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 UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE:

Handle Weapons

SAQA US ID	UNIT STANDARD TITLE
8350	Handle Weapons
ORIGINATOR
SGB Nature Conservation
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-
FIELD			SUBFIELD
Field 01 - Agriculture and Nature Conservation			Nature Conservation
ABET BAND	UNIT STANDARD TYPE	PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL	NQF LEVEL	CREDITS
Undefined	Regular	Level 5	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5	4
REGISTRATION STATUS		REGISTRATION START DATE	REGISTRATION END DATE	SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date - Status was "Reregistered"		2004-12-02	2007-12-02	SAQA 1657/04
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT		LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2008-12-02		2011-12-02

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 unit standard does not replace any other unit standard and is not replaced by any other unit standard.

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD

The qualifying learner assessed as competent against this unit standard will be able to use firearms competently and in terms of existing legislation.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

None.

UNIT STANDARD RANGE

Guides to the scope and complexity of the specific outcomes and essential embedded knowledge are provided in bullet points beneath each. These are prefaced by "for example" since they are neither comprehensive nor necessarily appropriate to all contexts. Alternatives must however be comparable in scope and complexity. These are intended only as a general guide to scope and complexity of what is required.

Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria:

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1

Safely handle and maintain a firearm in accordance with laid down rules, procedures and conditions

OUTCOME NOTES

Name firearm parts and functioning of safety action; understand safe handling in terms of pointing a firearm; habitual safety as well as care of the firearm; understand conditions of readiness in terms of situations with which the carrier might be presented.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1

When conducting assessments, assessors must ensure that they are familiar with the full text of the Unit Standards being assessed.

They must ensure that the assessment covers the specific outcomes, critical cross-field outcomes and essential embedded knowledge.

As each situation is different, it will be necessary to develop assessment activities and tools, which are appropriate to the contexts in which practitioners are working. These activities and tools may include self-assessment, peer assessment; formative and summative assessment.

The specific outcomes and essential embedded knowledge must be assessed in relation to each other. If a practitioner is able to explain the essential embedded knowledge but is unable to perform the specific outcomes, they should not be assessed as competent. Similarly, if a practitioner is able to perform the specific outcomes but is unable to explain or justify their performance in terms of the essential embedded knowledge, they should not be assessed as competent.

Method of assessment:

Assessment should include practical demonstration of competence, either in the workplace or through work-realistic, out-of-classroom simulation.

Integrated assessment:

It may be more effective and efficient to assess a number of unit standards together thus reducing the overall number of assessment 'events'.

Consider a complete activity in the workplace (the 'whole of work' approach) and see which unit standards relate to this activity.

Work out how practitioners could collect evidence on a number of unit standards at the same time covering all the critical aspects of the standards

Ensure that commonalities that exist between a number of unit standards are captured in a way that makes sense for assessment.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE

A range of assessment methods should be used, including:

Direct observation - watch the practitioner carry out the task or produce a desired outcome during the course of his or her normal work under normal workplace conditions

Product sample - examine the outcomes previously produced by the practitioner

Simulation of a specific task - set a specific task for the practitioner to demonstrate in a simulated environment

Questioning (verbal or written) - ask relevant questions linked to the unit standard

Testimony - collect a portfolio of evidence from suitable people (eg: reports from a third party)

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2

Safely secure firearm in accordance with legal requirements.

OUTCOME NOTES

Store and clean the firearm safely; control ammunition and firearms according to laid down procedures; apply legislation in terms of safes and firearm control.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1

Consider a complete activity in the workplace (the 'whole of work' approach) and see which unit standards relate to this activity.

Work out how practitioners could collect evidence on a number of unit standards at the same time covering all the critical aspects of the standards

Ensure that commonalities that exist between a number of unit standards are captured in a way that makes sense for assessment.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE

A range of assessment methods should be used, including:

Direct observation - watch the practitioner carry out the task or produce a desired outcome during the course of his or her normal work under normal workplace conditions

Product sample - examine the outcomes previously produced by the practitioner

Simulation of a specific task - set a specific task for the practitioner to demonstrate in a simulated environment

Questioning (verbal or written) - ask relevant questions linked to the unit standard

Testimony - collect a portfolio of evidence from suitable people (eg: reports from a third party)

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3

Shoot a firearm in accordance with laid down rules, procedures and conditions.

