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: Energy Efficiency Technician (Energy Audit Technician) 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
99426  Occupational Certificate: Energy Efficiency Technician (Energy Audit Technician) 
ORIGINATOR
Development Quality Partner - EWSETA -Construction 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
-   OQSF - Occupational Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Occupational Certificate  Field 12 - Physical Planning and Construction  Physical Planning, Design and Management 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  119  Not Applicable  NQF Level 06  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 an Energy Audit Technician.

An Energy Audit Technician assesses analyses and reports on the energy performance of an organisation, equipment, system(s) or process (es) and identifies opportunities for the improvement of energy use, cost reductions and efficiency.

A qualified learner will be able to:
  • Determine and collate energy data required for pre- and post- installation energy audits.
  • Analyse audit data and present findings.

    Rationale:
    The availability of energy and the need to conserve energy worldwide is a priority especially in South Africa.

    According to the National Scarce Skills List the Physical and Engineering Science Technicians are considered to be in short supply. Currently energy auditing is regulated by the South African National Standard: Energy Audits Requirements which defines the minimum set of requirements leading to the identification of opportunities for the improvement of energy performance.

    Furthermore the Department of Energy (DoE) and the National Energy Efficiency Strategy have identified the need to build capacity to conduct high quality building energy audits at national, provincial and local level. These audits need to be conducted so as to achieve 15% improvement in energy efficiency in the commercial and public building sector in South Africa as buildings alone account for an estimated 40% of the total energy consumption of South Africa.

    Typical learners likely to enrol for this qualification are school leavers from the technical vocational stream (including electrical and mechanical), and who are interested in the field of energy and green technologies. Also qualified electricians and other artisans in the engineering field might also consider this as an opportunity to expand their scope of work and as a stepping stone to higher level qualifications. 
    		•

    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:
  • NQF Level 4 with mathematics and science or technical subject.
    Or
  • Six months work experience as a qualified Artisan. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification is made up of the following compulsory Knowledge and Practical Skill Modules:
    Knowledge Modules:
  • 311303001-KM-01, Climate change, policies, regulations and standards relating to energy efficiency, Level 5, Credits.
  • 311303001-KM-02, Health and safety management for energy auditing, Level 4, Credits.
  • 311303001-KM-03, Fundamental principles of energy, Level 5, 3 Credits.
  • 311303001-KM-04, Energy conversion and efficiency, Level 6, 2 Credits.
  • 311303001-KM-05, Fundamentals of electrical energy, Level 5, 6 Credits.
  • 311303001-KM-06, Fundamentals of thermal energy, Level 5, 3 Credits.
  • 311303001-KM-07, Energy efficiency of lighting systems, Level 6, 3 Credits.
  • 311303001-KM-08, Calculation of energy efficiency of electrical motors, Level 6, 3 Credits.
  • 311303001-KM-09, Energy efficiency of heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, Level 6, 3 Credits.
  • 311303001-KM-10, Energy efficiency of water heating systems, Level 5, 2 Credits.
  • 311303001-KM-11, Theory of energy auditing, Level 6, 3 Credits.
  • 311303001-KM-12, Energy efficiency in buildings, Level 6, 15 Credits.
  • 311303001-KM-13, Cost saving opportunities of specialised industrial energy systems, Level 7, 15 Credits.
    Total number of credits for Knowledge Modules: 63.

    Practical Skill Modules:
  • 311303001-PM-01, Determine energy audit data requirements, Level 5, 6 Credits.
  • 311303001-PM-02, Measure energy performance and determine energy efficiency, Level 6, 12 Credits.
  • 311303001-PM-03, Analyse energy efficiency data and identify improvement opportunities, Level 6, 8 Credits.
  • 311303001-PM-04, Prepare and present energy audit findings, Level 6, 3 Credits.
    Total number of credits for Practical Skill Modules: 29.

