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: Measurement, Control and Instrumentation 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
49746  National Certificate: Measurement, Control and Instrumentation 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Measurement, Control and Instrumentation 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
EWSETA - Energy and Water Sector Education and Training Authority  OQSF - Occupational Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
National Certificate  Field 06 - Manufacturing, Engineering and Technology  Engineering and Related Design 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  121  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  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 
Purpose:

The purpose of the qualification is to build the necessary knowledge, understanding, abilities and skills for further learning towards becoming a professional practising engineer in Measurement, Control and Implementation of engineering equipment.

Qualifying learners will gain competencies that will promote expertise in this sub field by being able to:
  • Fault find and repair advanced Instrumentation
  • Set-up and Configure a Process Control System
  • Apply Measurement principles and related applications
  • Apply management principles to a business environment

    Rationale:

    The National Certificate in Measurement, Control and Implementation is designed to contribute to developing Engineering and related design competence in terms of Measurement, Control and Implementation equipment with particular application to the flow, temperature, level and pressure field instrumentation.

    This is the fourth qualification in a series designed for learners who want to follow a career in Measurement, Control and Instrumentation. The series outlines a learning progression from NQF level 2 to NQF level 5 for learners learning and working in the field of measurement, control and instrumentation. It reflects the skills, knowledge and understanding required to participate effectively in this field, whether in small, medium or large operations.

    This learning pathway recognizes the skills, knowledge and values relevant to a workplace. It is designed for learners who:
  • Have acquired the skills and knowledge without attending formal courses or training.
  • Are part of a learnership or skills programme which integrates structured learning and work experience.
  • Have attended courses or training sessions and then apply the knowledge and skills gained to activities in the workplace initiatives.
  • Have full physical mobility as the Measurement, Control and Instrumentation environment is physically demanding.
  • Do not suffer from colour blindness, which will require testing for, in order to safeguard industry and the learner.

    For the new entrant, this qualification recognises the applied competence needed by a productive person in a measurement, control and instrumentation environment.

    The qualification also forms the basis for further development to the National Diploma in Measurement, Control and Instrumentation. 

  • LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    This qualification assumes that the candidate has an FETC in Measurement Control and Instrumentation.Or The candidate must prove competence in terms of the NQF Level 4 qualification and learning in preparation for this qualification should include the aspects of:
  • Communication and Mathematical Literacy at NQF Level 4
  • Science and Measurement Control and Instrumentation technology
  • Dexterity and technical aptitude
  • Teamwork

    Recognition of prior learning:

    This qualification may be obtained through a process of RPL. The learner should be thoroughly briefed prior to the assessment and support provided and guidance should be provided to assist in the process of developing a portfolio. While this is primarily a workplace-based qualification, evidence from other areas of endeavour may be introduced if pertinent to any of the exit-level outcomes.

    Care should be taken that the process used provides the learner with an opportunity to demonstrate competence and is not too demanding as to prevent learners from taking up the RPL option towards gaining the qualification. 

  • RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
  • All the fundamental unit standards are compulsory (18 credits)
  • All the core unit standards are compulsory (79 credits)
  • A minimum elective component of 24 credits are required

    Learners should complete a minimum of 121 credits to obtain the qualification. 

  • EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Fault find and repair specialized sensing devices.
    2. Install and maintain a process control system.
    3. Apply Measurement principles and related applications.
    4. Apply management principles to a business environment. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    1.
  • Specialized sensing devices are understood.
  • Faults on specialized sensing devices are diagnosed.
  • Specialized sensing devices are repaired and calibrated.

    2.
  • A process control system is set-up and configured.
  • A process control system is diagnosed and repaired.
  • Process control sub-systems are integrated.

    3.
  • Control philosophies within a measurement environment are understood.
  • The integrity of measurements are understood and ensured.

    4.
  • A work unit to achieve its objectives is supervised.
  • Project management tools are used to manage a project.

    Integrated Assessment:

    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, and must be based on a summative assessment guide.

    The guide will spell out how the assessor will assess different aspects of the performance and will include:
  • observing the learner at work (both in the primary activity as well as other interactions)
  • asking questions and initiating short discussions to test understanding
  • looking at records and reports in the portfolio and reviewing previous assessments

    In some cases inference will be necessary to determine competence depending on the nature and context within which performance takes place.

    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 all the critical cross-field outcomes have been achieved.

    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 with the approach being taken.

    While this is primarily a workplace-based qualification, evidence from other areas of endeavour may be introduced if pertinent to any of the exit-level outcomes. The assessment process should cover both the explicit tasks required for the qualification as well as the understanding of the concepts and principles that underpin the activities associated with the tube and pipe manufacturing process. 

  • INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This series of qualifications (NQF level 2 - 5) was compared to:
  • The Certificate II in Electrotechnology - Instrumentation, the Certificate III in Electrotechnology - Instrumentation and the Diploma and advanced Diploma in Instrumentation and Control Engineering registered on the Austrailian NQF. This qualification covers a range of specific skill sets as well as generic engineering skills
  • The National Certificate in Industrial Measurement & Control registered on the National Qualifications Framework in New Zealand. This qualification covers a range of specific skill sets as well as generic engineering skills. The qualification provides certification from level 4 to level 5 on the New Zealand NQF, and consists of unit standards ranging from level 3 to level 6.

