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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: 

National Certificate: Saw Doctoring 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
21485  National Certificate: Saw Doctoring 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Lumber Milling 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
FPMSETA - Fibre Processing and Manufacturing Sector Education and Training Authority  OQSF - Occupational Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
National Certificate  Field 01 - Agriculture and Nature Conservation  Forestry and Wood Technology 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  141  Level 1  NQF Level 01  Regular-ELOAC 
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
2026-06-30   2029-06-30  

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 
A learner acquiring this qualification will be able to operate as a knowledgeable and appropriately skilled mill hand (general worker), in an effective and efficient manner, either as a member of a working team or an individual when required, performing the tasks prescribed for this level in the unit standards for processing tree stems into sawn lumber i.e. saw doctoring.

The learner will know and understand the general basics of lumber milling and the relevant details of saw doctoring. He/she will be able to perform the relevant tasks in this workplace to the prescribed standards, while correctly following the prescribed work procedures, and the health and safety and environmental protection measures applicable to the saw doctoring area. The leaner will be able to interpret and comply with the prescribed aspects of certain legislation impacting on his/her work situation. The learner will be able to communicate effectively, orally or in writing, with co-workers and responsible persons in this workplace.

This qualification provides the qualifying learner with legal proof of having achieved prescribed levels of knowledge and practical competence, where up till the present time, this only existed for tertiary educated persons.

The learning programme that leads to this qualification improves the operating abilities and therefore the earning ability of the qualifier, which must contribute to the social and economic development of the country.

This qualification qualifies a person who has successfully demonstrated his/her knowledge levels and competence in the skills prescribed for Wood Technology: Lumber Milling (Saw Doctoring) for NQF Level 1, to enroll for an NQF Level 2 Learnership and Qualification in this domain. It ensures a foundation for a structured career path for the learner.

This Qualification forms part of the Learnership in Wood Technology: Lumber Milling (Saw Doctoring) (NQF Level 1), which, together with 3 other qualifications at this level, constitute the basis of the NQF for Wood Technology. It facilitates access to and mobility within learning pathway in Lumber Milling and other Wood Technology learning pathways.

This qualification supports the objectives of the National Qualification Framework regarding access, mobility and progression, quality of learning, redress of unfair discrimination and contribution to personal development and social and economic development of the nation.

Rationale for the qualification:

NOTE: Saw doctoring is the activity concerned with keeping all the cutting tools used in a lumber mill, e.g. saw blades, planer knives etc, in good working order. There are currently two basic types of sawing machines which typify individual South African lumber mills, which require different types of saw doctoring, i.e. Band-saws and Frame-saws. There is however no differentiation in the learning programme between the two for the learner at NQF Level 4.
  • The typical range of learners is the currently employed, unemployed and other persons, who want to enter a learning programme to obtain a National Certificate in Wood Technology: Lumber Milling (Saw Doctoring) at NQF Level 1, to start building a career path in this industry.
  • These learners, once qualified, will be able to effectively and efficiently work as general workers/mill hands, individually or in teams, on tasks they are responsible for at this level in the saw doctor shop in the lumber mill.
  • South African lumber millers are facing an increasing demand for better quality products at more competitive prices. This is leading to an increased demand for more knowledgeable and better skilled personnel to produce such products. Historically this industry experienced various forms of protection. Lumber mill personnel at the lower levels were only exposed to unplanned, periodic, ad-hoc learning programmes, which did not establish an appropriately trained workforce. All protection has now been removed. This industry is now part of the global market, and it must be competitive in price and quality to survive. It can only achieve this through improved knowledge and skills levels. The new education and training dispensation can deliver this. Therefore a demand, which will increase in the future.
  • This qualification equips learners with identified competencies in knowledge and skills at NQF Level 1 and it provides a basis for further learning at NQF Level 2. The exit level outcomes, which embody these competencies in knowledge and skills, are listed in paragraph 8 below. The fundamental outcomes as well as the non-industry specific core of the unit standards required at this level, also provide the learner with building blocks for a learning pathway outside this industry. The choice of electives allows the learner the option of continuing his/her learning in any of four other areas in the lumber milling field.
  • The learning programme, which leads to this qualification, produces a person who is knowledgeable about and appropriately skilled in performing the relevant tasks in the saw doctoring area. Persons without any training or with another type of training, or persons who had undergone the ad-hoc type of training which was prevalent under the previous dispensation, will not be of the same quality for this work than a learner with this qualification.
  • Improved levels of knowledge and skills lead to greater ability to produce at more competitive costs and better quality, increased sales, greater profits, more personal income, which will impact favourably both on the society and the economy of the country. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    It will be assumed that a learner who registers for this qualification, must have literacy, communication and mathematical skills equivalent to Grade 8 schooling or ABET Level 3.

    Recognition of prior learning:

    This qualification may be achieved in part or in whole by recognition of prior learning. 

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification is, in fact, based on unit standards. The table of unit standards will be added later. 

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    The qualifying learner can:

    Outcome 1
    Demonstrate the required level of knowledge and understanding of the general basics of lumber milling and the relevant details of saw doctoring, by describing these verbally or in writing, in a clear and understandable manner, using the correct wood technological terminology.

    Outcome 2
    Perform the prescribed tasks of a mill hand (general worker), as a working team member or as an individual, in saw doctoring, showing the ability to co-operate, and understand and execute instructions.

