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 THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

General Education and Training Certificate: Environmental Practice 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
49552  General Education and Training Certificate: Environmental Practice 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Environmental Sc/Mgt & Waste Mgt 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
LG SETA - Local Government and related Services Sector Education and Training Authority  OQSF - Occupational Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
National Certificate  Field 10 - Physical, Mathematical, Computer and Life Sciences  Environmental Sciences 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  122  Level 1  NQF Level 01  Regular-Unit Stds Based 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 
SAQA 06120/18  2018-07-01  2023-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2024-06-30   2027-06-30  

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 
This qualification is the first in a series for practitioners in the field of environmental science, environmental management and waste management. This series of qualifications will equip practitioners with the skills, knowledge and values to contribute towards the wise and effective use and management of our natural resources and ecological systems.

The specific purpose of this qualification represents the skills, knowledge and understanding required by competent practitioners to:
  • Have an elementary understanding of the concept of the environment and the basic principles which underpin the sustainable use of resources
  • Understand their role and perform the activities associated with their role, using the tools, materials and practices of their particular field
  • Understand how they are affected by laws, agreements and policies related to their particular context
  • Understand the impact of their activities on the (natural) environment, as well as the implications of these activities for the environment.
    With this understanding, learners will be able to engage productively and responsibly in work, individual or community-related activities in the field of environmental science, environmental management and waste management. This qualification will also serve as a basis for further learning, and will equip learners with the knowledge, skills and values to participate meaningfully in society and contribute towards developing sustainable communities.

    This qualification can be obtained in any context within the field of environmental science, environmental management and waste management, eg: local government, public and private waste management enterprises, cultural or natural heritage sites, community projects, recycling and recovery of resources, control and eradication of invasive and alien species, rural development, or as workers with environmental functions in a range of industries such as mining, chemicals or manufacturing, etc.

    This qualification will enable providers, assessors and learners to plan, implement and measure the outcomes of suitable learning programmes, or to recognize prior learning.
    This qualification recognises skills, knowledge and values relevant to environmental science, environmental and waste management activities. It is designed for learners who engage actively in such activities. These activities are necessary in order to develop a portfolio of evidence. The qualification is suitable for learners who:
  • Have attended courses and then apply the knowledge gained to activities in a workplace or in a community, or
  • Are already workers and have acquired the skills and knowledge without attending formal courses (RPL can be done through the summative assessment and portfolio of evidence), or
  • Are already active in the community and have acquired the skills and knowledge without attending formal courses (RPL can be done through the summative assessment and portfolio of evidence), or
  • Participate in skills programmes and the appropriate work experience or community work, or
  • Are part of a learnership programme which integrates structured learning and work experience, or
  • Acquire their learning through any combination of the above.

    Rationale:

    South Africa has a need to manage and protect its natural resources and ecological systems, while simultaneously using its resources in a sustainable manner to promote social, physical and economic development.

    There is also a need for people as individuals, and as members of social or workplace communities, to become aware of their responsibilities towards the environment and to be empowered to make informed choices regarding their own activities and the impact that these activities have on the environment. There is also a need for people to develop practices which will ensure that their activities, individually and collectively, result in the sustainable use of resources and minimise impact on the environment.

    Recent developments in environmental legislation have resulted in an increased demand for practitioners with the necessary skills, knowledge and values to fulfil these legislative requirements.

    Such practitioners - as learners, as workers and as members of social communities - need to be equipped to engage with the complexities and challenges which arise from this need to ensure that use and development is socially, ecologically and economically sustainable. 

  • LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    It is assumed that the learner has attained ABET Level 3 in Communication and Mathematics.

    Recognition of prior learning:

    This qualification may be obtained through the process of RPL. The learner should be thoroughly briefed prior to the assessment and support should be provided to assist the learner in the process of developing a portfolio. While this is primarily a context-based qualification, evidence from other areas of endeavour may be introduced if pertinent to any of the exit level outcomes. 

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
  • Fundamental unit standards: 39 credits (compulsory)
  • Core unit standards: 71 credits (compulsory)
  • The learner must select a minimum of 12 credits from the Elective unit standards 

  • EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Demonstrate the use of appropriate numeracy and communication skills.
    2. Handle material and perform tasks without an adverse impact on the environment.
    Range: Material includes waste, hazardous substances, cleaning materials, natural resources, etc.
    3. Recognise and respond to issues that have an impact on the environment.
    Range: The response is appropriate to the level of authority and level of skill.
    4. Gather and contribute information required to respond to environmental conditions.
    5. Manage own performance and contribute to the performance of the team and the organisation. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    1.
  • Appropriate numeracy and verbal and written communication skills are selected and used in the performance of tasks.
  • Appropriate numeracy and verbal and written communication skills are selected and used to explain concepts and processes during assessment.

    2.
  • A specific practice is described and explained, relating the tools and the materials to the practice, and explaining the environmental principles which underpin the practice.
  • Resources are used in a sustainable manner, without injury to self or fellow workers or damage to tools, equipment, infrastructure or the environment.

    3.
  • Actual or potential environmental impacts are identified.
  • Actual or potential environmental impacts are reported timeously and accurately.

