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: 

Occupational Certificate: Footwear Closing Production Machine Operator 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
96374  Occupational Certificate: Footwear Closing Production Machine Operator 
ORIGINATOR
Development Quality Partner - FPMSETA (MAN) 
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 06 - Manufacturing, Engineering and Technology  Manufacturing and Assembly 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  130  Not Applicable  NQF Level 02  Regular-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Reregistered  EXCO 0425/24  2018-07-01  2025-12-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2026-12-30   2029-12-30  

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 a learner to operate as a Footwear Closing Production Machine Operator. Footwear Closing Machine Operators operate machinery and equipment to prepare and assemble cut component parts to produce closed footwear uppers (closing process) to specifications.
A qualified learner will be able to:
  • Perform manual processes to prepare components for machine operations.
  • Operate footwear closing machinery and equipment to produce closed footwear uppers.
  • Perform manual processes to complete closed uppers after machining.

    Rationale:
    The Footwear Industry in South Africa is challenged by footwear producers from countries like China, Korea and the like which have entered the South African market with mass-produced goods for the footwear sector. This competition has implications for the staff at bottom levels in each organisation; as a result profit margins have declined. In this regard organisations have opted for the development of skills in order to enhance productivity and development of quality products, and that the business can be sustained throughout the challenges it faces. This qualification will replace the qualification 58227: National Certificate in CTFL Manufacturing Processes (NQF Level 2) which proved to be a very popular qualification within the industry through which 5628 learners had been trained over a period of 5 years (2003-2008 which was the reporting period on which the application for the development of this Qualification was based) which proved that there is a dire need for this training in the sector.
    This qualification prepares learners for employment and/or career advancement in the footwear industry. Career advancement opportunities include entering:
  • General or technical management.
  • Quality management.
  • Conceptual design of manufactured clothing, textile, sewing and leather products.
  • Advanced technology.
    On the successful completion of this qualification, learners will also be considered and recognised for entrepreneurial activities, like starting their own business.
    This qualification is in line with the sector's national strategies as it identifies critical and scarce skill in the Footwear Industry Sector Skills Plans of the Footwear Industry. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    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 Results or certifying a Work Experience Record. Accredited providers and approved workplaces may Recognise Prior Learning against the relevant access requirements for access to this qualification.

    Entry Requirements:
    Learners are required to have NQF Level 1 with Mathematics at in order to be considered for admission. 

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of compulsory modules at NQF Level 2 totalling 130 Credits made up of knowledge, practical skill modules and work experience modules.

    Knowledge Modules at NQF Level 2 totalling 26 Credits:
  • 715602000-KM-01, Basic Footwear Closing Production and Manufacturing Concepts, NQF Level 2, 6 Credits.
  • 715602000-KM-02, Footwear Closing Technology, Materials and Manufacturing, NQF Level 2, 12 Credits.
  • 715602000-KM-03, Applied Numerical Literacy in the Footwear Industry, NQF Level 2, 4 Credits.
  • 715602000-KM-04, Applied English Literacy for the Footwear Industry, NQF Level 2, 4 Credits.

    Practical Skill Modules at NQF Level 2 totalling 32 Credits:
  • 715602000-PM-01, Prepare footwear upper components for processing, NQF Level 2, 2 Credits.
  • 715602000-PM-02, Perform skiving machine operations, NQF Level 2, 2 Credits.
  • 715602000-PM-03, Perform flatbed sewing machine operations, NQF Level 2, 10 Credits.
  • 715602000-PM-04, Perform beading/folding machine operations, NQF Level 2, 6 Credits.
  • 715602000-PM-05, Perform post-bed machine operations, NQF Level 2, 6 Credits.
  • 715602000-PM-06, Perform toe-puff attaching machine operations, NQF Level 2, 2 Credits.
  • 715602000-PM-07, Perform post-machining operations, NQF Level 2, 4 Credits.

