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: 

Further Education and Training Certificate: Railway Construction and Maintenance 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
61670  Further Education and Training Certificate: Railway Construction and Maintenance 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Civil Engineering Construction 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
TETA - Transport Education and Training Authority  OQSF - Occupational Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Further Ed and Training Cert  Field 12 - Physical Planning and Construction  Civil Engineering Construction 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  136  Level 4  NQF Level 04  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:

Qualifying learners will be able to execute the required knowledge and skills necessary for the safe and effective supervision of railway maintenance and construction processes and procedures. It will enable the learners to gain valuable knowledge and skill to address productivity issues on site with railway maintenance and construction workers as well as to understand issues related to occupational health and safety and the practice of industry codes.

A learner acquiring this Qualification will be able to:
  • Apply management techniques.
  • Ensure track conditions are maintained in line with laid down standards.
  • Utilise on track maintenance machines.
  • Maintain and support procedures to ensure implementation of occupational health and safety practices.

    Qualifying learners will be able to show responsibility, and independently and effectively manage themselves in the railway maintenance and construction environment and they will therefore ensure the effective delivery of the relevant and appropriate railway maintenance and construction services within the framework of all legal and safety requirements. This will in turn lead to the creation of a workforce that is more employable and promotable.

    Rationale:

    This Qualification is for learners who are pursuing supervisory careers within the railway maintenance and construction environment and indicates a clear learning pathway from lower levels which can be followed. It provides learners with opportunities for professional development and career advancement.

    This qualification reflects the needs and demands within the railway maintenance and construction environment for people who are or will be able to perform leadership roles within surroundings which are more complex and demand more advanced knowledge, skills and attributes. This Qualification will provide a vehicle through which to develop competent people whom can stay abreast with the changing and dynamic environment of railway maintenance and construction as well as create an atmosphere for life-long learning opportunities.

    This qualification allows for the further development of learners in the railway maintenance and construction environment through vertical mobility to higher-level qualifications and horizontally to qualifications on the same level but in a different discipline. The qualification assists learners in critically evaluating information and exercising appropriate professional judgement.

    Learners credited with this Qualification and who apply the acquired knowledge and skills can help address the critical shortage of qualified personnel in this industry. For the learner, this Qualification and its competence standards, which are instrumental to the development and recognition of the foundational, practical and reflective competence is needed to be a productive person in a structured workplace. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
  • Mathematical literacy at NQF Level 3.
  • Communication at NQF Level 3.
  • ID 49795: National Certificate: Rail Construction and Maintenance at NQF Level 3.

    Access to the Qualification:

    Access to this qualification is open to all learners bearing in mind learning assumed to be in place. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    N 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    The Qualification consists of a Fundamental, a Core and an Elective Component.

    To be awarded the Qualification learners are required to obtain a minimum of 136 credits as detailed below.

    Fundamental Component:

    The Fundamental Component consists of Unit Standards in:
  • Mathematical Literacy at NQF Level 4 to the value of 16 credits.
  • Communication at NQF Level 4 in a First South African Language to the value of 20 credits.
  • Communication in a Second South African Language at NQF Level 3 to the value of 20 credits.

    It is compulsory therefore for learners to do Communication in two different South African languages, one at NQF Level 4 and the other at NQF Level 3

    All Unit Standards in the Fundamental Component are compulsory.

    Core Component:

    The Core Component consists of Unit Standards to the value of 68 credits all of which are compulsory.

    Elective Component:

    The elective component consists of individual unit standards from which the learner must choose unit standards based on the area in which they work or in which they are interested. Learners are required to choose unit standards totalling a minimum of 12 credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    On achieving this Qualification, the learner will be able to:

    1. Apply management techniques.

    2. Ensure track conditions are maintained in line with laid down standards.

    3. Utilise on track maintenance machines.

    4. Maintain and support procedures to ensure occupational health and safety practices are implemented. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:

    1.1 Communication is conducted effectively with roleplayers to promote effective interaction in the work context.
    1.2 Management functions are applied and tasks are performed in the workplace.
    1.3 Track maintenance teams are motivated in order to build team work.
    1.4 Resources are organised in accordance with plan.
    1.5 Decisions are made based on a code of ethics and good working practice.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:

