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 Hand Lacer and Hand Inter-lacer 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
99258  Occupational Certificate: Footwear Hand Lacer and Hand Inter-lacer 
ORIGINATOR
Development Quality Partner - FPMSETA (MAN) 
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  Manufacturing and Assembly 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  58  Not Applicable  NQF Level 01  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 Hand Lacer and Hand Inter-lacer.

A Footwear Hand Lacer and Hand Inter-lacer performs hand lacing operations to assemble and/or decorate footwear uppers and/or to join closed footwear uppers to outer soles, and performs hand-inter lacing operations to assemble and/or decorate footwear uppers.

A qualified learner will be able to:
  • Perform hand lacing operations to assemble footwear upper components.
  • Perform hand lacing operations to decorate footwear upper components.
  • Perform hand inter-lacing operations to assemble and decorate footwear upper components.

    Rationale:
    This qualification is linked to job creation initiatives. The qualifying learner will enter into an agreement with participating employers for the production of hand laced and hand inter-laced footwear products. Based on this agreement, all qualifying learners will be able to source work from employers who produce hand laced and inter-laced footwear. These functions are outsourced by manufacturers.

    Learners will benefit from this qualification by obtaining skills and competencies which will make them immediately employable. Employers will benefit from this qualification because they will get qualified persons that are work ready.

    The learner is immediately employable and is also fully equipped to work from home. The learner can be self-employed and so be a contributing member of society and the economy. The learner can enter into contracts with manufacturers to supply them with finished footwear products.

    The target group for this qualification is any person (literate or illiterate) who is older than 16 years of age and has a certain degree of hand and finger dexterity.

    The learner can enter into contracts with manufacturers to supply them with finished footwear products.

    The training will contribute to job creation and employable skills development.

    It is envisaged that a number of approximately 100 learners will be trained annually. 
    		•

    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:
  • Open Access: This qualification does not require any schooling or previous training and is open to anybody who wants to be taught the craft of hand lacing and hand inter-lacing. It has been specifically designed for illiterate people. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

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

    Knowledge Module:
  • 715602001-KM-01, Hand Lacing and Inter-lacing Equipment and Resources, Level 1, 12 Credits.
    Total number of credits for Knowledge Modules: 12.

    Practical Skill Modules:
  • 715602001-PM-01, Join footwear uppers components using various hand lacing stitches, Level 1, 21 Credits.
  • 715602001-PM-02, Decorate footwear uppers components using various hand lacing stitches, Level 1, 4 Credits.
  • 715602001-PM-03, Join and decorate footwear uppers components using various hand inter-lacing stitches, Level 1, 5 Credits.
    Total number of credits for Practical Skill Modules: 30.

    This qualification also requires the following Work Experience Modules:
  • 715602001-WM-01, Hand lacing operations, Level 1, 12 Credits.
  • 715602001-WM-02, Hand lacing operations to decorate footwear uppers components, Level 1, 1 Credit.
  • 715602001-WM-03, Hand inter-lacing operations to assemble and decorate footwear uppers, Level 1, 3 Credits.
    Total number of credits for Work Experience Modules: 16. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Visually interpret a sample of a completed hand laced product.
    2. Prepare for hand lacing operations to assemble upper components.
    3. Use a variety of hand lacing stitch types to join 2 components.
    4. Inspect finished work for quality.
    5. Prepare material and equipment to decorate an upper using hand lacing techniques.
    6. Perform hand lacing stitches to decorate an upper as per the sample.
    7. Inspect finished work for quality to sample.
    8. Visually interpret a sample of a completed product for assembling a hand inter-laced upper.
    9. Prepare for hand inter-lacing operations to assemble upper components.
    10. Perform hand inter-lacing to assemble an upper according to sample.
    11. Perform hand inter-lacing to decorate an upper according to sample. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Components are handled and stored with care.
  • The sample is correctly interpreted.
  • Hand tools, consumables and components for use are correctly identified and selected.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2
  • The needle is correctly run in with wire and threaded.
  • Length of thread is correctly determined for the job and the needle is threaded.
  • Leather is softened by applying sufficient moisture.
  • Starting and ending stitches are correctly applied.
  • Left and right feet components are correctly identified and selected.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Milano stitch is performed correctly.
  • Sienna stitch is performed correctly.
  • V-stitch is performed correctly.
  • T-stitch is performed correctly.
  • Cross stitch is performed correctly.
  • Stag stitch is performed correctly.
  • Straight stitch is performed correctly.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Stitch spacing interval is correct.
  • Check the stitch tension for correctness.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
  • Components are handled and stored with care.
  • The sample is correctly interpreted.
  • Hand tools, consumables and components are correctly identified and selected.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:
  • Length of thread is correctly determined for the job and the needle is threaded.
  • Starting and ending stitches are correctly applied.
  • Left and right feet components are correctly identified and selected.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7:
  • The pattern is checked for compliance with the sample.
  • The stitch tension is checked for correctness.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 8:
  • Components are handled and stored with care.
  • The sample is correctly interpreted.
  • Hand tools, consumables and components are correctly identified and selected.
  • Leather and non-leather material are differentiated.
  • Left and right feet are differentiated.
  • Sample or specification for assembling an upper is correctly interpreted.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 9:
  • Correct components are selected according to size and left and right foot.
  • Components are selected according to type of material.
  • Components are laid according to the sample.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 10:
  • Finished work is inspected for quality to sample.
  • Inter lacing is removed for redo to match quality standard of sample.
  • Start point is correctly determined as per sample/specification.
  • Consistent and continuous flow of inter-lace strips is maintained.
  • The spacing between strips is maintained as per sample/specification.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 11:
  • Start point is correctly determined as per sample/specification.
  • Consistent and continuous flow of inter-lace strips is maintained.
  • The spacing between strips is maintained as per sample/specification.
  • Finished work is inspected for quality to sample.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Integrated Formative Assessment:
    The skills development provider 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.

