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: Wastewater Process Operations 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
22673  National Certificate: Wastewater Process Operations 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Water Sector 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
Was EWSETA until Last Date for Achievement  OQSF - Occupational Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
National Certificate  Field 12 - Physical Planning and Construction  Civil Engineering Construction 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  120  Level 2  NQF Level 02  Regular-Unit Stds Based 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 SAQA 1058/05  2005-02-09  2007-11-28 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2008-11-28   2011-11-28  

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 is replaced by: 
Qual ID Qualification Title Pre-2009 NQF Level NQF Level Min Credits Replacement Status
58951  National Certificate: Water and Wastewater Treatment Process Operations  Level 2  NQF Level 02  136  Complete 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
A person acquiring this qualification will be able to operate a minimum of four unit processes at a wastewater treatment works and acquire the foundational knowledge and skills required for further progression and advancement. This qualification forms the foundation for advancement to the National Certificate in Wastewater Process Control (NQF level 4). This qualification also focuses on the full development of the learner and further mobility and transportability within the water sector. The qualification will expand the skills base of the qualifying learner and make the person more effective in his/her tasks and more employable and will open up job opportunities in related fields. This qualification will enhance productivity within the water sector and contribute towards the ecological sustainability and improvement of the water environment. The individual will have the capacity to advance and gain skills and self-respect.

Rationale of the qualification:

This qualification reflects the workplace-based needs of wastewater process operators working in the water sector that is expressed by employers and employees, both now and for the future. This qualification provides the learner with accessibility to employment within the water sector, as there are commonalities in unit standards between the National Certificate In Water Purification Process Operations (NQF level 2) and the National Certificate in Wastewater Process Operations (NQF level 2). This qualification also provides the flexibility to pursue different careers within wastewater, as there are many electives, which will allow for a career at a wide scope of wastewater operations. The level of flexibility within the range of electives will allow the individual to follow a career at a range of wastewater operations in both a rural and an urban context. This qualification will enable the learner to articulate vertically to the skills programme at NQF level 3 and the National Certificate In Wastewater Process Control (NQF Level 4), thus providing the learner with a career path. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
A knowledge, comprehension and application of language and mathematics at NQF level 1.

Recognition of prior learning:

This qualification may be achieved in part or completely through the recognition of prior learning, which includes formal, informal and non-formal learning and work experience. Any learner wishing to be directly assessed may arrange to do so, without attending further training or education. The assessor and learner will decide together on the most appropriate assessment route to be taken. 

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
Y 

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
Exit Level Outcomes:

1. Demonstrate an understanding of relevant legislation.
2. Operate a minimum of four unit processes at a wastewater treatment works.
3. Demonstrate an understanding and knowledge of equipment of four unit processes.
4. Demonstrate interactive skills.
5. Demonstrate knowledge of occupational health and safety. 

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
Associated Assessment Criteria:

1
  • Knowledge and comprehension regarding personal safety practices in a wastewater environment is applied according to standard operating procedures and safety requirements.
  • Knowledge and comprehension of the National Water Act.

    2
  • Operate inlet works at a wastewater works.
  • Operate settling process at a wastewater works.
  • Handle and dispose of sludge at a wastewater works
  • Operate an additional unit process from the range of electives.
  • Demonstrate good practice on a wastewater treatment works.
  • Apply learning skills and knowledge in their personal, workplace and educational lives.

    3
  • Demonstrate an understanding and knowledge of the equipment used at the inlet works at a wastewater works.
  • Demonstrate an understanding and knowledge of the equipment used at the settling process at a wastewater works.
  • Demonstrate an understanding and knowledge of the equipment used when handling and disposing of sludge at a wastewater works
  • Demonstrate an understanding and knowledge of the equipment used for an additional unit process from the range of electives.

    4
  • Interaction with work colleagues and management on a wastewater works
  • Use communication skills to interact in a meaningful way with colleagues
  • Use the range of generic skills as a foundation for learning.
  • Work with others in both learning and work-oriented situations.

