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: Survival Equipment Fitter (Parachute Rigger)

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
99701	Occupational Certificate: Survival Equipment Fitter (Parachute Rigger)
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	541	Not Applicable	NQF Level 05	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 Parachute Rigger.

A Parachute Rigger conducts his or her functions on parachute systems through judgement and analysis based on experience and limited information from original equipment manufacturers in order to restore the equipment to a safe and serviceable condition. Replacement components are manufactured using reverse engineering practices.

A qualified learner will be able to:

Assemble, inspect and pack reserve parachutes.

Inspect, maintain and perform minor repairs on parachute systems.

Inspect, maintain and perform major repairs on parachute systems.

Rationale:
The Sports and Recreation and Defence industry requires Parachute Riggers within South Africa to be formally recognised with a qualification. The industry requires that the qualification assist in the standardisation of training content and skill levels in terms of international best practices as well as within the two fields in which Parachute Riggers are employed.

Prior to this, the knowledge and skills associated with parachute rigging were not formally recognised. This qualification has been developed in conjunction with the Department of Defence and the Parachute Association of South Africa (PASA) both of which are responsible for the training and certification of Parachute Riggers. The current learning pathway and levels prescribed by PASA have been utilised as a foundation for the development of this qualification in order to ensure that it meets the industry requirements.

The main benefits of this qualification for the learner are that the learner has the opportunity to be recognised as a qualified artisan with well structured, relevant and current competencies and is able to have access to entrepreneurial opportunities within the Sports and Recreation industry.
The Parachute Rigger plays a crucial role in maintaining and enforcing safety standards and levels within the parachuting fraternity. This safeguards society from negligent and reckless Parachutists, while ensuring that the sport can be enjoyed by all.

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:

Level 4 with Mathematics.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

QUALIFICATION RULES

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

Knowledge Modules:

684909001-KM-01, Legislation and Regulations, Level 4, 15 Credits.

684909001-KM-02, Parachute Design Theory, Level 4, 37 Credits.

684909001-KM-03, Parachute Rigging, Level 4, 37 Credits.
Total number of credits for Knowledge Modules: 89.

Practical Skill Modules:

684909001-PM-01, Assemble, inspect, pack and repair reserve parachutes, Level 5, 45 Credits.

684909001-PM-02, Inspect, maintain and perform minor repairs on parachute systems, Level 5, Credits 75

684909001-PM-03, Inspect, maintain and perform major repairs on parachute systems, Level 5, 112 Credits.
Total number of credits for Practical Skill Modules: 232.

This qualification also requires the following Work Experience Modules:

684909001-WM-01, Processes and procedures for the assembly, inspection and packing of reserve parachutes, Level 5, 33 Credits.

684909001-WM-02, Processes and procedures for the inspection, maintenance and performing of minor repairs on parachute systems, Level 5, 75 Credits.

684909001-WM-03, Processes and procedures for the inspection, maintenance and performing of major repairs on parachute systems, Level 5, 112 Credits.
Total number of credits for Work Experience Modules: 220.

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

1. Assemble, inspect and pack reserve parachutes.
2. Inspect, maintain and perform minor repairs on parachute systems.
3. Inspect, maintain and perform major repairs on parachute systems.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:

Reserve parachute system is physically assembled correctly according to the manufacturer's specifications and assembly instructions.

Assembled reserve parachute system is physically inspected in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications in order to confirm serviceability of components.

Reserve parachute canopy is packed into the container using the correct packing method.

The administration associated with the packing of a reserve parachute system is completed in accordance with the relevant legislation and regulations.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:

Basic patch repair is performed on a main parachute canopy in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions in order to restore the serviceability of the parachute system.

Main canopy line repair and replacement is performed in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions and the materials and rigging techniques are correctly selected in order to restore the serviceability of the parachute system.

Rip-cord housing is hand tacked using the correct tools, material and rigging technique in order to restore the serviceability of the parachute system.

Grommet replacement is performed on a parachute system using the correct tools, material and rigging technique in order to restore the serviceability of the parachute system.

Bottom-of-container pouch repair is performed using the correct materials, tools and rigging technique as prescribed by the original equipment manufacturer.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:

Rib replacement is performed on a reserve parachute canopy using the correct tools, materials and rigging technique in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions in order to restore the serviceability of the parachute system.

Main lift web replacement is performed using the correct tools, materials and rigging technique in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions in order to restore the serviceability of the parachute system.

Control line replacement is performed in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions and the correct selection of tools, material and rigging procedures in order to restore the serviceability of the parachute system.

A deployment bag is manufactured using the appropriate tools, materials and rigging techniques in order to restore the serviceability of the parachute system.

Integrated Assessment:
Integrated Formative Assessment:
The skills development provider will use the curriculum as a guide for the internal assessments (formative) by focussing on the stipulated internal assessment criteria and its weighting of the practical skills, knowledge and work experience modules. This formative assessment will enable a learner access 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 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

The international comparability study was undertaken with global and within the African continent parachute rigger training programmes. The following countries were selected for the global comparability, that is, the Unites States of America (USA), the United Kingdom (UK) and Australia. The USA and UK were selected based on the level of technology as well as the level and scope of training. Australia is one of the few nations which have a similar formal qualification for the training of Parachute Riggers. Within the African continent Egypt was selected as it is one of the few nations conducting formal Parachute Rigger training.

Similar to South Africa; the Parachute Rigger training also develops in two similar but separate fields; sport and recreation and the military. Although there are no formal qualifications accredited, however, the USA and UK have extensive training programmes developed for the training of military Parachute Riggers. These programmes focus more on the military parachute for both personnel and cargo, however the skills developed during these programmes are the same as those used within the sport and recreation field. The Dan Pointer manuals and Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) regulations for parachute rigger training in the USA seem to set the standards for these two nations. At the US Academy of Parachute Rigging, offers extensive professional parachute rigger training courses to individuals as well as civilian and military organisations worldwide. The content of their programmes is similar but not as extensive as the South African training programme. Also excluded from their programme is the detailed workplace experience required by South African Apprentices.

The Australian Certificate in Parachute Maintenance and Repair has recently been replaced by a new qualification that resides with the Australian Army. This qualification consists of technical skills that are similar to those addressed in the USA, UK and South Africa.

Egypt has developed its parachute rigger training and legislation based on the USA FAA regulations and as such their training and qualification of parachute riggers is similar to that which is being applied in both the USA and UK.

Conclusion:
In conclusion the training content for the skills, tasks and job profiles for the Parachute Rigger in South Africa compares favourably to international practices. The programmes also compare favourably in terms of content and duration while it is assumed that the level of complexity is also similar as the same end result is expected.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

Horizontal Articulation:

National Certificate: N4 Engineering Studies, Level 5 (ID 66881).

Vertical Articulation:

National N Diploma, Level 6, (ID 90674).

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 Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO) website.

The curriculum title and code is: Parachute Rigger, 684909001.

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

None.

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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