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 Diploma: Master Craftsmanship (Electrical)

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
49059	National Diploma: Master Craftsmanship (Electrical)
ORIGINATOR
SGB Manufacturing and Assembly Processes
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY			NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
EWSETA - Energy and Water Sector Education and Training Authority			OQSF - Occupational Qualifications Sub-framework
QUALIFICATION TYPE	FIELD		SUBFIELD
National Diploma	Field 06 - Manufacturing, Engineering and Technology		Engineering and Related Design
ABET BAND	MINIMUM CREDITS	PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL	NQF LEVEL	QUAL CLASS
Undefined	253	Level 5	NQF Level 05	Regular-Unit Stds Based
REGISTRATION STATUS		SAQA DECISION NUMBER	REGISTRATION START DATE	REGISTRATION END DATE
Passed the End Date - Status was "Reregistered"		SAQA 9900/00	2018-07-01	2023-06-30
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT		LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2023-06-30		2025-06-30

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

Why do we need a master craftsmanship qualification?
South Africa has a critical shortage of skilled practitioners in most technical occupations. A strong cadre of master artisans and craftspeople would have a significant impact on the ability of South African industry to build on the improved financial environment and create sustainable economic growth.
Many of those who took on this role originally came from overseas in the 1960's and 1970's. This generation of technically proficient people has by now either moved on to higher positions, retired, been retrenched, or is approaching retirement age. The reduction in the number of apprentices, from approximately 25 000 per annum in 1985 to approximately 5000 in 2002, has substantially reduced the pool of skilled people. Those apprentices have also been further reduced by emigration as the result of economic conditions locally and active recruiting by overseas countries.

The decline in the number of people taking up practical and technical occupations has meant that many such functions are performed by superficially trained workers and those gravitating to the work through redeployment and retrenchment. This has resulted in a significant reduction in the quality of workmanship and levels of service. Large organisations report that up to 70% of the work being done during annual maintenance shutdowns has to be redone (so called re-work). Some component manufacturers, for instance, have found it easier to order their tooling from Portugal:

Delivery was quicker and more reliable

The quality was better

It was more cost-effective.
The master craftsmanship series of qualifications could be used to improve those very aspects (quality, quick delivery and cost-effectiveness) to create sustainable economic activity. The qualifications would also give past and current artisans and craftspeople a way of having their skills recognized and targeted to the needs of the economy. For industry, these skills would fill the gap between engineering design and shop floor operations; and between new systems and technological concepts, and practical implementation.

The National Training Board investigation into the apprenticeship system in 1986 revealed that the category of persons most likely to succeed in a new business start-up were artisans and craftspeople. The decline in the number of artisans and craftspeople emerging from the training system has had a significant impact on the number of people who could successfully start up new businesses to provide general or specialised practical services to the industry or the public. This in turn has had a negative impact on economic growth and ultimately on employment opportunities. A further benefit of the master craftsmanship projects would be to assist new business start-ups to have a greater chance of success.

Experienced artisans and craftspeople also played a role in developing the next generation of people in the occupation. The apprenticeship system in its strongest form was built on the transfer of knowledge and expertise from the artisans and craftspeople to the apprentices. A further function of master craftsmanship is to transfer skills, knowledge and values. This role will support the quality assurance of apprenticeship and learnership systems, ensuring the development of people with high quality and relevant skills, knowledge and values.

This and related qualifications will act as a framework for providers, assessors and learners to plan, implement and measure the outcomes of suitable learning programmes, or the recognition of prior learning, in this new discipline.

The specific purpose of this qualification, the second in the series, represents the skills, knowledge and understanding required by competent practitioners to:

Apply occupation-related knowledge and practical experience to develop new programmes, products or services

Understand and apply relevant theory and knowledge, Mathematics, Statistics and Drawing included

Manage the resources in a section, department, business unit or small enterprise

Manage quality of products, services and materials

Develop learners in the small enterprise or business unit.

This qualification is conceptualised as a generic qualification that can be used for a wide range of trades and technical and service occupations. However, current SAQA regulations do not permit the registration of generic qualifications. This qualification will, therefore, initially be focused only on electrical trades and occupations. This qualification can be obtained in the context of a variety of electrical, maintenance, installation and manufacturing processes.

This qualification together with the National Certificate and the National First Degree in Master Craftsmanship are conceptualised as an integrated set of building blocks. The credits for the National Certificate qualification are required to fulfil all the requirements for this National Diploma. The credits for this National Diploma will, in turn, be required to fulfil the requirements of the National First Degree in Master Craftsmanship.

