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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Further Education and Training Certificate: Air-conditioning, Refrigeration and Ventilation 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
65509  Further Education and Training Certificate: Air-conditioning, Refrigeration and Ventilation 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Air-conditioning Refrigeration and Ventilation 
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
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  152  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 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 replaces: 
Qual ID Qualification Title Pre-2009 NQF Level NQF Level Min Credits Replacement Status
20721  National Certificate: Air Conditioning, Refrigeration and Ventilation  Level 4  NQF Level 04  135  Complete 
48966  Further Education and Training Certificate: Air-conditioning, Refrigeration and Ventilation  Level 4  NQF Level 04  169  Complete 

This qualification is replaced by: 
Qual ID Qualification Title Pre-2009 NQF Level NQF Level Min Credits Replacement Status
103277  Occupational Certificate: Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Mechanic  Not Applicable  NQF Level 04  641  Complete 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:

The air conditioning, refrigeration and ventilation industry provides a service to many sectors of the country's economy such as food processing and warehousing, food transportation, distribution and retailing, deep level mining and industrial process, high rise and retail property, specialized medical care, automotive and mass transport, tourism and hospitality.

This qualification provides the learner with the skills required to service, repair, commission and operate mechanical/electrical equipment and systems in the air conditioning, refrigeration and ventilation sub-field in a variety of applications, and to supervise work teams.

The current rate of urban development, the advance in technology and development of tourism creates an ever-increasing demand for air conditioning, refrigeration and ventilation equipment and systems and therefore a corresponding demand for technicians to repair, maintain, install and manufacture such equipment and systems.

The technical skills required for this purpose are scarce and there is a growing demand for technicians skilled in the mechanical, electrical and thermal sciences. These qualifications are ideally suited to school-leavers (male and female) who have an interest in the engineering sciences and have practical skills. This series of qualifications also equips the learner with entrepreneurial skills which would lead to self employment in the SMME field (Most businesses in the field of air conditioning, refrigeration, and ventilation are in fact SMME's).

South Africa is the only country in Sub-Saharan Africa which has established qualifications and a network of training providers countrywide. South African trained technicians are the obvious choice for work in this field in all African countries north of our borders. We also see an untapped potential for training of learners from NEPAD countries which would assist in the further development of our training resources.

This qualification specifically suits learners who have an interest in science and mathematics as well as manual dexterity (ability to use tools) and a consciousness of personal and environmental safety. It is also suitable for workers who have had advanced practical and technical experience working in the air conditioning, refrigeration and ventilation industry but lack the formal learning required in the qualification and who have a level to competence equivalent of the NQF Level 3 qualification in air conditioning, refrigeration and ventilation as determined in formal assessment by an assessor who meets the criteria for the registration of assessors.

To achieve competence in this qualification the learner must be able to:
  • Compile feasibility and commissioning reports.
  • Interpret and present the effects of operating conditions on components, safety and control devices.

    Rationale:

    Air conditioning, refrigeration and ventilation are subfields of specialized engineering which account for the design, manufacture, installation, maintenance, and repair of systems which provide artificial cooling for the environment and the processing and preservation of foodstuffs. The development of the urban lifestyle with its concentration of population into centralized areas, the food chain from producer to consumer as well as the working environment and medical care would not be possible without these specialized engineering services.

    This is the third qualification in a series of qualifications which will lead to a learner acquiring all the skills required to work in the industry in the repair, maintenance, installation, manufacture and ultimately design of the mechanical/electrical systems which provide temperature control for environmental or process needs. By qualifying at this level a learner will achieve the status of an artisan in air conditioning, refrigeration and ventilation and will have an advanced knowledge of systems and equipment and be able to supervise working teams.
  • Assistant mechanic: NQF Level 2 (Technical competence: Has a basic understanding of equipment and is able to carry out technical work under supervision).
  • Mechanic: NQF Level 3 (Technical competence: Has a knowledge of equipment and systems and is able to carry out technical work without supervision).
  • Artisan: NQF Level 4 (Technical competence: Has an advanced knowledge of systems and equipment and is able to work without supervision and to supervise a team).
  • Technician/Project Leader: NQF Level 5 (Has knowledge of system design, selection and engineering and has management skills).

    The learner will be required to reach competence in the advanced skills of the servicing, repair and commissioning of systems and the selection of components and to understand and operate supervisory control systems. He will be required to supervise work teams and communicate at all levels in the workplace and with customers.

