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: Master Toolmaker (Plastic or Rubber or Glass Master Toolmaker)

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
98888	Occupational Certificate: Master Toolmaker (Plastic or Rubber or Glass Master Toolmaker)
ORIGINATOR
Development Quality Partner - TASA/NTIP
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY			NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
-			OQSF - Occupational Qualifications Sub-framework
QUALIFICATION TYPE	FIELD		SUBFIELD
Occupational Certificate	Field 06 - Manufacturing, Engineering and Technology		Engineering and Related Design
ABET BAND	MINIMUM CREDITS	PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL	NQF LEVEL	QUAL CLASS
Undefined	240	Not Applicable	NQF Level 06	Regular-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 a learner to operate as an/a Plastic or rubber or glass Master Toolmaker. A Plastic or rubber or glass Master Toolmaker designs, manufactures and maintains advanced plastic or rubber or glass tools; manufactures, integrates, processes and equipment; tests processes and maintains complex plastic or rubber or glass production systems by integrating these, multiple technologies and business management processes into a cost effective solution.

A qualified learner will be able to:

Design, manufacture and maintain advanced plastic or rubber or glass tooling.

Manage and integrate plastic or rubber or glass tool making processes, equipment, multiple technologies and business management processes into cost effective tooling.

Test and maintain production systems in relation to specific plastic or rubber or glass tooling used.

Rationale:
The National Tooling Initiative Programme (NTI) is the turnaround intervention programme aimed at the rehabilitation and growth of the Tool, Die and Mould manufacturing (TDM) Sector and has been identified by the DTI as a key programme to uplift the manufacturing industry to international standards to develop the market and showcase the niche competitive advantages and capabilities of South Africa. The need for revamping and updating the training capacity for the TDM sector cannot be over-emphasised and the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO) model for provision of training received overwhelming support from the industry. In particular, the advent of this system is considered opportune to address existing problems in the industry, such as improved industrial competitiveness by addressing current loss of work to competitor countries resulting from the lack of skills availability, decline in quality standards (out-dated non-competitive technology), decline in SA TDM companies' ability to meet delivery capacity and timing requirements:

Improve the BBBEE transformation in TDM industry where as a result of perceived distress in the sector, financial institutions and investors classify this industry sector as high risk, thus empowerment investment to date remains largely insignificant. Capacity building will address start-up SME enterprises in the sector to improve investor perception and improve chances for investment finance.

Improve the Balance of Payments through import substitution resulting from local production and manufacturing competitiveness, i.e. machine setting, tooling adjustment and tool maintenance services. The improved competiveness will further address downstream problems like plant downtime, higher scrap rates, drop in output efficiencies, quality problems, missed supply deadlines, and increased input costs.

The master artisan concept exhibits great potential to revive the seeming 'dwindling away' of trades and trades uptake, with the capacity to assist tradespeople to achieve the social recognition and prestige enjoyed by other professionals in the community. The completion of the Plastic or rubber or glass Master Toolmaker marks a significant moment in South Africa's industrial history, where highly skilled artisans for the first time will be able to access formal recognition, recognition that will also play a leading role in elevating the status of trades' careers and conferring prestige on South African artisans in the twenty-first century. The SA TDM sector views the introduction of the plastic or rubber or glass Master Toolmaker qualification, of serious significance for the transformation of the sector.

The range of typical learners that will enter this new master artisan qualification are people who are generally qualified Toolmaker artisans, with at least four years practical experience in making Tooling within the industry and who would like to advance their skills, competencies and employment in the Tool and Die Making industry.

This qualification resides as one of several in the mechanical engineering and manufacturing environments and makes allowance for any toolmaking sector artisan occupation within this context to gain access to the more specialised aspects of Tool, Die and Mould making.
The Master Artisan qualifications in Toolmaking further make provision for artisans to progress within this discipline to more specialised aspects such as technology, management, financial and entrepreneurial skills development.

The main benefits of this qualification for the learner are that the learner has an opportunity to be recognised as a qualified master artisan with well-structured, relevant and current competencies and have access to entrepreneurial opportunities within the mechanical engineering and manufacturing environments. Society will be served by artisans qualified at a high level of specialisation in specific aspects of the toolmaking sector, thus contributing to the competitiveness of South Africa's manufacturing sector. The overall benefits for the economy would include efficient and effective high end Toolmaking competencies available to be utilised for economic growth purposes.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
RPL for 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:
Entry is open to learners with either of the following:

Toolmaker at NQF Level 5.
Or

Fitter and turner at NQF Level 4.
Or

Machinist trade at NQF Level 4 and four years' experience in any field of specialisation i.e. Plastic or rubber or glass, Metal Forming, Casting and Die Casting, Purpose Built Machine or Specialised Machinist or Fitting and Turning.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

QUALIFICATION RULES

This qualification is made up of the following compulsory Knowledge and Practical Skill Modules:
Knowledge Modules:

652205001-KM-01, Technology of working with plastics or rubber or glass, at NQF Level 6, 12 Credits.