Rationale for the qualification:
The concept of master craftsmanship represents a career path for people involved in practical and technical occupations. While the development of the Master Craftsmanship qualifications will initially use the traditional trades as a basis, the career path is equally appropriate for a range of other occupations, both for traditional occupations as well as for new occupations emerging as the result of changing technology.
In South Africa there was previously no formal career path for artisans and craftspeople once they had acquired the initial trade qualification. Either they:

Took on a managerial role via positions such as foreman or supervisor,

Developed their theoretical knowledge via n3 - n6 and combined that with progressively more technical roles,

In isolated cases they continued via national diplomas and university degrees to become engineers, or they

Established their own businesses.
The proposed series of master craftsmanship qualifications combines aspects of these career options into a fully-fledged qualification pathway, allowing master craftspeople to perform a variety of roles within industry or in the economy.
The primary roles of master artisans or craftspeople are:

Custodian of technology, ie solving problems, developing solutions, developing new products or services, introducing new technology, machinery, equipment or services

Custodian of quality, ie setting and maintaining standards of service and workmanship, acting as a role model for new entrants, applying quality as a strategic objective

Manager of a sustainable small or medium company or a business unit, ie managing resources, costing, estimating, scheduling, balancing workflow

Education, training and development practitioner, ie transferring skills and knowledge, coaching, mentoring, facilitating the learning and assessing of the staff and learners or apprentices.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

The credits and the related unit standards assume that the learner is either formally qualified in an NQF Level 5 Certificate in Master Craftsmanship or has extensive experience in the installation, repair, maintenance or manufacture of electrical equipment, components and control systems and has some experience with instrumentation. If a learner does not have such experience or qualifications, the learning time will be increased.

Recognition of prior learning:
This qualification may be obtained through the process of RPL. The learner should be thoroughly briefed prior to the assessment and support should be provided to assist the learner in the process of developing a portfolio. While this is primarily a work-based qualification, evidence from other areas of endeavour may be introduced if pertinent to any of the exit level outcomes

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

QUALIFICATION RULES

N/A

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

The exit level outcomes for this qualification reflect a combination of specific outcomes and critical cross-field education and training outcomes. The way in which the critical outcomes have been advanced through the learning required for this qualification is embedded in the way in which the unit standards have been constructed. Critical outcomes form the basis of acquiring the skills and knowledge and values. The application of these in a specific context results in the achievement of specific outcomes. The integration of specific outcomes from a variety of unit standards results in the ability to achieve the exit level outcomes.

1. Provide products and services which meet or exceed customer expectations
2. Develop and achieve key performance indicators for the section or the contractors
3. Resolve disputes, conflicts and grievances in the workplace
4. Maintain and improve systems, procedures and processes to enhance the quality and safety of work processes and practices
5. Facilitate and assess learning in the workplace

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Markets and customer needs and expectations are investigated and recorded

Products or services to meet customer expectations are adapted and evaluated

Resources for adapted product or service are planned, obtained and used

Appropriate and effective technical solution is used in the development of the adapted product or service

Choice of the technical solution is based on a thorough knowledge of options

2.

Sustainability, effectiveness and efficiencies of the enterprise or business unit are maintained or improved

Appropriate key performance indicators are chosen for own work and for work of contractors

Plans to meet key performance indicators are developed, implemented and evaluated

3.

Conflict, dispute and grievance handling procedures and tactics are explained and applied

Team spirit is developed and maintained, and is contributing to the achievement of the production or service delivery targets

Dispute, discipline and grievance handling procedures comply with labour legislation

4.

A safety, health, environmental and quality management system is reviewed and changes are implemented

The safety, health, environmental and quality management system is supported by awareness and training programmes

The workplace is kept safe, free of hazards, and is friendly to the environment

Workplace practices and procedures support safety, health, the environment and enhanced quality

5.

Workplace performance is improved through training

Appropriate methodologies are selected and applied for different learning needs and various forms of assessment

Records of training plans, training interventions and assessments are accurate and up-to-date

Training and assessment meets generally accepted criteria and guidelines

Integrated Assessment:
The integrated assessment must be based on a summative assessment guide. The guide must spell out how the assessor will assess different aspects of the performance and will include:

Evaluating evidence in a portfolio of evidence, particularly projects which integrate various aspects of the qualification and which demonstrate the integration of all aspects of learning: fundamental and core; knowledge and skills and values; the development of the critical outcomes

Observing and listening to the learner at work, both in primary activities as well as in other interactions, or in relevant simulations

Asking questions and initiating short discussions to test understanding and to verify other evidence

Looking at records and reports.

The learner may choose in which language he/she 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.

While this is primarily a workplace-based qualification, evidence from other areas of endeavour may be presented if pertinent to any of the exit level outcomes.

The assessment process should cover the explicit tasks required for the qualification as well as the understanding of the concepts and principles that underpin the activities. The assessment process should also establish how the learning process has advanced the critical outcomes.