    4.
  • Appropriate information is collected and recorded accurately.
  • Information is contributed in an appropriate form or format within the required timeframe.

    5.
  • Contribution to cleanliness and condition of tools, equipment and infrastructure is made in an environmentally responsible and safe manner.
  • Laws, policies and procedures which govern the learner's particular context are described and explained.
  • The learner's role and contribution is described and explained.

    Integrated Assessment:

    In order to achieve the aims of integrated assessment it is recommended that the assessor assesses all components of the learning simultaneously and that credits are awarded for the unit standards during this assessment.
    It is recommended that learning components (ie fundamental and core) are combined into assignments and projects which are then included in the portfolio of evidence. This will form the basis for the bulk of the assessment. The assessor can then focus on specific areas for further probing and verification.

    The assessment process should:
  • Cover the explicit activities required for the qualification as well as the understanding of the concepts and principles which underpin the activities
  • Establish how the critical outcomes have been advanced by the learning process.

    The integrated assessment must be based on a summative assessment guide. The guide will spell out how the assessor will assess different aspects of the performance and will include:
  • Looking at records and reports in the portfolio and reviewing previous assessments
  • Asking questions and initiating short discussions to test understanding
  • Observing the learner at work (in the primary activity as well as in other interactions).

    The learner may choose in which language s/he wants to be assessed. This should be established as part of a process of preparing the learner for assessment and familiarising the learner with the approach being taken.

    While this is primarily a context-based qualification, evidence from other areas of endeavour may be introduced if pertinent to any of the exit-level outcomes.

    Assessors should also evaluate evidence that the learner has been performing consistently to standard over a period of time. 

  • INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    No other qualifications have been identified which are directly comparable with this one in terms of level and scope. The fact that this is a generic qualification that must serve the diverse needs of the broad field of environmental science, environmental management and waste management, puts it in a class of its own. Internationally, qualifications related to environmental science and environmental management fall into the sphere of higher education, apart from a few isolated examples at supervisory and first-tier management level. There are a limited number of qualifications which focus on waste management, such as the Scottish Vocational Qualifications and the National Vocational Qualifications of England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The approach taken in these qualifications aligns broadly with the approach taken here: qualifications are standards-based, learning is workplace-based, assessment is observation- and portfolio-based, and skills and knowledge are acquired, practiced and assessed within contexts relevant to the learner. However, this (ie the South African) qualification places a greater requirement on the learner to demonstrate successful integration of the knowledge and skills acquired. Another recent development has been the initiative by the International Solid Waste Association to develop qualifications and promote training internationally. Developments are also taking place in other parts of the world, notably South America. However, concrete information of the type needed to carry out a detailed comparison could not be found within the limits of the research capability.

    Narrow consultation:
    Those participating in the work of developing, generating and reviewing this qualification and the unit standards were representative of their constituencies and came from a range of contexts within the environmental science, environmental management and waste management field. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification has been designed and structured so that qualifying learners can move from one context to another. Employers or institutions should be able to evaluate the outcomes of this qualification against the needs of their context and structure top-up learning appropriately. Equally, holders of other qualifications may be evaluated against this qualification for the purpose of RPL.

    This qualification has been designed as a generic qualification which will serve the diverse needs of the field of environmental science, environmental management and waste management. While a certain amount of the learning is applicable across the field, the balance will be related to the learner's context. Each context will have a different focus and this will determine what qualifications, both horizontally and vertically, will articulate with this one. 

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    Moderators for the qualification should be qualified and accredited with an appropriate ETQA.
    To assure the quality of the assessment process, the moderation should cover the following:
  • Assessor credentials.
  • The assessment instrument.
  • The assessment process.
    Moderators should be qualified assessors in their own right. 

  • CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    The following criteria should be applied by the relevant ETQA:
    1. Appropriate qualification in a relevant field of environmental science, environmental management and waste management at NQF level 2 or higher with a minimum of 2 years' experience in a relevant context. The subject matter expertise of the assessor can be established by recognition of prior learning.
    2. Appropriate experience and understanding of assessment theory, processes and practices.
    3. Good interpersonal skills and ability to balance the conflicting requirements of:
  • Maintaining national standards
  • The interests of the learner
  • The need for transformation and redressing the legacies of the past
  • The cultural background and language of the learner.
    4. Registration as an assessor with a relevant ETQA.
    5. Any other criteria required by a relevant ETQA. 

  • REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this qualification was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARDS: 
      ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
    Core  14780  Apply financial life skills  Level 1  NQF Level 01 
    Core  119304  Compile a portfolio of evidence for assessment  Level 1  NQF Level 01 
    Core  119305  Demonstrate an awareness of the impact of human activities on the environment  Level 1  NQF Level 01  12 
    Core  14569  Demonstrate an understanding of how to participate effectively in the workplace  Level 1  NQF Level 01 
    Core  14664  Demonstrate knowledge of diversity within different relationships in the South African society  Level 1  NQF Level 01 
    Core  14661  Demonstrate knowledge of self in order to understand one`s identity and role within the immediate community and South African society  Level 1  NQF Level 01 
    Core  13169  Describe and discuss issues relating to HIV-AIDS, TB and sexually transmitted illnesses and their impact on the workplace  Level 1  NQF Level 01 
    Core  14445  Frame and implement an individual action plan to improve productivity within an organisational unit  Level 1  NQF Level 01 
    Core  119303  Handle and dispose of waste  Level 1  NQF Level 01  12 
    Core  13167  Identify potential hazards and critical safety issues in the workplace  Level 1  NQF Level 01 
    Core  119306  Recognise, group, use and care for materials which can impact on health and the environment  Level 1  NQF Level 01  10 
    Core  119302  Select, use and care for hand tools and basic equipment in environmentally related contexts  Level 1  NQF Level 01 
    Core  110082  Understand the impact of customer service on a business  Level 1  NQF Level 01 
    Fundamental  7464  Analyse cultural products and processes as representations of shape, space and time  Level 1  NQF Level 01 
    Fundamental  7451  Collect, analyse, use and communicate numerical data  Level 1  NQF Level 01 
    Fundamental  7449  Critically analyse how mathematics is used in social, political and economic relations  Level 1  NQF Level 01 
    Fundamental  14084  Demonstrate an understanding of and use the numbering system  Level 1  NQF Level 01 
    Fundamental  7463  Describe and represent objects and the environment in terms of shape, space, time and motion  Level 1  NQF Level 01 
    Fundamental  12462  Engage in a range of speaking and listening interactions for a variety of purposes  Level 1  NQF Level 01 
    Fundamental  12471  Explore and use a variety of strategies to learn (revised)  Level 1  NQF Level 01 
    Fundamental  12469  Read and respond to a range of text types  Level 1  NQF Level 01 
    Fundamental  7461  Use maps to access and communicate information concerning routes, location and direction  Level 1  NQF Level 01 
    Fundamental  7447  Working with numbers in various contexts  Level 1  NQF Level 01 
    Fundamental  12470  Write for a variety of different purposes  Level 1  NQF Level 01 
    Elective  110075  Apply basic fire fighting techniques  Level 1  NQF Level 01 
    Elective  116511  Carry out basic first aid treatment in the workplace  Level 1  NQF Level 01 
    Elective  110044  Collect information to support a community needs assessment  Level 1  NQF Level 01  12 
    Elective  9357  Develop and use keyboard skills to enter text  Level 1  NQF Level 01 
    Elective  14666  Prepare oneself for employment  Level 1  NQF Level 01 
    Elective  110045  Support the facilitation of learning in a development practice project  Level 1  NQF Level 01  12 
    Elective  10567  Transport personnel, material and equipment using Light Delivery Vehicle  Level 1  NQF Level 01 
    Elective  10008  Write and present a simple business plan  Level 1  NQF Level 01 


    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.
     
    1. A4 Consultancy CC 
    2. Amabamba Recruitment 
    3. AVAX SA 481 CC. T/A Mandisa Development Services 
    4. Boikgantsho Consulting & Events 
    5. Buena Vista Learning Academy 
    6. Central Bridge Trading 109 
    7. CTC College(PTY) LTD. 
    8. Dee's Training (PTY) LTD 
    9. Eco-Culture 
    10. Elective Training Institute Enterprise CC 
    11. Elvis Koena Consulting (Pty) Ltd 
    12. IQ Skills Academy (PTY) LTD. 
    13. Josmap Training Institute 
    14. KHOSITHI TRAINING 
    15. Letlhokoa Management Services CC 
    16. Mamuhle Academy 
    17. MARS Business Consulting 
    18. Mcebo Technologies 
    19. Mdaka Omnyama Trading and Projects 
    20. Mementos Training Pty Ltd 
    21. Mintirho Development Services 
    22. Mod-Mosh Projects and Consulting (PTY) LTD 
    23. Mohlaje Solutions (Pty) Ltd 
    24. Mortarboard Training Solutions 
    25. MUHANGWENE DEVELOPMENT ENTERPRISE 
    26. Ndotha General Trading 
    27. Neopeo Trading & Projects 
    28. Networx for Career Development 
    29. Nkinane Trading Enterprise 
    30. NOBO Training and Development Services (Pty) LTD 
    31. Nyankwavi Investment CC. 
    32. PMA Holdings (PTY ) LTD. 
    33. Progressive School of Business and Engineering (Pty) 
    34. PTDEV (Pty) Ltd 
    35. Qabuka-Vuka Development Trading 
    36. RLSTP Training & Development (PTY) LTD. 
    37. Simmek Holdings 
    38. South African Corporate Training Association 
    39. Spectrium 
    40. Tasc Business Consulting and Training 
    41. The Green Affairs Consulting 
    42. Thubelihle Graduate Institute 
    43. Timothy Fasheun Group Enviromentors (Pty) Ltd 
    44. Tovani Traiding 299 
    45. Transafric Consulting Pty Ltd 
    46. Umbuso Training Services 
    47. University of Venda 
    48. Ursivox Interactive Systems 
    49. Washa 2 Training & Projects 
    50. Wildlife and Enviroment Society of South Africa 
    51. World Pace Development and Training Institute 



    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.