[Registered Qual & Unit Std Home page] [Search Qualifications] [Search Unit Standards]
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: 

Occupational Certificate: Toolmaker 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
91796  Occupational Certificate: Toolmaker 
ORIGINATOR
Development Quality Partner - TASA/NTIP 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
QCTO - Quality Council for Trades and Occupations  OQSF - Occupational Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Occupational Certificate  Field 06 - Manufacturing, Engineering and Technology  Engineering and Related Design 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  432  Not Applicable  NQF Level 05  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
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 replaces: 
Qual ID Qualification Title Pre-2009 NQF Level NQF Level Min Credits Replacement Status
63649  National Certificate: Mechanical Engineering: Machining and Tooling  Level 3  NQF Level 03  132  Complete 
63629  Further Education and Training Certificate: Mechanical Engineering: Machining and Tooling  Level 4  NQF Level 04  132  Complete 

This qualification is replaced by: 
Qual ID Qualification Title Pre-2009 NQF Level NQF Level Min Credits Replacement Status
103177  Occupational Certificate: Toolmaker  Not Applicable  NQF Level 05  664  Complete 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:
The purpose of this qualification is to prepare a learner to operate as a Toolmaker.

Toolmakers manufacture, modify and repair tools, dies, jigs, fixtures, moulds and other precision parts and equipment to fine tolerances used in various production disciplines.

A qualified learner will be able to:
  • Assist, advise and plan for product development, tool/die/mould design, production processes, equipment and material, including machining components and assembly.
  • Assess process planning, process adjustment, quality control and inspection.
  • Oversee, and execute tool/die/mould parts production processes.
  • Assemble, test, debug and quality assure the tool/die/mould and related operational and maintenance processes.

    Rationale:
    The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) incorporated the National Tooling Initiative (NTI) into the Industrial Policy Action Plan - IPAP (2) as a key action programme for Capital Equipment and Allied Services. The Programme was initially incubated through the European Sector (EU) Sector Wide Enterprise and Equity Programme (SWEEP) donor funding from April 2006 to 31 December 2009, with expanded support drawn from the National Treasury budget line item for the next Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) period to ensure continuity of the programme.

    The NTI is the turnaround intervention programme aimed at the rehabilitation and growth of the Tool, Die and Mould manufacturing (TDM) Sector and has been identified by the DTI as a key programme to uplift the manufacturing industry to international standards to develop the market and showcase the niche competitive advantages and capabilities of South Africa. Tooling in Manufacturing: Tools, Dies and Moulds, Jigs and Fixtures, Gauges and Metrology Equipment are core, key and critical to Manufacturing Competitiveness, as they are key Product Life Cycle Cost Drivers in terms of:
  • Initial Capital Investment to enable manufacturing of any new product, (Design and Manufacturing Cost of Original Tooling).
  • Production Cost Competitiveness (through Production Cycle Time, Reject).
  • Rate, Conversion Efficiency of the product to be produced.
  • End Product Quality Standard.
  • Reliability of Production output and End product.
  • Maintenance Cost of Tooling.
  • Occupational Health and Safety.

    A FRIDGE study was done by the government in 2006, with which they wanted to establish the size and development of the industry. This study confirmed the status of the South African TDM industry as a key support component of the manufacturing sector. This study confirmed the need for a national intervention programme to address the steady decline of this support sector to the manufacturing industry over the past 15 to 20 years. This study found the TDM Sector distress drivers to be skills erosion and job losses resulting in a critical shortage of designers, artisans, engineers and project managers in this sector. The advent of Computer Aided Design and Manufacturing radically changed the skills requirements for the production of tooling.

    The need for revamping and updating the training capacity for the TDM sector cannot be over-emphasised and the QCTO model for provision of training received overwhelming support from the industry. In particular, the advent of this system is considered opportune to address existing problems in the industry, such as:
  • Improved industrial competitiveness by addressing current loss of work to Europe, China, India and other far east countries resulting from the lack of skills availability, decline in quality standards (out-dated non-competitive technology), decline in SA TDM companies' ability to meet delivery capacity and timing requirements.
  • Improved BBBEE transformation in TDM industry where as a result of perceived distress in the sector, financial institutions and investors classify this industry sector as high risk, thus empowerment investment to date remains largely insignificant. Capacity building will address start-up SME enterprises in the sector to improve investor perception and improve chances for investment finance.
  • Improved Balance of Payments through import substitution resulting from local production and manufacturing competitiveness, i.e. machine setting, tooling adjustment and tool maintenance services. The improved competiveness will further address downstream problems like plant downtime, higher scrap rates, drop in output efficiencies, quality problems, missed supply deadlines, and increased input costs.

