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: 

Further Education and Training Certificate: Furniture Making 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
49092  Further Education and Training Certificate: Furniture Making 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Furniture 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
FPMSETA - Fibre Processing and Manufacturing Sector Education and Training Authority  OQSF - Occupational Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Further Ed and Training Cert  Field 06 - Manufacturing, Engineering and Technology  Manufacturing and Assembly 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  155  Level 4  NQF Level 04  Regular-Unit Stds Based 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 SAQA 9999/99  2018-07-01  2023-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2026-06-30   2029-06-30  

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 is replaced by: 
Qual ID Qualification Title Pre-2009 NQF Level NQF Level Min Credits Replacement Status
121988  National Occupational Certificate: Furniture Maker  Not Applicable  NQF Level 05  550  Complete 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
The purpose of the qualification is to provide learners and education and training providers with the standards required to satisfy the challenges of participating effectively in the furniture manufacturing industry. Typical learners will be workers in the furniture industry.

The qualification will be useful to both new entrants into the industry, and existing workers in the sector.

For those who have been in the workplace for a long time, this qualification can be used in the recognition of prior learning process to assess and recognise workplace skills acquired without the benefit of formal education and training.

For the new entrant, this qualification describes the learning outcomes required to effectively participate in a structured workplace.

For education and training providers, this qualification provides guidance for the development of appropriate learning programmes and assessment documentation.

For employers, this qualification enables skills gaps to be identified and addressed ensuring that productivity levels are increased and business objectives achieved.

This qualification has been developed to assist with standardisation across the furniture industry. This will allow persons to achieve recognition for both their technical and supervisory skills, and lay a foundation for future career advancement across similar trades and to supervisory and management qualifications within the sector.

The combination of learning outcomes that comprise this qualification will provide the qualifying learner with vocational knowledge and skills appropriate to the context of furniture manufacturing. It will also provide the learning platform for development in the area of supervision and management, and progress into higher education and training.

The learner will have an understanding of the furniture industry and how he or she should operate within the legislative, safety and quality systems which govern the workplace. It will also equip learners with a foundation for further intellectual development, opportunities for gainful employment and reward for contributions to society.

The qualifying learner will be able to:
  • Identify and solve problems in the scheduling, monitoring and maintenance of furniture production.
  • Work effectively with others to build and motivate a productive and effective team.
  • Organise and manage him/herself and his/her activities responsibly and effectively to ensure work is carried out according to quality and performance requirements, without compromising safety for self and colleagues.
  • Communicate effectively using visual, language skills when dealing with colleagues, subordinates and senior managers.
  • Collect, organise, analyse and evaluate information when maintaining production to ensure the most effective use of resources, human and material
  • Use science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others when carrying out work functions.
  • Understand the world as a set of related systems by recognising that problem-solving contexts do not exist in isolation, that when producing design and production specifications the impact of decisions on all parts of the production cycle is taken into account.

    Typical job roles and purpose

    Job Role:
  • Sample maker/supervisor

    Purpose:
  • Specialised production.
  • Supervision of production

    Key Work Areas
  • Design and production of prototypes
  • Production scheduling and monitoring
  • Programming and operation of CNC machinery
  • Repairs

    The relation between this Qualification and the principles of the NQF is indicated in the following table:

    NQF Principle-National Certificate in Furniture Making
  • Recognition of Prior learning-Allows for Recognition of Prior Learning, especially as a means of career advancement
  • Credibility-Learning Outcomes are a result of consensus by the industry
  • Relevance-Consulting workshops indicated a demand for unit standard based qualifications in Furniture Manufacturing
  • Access-Removes traditional barriers to qualifications traditionally seen as supervisory
  • Articulation/Progression-Forms part of a learning pathway for Furniture Makers, spanning NQF levels 1 - 4, and provides a platform for advancement into higher education.

    Rationale of the qualification

    In the past the career path for practitioners within the furniture manufacturing industry consisted solely of the 'tradesman' or 'artisan' qualification, equivalent to level 3 on the NQF. No opportunities for advancement existed for those skilled people who wished to further their training but did not have either the desire or the academic attributes to move into higher education. The introduction of a National Certificate in Furniture Making at level 4 will allow learners to reach their full potential of advancement without their valuable skills being lost to the production environment. It will also provide a 'bridge' between the traditional artisan qualification and higher education and training for those learners who wish to pursue that route.

    The FIETA sector skills plan indicates a definite need for supervisory personnel who are also fully skilled tradesmen in all areas of the furniture making industry.

    The National Certificate in Furniture Making reflects the skills, knowledge and understanding required to participate effectively in the furniture industry, whether in micro, small, medium or large operations.

    The competencies contained in this Qualification are essential for social and economic transformation, empowerment and upliftment within the furniture manufacturing environment, whilst simultaneously improving the skills base of the country.