    This qualification also requires the following Work Experience Modules:
  • 311303001-WM-01, Energy audit planning processes, Level 6, 5 Credits.
  • 311303001-WM-02, Data collection and measurement processes, Level 6, 11 Credits.
  • 311303001-WM-03, Data analysis processes, Level 6,6 Credits.
  • 311303001-WM-04, Energy audit reporting processes, Level 6, 5 Credits.
    Total number of credits for Work Experience Modules: 27. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Determine and record energy performance data to conduct the energy audit.
    2. Determine measurement requirements and methods to provide sufficient data to enable a building energy audit.
    3. Determine measurement requirements and methods to assess specialised industrial energy systems and calculate cost.
    4. Analyse and interpret energy data to determine energy savings opportunities.
    5. Present energy audit findings to demonstrate knowledge of the energy audit process and energy audit report format. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Compare the data categories to reflect the significance, use and characteristics of all.
  • Compile a measurement plan for the collection of additional energy consumption data to address gaps in available and historic data.
  • Compile data tables and graphs that accurately reflect calculated baselines indicating overall consumption and peak demand.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Examine lighting systems, the components thereof, measuring equipment, safety precautions, processes and formulas to calculate efficiency comprehensively and reflect understanding of the significance and impact on energy consumption.
  • Examine electrical motors and electrical equipment, measuring equipment, safety precautions, processes and formulas to calculate efficiency comprehensively and reflect an understanding of the significance and impact on energy consumption.
  • Examine Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems, measuring equipment, safety precautions, processes and formulas to calculate efficiency comprehensively and reflect an understanding of the significance and impact on energy consumption.
  • Examine thermal performances, measuring equipment, safety precautions, processes and formulas to calculate efficiency is comprehensively and reflect an understanding of the significance and impact on energy consumption.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Analyse energy consumption characteristics of steam systems, fan systems, pump systems, and compressed air systems to reflect an understanding of the significance of subcomponents contributing to energy consumption.
  • Measure and calculate energy cost of steam systems, fan systems, pump systems and compressed air systems accurately and comprehensively.
  • Identify saving opportunities of steam systems, fan systems, pump systems and compressed air systems and describe unintended consequences and the cost benefit of maintenance versus replacement.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Compile data tables and graphs to reflect calculated baselines and overall consumption and peak demand.
  • Analyse high peak demands in terms of contributing factors.
  • Rank solutions to reduce consumption in accordance with cost and impact.
  • Calculate true power, apparent power, reactive power and power factor using appropriate methods and formulas.
  • Calculate running (energy) cost using appropriate methods and formulae.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
  • Compile an executive summary that includes energy use and consumption, a ranked list of opportunities for improving energy performance and a suggested implementation plan.
  • Write up a background that contains general information on the organisation, energy auditor and energy audit methods, relevant legal and other requirements applicable to the audit and a statement of confidentiality.
  • Compile energy audit details containing information on data collection (including type of data used and source thereof), an analysis of energy performance and energy performance indicators, a basis for calculations, estimates and assumptions and resulting accuracy and criteria used for ranking of energy performance improvement opportunities.
  • Suggest energy performance improvement opportunities including recommendations and an implementation programme, assumptions and methods used in calculating implementation costs and the resulting accuracy and an economic analysis (including known financial incentives and non-energy gains).

    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 
    Energy auditing is a relatively new field and worldwide many training institutions and providers have seen this as a commercial opportunity and have developed programmes ranging from short (three to five days) to more detailed programmes of 12 months leading mostly to an assessment for professional certification and or accreditation based on previous studies in related fields and or work experience.

    A broad comparison on offerings related to energy efficiency (not every country necessarily uses the specific term energy auditing) covered Spain, the United States of America, Australia, New Zealand, Germany and India.

    The EUREM qualification, offered in Germany and many other countries including South Africa, and the energy auditor qualification from India were used for a detailed comparison. The reason being that all the other countries only have processes in place for professional certification and or accreditation based on previous studies and or work experience.

    The EUREM course for energy manager training features prominently and the target group is technical experts and companies' executives as well as energy service providers. The training is usually held extra-occupational and consists of face-to-face training of up to 160 units (15 days) and a final project work 80 units (7.5 days).

    The Energy Conservation Act, 2001, in India has a specific provision for energy auditors in terms of regulations for accreditation, qualifications and the manner and intervals of time for conducting energy audits. In response to this, the Bureau for Energy Efficiency [BEE] has a structured syllabus for an energy manager qualification and a higher level energy auditor qualification. The Entry requirements include engineering qualifications with work experience. It has no specific duration as it is based on self-study (theoretical) and on-line assessment.

    One of the outcomes of the EUREM course specifies that learners will be able to analyse the energy situation in their place of work. One module of 3 hours is dedicated to internal auditing. In addition the following four modules from the EUREM course are also partially covered in the Energy
    Audit Technician qualification:
  • Energy efficiency in buildings and lighting (7 hours).
  • Electrical drives and motor efficiency (6 hours).
  • Heating, ventilation, air conditioning and cooling (7hours).

    The following aspects of the Indian syllabus are covered or partially covered in the Energy Audit Technician qualification:
    1. General Aspect of Energy Management and Energy Audit.
    2. Energy Efficiency in Thermal Utilities.
    3. Energy Efficiency in Electrical Utilities.
    4. Energy performance assessment for equipment and utility systems.

    Conclusion:
    The Energy Audit Technician qualification compares well with the Indian syllabus in terms of content. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    Horizontal articulation is possible to:
  • National N Diploma: Engineering Studies, Level 6, (ID 67043).

    Vertical articulation is possible to the following qualification currently being developed:
  • Occupational Certificate: Energy Management Advisor. 
    		•

    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:
  • 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: 311303001: Energy Audit Technician.

    This qualification encompasses the following trades as recorded on the 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.