    There are many applications of air conditioning, refrigeration and ventilation which relate directly to the tourism and hospitality industry:
  • Air conditioning of hotels, restaurants and recreation areas.
  • Air conditioning of luxury buses, automobiles and other transport modes.
  • Refrigeration related to the food chain (producers, processors, warehouses, transport, retailing).

    The future events and subsequent increase in level of tourism will create further demand for the services of trained technicians to install, service and repair cooling equipment at all skills levels. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    This qualification assumes that the candidate has already achieved the following:
  • Communication and Mathematical literacy at NQF Level 2 or an equivalent.

    Recognition of Prior Learning:

    Whether a candidate attends formal courses or acquires the required skills through informal means, the same standards apply as per the matrix of unit standards. The qualification and the standards have been written in such a way that the learning has to be assessed in an integrated way. Assessors will assess evidence to establish what the learners know and can do. Such evidence may be gathered through course related activities and/or through work related activities. In cases where candidates do not attend formal courses, assessors should seek work related evidence as far as possible.

    Where courses are provided for learners, institutions can use the unit standards and this qualification to assess learning achievements.

    For candidates who are not able to achieve the outcomes, providers can then use the standards and qualifications to determine a specific learning programme to suit the candidates' learning needs. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    Fundamental Component:

    All fundamental unit standards are compulsory (56 credits).

    The fundamental Component consists of the following, which is compulsory for all learners:
  • Unit standards at NQF Level 4, totaling 16 credits in Mathematical Literacy.

    Core Component:

    All core unit standards are compulsory (64 credits).

    Elective Component:

    A minimum of 32 credits is required to meet requirement of this Qualification. A leaner may select any combination of credits adding up to a minimum of 32
    credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Demonstrate an understanding of procedures within industry and the ability to service, repair and start-up air conditioning, refrigeration and ventilation systems including the use and maintenance of equipment and tooling to meet quality and output requirements, working safety and in an environmentally aware manner.

    2. Demonstrate an understanding of the need for control of quality in the manufacturing, installation, maintenance and repair processes relating to air conditioning, refrigeration and ventilation.

    3. Demonstration an understanding of the application and procedures relating to the operation of various control devices, control systems and programmable logic systems used in air conditioning, refrigeration and ventilation plants.

    4. Demonstrate an understanding and application of all the various types of systems used and related to the air conditioning, refrigeration and ventilation industry.

    5. Manage subordinates, communicate with clients, peers and members of management levels by demonstrating the ability to summarise information and express opinion on given information in spoken and written form.

    6. Demonstrate an understanding of options for further learning in this or a related field of learning and preparation requirements for such learning.

    7. Demonstrate and understanding of the processes involved in the use of appropriate mathematics literacy and financial skills and the skills in written and oral communication applicable to the workplace and life in general.

    Critical Cross-Field Outcomes:

    The following indicates the critical cross-field outcomes relative to the exit level outcomes of the qualification:

    Identify and solve problems in which responses display that responsible decisions using critical and creative thinking have made when:
  • Diagnosing operational faults in refrigeration systems.

    Work effectively with others as a member of a team, group, organisation and community during:
  • Supervision of a team.

    Organise oneself and one`s activities responsibly and effectively when:
  • Conducting quality checks.
  • Designing and constructing three-phase circuits used in air-conditioning, refrigeration and ventilation plants.

    Communicate effectively using visual and language skills when:
  • Compiling feasibility and commissioning reports.

    Understand the world as a set of related systems when:
  • Explaining the operation of different systems and refrigerants in the air-conditioning, refrigeration and ventilation industry. 
    		•

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit-Level-Outcome 1:
  • Procedures to be followed when servicing, repairing and starting-up air-conditioning, refrigeration and ventilation systems are explained as per industry standards.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit-Level-Outcome 2:
  • The importance of quality control in the manufacturing, installation, maintenance and repair processes relating to air-conditioning, refrigeration and ventilation is explained.
  • The standards for control of quality are explained and their application is discussed.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit-Level-Outcome 3:
  • The consequences of defective material and assembly are explained in terms of safety, legal and contractual considerations.
  • The standards for control of quality are explained and their application is discussed.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit-Level-Outcome 4:
  • The functioning of the devices and systems are explained by means of control and wiring diagrams.
  • The need for control devices and systems is explained.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit-Level-Outcome 5:
  • The safety considerations of the work team and others in the vicinity are discussed in terms of the OSH Act and practical safety.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit-Level-Outcome 6:
  • The required personal skills are explained and demonstrated.
  • The procedures or processes are explained in relation to the appropriate refrigeration system or component.
  • The required installation methods or application are discussed and safety precautions noted.