    Work Experience Modules at NQF Level 2 totalling 72 Credits:
  • 715602000-WM-01, Footwear Pre-Closing Manufacturing Processes, NQF Level 2, 16 Credits.
  • 715602000-WM-02, Footwear Closing Manufacturing Environment, NQF Level 2, 40 Credits.
  • 715602000-WM-03, Footwear Post-Closing Manufacturing Environment, NQF Level 2, 16 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Produce closed footwear uppers using manual and mechanised processes.
    2. Identify faults, their causes, the impact of faults on subsequent processes, and implement corrective actions.
    3. Apply safe working procedures by complying with occupational health, safety and environmental requirements.
    4. Apply the closed footwear uppers process correctly to produce quality component parts.
    5. Explain the importance of productivity in the workplace. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Production processes and footwear materials are described and discussed.
  • The quality requirements for footwear closed uppers are identified.
  • Footwear uppers for closing are identified according to style, size, colour and quality.
  • Deviations in the production process, which will affect safety, health, quality or efficiency are recognised and correctly responded to.
  • Terminology used in the footwear manufacturing industry is defined and applied in recording and reporting practices.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Various types of product, process and machine faults are identified.
  • The impact of fault(s) on subsequent footwear closing processes is evaluated.
  • The causes of the faults are identified and responded to.
  • The importance of product, process and machine faults are explained.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Compliance with health, safety and environmental requirements is achieved when operating machines and equipment.
  • Consequences of not using appropriate personal protective equipment are analysed.
  • The impact of incorrect disposal of waste/chemicals on the environment and the organisation is assessed.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Ways to achieve quality consistency in the closing process are identified and analysed.
  • The importance of compliance with safety standards is justified.
  • Risks related to the footwear closing process are evaluated.
  • The role of examining footwear closed component parts for flaws, defects, stretch direction, etc. in the achievement of correct and consistent product quality is evaluated.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
  • The importance of compliance with industry standards for quality and quantity of production and time, quality and quantity targets is evaluated.
  • Aspects in the footwear closing process which may compromise productivity are listed and argued.
  • The impact of non-conformance to quality and quantity targets on production and profit is analysed.

    Integrated Assessment:

    Formative Assessment:
    The skills development providers will use the Curriculum to guide them on the stipulated internal assessment criteria and weighting. They will also apply the scope of practical skills and applied knowledge as stipulated by the internal assessment criteria. This formative assessment leads to entrance into the integrated external summative assessment.

    Summative 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 assessment will include a practical demonstration as a Phase Test at an approved assessment site, conducted by an Assessor registered with the AQP. The external summative assessment will be conducted through a final theoretical assessment (oral or written) conducted in the workplace, and evaluated by an Assessor registered with the AQP. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    International comparability was conducted by comparing this qualification with the Machining/Closing the Upper Unit Standards of the Australian Textile Clothing and Footwear Industry Training Board (ATCFITB) National Footwear Competency Standards (Australia). Unit standards were selected for the international comparability since these are held in high esteem in the industry and are regarded as also suitable for comparing of best practices in the Footwear Uppers production sector.

    There is a huge similarity between the newly developed Occupational Certificate and the Australian Standards. The following should be noted:
  • Content: The content of both qualifications is quite similar since it is derived from the production process followed in the workplace and the production line.
  • Structure of the information: In both cases the structure of the presentation of the information is the similar since it is derived from workplace practices.
  • Focus on quality: Both qualifications support quality of the end product as evidence of competence.

    Conclusion:
    In conclusion, the Footwear Closing Machine Operator Qualification compares favourably with the Machining/Closing the Upper Unit Standards of the ATCFITB National Footwear Competency Standards (Australia) in terms of the content of the qualification which covers and the level of skills and knowledge that has to be developed. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification articulates horizontally and vertically with similar or related qualifications currently in development.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • National Certificate: Clothing, Textile, Footwear and Leather Manufacturing Processes at NQF Level 2.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • National Certificate: Clothing, Textiles, Footwear and Leather (CTFL) Mechanician Processes at NQF Level 3. 
    		•

    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 
    N/A 

    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.