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: Weapon Systems Mechanic (Combat Weapons Fitter)

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
99696	Occupational Certificate: Weapon Systems Mechanic (Combat Weapons Fitter)
ORIGINATOR
DQP - Department of Defence - SA Army
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	543	Not Applicable	NQF Level 04	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 Combat Weapons Fitter.

A Combat Weapons Fitter designs, installs, inspects, maintains, services, troubleshoots, repairs and test military weapon systems and related equipment of combat forces to support them in maintaining their combat ready status.

A qualified learner will be able to:

Perform and record scheduled, pre- and post-fire, preventative inspections on combat weapons during operational maintenance tasks.

Plan and perform maintenance on combat weapons to ensure serviceability.

Administrate combat weapons maintenance in order to record, document and communicate serviceability.

Rationale:
The South African National Defence Force has been training combat weapon fitters since the deployment of the South African National Defence Force within and outside the borders of the Republic of South Africa.

The combat weapon fitter plays an important role in the maintenance of the combat capability of the South African National Defence Force. The combat weapon fitter fulfils a critical role in the Technical Service and combat units by ensuring that the combat weapon systems are maintained, repaired and disposed of when they become irreparable.

This Combat Weapon Fitter qualification is developed in line with the Weapon Systems Mechanic Qualification, OFO Code: 671205 to meet the South African National Defence Force and South African Police Service requirements for an internal combat weapon fitting capability. This qualification will prepare members of the South African National Defence Force and South African Police Service to perform as combat weapon fitters.

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 3 qualification with Mathematics.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

QUALIFICATION RULES

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

Knowledge Modules:

671205001-KM-01, Mechanical Engineering, Level 4, 22 Credits.

671205001-KM-02, Environmental/Environmental Health, Level 3, 15 Credits.

671205001-KM-03, Electrical and Electronics, Level 4, 55 Credits.

671205001-KM-04, General Principles of Combat Weapons, Level 4, 47 Credits.

671205001-KM-05, Surface Treatment, Level 4, 9 Credits.
Total number of credits for Knowledge Modules: 148.

Practical Skill Modules:

671205001-PM-01, Perform and Record Scheduled, Pre- and Post-fire, Preventative Inspections, Level 4, 30 Credits.

671205001-PM-02, Plan and Perform Maintenance on Combat Weapons, Level 4, 177 Credits.

671205001-PM-03, Administer Combat Weapon Systems Maintenance, Level 3, 15 Credits.
Total number of credits for Practical Skill Modules: 222.

This qualification also requires the following Work Experience Modules:

671205001-WM-01, Performing and Recording Scheduled, Pre- and Post-fire, Preventative Inspections on Combat Weapons during Operational Maintenance Tasks, Level 4, 21 Credits.

671205001-WM-02, Planning and Performing Maintenance on Combat Weapons; Standard Tools, Special Tools and Equipment to Ensure Serviceability, Level 4, 152 Credits.
Total number of credits for Work Experience Modules: 173.

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

1. Inspect combat weapons and record and report weapon serviceability.
2. Maintain and repair combat weapons by stripping, performing fault diagnosis, surface treatment, assembling and test firing the weapons.
3. Perform electrical and electronic systems using circuit diagrams and testing equipment.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:

Combat weapons are categorised based on the principles of operation of each weapon system.

Safety precautions and field stripping are performed as indicated in the workshop repair manual for each weapon.

Weapon serviceability is determined through visual inspection and gauging using special tools.

Job cards are completed stating the serviceability or faults identified for each weapon.

Weapons are assembled and tested for functionality based on the combat weapon principles.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:

Full stripping is performed in accordance with the workshop repair manual using the specified tools and equipment.

Fault diagnosis is done using the specified special tools and equipment in accordance with the workshop repair manual for each weapon.

Sandblasting, surface treatment and curing processes are performed taking the risks of chemicals and the dangers associated with the process into account.

Weapons are assembled and functionally tested in accordance with the workshop repair manual.

Weapons are test fired to confirm and test the functionality and rates of fire of the weapon, taking in account the risks associated with the handling, distribution, storing and accounting of the ammunition.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:

Fault diagnosis on a specific electrical test bench is performed to identify and fix the fault taking the risks of working with electrical test equipment into account.

Fault diagnoses on an electronic test bench is performed using a circuit diagram and testing equipment taking into account the risks associated with electronic testing equipment.

Modular replacement is done on an electronic test bench to rectify identified faults to comply with the requirements of the circuit diagram.

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 Trading Occupation (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 summative assessment will be a trade test conducted in terms of Section 26 D of the Skills Development Act through an evaluation of written and practical tasks covering critical aspects of the trade and conducted in a simulated environment at an assessment centre accredited by QCTO by an assessor registered by the National Artisan Moderation Body. The assessment will take place over a minimum of 2 days.

INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY

This qualification is modelled on the New Zealand certificate, the Arms Maintenance Diagnostics Advisor Certificate. The content of this level qualification compares well with the knowledge, understanding, skills and value orientations covered in the New Zealand certificate, however the electrical and electronic components are excluded.

A search of United States of America qualifications revealed that the Small Arms Repairer/Technician qualification is offered at Fort Bliss. The basic principles of firearms, the safe handling of weapons and the field maintenance are covered in this trade. The qualifying person is able to inspect, maintain, repair and test pistols, shotguns, semi-automatic carbines, automatic carbines, etc. The American trade at this level do not address the electrical and electronic components but is presented at the specific weapon courses.

A search of Canadian comparable courses revealed that the Combat Weapons Fitter compares quite well with the Diemaco Armourer Course that is offered to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) Military personnel. Whilst the Diemaco course is a short course for military personnel and focuses specifically on the C7 and C8 family of weapons it covers the same ground in terms of Complete Strip and Assemble, Advanced Trouble Shooting, Detailed Theory of Operation, Preventative Maintenance and Detailed Repair Techniques, Tests, Adjustments and Gauging, Alternative Weapon Configurations and Identification, Theory of Energy and Dynamics, Metallurgy and Associated Equipment Disassembly, Inspection, Adjustment and Repair. Electrical and electronics are presented separately on weapon courses with electrical and electronic components.

A search of United Kingdom comparable courses revealed that the Combat Weapons Fitter Qualification whilst not being weapon specific covers the same skills as the British International Defence Training Armourer Class 1 presented at Course School of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering, Hampshire. The British qualification especially the modules on Instruments and Small Arms shows that the content covers much the same as covered by the Combat Weapons Fitter qualification. The Artificer course of the British Army is presented over a period of thirty weeks and covers the same knowledge and skills the Combat Weapons Fitter Qualification covers.

Conclusion:
In conclusion the training content for the skills, tasks, job profiles for the Combat Weapons Fitter in South Africa compares favourably to international practices. The only major difference is that the compared qualifications do not include Workplace Experience.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

Learners can articulate horizontally to:

Occupational Certificate: Boilermaker, Level 4,(ID 93626).

Occupational Certificate: Fitter and Turner, Level 4, (ID 94020).

Learners can articulate vertical to the following qualification currently being developed:

Occupational Certificate: Millwright, Level 5.

Or the following registered qualification:

National N Diploma in Engineering Studies, Level 6,(ID 67043).
This involves completing the relevant N4 + N5 + N6 part qualifications at a TVET College and then successfully completing the prescribed workplace learning of either 18 or 24 months after which the National N Diploma is awarded.

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 including Foundational Learning Competence.

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: 671205001: Combat Weapons Fitter, 671205001.

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

Weapon Systems Mechanic.

Part Qualifications:

None.

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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