Assessors should also evaluate evidence that the learner has been performing consistently over a period of time.

INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY

The best-known master qualifications are those in German-speaking countries. The master qualifications are a requirement within these countries for:

Opening and running a small business

Training apprentices/learners

Registration with local chambers of business and commerce.
The German system is however different and there is no qualification framework like the NQF. The master qualification is a single qualification and can only be acquired based on the following:

Five - eight years of practical experience in the trade

Three years of part time classes and successfully passing the examinations

The completion of a master piece

The master qualifications in other countries such as the United Kingdom and New Zealand focus primarily on advanced technical skills and knowledge.

The development of these qualifications was largely based on the contextualisation of the German qualifications in South Africa. German-qualified master artisans who operate in both small and large companies in South Africa assisted in the process to ensure the qualifications would have the same value as those in German-speaking countries.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

This 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.

Overview of the proposed qualifications pathway and articulation possibilities:
Level----Other Specialisations
7---Engineer-Quality assurance or Education, Training and Development, Technical sales and marketing, General management
6--First Degree Master Craftsmanship-Engineering technologist or equivalent
5--Nat Diploma Master Craftsmanship-Engineering technician or equivalent
5--Nat Certificate Master Craftsmanship
4-NQF technical or supervisory qualification-NQF 4 trade
3-NQF 3 trade

Note: the actual articulation will be determined by the institutional and professional entry requirements. The articulation to engineering qualifications is being explored with the Engineering SGB but has not yet been finalised.

MODERATION OPTIONS

Moderators for the qualification should be qualified and accredited with an appropriate ETQA.
To assure the quality of the assessment process, the moderation should cover the following:

Assessor credentials

The assessment instrument

The assessment process
Moderators should be qualified assessors in their own right.

CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS

The following criteria should be applied by the relevant ETQA:
1. Appropriate qualification in the field of electrical engineering, maintenance or manufacture with a minimum of 2 years' experience in a small business environment. The subject matter expertise of the assessor can be established by recognition of prior learning.

2. Appropriate experience and understanding of assessment theory, processes and practices.

3. Good interpersonal skills and 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 a relevant ETQA.
5. Any other criteria required by a relevant ETQA.

Since this is a new field, it may be some time before there are sufficient qualified assessors. The relevant ETQAs should allow interim arrangements to be made. It is envisaged that holders of this and related qualifications will eventually form a professional association. The members of this association will then support the quality assurance and assessment processes. Assessors would then be required to be registered members of this association.

REREGISTRATION HISTORY

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

NOTES

As per the SAQA decision to re-register all provider-based qualifications on the National Qualifications Framework that meet the criteria for re-registration, this qualification has been re-registered from 1 July 2018. N/A

UNIT STANDARDS:

	ID	UNIT STANDARD TITLE	PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL	NQF LEVEL	CREDITS
Core	13942	Demonstrate a basic understanding of the role of a business strategy in managing a small business or a business unit	Level 4	NQF Level 04	5
Core	116783	Analyse trends and implement continuous improvements	Level 5	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5	10
Core	15237	Build teams to meet set goals and objectives	Level 5	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5	3
Core	116779	Develop and implement specifications to achieve the desired product or service	Level 5	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5	10
Core	116781	Develop and implement sustainable processes and procedures	Level 5	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5	10
Core	10043	Develop, implement and manage a project/activity plan	Level 5	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5	5
Core	15224	Empower team members through recognising strengths, encouraging participation in decision making and delegating tasks	Level 5	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5	4
Core	14214	Evaluate and improve the project team`s performance	Level 5	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5	8
Core	116785	Manage requirements related to quality and other standards	Level 5	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5	10
Core	116787	Plan, monitor and control the financial resources for a small company or business unit	Level 5	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5	10
Fundamental	114600	Apply innovative thinking to the development of a small business	Level 4	NQF Level 04	4
Fundamental	15234	Apply efficient time management to the work of a department/division/section	Level 5	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5	4
Fundamental	15231	Create and use a range of resources to effectively manage teams, sections, departments or divisions	Level 5	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5	4
Fundamental	15238	Devise and apply strategies to establish and maintain relationships	Level 5	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5	3
Fundamental	15215	Identify and interpret Best Practice guidelines, and plan for and implement Best Practice within the team, department or division	Level 5	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5	4
Elective	114884	Co-ordinate the improvement of productivity within a functional unit	Level 4	NQF Level 04	8
Elective	115753	Conduct outcomes-based assessment	Level 5	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5	15
Elective	14803	Facilitate Technical/Practical skills learning to adult learners	Level 5	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5	20
Elective	15229	Implement codes of conduct in the team, department or division	Level 5	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5	3
Elective	114716	Manage installation and maintenance contractors	Level 5	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5	16

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