    Integrated Assessment:

    Integrated assessment at the level of this qualification will evaluate the learner's capacity to integrate engineering principles, processes and behaviour across a range of workplace domains and thus be able to carry out maintenance, repair and installation work under supervision for the benefit of his employer.

    Integrated assessment must specifically evaluate the learner's ability to:
  • Demonstrate competence by means of the practical application of the embedded knowledge in a manner that meets the required performance standards required.

    This will require assessment methodologies which will include demonstration, oral and written responses, both summative and formative, and evidence of these in the form of portfolios or projects. Since this is a basic qualification, the learner must show sufficient evidence of ability to understand engineering principles and workplace behaviour and procedures. Such ability may be obtained in a formal learnership, by practice gained in the workplace (RPL) or by a combination of formal learning and practice in the workplace. The assessment must also ensure that learners have achieved the critical outcomes. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    European Union:

    Through the European Federation of National Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Associations (ERA. comprising 21 EU states), there is a move towards the harmonisation of EU refrigeration training and certification. This stems from the current lack of a singular reference point in respect of competence levels and a resulting measurement of compliance to EU refrigeration codes.

    For example, there is an EU legislative requirement (EC842-2006 for F Gas handling) which requires refrigeration workers to achieve certification in the handling of gases.

    This can be achieved through (City and Guild 2078) or CITB.

    Great Britain:

    Equivalent qualifications to the South African Qualifications in Britain include the 6087 series, that is:
  • Level 2: Small commercial air conditioning systems below 10kw.
  • Level 3: Commercial and industrial non ammonia refrigeration systems above 10kw.
  • Level 3: Ammonia refrigeration system.

    South African air conditioning, refrigeration and ventilation qualifications at NQF Levels 2-4 are equivalent to the expansive NVQ and SVQ's (Scottish) levels1, 2, 3 and some elements of their Level 4.

    On the other hand, the City and Guilds equivalents are found in the following range: 207- Level 2 (refrigeration and air conditioning craft certificate); 207- Level 3 (refrigeration and air conditioning advanced certificate and 257 technician certificate.

    SADC and beyond:

    Many SADC countries are still in the early stages of developing their NQF's. Equivalents for the qualifications under review were not found.

    New Zealand:

    South African NQF Level 3 and 4 qualifications compare relatively favourably with those of New Zealand (Level 3: 1415, Level 4:1416, Level 4: 0124, Level 4: 0130). It is note that the New Zealand Qualifications Authority allows for specialization in the following areas: Automotive Heating etc. Automotive machining, Diesel Fuel injection and Motorsport. The New Zealand Qualification Authority (NZQA) has listed an equivalent qualification as a Heating, Ventilation an Air-conditioning (HVAC) qualification which would be a component of an Engineering Qualification (e.g. Mechanical Engineering, Motor Industry Engineering or Building maintenance).

    In Summary:

    The International comparability exercise has revealed the following:
  • New Zealand, Great Britain, and EU qualifications have a number of occupational streams and learning pathways within the domestic, commercial/industrial and auto applications of heating, ventilation and air conditioning. It was also observed that the South African air conditioning unit standards within the NQF Level range 2-4 overlaps the international equivalent at Levels 1-6, in the various countries. Other countries make provision for school based vocational education at Level 1 equivalent, for example, the United States of America.
  • In line with the international experience, the South African Qualifications seek comply with the requirements of safety, national standards and the handling of dangerous substances. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This Qualification allows for both horizontal and vertical articulation.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • ID 58270: Further Education and Training Certificate: Electro Mechanics, NQF Level 4.
  • ID 58539: Further Education and Training Certificate: Automotive Repair and Maintenance, NQF Level 4.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • National Certificate: Generic Management, NQF Level 5. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Anyone assessing a learner or moderating the assessment of a learner against the qualification must be registered as an assessor with the relevant Education, Training, Quality, Assurance (ETQA) Body, or with an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding 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 Education, Training, Quality, Assurance (ETQA) Body, or with an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA. 
    		•

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
  • Anyone assessing a learner against this qualification must be registered with the relevant ETQA as an assessor.
  • Assessors should have a technical knowledge and experience of mechanical, electrical and thermal processes equivalent to one NQF Level higher than this qualification. They should also have sufficient expertise to assess communication, mathematical literacy and life skills. 
    		•

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

    NOTES 
    This qualification replaces the following qualifications:
  • ID 48966, which is "National Certificate in Air Conditioning, Refrigeration and Ventilation", Level 4, 135 credits.
  • ID 20721, which is "National Certificate: Air Conditioning, Refrigeration and Ventilation", Level 4, 135 credits.