    Outcome 3
    Demonstrate the level of knowledge and understanding required at NQF level 1, of the prescribed work procedures, the safety and health and environmental protection measures in saw doctoring, by describing and performing these correctly.

    Outcome 4
    Interpret, explain verbally or in writing, and comply with the prescribed aspects of legislation that impacts on his/her work situation, relating to the Occupational Health and Safety Act, the Labour Relations Act and the Skills Development Act.

    Every one of these exit level outcomes will be developed further in the learning programme for Lumber Milling: Saw Doctoring, NQF Level 2 in order to comply with the knowledge and skills levels required at that level.

    The successful achievement of all of the above exit level outcomes, is therefore a requirement for those learners who wish to continue their learning in this field at NQF Level 2.

    Any learner who does not want to complete this qualification, can exit the learning programme after achieving outcomes 1 and 2, in order to accumulate credits for example for further learning in related learning pathways in lumber milling, or for other fields related to Wood Technology. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    (1)
  • The description proves that the learner possesses the required level of knowledge and understanding of the subject field.
  • The description gives the correct details of the relevant aspects of lumber milling and saw doctoring.
  • The description is given in a clear and understandable manner.
  • The correct wood technological terminology is used.

    (2)
  • The procedures prescribed for the relevant tasks are applied correctly.
  • The outcomes of the performance of the relevant tasks comply with the prescribed targets.
  • The learner co-operates successfully as a working team member.
  • Instructions are executed as prescribed.

    (3)
  • The description proves that the learner has achieved the level of knowledge and understanding prescribed for NQF Level 1 in saw doctoring.
  • The details given in the description are correct.
  • The description, verbally or written, is given in a clear and structured manner.
  • The correct technological terminology is used.
  • The relevant procedures and measures are performed as prescribed.

    (4)
  • The explanation proves that the learner has the level of knowledge and understanding of the subject matter which ensures correct interpretation and compliance.
  • The details of the prescribed aspects of the relevant legislation are interpreted and explained correctly.
  • The explanation of the interpretation is given in a clear and understandable manner.
  • The correct legal terminology is used in the explanation.
  • The learner in his/her work situation correctly complies with the prescribed aspects of the relevant legislation.

    Integrated Assessment:

    The unit standards on which this qualification is based, describe the competent performance in Saw Doctoring, and lay down the criteria by which competence should be judged, as well as the range of circumstances in which competence should be demonstrated. For each unit standard there are corresponding performance assessment criteria, which describe the evidence an assessor should use to determine a learner's competence.

    Integrated assessment methods and tools for this qualification must allow the learner to demonstrate that he/she has acquired the knowledge of and can safely and efficiently apply the required competence in the relevant aspects of activities of Saw Doctoring, as described in paragraph 6 (purpose of this qualification) and paragraph 8 (exit level outcomes). These tools are written or oral test to determine level of knowledge and on-the-job observation to determine applied competence, as summative assessment, for all the exit level outcomes at the completion of the learning programme. The tools that can be used for formative assessment during and at the completion of the learning programme for each of the exit level outcomes are oral testing, on-the-job observation and role-play situations. The assessor/s can decide which method will be the most appropriate in the particular situation where the assessment is taking place.

    A portfolio of evidence of the outcomes of all these assessments for each learner must be built up for record purposes.

    This portfolio may also include, inter alia:
  • Written statements from e.g. current or previous employer, colleagues, peers, managers, i.e. persons who can supply relevant references.
  • Relevant awards or certificates.
  • Previous assessment records.
  • Journals/logbook, records of work performance.

    The currently unemployed who followed a learning programme to achieve this qualification, as well as persons seeking recognition of prior learning, can be assessed in the same way. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    International Comparability:

    Information gained from visits to and from:
  • The British Columbia Institute for Technology, Vancouver Canada
  • The community college at Ashville in North Caroline, U.S.A.
  • The Forestry Training Centre at Rotorua, New Zealand
  • The Technical and Further Education (TAFE) training institute in Mt Gambier Australia
    influenced the thinking on this and other Wood Technology qualifications.

    Qualifications from those institutions and these are not exactly the same but learning programmes and hours of learning are comparable. The inclusion of labour legislation and other non-industry specific subjects make it even more uniquely South African.

    The institutions listed above are all internationally recognized as centres of excellence in training and education in the Forestry/Wood Technology field. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    The choice of elective learning components allows the learner to change to another pathway in lumber milling at the same level, or at the next higher level.

    The fundamental and non-industry specific core learning components will equip the learner with credits which will be useful in other fields of learning that the learner might wish to change to at any future stage. 

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    All providers offering the learning to achieve this qualification must be accredited by the relevant ETQA or through a memorandum of understanding with the relevant ETQAs.

    All assessor/s must be registered with the relevant ETQAs, and must comply with the requirement for assessors as prescribed by the relevant ETQAs. In addition, the assessor/s must at least have knowledge and skills levels in this field equivalent to those required by the NQF at level 4, plus two years of practice in this field as a worker or expert consultant or provider. All moderators moderating the assessment of learners for this qualification must be registered with the relevant ETQAs. 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

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

    NOTES 
    The Unit Standards for the "Fundamental" and "Core" component of learning in the qualification matrix will have to be drawn from other organising fields, or will have to be developed. 

    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.