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: Conservation: Species Care in Controlled Environments 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
48433  National Certificate: Conservation: Species Care in Controlled Environments 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Nature Conservation 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CATHSSETA - Culture, Arts, Tourism, Hospitality and Sports Education and Training Authority  OQSF - Occupational Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
National Certificate  Field 01 - Agriculture and Nature Conservation  Nature Conservation 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  133  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 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 
A learner who has achieved this qualification will be able to assist in the care of specific animals in captivity.

This competence contributes towards the improvement of standards of animal care and contributes towards the achievement of objectives of the skills development strategy. The achievement of this qualification will enhance the learner`s marketability and progression in the fields of bird parks, aquaria, zoos, botanical gardens, nurseries, other animal holding facilities, breeding centres and rehabilitation centres.


Rationale

This is the first qualification in the learning pathway for people working in the fields of bird parks, aquaria, zoos, botanical gardens, nurseries, other animal holding facilities, breeding centres and rehabilitation centres. It reflects the workplace needs of this sector. Many workers in this industry currently do not have a qualification that is specific for their needs and those of the industry. It is possible for learners to gain most of the qualification through an RPL process. This will provide an incentive for those learners who did not have a qualification to further their learning and progress up the Further Education and Training band.

The qualification will provide economic benefit to tourism, biodiversity, education, and the social environment.

The skills catered for in this qualification have commonality with nature conservation, agriculture, fisheries and environmental education which would allow for portability. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
It is assumed that learners wishing to enter a programme leading to this qualification have demonstrated competence in the unit standards for Communication and Numeracy NQF 1. The learner should have achieved ABET Level 4 numeracy and life skills.


Recognition Of Prior Learning

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.

A range of assessment methods should be used, including:
  • Direct observation - the learner will be asked to demonstrate his/her ability to perform tasks applicable to their working environment.
  • Product sample - examine the portions of reports filed by the learner in order to ascertain his/her knowledge of the skills covered in this unit standard.
  • Simulation of a specific task or situation in order to evaluate the learner`s knowledge and understanding of the skills required.
  • Questioning (verbal or written) - ask relevant questions linked to the unit standard.
  • Testimony - collect a portfolio of evidence from suitable people, for example, reports from a third party. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    N/A 

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1.
  • Care for a range of animals in a captive environment.
  • Demonstrate an appropriate level of empathy for animals in care.

    2.
  • Carry out instructions related to animal care and exhibit maintenance.
  • Interact with animals, staff and the public appropriately.

    3.
  • Adhere to appropriate health and safety protocols.
  • Use language, communication skills and mathematical literacy to communicate workplace data to role-players in the workplace. 
    		•

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    1. Practical competence:

    The learner must demonstrate an ability to consider a range of options and make decisions about:
  • Information collected and reported
  • Empathy shown to animals
  • Health and safety procedures followed
  • Appropriate and effective interaction with colleagues and public
  • Appropriate animal care

    2. Foundational Competence:

    The learner must demonstrate an understanding of:
  • Information collection
  • Health and safety procedures
  • Importance of effective interaction with animals and people
  • Consequences of not following procedures
  • Importance of appropriate animal care

    3. Reflexive competence:

    The learner must demonstrate an ability to:
  • Critically evaluate and justify decisions taken on the basis of available information
  • Contextualise and evaluate decisions
  • Discuss lessons learnt and suggest how they could be incorporated into future activities


    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 must judge the quality of the observable performance, but 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 be of a more practical nature while others will be of a more theoretical nature. The ratio between action and interpretation is not fixed, but varies according to the type and level of qualification.

    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. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    Experts with international expertise who considered qualifications and learning programmes from other countries as part of an international benchmarking exercise designed this qualification. Qualification and learning outcomes from the United Kingdom, Canada and Austria were considered and this qualification found comparable. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification has been designed to articulate vertically with the National Certificate in Captive Animal Management (NQF 4). This qualification will also allow learners to move to other related qualifications in the conservation and life sciences` fields.