    The assessment criteria for each unit standard are to be used by the assessor as the basis for assessment judgments, first in relation to each unit standard, and then in relation to integration at exit outcome level. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARDS: 
      ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
    Core  116698  Carry out elementary airflow measurements and calculations  Level 3  NQF Level 03  4 
    Core  12488  Complete feasibility and commissioning reports  Level 3  NQF Level 03  3 
    Core  116699  Determine, define and evaluate operating parameters of a refrigeration system  Level 3  NQF Level 03  5 
    Core  116463  Fault find, repair and maintain AC motors, circuitry and controls as applied to air conditioning, refrigeration and ventilation installations  Level 3  NQF Level 03  8 
    Core  116466  Inspect and maintain electrical control panels and circuitry as used for air-conditioning, refrigeration and ventilation installations  Level 3  NQF Level 03  6 
    Core  116464  Sketch and construct three-phase circuits as used in air-conditioning, refrigeration and ventilation installations  Level 3  NQF Level 03  8 
    Core  116379  Demonstrate knowledge of the OHS Act applicable to technicians employed in the air-conditioning, refrigeration and ventilation industries  Level 4  NQF Level 04  4 
    Core  116406  Diagnose operational faults in refrigeration systems and take remedial action or propose corrective action  Level 4  NQF Level 04  6 
    Core  262178  Interpret the effect of operating conditions on components, safety and control devices  Level 4  NQF Level 04  6 
    Core  116380  Supervise workers at levels 2 and 3  Level 4  NQF Level 04  6 
    Core  116392  Understand, implement, maintain and monitor general quality standards within the air-conditioning, refrigeration and ventilation industries  Level 4  NQF Level 04  8 
    Fundamental  119458  Analyse and respond to a variety of literary texts  Level 3  NQF Level 03  5 
    Fundamental  119466  Interpret a variety of literary texts  Level 3  NQF Level 03  5 
    Fundamental  119457  Interpret and use information from texts  Level 3  NQF Level 03  5 
    Fundamental  119467  Use language and communication in occupational learning programmes  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  119470  Evaluate literary texts  Level 4  NQF Level 04  5 
    Fundamental  119461  Make and motivate judgements on selected literary texts  Level 4  NQF Level 04  5 
    Fundamental  119469  Read/view, 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  119471  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 
    Elective  116695  Determine the properties of air from a psychometric chart and carry out basic calculation involving heat and mass transfer  Level 3  NQF Level 03  7 
    Elective  116701  Handle and place in position equipment used within the air-conditioning, refrigeration and ventilation industries  Level 3  NQF Level 03  4 
    Elective  116716  Install eutectic and multi compartment transport refrigeration systems  Level 3  NQF Level 03  6 
    Elective  116714  Lead a team, plan, allocate and assess their work  Level 3  NQF Level 03  4 
    Elective  116710  List the commonly applied air-conditioning systems, state their application and explain their operation  Level 3  NQF Level 03  8 
    Elective  116704  Maintain safety in the handling of ammonia refrigerant  Level 3  NQF Level 03  9 
    Elective  7465  Collect and use data to establish complex statistical and probability models and solve related problems  Level 4  NQF Level 04  5 
    Elective  116460  Demonstrate an understanding of logic controllers as used in air conditioning, refrigeration and ventilation applications  Level 4  NQF Level 04  7 
    Elective  262158  Perform maintenance and repair on specialised marine refrigerated containers and generator sets  Level 4  NQF Level 04  15 
    Elective  116421  Repair and overhaul air-conditioning, refrigeration and ventilation equipment  Level 4  NQF Level 04  8 
    Elective  116403  Service a refrigeration system and set it in operation  Level 4  NQF Level 04  8 
    Elective  116389  Write a technical report  Level 4  NQF Level 04  4 
    Elective  262159  Inspect and evaluate the conformance of air-conditioning and refrigeration pressure equipment  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  15 


    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.