OUTCOME NOTES

Fire the weapon according to agreed-upon accuracy standards.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1

Consider a complete activity in the workplace (the 'whole of work' approach) and see which unit standards relate to this activity.

Work out how practitioners could collect evidence on a number of unit standards at the same time covering all the critical aspects of the standards

Ensure that commonalities that exist between a number of unit standards are captured in a way that makes sense for assessment.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE

A range of assessment methods should be used, including:

Direct observation - watch the practitioner carry out the task or produce a desired outcome during the course of his or her normal work under normal workplace conditions

Product sample - examine the outcomes previously produced by the practitioner

Simulation of a specific task - set a specific task for the practitioner to demonstrate in a simulated environment

Questioning (verbal or written) - ask relevant questions linked to the unit standard

Testimony - collect a portfolio of evidence from suitable people (eg: reports from a third party)

UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS

Anyone assessing a learner or moderating the assessment of a learner against this unit standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA.

Any institution offering learning that will enable the achievement of this unit standard must be accredited as a provider with the relevant ETQA.

Assessment and moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant ETQA according to the ETQAs policies and guidelines for assessment and moderation; in terms of agreements reached around assessment and moderation between ETQAs (including professional bodies); and in terms of the moderation guideline detailed under point 4 immediately below.

Moderation must include both internal and external moderation of assessments at exit points of the qualification, unless ETQA policies specify otherwise. Moderation should also encompass achievement of the competence described both in individual unit standards as well as the integrated competence described in the qualification.

Anyone wishing to be assessed against this qualification may apply to be assessed by any assessment agency, assessor or provider institution which is accredited by the relevant ETQA.

UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE

The qualifying learner is able to demonstrate a basic knowledge and understanding of:

1. The qualifying learner is able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
2. Legal requirements of the use and possession of firearms, firearm control etc.
3. The parts and functions of relevant firearms.
4. The components of ammunition, relevant calibre`s and gauges, how it works and it`s basic ballistic capabilities.
5. Safe handling rules and drills as per procedures.
6. Importance of ear and eye protection.
7. Conditions of readiness.
8. Firearm methods of carry.
9. Field stripping and assembling the firearm.
10. Charging and discharging a magazine.
11. Loading and unloading of the firearm.
12. Identifying and correcting malfunctions and stoppages.
13. Correct method of cleaning and maintaining a firearm.
14. Range commands and safety procedures.
15. Firing of an accurate shot combining all the necessary fundamentals in the three basic shooting positions.
16. Correct shot placement on static and moving targets at the required level of competence.
17. Making a weapon safe for the purpose of storage in accordance with legislation.
18. Use of suitable equipment (e.g. holsters, cleaning equipment).

Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO):

UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING

Problem solving.

UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING

Self organisation and management.

UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING

Information evaluation.

UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING

Communication.

UNIT STANDARD NOTES

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Demonstration of the knowledge and skills outlined in this unit standard must be consistent with the principles of:

Maintaining essential ecological processes and life-support systems

Maintaining genetic, species and ecosystem diversity

Considering ecological and social rights and responsibilities, whilst ensuring sustainable utilisation of species and ecosystems

Thereby yielding the greatest sustainable and equitable benefit to present generations whilst maintaining the potential to meet the needs and aspirations of future generations.

Written and/or verbal testing validates knowledge and understanding of legal requirements pertaining to the use and possession of firearms.

Naming and describing the parts and functions of relevant firearm(s).

Describe the components of ammunition, relevant calibre`s and gauges, how it works and it`s basic ballistic capabilities.

QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD:

	ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE	PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL	NQF LEVEL	STATUS	END DATE	PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
Core	20416	National Certificate: Conservation: Natural Resource Management: Terrestrial	Level 5	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5	Passed the End Date - Status was "Reregistered"	2008-03-12	Was CATHSSETA until Last Date for Achievement
Core	48879	National Diploma: South African Special Forces Operations	Level 5	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5	Passed the End Date - Status was "Reregistered"	2010-04-07	Was SAS SETA until Last Date for Achievement
Elective	48435	Further Education and Training Certificate: Captive Animal Management	Level 4	NQF Level 04	Passed the End Date - Status was "Reregistered"	2023-06-30	CATHSSETA

PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD:

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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