    The learning pathway for Furniture Makers in the furniture industry consists of the following qualifications:
  • NQF level 1 National Certificate (GETC): Manufacturing, Engineering and Related Activities
  • NQF level 2 National Certificate in Furniture Making (Wood)
  • NQF level 3 National Certificate in Furniture Making (Wood)
  • NQF level 4 National Certificate in Furniture Making (Specialism) 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    It is assumed that a learner entering a programme leading to this qualification has successfully completed the National Certificate in Furniture Making at NQF level 3, or has demonstrated equivalent competence.

    Recognition of Prior Learning:

    The qualification may be obtained in whole or in part through the process of Recognition of Prior Learning. Learners who meet the requirements of any unit standard in this qualification may apply for recognition of prior learning to the Forestry Industries Education and Training Authority (FIETA), and will be assessed against the assessment criteria and specific outcomes for the relevant unit standard/s. 

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

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

    Fundamental: 64
    Core: 85
    Elective: 6 minimum

    Credit total: Minimum of 155 credits

    In order to be awarded the qualification, the learner has to prove competence in all of the Fundamental and Core standards. In order to comply with FET Policy, the language component of the fundamental standards must be achieved in two languages - 20 credits in one language at level 3 and 20 credits in a different language at level 4. Candidates must achieve the Elective Unit Standards related to their chosen specialism, and may choose to undertake either or both or neither of the optional Elective Unit Standards.

    Additional Elective Unit Standards could be added to the qualification over time. 

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Identify and solve problems in the scheduling, monitoring and maintenance of furniture production
    2. Work effectively with others to build and motivate a productive and effective team
    3. Organise and manage him/herself and his/her activities responsibly and effectively to ensure work is carried out according to quality and performance requirements, without compromising safety for self and colleagues
    4. Communicate effectively using visual, language skills when dealing with colleagues, subordinates and senior managers
    5. Collect, organise, analyse and evaluate information when maintaining production to ensure the most effective use of resources, human and material
    6. Use science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others when carrying out work functions
    7. Understand the world as a set of related systems by recognising that problem-solving contexts do not exist in isolation, that when producing design and production specifications the impact of decisions on all parts of the production cycle is taken into account 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    1.
    Problems are identified and diagnosed promptly, impact on operations is evaluated and implementation of chosen solution restores operating conditions safely and effectively

    2.
    Production, housekeeping and maintenance requirements and routines are communicated to relevant personnel and carried out according to organisational and legal requirements

    3.
    Health and Safety and preventive measures in area of responsibility are promoted and monitored, and staff members are coached to ensure understanding of issues

    4.
    All communications with colleagues and managers are conducted in a manner which promotes understanding, goodwill and trust

    5.
    Work schedules and production specifications are drawn up according to organisational requirements, to provide optimum production within given constraints.

    6.
    Machinery is prepared, set up, tested and operated correctly, in accordance with all relevant health and safety and organisational requirements.

    7.
    Designs and specifications are developed with due consideration for needs of target user, available resources and limitations, and cost effectiveness

    Integrated Assessment:

    Formative assessments conducted during the learning process will consist primarily of demonstrations, written tests and assignments and a number of self-assessments. The purpose of formative assessment is to diagnose learner strengths and weaknesses and to determine readiness for summative assessment.

    Summative assessment would consist of written tests and accompanying assignments, case studies and practical demonstrations. Summative assessments would only be conducted once the learner has indicated that he/she is ready to undergo summative assessment.

    Before qualifying, learners will be expected to demonstrate competence in a practical situation that integrates the assessment of all specific outcomes, for all unit standards.

    Integrated assessment provides learners with an opportunity to display an ability to integrate practical performance, actions, concepts and theory across unit standards to achieve competence in relation to the purpose of this qualification.

    In particular assessors should check that the learner is able to demonstrate the ability to consider a range of options and make decisions about:
  • The quality of the observed practical performance as well as the theory and underpinning knowledge behind it.
  • The different methods that can be used by the learner to display thinking and decision making in the demonstration of practical performance.
  • Reflexive competencies 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    1. New Zealand Qualification Board

    There is no single qualification that is comparable to this qualification. There are aspects of the National Certificate in Upholstery, level 4, the National Certificate in Finishing, level 4, the National Certificate in Furniture Making, level 4, and the National Diploma in Furniture (Supervision ) at level 5, that are comparable to this qualification. However, the flexible design of the New Zealand qualifications allows a candidate to include a large number of supervisory or production management units in the qualification, while retaining the skills of their chosen trade. This is very similar to the approach adopted by the South African qualification.

    2. Australian National Qualifications Framework

    The Technical and Further Education Authority (TAFE), New South Wales was also used as a resource for international benchmarking. TAFE provides nationally accredited training. As with the New Zealand qualifications, there is no directly comparable qualification. However, the wide range of unit standards available to choose from for the level 3 Certificate in any of the furniture manufacturing disciplines allows the learner to develop both their technical skills and their supervisory abilities at this level.

