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: Thermoplastic Fabrication

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
24217	National Certificate: Thermoplastic Fabrication
ORIGINATOR
SGB Plastics Manufacturing
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY			NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
MERSETA - Manufacturing, Engineering and Related Services Education and Training Authority			OQSF - Occupational Qualifications Sub-framework
QUALIFICATION TYPE	FIELD		SUBFIELD
National Certificate	Field 06 - Manufacturing, Engineering and Technology		Manufacturing and Assembly
ABET BAND	MINIMUM CREDITS	PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL	NQF LEVEL	QUAL CLASS
Undefined	126	Level 3	NQF Level 03	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

The purpose of this qualification is to provide learners, education and training providers and employers with the standards and the range of learning required to work effectively in the thermoplastic fabrication industry and to meet the challenges of such an environment.

This qualification recognises the skills, knowledge and values acquired by learners involved in thermoplastics fabrication. The chief skill that is recognised in this qualification is the ability to produce plastic components and assemblies of some complexity using a variety of fabrication methods. This capability requires an understanding of the laying out and marking off of shapes; the setting up and use of powered machinery; development and fabrication from drawings and sketches; the cutting and joining of components; and complex welds. Hand skills play a role in this qualification. At this level, qualifying learners must be proficient in all five welding processes.

Qualifying learners will be able to relate what they are doing to scientific principles and concepts. They will also be able to maintain and support the various policies and procedures related to the safety, health, environment and quality systems that govern their workplace. Qualifying learners will also understand diversity and how to resolve conflict in the workplace, the basics of business finance and how to manage their own work time effectively.

What learners achieve in this qualification will also serve as a basis for further learning where they will further develop their skills and knowledge to include fabricating complex welded assemblies and shapes, maintaining product quality and commissioning and handing over fabrications.

Rationale for the qualification:
This is the second qualification in a series for learners who want to follow a career in thermoplastic fabrication processes. This qualification focuses on developing skills and knowledge necessary to progress in such a career.

The thermoplastic fabrication industry operates in a competitive and challenging environment. The finished fabrications have to respond to a wide variety of exacting customer and consumer requirements. In addition, the industry has to respond to international competition, on-going development of new products as the result of changing customer needs, and environmental issues.

The fabrication of plastics products generally requires the manufacture and joining of plastics components into assemblies. The assemblies are often subjected to considerable stress when in operation and the manufacturing process needs to be consistent and accurate.

There were previously no qualifications for this branch of industry, which consists of many micro and small enterprises. Few employees have any sort of formal qualification. The industry has low barriers to entry and invests little in developing people's skills. This, together with the ignorance of clients, has led to widely differing standards. Many products and services are safety critical in nature and there is a need to create skills standards to alleviate these problems.

This qualification forms part of a series of qualifications at different levels to create opportunities for development, a career path and greater security of employment within the thermoplastics fabrication industry.

This qualification enables learners who have gained relevant experience in the workplace to obtain credits through the RPL process. This qualification also forms the basis for further development in thermoplastic fabrication in particular and the plastics manufacturing industry in general.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

This qualification assumes learners have a National Certificate in Thermoplastic Fabrication (Level 2). If the learner does not already have such a qualification, learning in preparation for this qualification would also have to include:

Language and maths beyond basic literacy and numeracy

Basic concepts of science and technology related to fabrication methods, plastics materials, and tools and equipment used in the fabrication process

An ability to produce simple components and assemblies using a variety of fabrication methods

An ability to perform routine maintenance on machinery

Concepts of organising factors in labour, business and the economy

Role and purpose of procedures related to workplace relationships, roles and responsibilities

Recognition of prior learning:
This qualification may be obtained through a process of RPL. The learner should be thoroughly briefed on the mechanism to be used and support and guidance should be provided. Care should be taken that the mechanism used provides the learner with an opportunity to demonstrate competence and is not so onerous as to prevent learners from taking up the RPL option towards gaining a qualification.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

QUALIFICATION RULES

N/A

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

1. Demonstrate an ability to produce components and assemblies of some complexity using a variety of fabrication methods and operations, meeting output requirements and working safely with due care for fellow workers and the environment.
2. Demonstrate an ability to plan fabrication processes, develop work instructions, and lay out and mark off materials.
3. Demonstrate an ability to select and apply quality checks to determine whether components and assemblies comply with specifications.
4. Select procedures to solve familiar problems within a thermoplastic fabrication environment and operate within clearly defined contexts, with some scope for personal decision-making and responsibility.
5. Contribute to workgroup efforts and support the maintenance of a safe, effective and efficient workplace.
6. Demonstrate the ability to communicate with peers and members of supervisory / management levels and to use information which has been gathered and summarised from a range of sources to produce simple written reports

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Output and quality requirements are met

Fabrication time limits are adhered to

Safe working practices are adhered to

Issues related to the theoretical principles of fabrication and the various fabrication methods and their respective operations at this level are discussed and an understanding is demonstrated by responding to questions
2.