    This qualification articulates horizontally with NC in Community Conservation: Liaison and Support (NQF 2); NC in Conservation: Natural Resource Guardianship (NQF 2). 

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    Anyone assessing a learner against these unit standards must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA.

    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. 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 these unit standards may apply to be assessed by any assessment agency, assessor or provider institution, which is accredited by the relevant ETQA. 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    In order to ensure that judgements are reliable, assessors should collect evidence from a variety of sources and in a number of ways, for example, direct observation, role-plays and simulations, interviews, review of portfolios of work, testimonies from third parties, and formal written, oral or skills tests. Where possible, assessment of performance should be carried out in authentic situations and in an integrated fashion, enabling the simultaneous assessment of multiple specific outcomes and assessment criteria. So, for example, by observing the candidate during the course of preparing and implementing the collection of field specimens, the assessor will be able to assess not only his/her competence as a collector of field specimens, but also his/her organisational, administrative and teamwork abilities. Furthermore, by observing how the candidate undertakes the cleaning and maintenance of his/her areas of responsibility, the assessor will be able to gauge how well the candidate understands the particular issue and related environmental concepts and processes.

    The specific outcome and assessment criteria contained in the unit standards are guidelines for assessors working with practitioners who do no have disabilities or special needs. Special consideration and exemptions should be given to practitioners who cannot fulfil the assessment criteria due to disabilities or other special needs.

    Criteria for the registration of assessors

    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. Universities, colleges of education and organisations with well-established environmental education programmes should apply for accreditation in order to be able to carry out these functions. Co-operation between potential groups of assessors will be required in order to standardise assessment, moderation and the awarding of this qualification.

    Assessors assessing against this qualification should possess subject matter expertise in this field with relevant experience of a minimum of 4 years. They should also be in possession of the appropriate assessment standard(s) as prescribed by the relevant ETQA and any other requirements as the relevant ETQA may wish to impose. 

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

    NOTES 
    Demonstration of knowledge and skills outlined in this qualification must be consistent with the principles and values of:
  • Commitment to the role captive facilities play in terms of general environmental education
  • Ecological and social rights, benefits and responsibilities
  • Empathy towards living natural resources 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARDS: 
      ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
    Core  113821  Assist with the selecting, preparing and providing of food  Level 2  NQF Level 02  8 
    Core  113822  Care for animals within area of responsibility  Level 2  NQF Level 02  20 
    Core  113818  Clean and maintain area of responsibility  Level 2  NQF Level 02  8 
    Core  8333  Collect Field Specimens  Level 2  NQF Level 02  2 
    Core  8494  Demonstrate an understanding of HIV/AIDS and its implications  Level 2  NQF Level 02  4 
    Core  8336  Demonstrate knowledge of conservation ethics  Level 2  NQF Level 02  3 
    Core  14584  Explain basic ecological principles  Level 2  NQF Level 02  10 
    Core  8493  Maintain occupational health and safety  Level 2  NQF Level 02  2 
    Core  113814  Recognise and care for plants in area of responsibility  Level 2  NQF Level 02  6 
    Core  8600  Care for Customers  Level 4  NQF Level 04  3 
    Core  8553  Operate in a business  Level 4  NQF Level 04  4 
    Core  7854  Provide First Aid  Level 4  NQF Level 04  4 
    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  8418  Do basic research  Level 2  NQF Level 02  4 
    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  7547  Operate a personal computer system  Level 2  NQF Level 02  6 
    Fundamental  8420  Operate in a team  Level 2  NQF Level 02  4 
    Fundamental  8618  Organise oneself in the workplace  Level 2  NQF Level 02  3 
    Fundamental  8416  Understand and apply personal values and ethics  Level 2  NQF Level 02  4 
    Fundamental  8419  Understand social issues  Level 2  NQF Level 02  4 
    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  8421  Work with people who have special needs  Level 2  NQF Level 02  4 
    Fundamental  8964  Write for a defined context  Level 2  NQF Level 02  5 


    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.