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: 

Occupational Certificate: Airline Ground Crew 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
93791  Occupational Certificate: Airline Ground Crew 
ORIGINATOR
Development Quality Partner-TETA 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
QCTO - Quality Council for Trades and Occupations  OQSF - Occupational Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Occupational Certificate  Field 11 - Services  Hospitality, Tourism, Travel, Gaming and Leisure 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  125  Not Applicable  NQF Level 04  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 SAQA 06120/18  2018-07-01  2023-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2024-06-30   2027-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This qualification does not replace any other qualification and is not replaced by any other qualification. 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:
The purpose of this qualification is to prepare learners to operate as Airline Ground Crew.
Airline Ground Crew Operators load and unload aircraft, handle baggage, cargo and mail; conduct aircraft towing/push back, marshalling, ground support equipment and docking operations; catering; airside driving; line maintenance; passenger transfer; security; load control; aircraft dispatch; communications; and perform other aircraft ground handling services to ensure aircraft run efficiently.

A qualified learner will be able to:
  • Perform aircraft loading and load control activities.
  • Conduct safe and efficient handling of aircraft on airside and technical areas.
  • Conduct passenger handling between terminal and aircraft.

    Rationale:
    The Airline Industry requires a training programme for the ground crew personnel to provide for ever increasing demand arising from South Africa's entery into the globally competitive environment and having an obligation to provide training programmes standardised by various international bodies. Various international protocols require the industry to stay ahead of its competitors and comply with energy efficient operations and high levels of security operations in the airline industry.

    The range of typical learners entering this qualification are people who would like to gain access to employment and entrepreneurial opportunities in various aspects of ground crew operations ranging from airside to land side operations, including passenger care and handling activities.

    The South African society and international community will be served by qualified airline ground crew operational staff who will not only undertake work with improved skills but are also undertaking this work with a full awareness of the importance of energy efficiency requirements, security and ever changing environmental considerations.

    The economy requires efficient and effective airline ground crew competencies for economic growth purposes as well as assisting respective airlines to move to a greener world, build company competitive edge and improved customer services. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    RPL provides access to the external integrated summative assessment: Accredited providers and approved workplaces must apply the internal assessment criteria specified in the related curriculum document to establish and confirm prior learning. Accredited providers and workplaces must confirm prior learning by issuing a statement of result or certifying a work experience record.

    RPL for access to the qualification: Accredited providers and approved workplaces may recognise prior learning against the relevant access requirements.

    Entry Requirements:
  • Grade 12 or equivalent. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification is made up of the following compulsory Knowledge, Practical Skill and Work Experience Modules:

    Knowledge Modules:
  • Aircraft Ground Handling Theory, NQF Level 4, 15 Credits.
  • Basic Principles of Communications Theory, NQF Level 3, 10 Credits.
  • Health, Safety, Quality and Legislation, NQF Level 4, 10 Credits.
  • Environment, Energy Efficiency and Ethics, NQF Level 4, 10 Credits.
    Total number of credits for Knowledge Modules: 45.

    Practical Skill Modules:
  • Apply Weight and Balance of an Aircraft, NQF Level 4, 15 Credits.
  • Operate Passenger Handling Services on the Airport Landside, NQF Level 4, 20 Credits.
  • Administer Passenger Handling Services on Airport Airside, NQF Level 4, 20 Credits.
    Total number of credits for Practical Skill Modules: 55.