652205001-KM-02, Proportion Hydraulics in plastics or rubber or glass, at NQF Level 6, 4 Credits.

652205001-KM-03, Technical business management, at NQF Level 5, 10 Credits.

652205001-KM-04, Business management and administration, at NQF Level 4, 10 Credits.

652205001-KM-05, Tooling Systems Engineering, at NQF Level 5, 4 Credits.

652205001-KM-06, Automation and Control, at NQF Level 5, 4 Credits.

652205001-KM-07, Strength of Materials, at NQF Level 6, 11 Credits.

652205001-KM-08, Theory of CAD and CAM, at NQF Level 6, 8 Credits.

652205001-KM-09, Additive Manufacturing, at NQF Level 6, 4 Credits.

652205001-KM-10, Metrology, at NQF Level 6, 8 Credits.
Total number of Credits for Knowledge Modules: 75.

Practical Skill Modules:

652205001-PM-01, Design different plastic or rubber or glass tooling, at NQF Level 6, 15 Credits.

652205001-PM-02, Manufacture different plastic or rubber or glass tooling, at NQF Level 5, 12 Credits.

652205001-PM-03, Maintain plastic or rubber or glass tooling, at NQF Level 5, 12 Credits.

652205001-PM-04, Implement business management processes for plastic, or rubber or glass tooling solutions, at NQF Level 6, 12 Credits.

652205001-PM-05, Manage and integrate multiple technologies, and plastic or rubber or glass production processes and procedures, at NQF Level 5, 12 Credits.

652205001-PM-06, Test, run and maintain plastic or rubber or glass tooling production systems, at NQF Level 5, 12 Credits.
Total number of Credits for Practical Skill Modules: 75.

This qualification also requires the following Work Experience Modules:

652205001-WM-01, Processes and procedures for designing, manufacturing and maintaining of advanced plastics or rubber or glass tooling in a production environment, at NQF Level 6, 40 Credits.

652205001-WM-02, Processes and procedures for managing and integrating equipment, multiple technologies and business management processes into a cost effective plastic or rubber or glass production environment, at NQF Level 6, 30 Credits.

652205001-WM-03, Processes and procedures for testing and maintaining plastic or rubber or glass tooling production systems, at NQF Level 6, 20 Credits.
Total number of Credits for Work Experience Modules: 90.

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

1. Design, manufacture and maintain advanced plastic or rubber or glass tooling.
2. Manage and integrate plastic or rubber or glass tool making processes, equipment, multiple technologies and business management processes into a cost effective tool.
3. Test and maintain production systems in relation to specific plastic or rubber or glass tooling used.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:

A product design is verified for its manufacturability by means of tooling by compiling a manufacturability report.

Acceptance report or recommended modification to product design is compiled in terms of optimisation of; tool, cost, functional performance, maintainability repeatable and safety.

Presentations of tooling design reflecting conformance to specification are made and approval is received according to task instructions.

Tools, equipment, machines and materials are scheduled and managed in order to machine tool/mould parts to specification.

Machining process to produce tool/mould part is managed utilising various tooling technologies and applications.

The tool/mould part is inspected to identify any machining faults.

Parts and equipment check list is utilised in accordance to job specification.

Plastic or rubber or glass tool/mould is assembled to meet the required specification.

Functionality of the assembled tool/mould parts are tested to ensure it is operational.

Tools/moulds are assigned to the selected machine in order to complete the commissioning activities.

Components (samples) are produced and verified in accordance with specifications.

Debugging procedures are applied to tool/mould in accordance with requirements to produce samples to specification.

Knowledge and understanding of designing, manufacturing and maintaining are demonstrated in working with advanced plastic or rubber or glass tools.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:

Service Level Agreement between company and a service provider are planned, prepared and managed to ensure service provision comply.

Compliance of a service provider is evaluated using the relevant procurement criteria.

The process of managing the establishment of a database of service providers is informed by agreed selection criteria and operational providers.

Performance agreement is drafted, compiled and signed in accordance to the performance best practice.

Performance appraisals are conducted and concluded in accordance with the rules and regulations set out in the Human Resources procedures.

Cost deviations are explained in terms of industry standards and operating procedures.

Cost categories (Fixed and Variable) are analysed according the industry financial standards.

Cost allocations and recovery aspects are conducted and analysed using industry financial guidelines.

Various resources (financial, physical and human), technologies and equipment requirements are identified, planned and prepared in accordance with project brief.

Resources (financial, physical and human), technologies and equipment requirements are coordinated and managed in accordance with a project plan.

Project processes are quality assured and all reporting are complied with in accordance with task instructions.

The specific technology required for the production of tool/mould is determined and utilised in accordance with task specifications and requirements.

Knowledge and understanding of managing and integrating plastic or rubber or glass tool making are demonstrated with respect to the processes, equipment, multiple technologies and business management processes into a cost effective tool.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:

Production systems are tested and run against various technologies.

Settings are determined and suggestions are recorded to allow for efficient and economical processes.

Production systems are tested to determine cost effectiveness of operations.

