding of basic programmable logic controllers  Level 3  NQF Level 03  6 
    Core  113968  Apply the principles of energy efficiency  Level 4  NQF Level 04  6 
    Core  10257  Design and Construct a Three Phase Circuit  Level 4  NQF Level 04  5 
    Core  10259  Fault find, repair and maintain three phase voltage electrical circuits  Level 4  NQF Level 04  8 
    Core  10264  Install and commission three phase AC machines and control gear  Level 4  NQF Level 04  8 
    Core  10262  Maintain and repair three phase AC machines and control gear  Level 4  NQF Level 04  12 
    Core  113894  Test and inspect a three phase industrial/commercial installation  Level 4  NQF Level 04  10 
    Core  113873  Understand basic electrical and mechanical engineering principles  Level 4  NQF Level 04  8 
    Core  114389  Wire and commission three phase electrical circuits  Level 4  NQF Level 04  8 
    Fundamental  9015  Apply knowledge of statistics and probability to critically interrogate and effectively communicate findings on life related problems  Level 4  NQF Level 04  6 
    Fundamental  9506  Communicate in an assertive manner with clients and fellow workers  Level 4  NQF Level 04  4 
    Fundamental  8974  Engage in sustained oral communication and evaluate spoken texts  Level 4  NQF Level 04  5 
    Fundamental  12417  Measure, estimate & calculate physical quantities & explore, critique & prove geometrical relationships in 2 and 3 dimensional space in the life and workplace of adult with increasing responsibilities  Level 4  NQF Level 04  4 
    Fundamental  8975  Read analyse and respond to a variety of texts  Level 4  NQF Level 04  5 
    Fundamental  7468  Use mathematics to investigate and monitor the financial aspects of personal, business, national and international issues  Level 4  NQF Level 04  6 
    Fundamental  116389  Write a technical report  Level 4  NQF Level 04  4 
    Fundamental  8976  Write for a wide range of contexts  Level 4  NQF Level 04  5 
    Fundamental  10147  Supervise a project team of a technical project to deliver project objectives  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  14 
    Elective  114604  Carry out work on energised medium voltage networks  Level 4  NQF Level 04  16 
    Elective  113898  Complete certificate of compliance for a single phase domestic installation  Level 4  NQF Level 04  5 
    Elective  113970  Construct and commission Medium / High Voltage networks  Level 4  NQF Level 04  6 
    Elective  113901  Demonstrate an understanding of process communication systems  Level 4  NQF Level 04  8 
    Elective  113892  Design a solar pump system  Level 4  NQF Level 04  4 
    Elective  113888  Design a stand alone renewable energy system  Level 4  NQF Level 04  10 
    Elective  113890  Design a wind/solar hybrid system  Level 4  NQF Level 04  5 
    Elective  113884  Fault find and repair a stand-alone battery charging wind turbine  Level 4  NQF Level 04  5 
    Elective  113881  Inspect, maintain, repair and do faultfinding on Medium / High Voltage networks  Level 4  NQF Level 04  8 
    Elective  113969  Inspect, record and report condition of Medium / High Voltage station apparatus and related equipment  Level 4  NQF Level 04  6 
    Elective  13681  Inspect, test and maintain high voltage isolators  Level 4  NQF Level 04  12 
    Elective  113882  Inspect, test and maintain Medium / High Voltage earthing systems  Level 4  NQF Level 04  4 
    Elective  113880  Inspect, test and maintain Medium / High Voltage transformers  Level 4  NQF Level 04  6 
    Elective  113883  Install / replace medium / high voltage equipment and hardware  Level 4  NQF Level 04  6 
    Elective  13657  Install and commission direct current (DC) machines  Level 4  NQF Level 04  8 
    Elective  113862  Install and terminate Medium/High Voltage cables  Level 4  NQF Level 04  6 
    Elective  113874  Joint Medium / High Voltage cables  Level 4  NQF Level 04  8 
    Elective  113885  Lower, inspect service and maintain a stand-alone battery charging wind turbine  Level 4  NQF Level 04  5 
    Elective  13682  Maintain Direct Current (DC) machines  Level 4  NQF Level 04  5 
    Elective  13818  Maintain low voltage switchgear  Level 4  NQF Level 04  4 
    Elective  113895  Maintain unit protection devices on transformers  Level 4  NQF Level 04  6 
    Elective  113900  Operate on Medium Voltage radial networks  Level 4  NQF Level 04  20 
    Elective  113878  Spray-wash energised medium / high voltage networks  Level 4  NQF Level 04  4 
    Elective  113897  Troubleshoot on programmable logic controllers  Level 4  NQF Level 04  5 


    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    When qualifications are replaced, some (but not all) of their learning programmes are moved to the replacement qualifications. If a learning programme appears to be missing from here, please check the replaced 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.