    5
  • Demonstrate knowledge of occupational health & safety.
  • Personal health, hygiene and presentation in a wastewater environment is maintained according to the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
  • Apply skills relevant to a wastewater context appropriately.

    Integrated Assessment:

    Integrated assessment at the level of qualification provides an opportunity for learners to show that they are able to integrate concepts, ideas and actions across unit standards to achieve competence that is grounded and coherent in relation to the purpose of the qualification. Integrated assessment should show how already demonstrated competence in individual areas can be linked and applied for the achievement of a holistic outcome.

    Integrated assessment must judge the quality of the observable performance, and also the quality of the thinking that lies behind it. Assessment tools must encourage learners to give an account of the thinking and decision-making that underpin their demonstrated performance. Some assessment practices will demand practical evidence while others may be more theoretical, depending on the type of outcomes to be assessed, and the nature and level of the qualification. The ratio between action and interpretation is not fixed, but varies according to the demands of the qualification.

    While the generic component (literacy, communication and life skills) of this qualification at NQF Level 2 can be assessed through occupational contexts and activities relating to wastewater treatment, care must be taken in both the learning programme and the assessment to ensure that these foundational skills are truly portable. The primary aim of this qualification is to ensure that learners have a sound base of general education to prepare them for further learning, whatever career path they may choose. Learners must be able to transfer generic skills such as language, computation and learning skills etc across a number of different contexts, and apply them within a number of learning areas.

    A broad range of task-orientated and theoretical assessment tools may be used, with the distinction between practical knowledge and disciplinary knowledge maintained so that each takes its rightful place. Unit standards in the qualification must be used to assess specific and critical cross-field outcomes. During integrated assessments the assessor should make use of formative and summative assessment methods and should assess combinations of practical, applied, foundational and reflexive competencies. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    International comparability:

    The core and elective components have been developed taking into account South Africa`s unique context, but also looking at international best practice. Benchmarking was done against the SVQ from Scotland (Monitoring the Water environment: level 2, Operating process Plant: Wastewater level 2, Water Industry Operations: Sewerage Maintenance level 2) as well as Australian qualification (Certificate course in Water and Wastewater). ). Similarities were found in content, level and degree of complexity with the Scottish and Australian qualifications. Individual unit standard were not compared as access incurs a fee in US dollars. Commonality in terms of content and degree of difficulty was established. The fundamental components, reflecting foundational learning and generic skills and knowledge have been derived from registered, local adult education unit standards. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification will allow a person to articulate to the Qualification in Wastewater Process Operations on NQF level 4. 

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    1. Anyone assessing a learner against these standards must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA.
    2. Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of these unit standards or will assess these unit standards must be accredited as a provider with the relevant ETQA.
    3. Moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant ETQA according to the moderation guidelines in the relevant qualification and the agreed ETQA procedures.

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

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    For an applicant to register as an assessor, the applicant needs:
  • A minimum of two years practical, relevant occupational experience.
  • Declared competent in all the outcomes of the of the generic assessor standard, and certificated by the ETDP SETA or by the relevant ETQA in agreement with the ETDP SETA in this regard.
  • Detailed documentary proof of educational qualification, practical training undergone, and experience gained by the applicant must be provided (Portfolio of evidence).
  • Able to demonstrate competence in relation to these specified standards and qualifications, at or above, the level of the qualifications in question.
  • Meet any other additional requirements laid down by their constituent ETQA.

    The subject matter experience of the assessor can be established by recognition of prior learning.
    The status of registered assessors can be checked on the appropriate ETQA database or website. 
    		•

    NOTES 
    This qualification has been replaced by qualification 58951, which is "National Certificate: Water and Wastewater Treatment Process Operations", Level 2, 130 credits.