    The range of typical learners that will enter this qualification are people who would like to gain access to employment in the Tool and Die Making industry and those with a specific interest in production of tooling.

    This qualification resides as one of several in the mechanical engineering and manufacturing environments and makes allowance for any feeder occupation within this context to gain access to the Toolmaker qualification. The Toolmaker qualification also makes provision for people to progress within this discipline to other aspects such as patternmaking and computer aided design.

    The main benefits of this qualification for the learner are that the learner has an opportunity to be recognised as a qualified artisan with well-structured, relevant and current competencies and have access to entrepreneurial opportunities within the mechanical engineering and manufacturing environments.

    Society will be served by qualified toolmakers that not only undertake work with improved skills but are also contributing to the competitiveness of South Africa's manufacturing sector.

    The overall benefits for the economy would include efficient and effective Toolmaking competencies available to be utilised for economic growth purposes. 
    		•

    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 4 equivalent to N3 knowledge areas of Engineering Maths, Science and Engineering Drawing. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

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

    Knowledge Modules:
  • Occupational Safety, Health, Environment and Quality (SHEQ), NQF Level 4, 10 Credits.
  • Engineering Design and Planning Theory, NQF Level 5, 15 Credits.
  • Machining Operations, NQF Level 4, 22 Credits.
  • Plastic Processing Theory, NQF Level 5, 22 Credits.
  • Metal Pressing and Stamping, NQF Level 5, 22 Credits.
  • Tool/Mould Development Process, NQF Level 5, 5 Credits.

    Total number of credits for Knowledge Modules: 96.

    Practical Skill Modules:
  • Plan for the tool/die/mould component and assembly cycle and safe production in accordance with specification, NQF Level 5, 19 Credits.
  • Assess product manufacturing process and verify compliance, NQF Level 5, 19 Credits.
  • Use workshop and machining processes to manufacture tool parts to specification, NQF Level 5, 77 Credits.
  • Deliver certified assembled tool to production and product requirements and specifications, NQF Level 5, 77 Credits.

    Total number of credits for Practical Skill Modules: 192.

    This qualification also requires the following Work Experience Modules:
  • Planning processes for the production, layout and management of tool/die/mould and components, NQF Level 4, 14 Credits.
  • Quality assurance processes for verification of product conformance to specifications, NQF Level 5, 8 Credits.
  • Work schedule generation and control processes for tool part manufacturing, NQF Level 5, 72 Credits.
  • Tool production processes to meet customer needs and specifications, NQF Level 5, 50 Credits.

    Total number of credits for Work Experience Modules: 144. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. The ability to assist, advise and plan product development, tool design, production processes, equipment and material, including machining of tool components and assembly of tool.
    2. The ability to assess process planning, process adjustment, quality control and inspection.
    3. The ability to oversee and execute tool parts production processes.
    3. The ability to assemble, dry test, debug and conduct quality assurance of the tool and related operational and maintenance processes. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Drawings are read and interpreted with reference to projected views, materials, machining processes, tolerances, finishing, references and volumes (quantities) in accordance to specification.
  • Corrective occupational health and safety measures are developed and applied in accordance with task requirements.
  • The simulation and prototyping results are interpreted to verify and adjust tool design.
  • Knowledge and understanding of assisting, advising and planning product development, tool design, production processes, equipment and material, including machining of tool components and assembly of a tool are demonstrated.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Product manufacturing process is assessed in order to verify compliance.
  • Process planning is assessed in terms of machining process, job planning, bench-work and layout.
  • Product manufacturing process and plans are verified in order to make adjustments and control quality.
  • An evaluation report is produced to ensure that the product meets required specification and certify compliance to specification.
  • Knowledge and understanding of assessing process planning, process adjustment, quality control and inspection are demonstrated.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Selected materials and machines, machine tools and workstations are set up and prepared to produce tool parts.
  • Computer Aided Design Models are generated using appropriate software to specification from supplied information (concept ideas/parts/sketches).
  • Part is produced to meet drawing and design specification on advanced machines.
  • Knowledge and understanding of overseeing and executing tool parts production processes are demonstrated.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Schedule and maintenance plans are developed for tools and equipment in accordance with production and engineering requirements.
  • Tool, machine and equipment service and repair are conducted to support production requirements.
  • Tool/die/mould is assembled to design specifications and quality control requirements.
  • The problem/s encountered and procedures followed in repairing of the tool/die/mould are documented for quality assurance purposes and to meet production requirement/specification.
  • Knowledge and understanding of assembling, dry testing, debugging and conducting quality assurance of the tool and related operational and maintenance processes are demonstrated.