Low maintenance and cost effective production systems are introduced to reflect cost effective operations.

Tool/mould/component history report is processed and filed in accordance with task requirements.

Tool/mould is tested for errors and deviations in accordance with task requirements.

Documentation is completed and stored in accordance with task requirements.

Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of testing and maintaining a production system in relation to specific plastic or rubber or glass tools used.

Integrated Assessment:
Integrated 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 integrated formative assessment leads to entrance into the integrated external summative assessment.

Integrated summative assessment:
An external integrated summative assessment, conducted through the relevant Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (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 project presentation before colloquium, written assessment and practical task at a QCTO accredited assessment centre. The written examination will be concluded at the accredited assessment centre and marked by registered assessors. Practical tasks will also be assessed by registered assessors. The combination of the written and practical assessment will be conducted over a period of two working days.

INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY

A master craftsman or master tradesman (sometimes called only master or grandmaster, German: Meister) was a member of a guild. In the European guild system, only masters and journeymen were allowed to be members of the guild. An aspiring master would have to pass through the career chain from apprentice to journeyman before he could be elected to become a master craftsman. The Master Toolmaker qualification and curriculum is one of many programmes to be found in the vocational education systems of various countries in the world. The international comparability was therefore done firstly at the level of the Master Toolmaker and secondly at the level of specialisation. The content compared will therefore be relevant to all five specialisations with this one being the report for the Master Toolmaker (Plastic or rubber or glass toolmaker).

A comparability review of the South Africa master toolmaker occupational qualification and curriculum for the programmes in the following countries, considered leaders in both industry and training approaches, are: Germany, France, United States of America and Australia creating an articulation between the artisan and tertiary education programme such as qualifications in tooling engineering.

In many instances training is comparable to the current Quality Council for Trades and Occupations approach emphasising theory, practical and workplace experiences. Industry alignment of this qualification ensures that the training content is aligned to new technological innovations, standards and competency requirements of South Africa's major trading partners such as Europe, specifically Germany, the United States of America and the East.

There are differences, however, based on the degree of integration into the educational system, the mechanisms of regulation, forms of government support for business knowledge and integration, and industry commitment to the system. The length of the different programmes also varies because it is normally presented as part-time industry supported programmes. Average duration; however, seems to be two years part-time integrated into the participants day-to-day job activities. The South African qualification also ensures that various modules of the programme will carry international module acknowledgement and accreditation from product and or service providers.

The new system being introduced in SA compares well with the German model as well as the proposed Australian model as follows:

The qualification is designed to:

Provide a growth path for existing artisans to improve their knowledge, skills and competencies in the trade.

Provide industry and the economy with more advanced competent skilled workers.

Increase the status of trade workers in the industry and economy.

Increase the competencies of existing artisans in the fields of legal, financial, administrative and business management.

Stimulate the growth of artisans to become entrepreneurs.

Implementation comparisons between the German model and the proposed Australian model:

Minimum requirement is an Artisan qualification with a number of years industry experience.

Qualification includes theoretical, practical and workplace experience.

Specific focus is placed on the completion of a practical project (masterpiece).

Qualification is further structured to include legal, financial, mentorship, administration, business management and entrepreneurship training.

Conclusion:
The South African Plastic or rubber or glass Master Toolmaker qualification is comparable to what is found in the chosen benchmarks with specific focus on the German Expert in Tooling qualification, in terms of what the qualification covers and the level of skills that have to be developed. It is, however, designed to meet the needs of the South African tool and die making industry as well as the current economic challenges in South Africa.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

This qualification articulates horizontally and vertically with similar or related qualifications for career progression. In terms of career development, a Master Toolmaker (plastic, or rubber or glass) could select from a number of occupational qualifications for horizontal articulation and career options which are available in occupations such as:

Occupational Certificate: Casting and Die Casting Mould Maker Master Toolmaker, NQF Level 6.

Occupational Certificate: Purpose-Built Machine Master Toolmaker, NQF Level 6.

Occupational Certificate: Specialised Tooling Machinist Master Toolmaker, NQF Level 6.

Occupational Certificate: Metal Forming Die Master Toolmaker, NQF Level 6.

Vertical articulation and career options which are available in an occupation as a Tooling Engineer with additional Engineering qualifications such as:

Bachelor of Engineering in Mechanical Industrial, NQF Level 7.

Bachelor of Technology in Mechanical Industrial, NQF Level 7.

MODERATION OPTIONS

N/A

CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS

N/A

NOTES

Qualifying for external assessment:
In order to qualify for an external assessment, learners must provide proof of completion of all required modules by means of a statement of results and work experience.

Additional legal or physical entry requirements:

None.

Criteria for the accreditation of providers.

Accreditation of providers will be done against the criteria as reflected in the relevant curriculum on the QCTO website.

The curriculum title and code is: 652205001: Plastic or rubber or glass Master Toolmaker.

This qualification covers the following trades as recorded on the NLRD:

None.

Part Qualifications:

No part qualifications applicable.

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.

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