    Notes on the qualification design:

    Fundamental:
    39 credits should be achieved in fundamental

    Core:
    56 credits should be achieved in core

    Elective:
    A minimum of 25 credits should be achieved 

    UNIT STANDARDS: 
      ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
    Core  12034  Demonstrate knowledge of the purpose of a wastewater treatment works  Level 1  NQF Level 01  5 
    Core  12035  Apply personal safety practices on a wastewater treatment works  Level 2  NQF Level 02  4 
    Core  8494  Demonstrate an understanding of HIV/AIDS and its implications  Level 2  NQF Level 02  4 
    Core  12042  Demonstrate chemical and bacteriological sampling techniques and field tests  Level 2  NQF Level 02  4 
    Core  12040  Demonstrate dosing of chlorine products in a wastewater works  Level 2  NQF Level 02  5 
    Core  12044  Demonstrate knowledge of biological processes  Level 2  NQF Level 02  4 
    Core  12037  Demonstrate knowledge of mechanical and electrical equipment  Level 2  NQF Level 02  4 
    Core  12033  Demonstrate knowledge of water cycle, water and wastewater systems and processes  Level 2  NQF Level 02  5 
    Core  12041  Handle and dispose of sludge  Level 2  NQF Level 02  5 
    Core  12038  Operate inlet works  Level 2  NQF Level 02  5 
    Core  12039  Operate settling process  Level 2  NQF Level 02  5 
    Core  12036  Orientate self in the workplace  Level 2  NQF Level 02  6 
    Fundamental  8963  Access and use information from texts  Level 2  NQF Level 02  5 
    Fundamental  9009  Apply basic knowledge of statistics and probability to influence the use of data and procedures in order to investigate life related problems  Level 2  NQF Level 02  3 
    Fundamental  7480  Demonstrate understanding of rational and irrational numbers and number systems  Level 2  NQF Level 02  3 
    Fundamental  8962  Maintain and adapt oral communication  Level 2  NQF Level 02  5 
    Fundamental  12444  Measure, estimate and calculate physical quantities and explore, describe and represent geometrical relationships in 2-dimensions in different life or workplace contexts  Level 2  NQF Level 02  3 
    Fundamental  9882  Read and interpret basic engineering drawings  Level 2  NQF Level 02  8 
    Fundamental  8967  Use language and communication in occupational learning programmes  Level 2  NQF Level 02  5 
    Fundamental  7469  Use mathematics to investigate and monitor the financial aspects of personal and community life  Level 2  NQF Level 02  2 
    Fundamental  9007  Work with a range of patterns and functions and solve problems  Level 2  NQF Level 02  5 
    Fundamental  8964  Write for a defined context  Level 2  NQF Level 02  5 
    Elective  12045  Maintain maturation and oxidation ponds  Level 1  NQF Level 01  2 
    Elective  9823  Perform basic life support and/or first aid procedures in emergencies  Level 1  NQF Level 01  5 
    Elective  12051  Control composting process  Level 2  NQF Level 02  4 
    Elective  12046  Operate a biofilter  Level 2  NQF Level 02  5 
    Elective  7547  Operate a personal computer system  Level 2  NQF Level 02  6 
    Elective  12049  Operate an aerobic digester  Level 2  NQF Level 02  5 
    Elective  12053  Operate chemical treatment process  Level 2  NQF Level 02  6 
    Elective  12048  Operate rotating biodisc contactor  Level 2  NQF Level 02  4 
    Elective  12052  Operate tertiary filtration process  Level 2  NQF Level 02  6 
    Elective  12056  Operate activated sludge process  Level 4  NQF Level 04  18 
    Elective  12047  Operate an anaerobic digester  Level 4  NQF Level 04  7 
    Elective  12050  Thicken and dewater sludge  Level 4  NQF Level 04  8 


    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    When qualifications are replaced, some of their learning programmes are moved to being recorded against the replacement qualifications. If a learning programme appears to be missing from here, please check the replacement.
     
    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.