    Integrated Assessment:
    An external integrated summative assessment, conducted through the relevant 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 as prescribed under Section 26D of the SDA and defined in the Trade Test Regulations conducted through a combination of a practical task and/or written assessments at a QCTO accredited trade test centre by a NAMB registered assessor. The assessment must be contextualised for the toolmaking environment during which the learner must demonstrate an understanding of tool design, planning and layout, precision machining, assembly, dry testing, debugging, hardening. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The Toolmaker qualification and curriculum is one of many programmes to be found in the various vocational education and apprenticeship systems, for many countries in the world. In many instances training is comparable to the current SA QCTO approach emphasising theory, practical and workplace experiences. Industry alignment of this trade ensures that the training content is aligned to new technological innovations, standards and competency requirements.

    There are differences based on the degree of integration into the educational system, the mechanisms of regulation, forms of government support for apprenticeship, and industry commitment to the system. The length of the different programmes also varies, but apprenticeship duration of 3-4 years appears to be average.

    A comparability review of the SA toolmaker occupational qualification and curriculum for the apprenticeship programmes in the following countries, considered leaders in both industry and training approaches, and are: Germany, France, United States of America and Australia.

    Conclusion:
    The South African qualification is comparable to what is found in the chosen qualifications, in terms of what the qualification covers and the level of skills that have to be developed. It is, however, designed to meet the needs of the South African tool and die making industry as well as the current economic challenges in South Africa. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
  • The likely vertical progression for a qualified learner with this qualification is an Occupational Certificate or Advanced Certificate or Diploma in the Mechanical Engineering Industry at NQF Level 6.
  • This Occupational Certificate articulates horizontally at NQF Level 5 with other occupations with cross-cutting credits in the Knowledge Specifications. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    Accreditation of providers will be done against the criteria as reflected in the relevant curriculum on the QCTO website. 

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

    NOTES 
    This qualification replaces the following qualifications:
  • ID 59689: National Certificate: Mechanical Engineering, Level 2, 130 Credits.
  • ID 63649: National Certificate: Mechanical Engineering: Machining and Tooling, Level 3, 132 Credits.
  • ID 63629: Further Education and Training Certificate: Mechanical Engineering: Machining and Tooling, Level 4, 132 Credits.

    This qualification covers the following recorded trades:
  • ID 61035: Die and Press Toolmaker.
  • ID 61047: Machine and Tool Setter.
  • ID 61088: Machine Tool Mechanician.
  • ID 61181: Machine Tool Millwright.
  • ID 61026: Machine Tool Setting.
  • ID 61090: Press Toolmaker.
  • ID 61054: Tool and Jigmaker.
  • ID 61031: Tool and Jigmaker.
  • ID 61092: Tool and Jigmaker.
  • ID 61025: Tool and Jigmaking.
  • ID 61072: Tool, Jig and Diemaker.
  • ID 61059: Tool, Jig and Diemaker.
  • ID 61106: Tooling Mechanician.
  • ID 61076: Toolmaker.
  • ID 61136: Toolmaker.
  • ID 61067: Roll Tool and Template Maker.
  • ID 61093: Tool and Die Maker.
  • ID 61140: Tool and Jigmaker.
  • ID 61045: Tool and Jigmaker.

    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.

    Foundational Learning:
    Foundational learning competence is not a pre-requisite for the awarding this qualification.

    Part Qualifications:
    This qualification does not have any associated part qualifications. 
    		•

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    When qualifications are replaced, some (but not all) of their learning programmes are moved to the replacement qualifications. If a learning programme appears to be missing from here, please check the replaced 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.