    3. United Kingdom NVQ

    There is no comparable qualification on the UK NVQ. While aspects of both the Level 2 Progression Award in Furniture and the level 2 NVQ 'Making and Installing Furniture' contain aspects of the technical side of the South African qualification, the supervisory units must be sourced from elsewhere. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification has been developed for mobility both across similar trades within the furniture industry, and to provide access to higher education and training and possible supervisory and management positions.

    The design of the qualification allows horizontal articulation between the furniture manufacturing trades of Wood Machining, Cabinet Making, Furniture Finishing and Furniture Upholstery. 

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    Assessment of learner achievements takes place at providers accredited by FIETA (RSA, 1998b) for the provision of programmes that result in the outcomes specified for the National Certificate in Furniture Making, NQF level 4. FIETA, or other ETQAs that have a Memorandum of Understanding in place with relevant - ETQA, is responsible for the moderation of learner achievements of learners who meet the requirements of this qualification.

    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 ETQA's policies and guidelines for assessment and moderation; in terms of agreements reached around assessment and moderation between ETQA's 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 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, which is accredited by the relevant ETQA. 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    For an applicant to register as an assessor, the applicant needs:
  • A recognised assessor qualification;
  • Compliance with FIETA's requirements for assessor registration.
  • This qualification or equivalent competence.
  • A minimum of three years' experience in the field of Furniture Making. 
    		•

    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  117180  Contribute to the furniture production process  Level 4  NQF Level 04  16 
    Core  117174  Contribute to the provision of a productive working environment  Level 4  NQF Level 04  12 
    Core  14473  Develop and produce computer aided drawings  Level 4  NQF Level 04  4 
    Core  114215  Mentor a colleague to enhance the individual`s knowledge, skills, values and attitudes in a selected career path  Level 4  NQF Level 04  3 
    Core  13224  Monitor the application of safety, health and environmental protection procedures  Level 4  NQF Level 04  4 
    Core  117169  Produce basic furniture prototypes  Level 4  NQF Level 04  16 
    Core  117191  Produce furniture design specifications  Level 4  NQF Level 04  20 
    Core  117166  Use CNC machinery in the furniture production process  Level 4  NQF Level 04  10 
    Fundamental  7568  Demonstrate knowledge of and produce word processing documents using basic functions  Level 2  NQF Level 02  3 
    Fundamental  8968  Accommodate audience and context needs in oral communication  Level 3  NQF Level 03  5 
    Fundamental  8969  Interpret and use information from texts  Level 3  NQF Level 03  5 
    Fundamental  114984  Manage electronic mail in a business environment  Level 3  NQF Level 03  2 
    Fundamental  114978  Use a word processing package to produce business documents  Level 3  NQF Level 03  3 
    Fundamental  8973  Use language and communication in occupational learning programmes  Level 3  NQF Level 03  5 
    Fundamental  8970  Write texts for a range of communicative contexts  Level 3  NQF Level 03  5 
    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  8974  Engage in sustained oral communication and evaluate spoken texts  Level 4  NQF Level 04  5 
    Fundamental  8975  Read analyse and respond to a variety of texts  Level 4  NQF Level 04  5 
    Fundamental  9016  Represent analyse and calculate shape and motion in 2-and 3-dimensional space in different contexts  Level 4  NQF Level 04  4 
    Fundamental  8979  Use language and communication in occupational learning programmes  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  8976  Write for a wide range of contexts  Level 4  NQF Level 04  5 
    Elective  117175  Carry out assembly repairs to damaged furniture  Level 4  NQF Level 04  6 
    Elective  117170  Carry out upholstery repairs to damaged furniture  Level 4  NQF Level 04  6 
    Elective  117176  Prepare equipment and machines for production  Level 4  NQF Level 04  6 
    Elective  117167  Produce furniture design finishing specifications  Level 4  NQF Level 04  20 
    Elective  117190  Provide cutting lay requirements for upholstery fabrics  Level 4  NQF Level 04  6 
    Elective  115753  Conduct outcomes-based assessment  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  15 


    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    When qualifications are replaced, some of their learning programmes are moved to being recorded against the replacement qualifications. If a learning programme appears to be missing from here, please check the replacement.
     
    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. Esayidi FET College - Central Office 
    2. Furniture World Training Centre 
    3. FUTURE DISCOVERY TRAINING ACADEMY 
    4. HLUVUKA TRAINING AND CONSULTING 
    5. Inter-Coastal Business & Property Services cc 
    6. Mnambithi TVET College 
    7. TIRHANI SKILLSTRAINING PTY LTD 
    8. VCK TRAINING AND TECHNICAL SERVICES PTY LTD 


    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.