    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. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The Occupational Certificate: Footwear Closing Machine Operator: Footwear Hand Lacer and Hand Inter-lacer (715602001) has been compared with the Unit of Competency for Perform Hand-Stitching Operations - FWR744319 offered in India. This Unit of Competency has been chosen for the international comparability since there is a government-to-government collaboration between the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Footwear Institute in India, and the project to develop the Occupational Certificate: Footwear Closing Machine Operator: Footwear Hand Lacer and Hand Inter-lacer (715602001) is in support of this inter-governmental initiative. According to the communication with the South African National Footwear and Leather Forum (NFLC) and the representative of the Indian Footwear Institute, this is the only standard in India related to Footwear Hand Lacing and Inter-lacing practices.

    There are a number of similarities between the two qualifications. These are:
    Content: The content of the two qualifications is very similar even though structured differently. The content covers the same categories for the hand lacing aspect of the qualifications, e.g. Prepare for stitching.

    Terminology: The footwear terminology used in both qualifications is the same and is thus comparable.

    Structure: The structure related to the practical skills and knowledge components is similar in both qualifications.

    There are a number of differences between the two qualifications which relate to:
    Content: the Indian qualification does not include hand lacing activities to decorate footwear upper components; neither does it include hand inter-lacing which is part of the South African qualification. The number of hand lacing and hand inter-lacing stitches the learner will acquire is more than that of the Indian qualification.

    The Indian qualification includes the folding of the footwear uppers operations. This aspect is excluded from the South African qualification since the Footwear Hand Lacers and Hand Inter-lacers receive the prepared (already folded and punched) footwear uppers and proceed with the lacing, inter-lacing and decorative lacing, which means that step is not needed. The Indian qualification requires the hand lacer to punch the holes. The practice in South Africa is to provide the hand lacer with pre-punched uppers, since the Footwear Cutting Machine Operator uses a clicking knife to produce the holes and cut footwear upper components simultaneously.

    Structure: The structure differs slightly since the South African qualification has a work experience component as well as internal formative and summative assessment included in the qualification, which is not the case with the Indian qualification.

    Complexity: The South African qualification is of higher complexity as we require hand lacing to close and decorate footwear uppers and hand inter-lacing for decorating and closing footwear uppers.

    Duration: The South African qualification compensates for the greater amount of work by being a larger qualification.

    Assessment: The Indian qualification requires an oral/written and practical assessment. This qualification uses product assessment as a final External Summative Assessment. This decision is to support the assessment of illiterate persons (who are specifically targeted as learners for this qualification through government initiatives and supported by the Footwear Industry).

    Conclusion:
    It can be concluded that the South African qualification will equip the learner with more skills and competencies related to the operations for the lacing and inter-lacing and decoration of footwear uppers than the Indian qualification. The inclusion of a verbal External Summative Assessment opens this qualification for illiterate persons, creating access to self-employment activities supported by the Footwear Industry. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification articulates vertically with the following qualifications currently being developed:
  • Occupational Certificate: Footwear Closing Production Machine Operator, Level 2.
  • Occupational Certificate: Footwear Cutting Production Machine Operator, Level 2. 
    		•

    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 statements of results and work experience.

    Additional Legal or Physical Entry Requirements:
    Colour blindness, inadequate vision and lack of dexterity are problematic for admission to the qualification.

    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: 715602001: Footwear Hand Lacer and Hand Inter-lacer.

    This qualification encompasses the following trades as recorded on the National Learners Records Database (NLRD):
    This is not a trade. 

    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.