    Further findings on comparison:
  • In both the Australian and New Zealand cases, the fundamental learning elements are not specified, the core elements are specified with electives grouped into two different categories (elective1 & elective 2), and also include optional units and specialities.
  • In both the Australian and New Zealand cases, the learning required crosses several levels of their NQF respectively.
  • The Australian and New Zealand NQF framework differs from the South African NQF with levels.
  • All three qualifications require the learners to master skills of a specific nature. However while the unit standards from New Zealand are much more specific, the South African unit standards are generic. The applied competence in the South African qualifications focuses on achieving a specific level of competence by a person working in a real-world context, in which a particular specialisation, experience and problem-solving ability is required.

    A broad comparison can, however, be made and is summarised in the following table:

    Australia:
  • Scope: Broad in scope
  • Approach: Competency based
  • Level: Certificate 1,2,3,4,Diploma & Advanced Diploma
  • Context: Contextual
  • Assessment: Institution and work-based
  • Essential embedded knowledge: Very detailed & specific (Referred to as underpinning knowledge)
  • Credits: Not specified
  • Fundamental learning: Not formally specified
  • Business relations: Not formally specified
  • Working with and developing others: Specified with a unit standard
  • Life skills: Not covered

    New Zealand:
  • Scope: Nominal competence in a wide range of specific tasks
  • Approach: Competency based
  • Level: Level 3 to 6
  • Context: Contextual
  • Assessment: Institution and work-based
  • Essential embedded knowledge: Specified without to much detail (Referred to as entry information)
  • Credits: > Level 4 233
    > Level 5 90
  • Fundamental learning: Not formally specified
  • Business relations: Not formally specified
  • Working with and developing others: Not formally specified
  • Life skills: Mentioned under the sub section of Humanities & includes a unit standard, but not well covered

    South Africa:
  • Scope: Mastery of specific outcomes in context
  • Approach: Competency based
  • Level: Level 2, 3 and 4
  • Context: Contextual
  • Assessment: Institution and work-based
  • Essential embedded knowledge: Specified with reasonable detail
  • Credits: > Level 2 189
    > Level 3 195
    > Level 4 167
    > Level 5 136
  • Fundamental learning: Specified
  • Business relations: Specified
  • Working with and developing others: Specified under the critical cross field outcomes
  • Life skills: Specified under fundamental unit standards

    In summary, there are considerable similarities in the technical competence required but the approach of the South African series of qualifications looks at whole-person development in not only technological, but also in team- and business-related skills and makes explicit assumptions related to level of schooling and life skills. 

  • ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This series of qualifications can articulate directly to learning programmes and qualifications in the Measurement, Control and Instrumentation field. The qualification articulates horizontally with the National Certificate in Metrology: NQF Level 5. It also opens the possibility for further learning in the sub-field of Engineering and related design to the National Diploma in Measurement, Control and Instrumentation. 

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    Anyone assessing a learner or moderating the assessment of a learner against this unit standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant Education, Training, Quality, Assurance (ETQA) Body, or with an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA.

    Any institution offering learning that will enable the achievement of this unit standard must be accredited as a provider with the relevant Education, Training, Quality, Assurance (ETQA) Body, or with an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA.

    The relevant Education, Training, Quality, Assurance (ETQA) Body will oversee assessment and moderation of assessment, or by an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA, according to the ETQA's policies and guidelines for assessment and moderation.

    Moderation must include both internal and external moderation of assessments, unless ETQA policies specify otherwise. Moderation should also encompass achievement of the competence described in the Unit Standard.

    Anyone wishing to be assessed against this unit standard 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 
    Assessors should be in possession of:
  • Appropriate qualification in the field of Measurement, Control and Instrumentation at one level higher than the level of the qualification and preferably relevant workplace practical experience.The subject matter experience of the assessor can be established by recognition of prior learning.
  • Registered as an assessor with the 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  119805  Apply diagnostic techniques to a process control system  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5 
    Core  119811  Demonstrate an understanding of the Integrity of Measurement and Control Philosophy of a process  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  10 
    Core  119809  Design and apply modifications to existing process control systems  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  15 
    Core  119812  Install, configure, test and analyze process communication systems  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  10 
    Core  119803  Integrate a Process Control System  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  12 
    Core  10148  Supervise a project team of a business project to deliver project objectives  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  14 
    Core  119806  Understand electromagnetic and particle radiation principles and applications  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  10 
    Fundamental  119808  Apply engineering mathematics in the Measurement, Control and Instrumentation environment  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  10 
    Fundamental  12433  Use communication techniques effectively  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5 
    Elective  119255  Apply the ISO document "guide to the expression of uncertainty in measurement" to estimate uncertainty of measurement  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5 
    Elective  114049  Demonstrate an understanding of Computer Database Management Systems  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5 
    Elective  119804  Demonstrate an understanding of Custody Transfer  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5 
    Elective  119807  Fault find and repair Electromagnetic and Particle Radiation Sensing Devices  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  10 
    Elective  119810  Fault find and repair Specialised sensing devices  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5 
    Elective  15225  Identify and interpret related legislation and its impact on the team, department or division and ensure compliance  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5 
    Elective  15220  Set, monitor and measure the achievement of goals and objectives for a team, department or division within an organisation  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5 
    Elective  7880  Prepare, implement, manage and control budgets  Level 6  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L6  10 


    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.