Components and assemblies to be fabricated are identified and requirements are interpreted from drawing

Material lists are compiled

Work instructions are clear and logical and comprehensive

The ability to plan fabrication processes for a variety of different situations and projects is demonstrated
3.

Quality checks are appropriate for the specifications

Issues related to various quality checks, methods and procedures and the principles underpinning such quality checks are discussed and an understanding is demonstrated by responding to questions.
4.

Appropriate procedures are selected to solve problems in an efficient and effective manner

Unfamiliar problems are accurately reported to appropriate personnel

Issues related to familiar problems in the fabrication of components and assemblies are discussed and an understanding is demonstrated by responding to questions.
5.

Production schedules and assignments are met

Production workflow is managed efficiently

Safe working practices are adhered to

Workgroup goals are met

Assistance and support are provided where required

Active participation in workgroup discussions, in workgroup problem solving activities and in the implementation of solutions occurs

Relevant information is received and passed on
6.

Information is gathered from a range of sources and accurately summarised

Information is presented clearly, in a timely manner and in the required format to appropriate parties

Relationships with peers and supervisory / management levels are established and functioning.

Integrated Assessment:

The purpose of assessment for this qualification is not to re-assess the outcomes of unit standards but to assess the evidence in terms of exit level outcomes. The exit level outcomes represent an integration of the various unit standards.

Integrated assessment at the level of the qualification provides an opportunity for learners to show they are able to integrate concepts, actions and ideas achieved across a range of unit standards and contexts. Integrated assessment must evaluate the quality of observable performance as well as the thinking behind the performance.

Some assessment aspects will demand practical demonstration while others may not. In some cases inference will be necessary to determine competence, depending on the nature and context within which performance takes place.

The assessor will collect evidence of the learner's competence by:

Observing the learner at work (in primary activities as well as in other work-related interactions) or by relevant simulations

Asking questions and initiating short discussions to test understanding

Looking at records, reports, the portfolio and assessment reports for individual unit standards

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 on the approach being taken.

Since this is a foundational qualification, it is necessary to ensure that the fundamental part of the qualification is also targeted to ensure that while the competence may have been achieved in a particular context, learners are able to apply it in a range of other contexts and for further learning. The assessment should also ensure that the critical cross-field outcomes have been achieved.

INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY

An extensive search has not revealed any comparable qualifications. The contents of this qualification do, however, conform to the second phase of trade-level fabrication qualifications in Germany. It is likely that this qualification will become a benchmark for future qualifications of this kind for other countries.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

The 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.

MODERATION OPTIONS

Anyone assessing a learner against this qualification must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA

Any institution or learning provider offering learning towards the achievement of this qualification should be accredited as a provider with the relevant ETQA

Moderation of assessment should be overseen by the relevant ETQA according to the moderation guidelines provided for in this qualification as well as the agreed ETQA guidelines.

CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS

The following criteria should be applied by the relevant ETQA:
1. Appropriate qualification in the field of plastics fabrication at NQF Level 4 and a minimum of 2 years' experience in a thermoplastic fabrication environment. The subject matter experience 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 the 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 the MERS ETQA or any other 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	14720	Adapt to working in a client`s work environment	Level 3	NQF Level 03	3
Core	12457	Develop learning strategies and techniques	Level 3	NQF Level 03	3
Core	14688	Develop work instructions for thermoplastic fabrication using drawings	Level 3	NQF Level 03	10
Core	14699	Fabricate thermoplastic assemblies requiring complex welds	Level 3	NQF Level 03	15
Core	14700	Lay out and mark off regular and irregular shapes for thermoplastic fabrication	Level 3	NQF Level 03	25
Core	9526	Manage basic business finance	Level 3	NQF Level 03	6
Core	9530	Manage work time effectively	Level 3	NQF Level 03	3
Core	116720	Show understanding of diversity in the workplace	Level 3	NQF Level 03	3
Core	9533	Use communication skills to handle and resolve conflict in the workplace	Level 3	NQF Level 03	3
Fundamental	8968	Accommodate audience and context needs in oral communication	Level 3	NQF Level 03	5
Fundamental	9528	Communicate with clients	Level 3	NQF Level 03	3
Fundamental	9529	Compile feasibility and commissioning reports	Level 3	NQF Level 03	3
Fundamental	9010	Demonstrate an understanding of the use of different number bases and measurement units and an awareness of error in the context of relevant calculations	Level 3	NQF Level 03	2
Fundamental	9013	Describe, apply, analyse and calculate shape and motion in 2-and 3-dimensional space in different contexts	Level 3	NQF Level 03	4
Fundamental	8969	Interpret and use information from texts	Level 3	NQF Level 03	5
Fundamental	9012	Investigate life and work related problems using data and probabilities	Level 3	NQF Level 03	5
Fundamental	7456	Use mathematics to investigate and monitor the financial aspects of personal, business and national issues	Level 3	NQF Level 03	5
Fundamental	8970	Write texts for a range of communicative contexts	Level 3	NQF Level 03	5
Elective	10567	Transport personnel, material and equipment using Light Delivery Vehicle	Level 1	NQF Level 01	4
Elective	116231	Operate a cab controlled overhead crane	Level 2	NQF Level 02	8
Elective	116254	Operate a mobile crane	Level 2	NQF Level 02	20
Elective	243272	Operate a Mobile Elevating Work Platform (MEWP)	Level 2	NQF Level 02	10
Elective	116235	Operate a pendant controlled overhead crane	Level 2	NQF Level 02	5
Elective	262824	Operate a Sideboom	Level 2	NQF Level 02	8
Elective	116255	Operate a tower crane	Level 2	NQF Level 02	20
Elective	116253	Operate a truck mounted loader crane	Level 2	NQF Level 02	20
Elective	13214	Operate and monitor a drilling machine to produce simple components	Level 2	NQF Level 02	6
Elective	13205	Operate and monitor a lathe to produce simple components	Level 2	NQF Level 02	12
Elective	13204	Operate and monitor a milling machine to produce simple components	Level 2	NQF Level 02	12
Elective	242981	Operate defined purpose lift trucks	Level 2	NQF Level 02	4
Elective	242976	Operate overhead/gantry cranes	Level 2	NQF Level 02	5
Elective	12484	Perform basic fire fighting	Level 2	NQF Level 02	4
Elective	12483	Perform basic first aid	Level 2	NQF Level 02	4
Elective	9880	Perform basic welding/joining of metals	Level 2	NQF Level 02	8
Elective	243021	Shift loads using lifting equipment	Level 2	NQF Level 02	4
Elective	14684	Weld thermoplastics with electrofusion equipment	Level 2	NQF Level 02	5
Elective	14697	Weld thermoplastics with extrusion equipment	Level 2	NQF Level 02	5
Elective	14694	Weld thermoplastics with heated-tool equipment	Level 2	NQF Level 02	5
Elective	14696	Weld thermoplastics with hot gas	Level 2	NQF Level 02	5
Elective	14690	Weld thermoplastics with solvent cement	Level 2	NQF Level 02	5
Elective	244407	Lift and move a load using mechanical lifting equipment	Level 3	NQF Level 03	7
Elective	260798	Operate a cantilever container crane (ship to shore)	Level 3	NQF Level 03	12
Elective	260777	Operate a container side loader	Level 3	NQF Level 03	8
Elective	260818	Operate a counter balanced lift truck in excess of 15 tons	Level 3	NQF Level 03	9
Elective	260763	Operate a floating crane	Level 3	NQF Level 03	12
Elective	260760	Operate a inland container crane (rail mounted)	Level 3	NQF Level 03	10
Elective	260761	Operate a reach stacker	Level 3	NQF Level 03	10
Elective	260765	Operate a rubber tyred gantry crane	Level 3	NQF Level 03	12
Elective	260817	Operate a scotch derrick crane (ship mounted)	Level 3	NQF Level 03	10
Elective	260764	Operate a ships crane	Level 3	NQF Level 03	8
Elective	260797	Operate a sideloader lift truck	Level 3	NQF Level 03	8
Elective	260757	Operate a straddle carrier	Level 3	NQF Level 03	10
Elective	260780	Operate a sugar cane crane	Level 3	NQF Level 03	8
Elective	260781	Operate a telescopic boom handler	Level 3	NQF Level 03	10
Elective	260758	Operate a wall-mounted jib	Level 3	NQF Level 03	7
Elective	242972	Operate advanced defined purpose lift trucks	Level 3	NQF Level 03	7
Elective	242974	Operate counter-balanced lift truck	Level 3	NQF Level 03	7
Elective	242982	Operate heavy crane	Level 3	NQF Level 03	14
Elective	260762	Operate rough terrain/earthmoving/agricultural equipment	Level 3	NQF Level 03	11
Elective	123260	Operate tailgates and tail-lifts	Level 3	NQF Level 03	2
Elective	242978	Operate truck-mounted cranes	Level 3	NQF Level 03	8
Elective	8039	Operating cranes	Level 3	NQF Level 03	10
Elective	8038	Operating lift trucks	Level 3	NQF Level 03	6
Elective	253658	Perform a lifting task by using a mobile crane	Level 3	NQF Level 03	8
Elective	117001	Use a mobile crane to carry out pile driving	Level 3	NQF Level 03	8
Elective	243273	Monitor and control the safety and operations of Mobile Elevating Work Platforms	Level 4	NQF Level 04	8
Elective	116583	Perform tandem lifting	Level 4	NQF Level 04	12
Elective	253660	Supervise advanced mobile crane operations	Level 4	NQF Level 04	20

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