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 Reticulation Services

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
48905	National Certificate: Wastewater Reticulation Services
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 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 0160/05	2007-05-15	2008-02-19
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT		LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2009-02-19		2012-02-19

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
60155	National Certificate: Water and Wastewater Reticulation Services	Level 3	NQF Level 03	124	Complete

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION

The qualification will provide the learner with the knowledge and skills to work in a wastewater reticulation services department as a team leader or junior supervisor. Qualifying learners are able to:

Supervise a team;

Operate and maintain a wastewater pump station;

Investigate problems on a wastewater reticulation system;

Demonstrate knowledge of wastewater treatment processes;

Operate and maintain on site sanitation systems;

Connect customer sewerage systems to a public wastewater systems;

Provide customer service; and

Perform general office administrative tasks.

This qualification forms the foundation for advancement to the National Certificate in Supervision of Wastewater Reticulation Services on NQF level 4 and will also lay the foundation for future career advancement across similar trades and to other supervisory qualifications within the sector.

For those who have been in the workplace for a long time, this qualification can be used in the recognition of prior learning to recognise workplace skills acquired without the benefit of formal education and training. For the new entrant this qualification describes the learning outcomes required to effectively participate in a structured workplace. For education and training providers this qualification provides guidance for the development of relevant training programmes and assessment material.

This qualification has been developed to assist with standardisation across the wastewater reticulation industry. The individual will have the capacity to advance and gain skills and self-respect, as the qualified learner will be able to work in a professional manner, to ensure that industry standards are maintained.

Rationale of the qualification

Many people working within the wastewater reticulation sector have no formal qualification in wastewater reticulation, yet they are required to lead small teams of people out into the field to install, operate and maintain wastewater reticulation systems in a range of contexts. Whereas the National Certificate In Wastewater Reticulation Services at NQF level 2 will provide all the operational skills required to provide wastewater reticulation services, the National Certificate In Wastewater Reticulation Services at NQF level 3 will prepare the operators to investigate problems on a wastewater reticulation system, consider environmental issues, operate more complex equipment and function more independently in the work place.

Having a qualification and unit standards at this level will make the framework of wastewater reticulation qualifications more flexible and accessible and enable candidates to obtain recognition for their knowledge and experience. It will also enable providers to structure training programmes in accordance with nationally recognised standards.

Candidates who obtain the National Certificate In Wastewater Reticulation Services at NQF level 3 will be able to progress to the supervisory qualification at NQF level 4. The achievement of the wastewater level 4 qualification will give them access to higher qualifications in the field of water or management qualifications.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

A knowledge, comprehension and application of language and mathematics at NQF level 2. Candidates will be required to demonstrate competence in all the core unit standards described in the National Certificate For Wastewater Reticulation Services at level 2.

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?

QUALIFICATION RULES

Compulsory Fundamental unit standards: 40 credits
Compulsory Core unit standards: 67 credits
Minimum Elective unit standard credits: 13 credits

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

On achieving this qualification the qualifying learner will be able to:

1. Lead and supervise a small team of workers.
2. Plan and organise tasks.
3. Operate and maintain a wastewater pump station.
4. Investigate and rectify problems on a wastewater reticulation system within own scope of responsibility.
5. Supervise the procurement, use and storage of materials used for wastewater reticulation tasks
6. Operate and maintain on site sanitation systems.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Knowledge of the principles of team work is demonstrated.

The team is briefed on tasks to be completed.

The team is led in a manner which ensures the achievement of tasks in accordance with work and safety standards.

Effective working relationships with team members are maintained.

Problems associated with team members are identified and solved.

Communication skills are used to interact in a meaningful way with work colleagues, team members, customers and management.

2.

Tasks are planned and prioritised.

Work schedules or job cards are prepared.

Materials, labour and equipment requirements are determined for the completion of stated tasks.

Administration tasks are completed and accurate records are kept.

3.

Wastewater pumps are identified and explained.

Wastewater pumps are operated in accordance with safety procedures.

Basic maintenance for wastewater pumps and valves is provided.

Drive units on wastewater pumps are serviced.

Problems associated with wastewater pumps are identified and solved.

4.

Elementary hydraulics on a wastewater reticulation system are explained.

Potential faults on a wastewater system are identified.