    Work Experience Modules:
  • Aircraft loading and load control processes, NQF Level 5, 10 Credits.
  • Safe and efficient aircraft handling processes on airside and technical areas, NQF Level 4, 5 Credits.
  • Passenger handling procedures between terminal and aircraft, NQF Level 4, 10 Credits.
    Total number of credits for Work Experience Modules: 25 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Perform aircraft loading and load control activities.
    2. Conduct safe and efficient handling of aircraft on airside and technical areas.
    3. Conduct passenger handling between terminal and aircraft. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Weight and index of the aircraft tail number (registration), crew, pantry code and any flight spares is extracted correctly in accordance with industry standards.
  • Load Plan is completed correctly according to load instruction report format.
  • Calculation of passengers numbers, luggage weight, zero fuel weight is correct based on other corresponding sources.
  • Final cargo, mail, passenger and baggage and fuel figures obtained conform to the specifics of the aircraft and are verified as correct.
  • The graph of load sheet and balance chart produced conform to the final cargo, passengers and baggage figures.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Printed ticket receipts, collected payments and documentation comply with the customer requirements and meet industry standards and procedures.
  • Close of day sales report is verifiable against other relevant source documentation.
  • Passenger assessment and security checks are conducted in accordance with regulations and industry standards.
  • Boarding pass and baggage tagging are issued correctly for correct passenger identity and destination points.
  • Communication to passengers meets the required standards of etiquette and efficiency.
  • Documentation and payments are correct for the defined destination of the passenger/s.
  • Communication with minors and disabled passengers complies with the regulations and industry standards.
  • Assistance provided to the disabled and minors complies with customer relations standards.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Special needs passengers are provided with services befitting their specific circumstances and complies with industry needs.
  • Missing and lost passenger luggage is searched for and identified following prescribed procedures.

    Integrated Assessment:
    An external integrated summative assessment, conducted through the relevant QCTO Assessment Quality partner is required for the issuing of this qualification. The external integrated summative assessment will focus on the Exit Level Outcomes and Associated Assessment Criteria. The external assessment will be conducted through a combination of a written assessment and demonstration of practical tasks at a registered assessment centre and marked by registered assessors. The combination of the written and practical assessment will be conducted over a period of one working day. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This International Comparability study was undertaken to examine the airline ground crew occupation, including the level of qualification, duration and contents of the related curriculum. The purpose is to facilitate the development of a meaningful learning path and its associated curriculum incorporating both theoretical and practical skills which will ensure compatibility, comparability and compliance with existing international qualification specifications and regulations. This exercise further provides baseline information towards benchmarking the curriculum under development for the Transport and Education Training Authority (Teta).

    A preliminary literature review considered a total of 15 countries but, given the international regulatory bodies prevalent within this sector, training programmes are often standardised to meet prescribed international standards. Several international providers have thus standardised compliant programmes and deliver them in several countries. Consequently, the countries included in the final comparability review were: International Air Transport Association (IATA/ISAGO) for international standards, Germany, Singapore, United Kingdom and Japan. In the case of the African continent, several countries receive their training from some of the international providers such as; International Air Transport Association (IATA/ ISAGO) for Kenya and Egypt, and Swissport International or Transaereo for Botswana, Malawi, Mauritius, Seychelles, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia and Zambia. The USA and UK qualifications and programmes were considered to be particularly comparable with South Africa, and others have qualifications which are at levels lower - though the content is comparable.

    Conclusion:
    Most of the training in these countries is based on short courses in a variety of aviation-related activities. The courses are of varying duration. Some are graded from basic to advanced levels. It can be seen from above that the course content of these short courses closely compares to the different modules of the proposed qualification. There are, as is expected, a few small differences in the way in which the short courses are designed and presented.

    The three courses from the United Kingdom very closely resemble this qualification. They have a generic core component that covers competencies like the aviation environment, occupational health and safety, aviation security and then they provide a range of options which the learners can pursue. Most of these aspects/options are covered by this Qualification and almost all will be addressed once all the specialisation streams have been developed. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    Aviation Support Unit Standards have overlapping competencies with the proposed modules in this qualification and would provide for articulation options horizontally.

    Vertical Articulation is indicated for qualifications in management in this specific context, for example Generic Management at NQF Level 5. 

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

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

    NOTES 
    Qualifying for external assessment:
    No Part Qualifications are applicable.

    Foundational learning:
    Foundational learning competence is a pre-requisite for the awarding of this qualification.

    Additional legal or physical entry requirements:
    None.

    Part Qualifications:
    No Part Qualifications applicable.

    Criteria for the Accreditations of Providers:
    Accreditation of providers will be done against the criteria as reflected in the relevant curriculum on the QCTO website. 

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
     
    NONE 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    NONE 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.