Faults and abnormal sewer flows on a wastewater reticulation system are investigated.

Problems in a wastewater reticulation system are rectified in accordance with safety procedures and report back is provided on action taken.

Customer service is provided in accordance with work procedures.

Wastewater treatment processes and the Impact of poor, faulty wastewater reticulation on wastewater treatment processes are explained.

5.

Relevant construction materials and resources are procured.

Construction materials and resources are received, checked and stored.

Construction materials and resources are issued and reconciled.

The use of materials and resources is supervised when completing wastewater reticulation tasks.

6.

Different on site sanitation systems are explained.

Consumers are advised on suitable on site sanitation options based on site and environmental conditions and operation and maintenance costs.

The construction of on site sanitation systems is monitored.

On site sanitation systems, including the identification and rectification of problems are operated and maintained.

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 explain 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 3 can be assessed through occupational contexts and activities relating to wastewater reticulation, 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

The core and elective components have been developed taking into account South Africa's unique context. The working group has been unable to find any international wastewater reticulation qualifications in America, Australia, Britain or Scotland against which to benchmark the unit standards. The working group did find a water qualification in New Zealand, but it is combined Water and Wastewater and is therefore not really comparable. 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 vertically to the National Certificate in Supervision of Wastewater Reticulation Services at NQF level 4. This qualification will also provide articulation with a range of qualifications in both technical and management areas in wastewater and other related sectors.

MODERATION OPTIONS

Anyone assessing a learner against these 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 this Qualification may apply to be assessed by any assessment agency, assessor or provider institution that is accredited by the relevant ETQA or by any other ETQA that has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU).

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 generic assessor standard, and certificated by the relevant ETQA or by any other ETQA that has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU).

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 60155, which is "National Certificate: Water and Wastewater Reticulation Services", Level 3, 130 credits.

A note on the compilation of standards in this qualification

In line with the SAQA principle of avoiding duplication, existing registered standards were used where possible.

A note on the definition of wastewater reticulation

Wastewater reticulation in this context refers to the entire pipe network.

UNIT STANDARDS:

	ID	UNIT STANDARD TITLE	PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL	NQF LEVEL	CREDITS
Core	8015	Executing general office administration	Level 2	NQF Level 02	4
Core	9965	Render basic first aid	Level 2	NQF Level 02	3
Core	115882	Connect a customer sewerage system to a public wastewater system	Level 3	NQF Level 03	7
Core	115901	Demonstrate knowledge of wastewater treatment processes	Level 3	NQF Level 03	4
Core	115897	Investigate problems in a wastewater reticulation system	Level 3	NQF Level 03	10
Core	11235	Maintain effective working relationships with other members of staff	Level 3	NQF Level 03	1
Core	115955	Operate a wastewater pump station	Level 3	NQF Level 03	12
Core	115965	Operate, maintain and provide technical support for on site sanitation systems	Level 3	NQF Level 03	8
Core	7789	Provide Customer Service	Level 4	NQF Level 04	8
Core	14430	Supervise the procurement, use and storage of construction materials	Level 4	NQF Level 04	10
Fundamental	8494	Demonstrate an understanding of HIV/AIDS and its implications	Level 2	NQF Level 02	4
Fundamental	8968	Accommodate audience and context needs in oral communication	Level 3	NQF Level 03	5
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	8973	Use language and communication in occupational learning programmes	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	7572	Demonstrate knowledge of and produce computer spreadsheets using basic functions	Level 2	NQF Level 02	3
Elective	7547	Operate a personal computer system	Level 2	NQF Level 02	6
Elective	7570	Produce word processing documents for business	Level 3	NQF Level 03	5
Elective	115881	Conduct CCTV pipe inspections	Level 4	NQF Level 04	8
Elective	12059	Demonstrate knowledge of the principles of hydraulics	Level 4	NQF Level 04	6
Elective	115893	Demonstrate sound environmental practices in wastewater operations	Level 4	NQF Level 04	7
Elective	12066	Operate telemetric and electronic equipment and scientific instrumentation	Level 4	NQF Level 04	12
Elective	115940	Demonstrate basic knowledge of different types of trenchless technologies in water and wastewater environments	Level 5	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5	8
Elective	14053	Demonstrate knowledge of corrosion control	Level 5	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5	7

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.

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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.

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