    2.1 Track standards are understood in accordance with laid down specifications.
    2.2 Track conditions are monitored according to laid down intervals utilising information.
    2.3 Maintenance plan is compiled and executed in order to maintain track conditions.
    2.4 Consultation with all roleplayers on track conditions is effected in order to comply with strategy, policies and objectives.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:

    3.1 Types of on track maintenance machines are explained in terms of their uses and contract specification.
    3.2 Logistical arrangements are effected in terms of contract requirements.
    3.3 On track time is maximised without interference with train schedules.
    3.4 Quality of output of on track machines is monitored and measured in order to maintain standards.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:

    4.1 A safe, healthy workplace environment is established in accordance with legislation and organisational requirements.
    4.2 Conduct of all roleplayers is monitored in accordance with legislation and organisational requirements.
    4.3 Equipment, materials and tools on site are assessed for compliance to safety regulations.
    4.4 Roleplayers are notified of occupational heath, safety and environmental requirements.

    Integrated Assessment:

    The Qualification will be awarded to learners who are able to successfully demonstrate competence, in a practical context, against all the specific outcomes contained in all unit standards and their associated assessment criteria, embedded knowledge (theory) and critical cross-field outcomes (generic abilities).

    Integrated assessment practices are achieved through the design and development of assessment activities that make use of a variety of assessment methods and tools that measure not only the learner's knowledge and ability to perform practical tasks and activities within a familiar context, but which also challenge learners to demonstrate their ability to deal with problem situations that might or can arise in the workplace from time and which require learners` to demonstrate their ability to adapt their performance to meet the requirements of changed circumstances and to reflect on what they are doing and why.

    Summative assessment consists of knowledge tests combined with assignments, case studies and practical demonstrations.

    The assessment methods and instruments used to assess learners in the context of this Qualification can be applied to the assessment process for Recognition of Prior Learning. A holistic approach is applied when RPL assessments are conducted and include methods and tools that allow for evidence to be gathered from sources located within the broader context where the learner's knowledge and skills have been acquired over a period of time. These assessment methods and tools include assessments of the learner conducted by peers or superiors, certificates of attendance for short courses or panel assessments. 

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The purpose of this International Comparability study is to facilitate the development of a meaningful learning path and its associated curriculum incorporating both theoretical and practical vocational skills which will ensure compatibility, comparability and compliance with existing international qualification specifications and regulations.

    This International Comparability study was conducted via an extensive Internet search as well as data provided by the task team and subject matter experts, which was used to compare the Qualification with international best practice in the railway construction and maintenance environment.

    The leaders or places where best practice is carried out are: The United States of America, United Kingdom, Canada, France, Japan, Australia, Germany and New Zealand. From these countries the following were selected to conduct the actual comparability study as it was felt that they were the leaders in the development of people in the railway construction and maintenance industry and the availability of comparative material in English.

    Argentina was selected so that an international comparison could be made with a developing country.

    Below are the training qualifications and courses referred for the comparability study:

    United States of America:

    Three different providers were selected so as to gain a more overall perspective of the type and level of training offered here.

    GKC Consulting Company: Railway Engineering and Maintenance of Way Training:

    Courses and Contents:

    Track Design and Material Specifications:
  • Track design for industrial and mainline railroads.
  • Design non-standard turnouts.
  • Geometry used in track layout work.
  • Material selection for specific type of service of track.

    Track Inspection and Evaluation:
  • How perform inspections.
  • Performing inspections.
  • Create a bill of materials.
  • Develop Scope of work for remedial work.
  • Create preventative maintenance plan.
  • Keeping track with FRA regulations.

    Neutral Rail Temperature: Adjusting and Maintaining:
  • How to determine neutral rail temperature (NRT).
  • Methods for measuring existing NRT.
  • How to adjust track to obtain desired NRT.

    Switch Maintenance, Adjustment and Inspection:
  • How to install, adjust and maintain turnouts.
  • Common turnout problems.
  • Solutions to turnout problems.

    Derailment Investigation:
  • Derailment factors.
  • Inspection of rail cars and track structure.
  • Evaluation of operations of the track.

    Track Quality Assurance:
  • Maintaining track quality structure.
  • Creating a Quality Assurance Manual.

    Track and Frog Welding:
  • Understanding alloys.
  • Special welding procedures.
  • Safety procedures in cutting and welding track materials.

    Intrack Welding:
  • The two methods of welding track together.
  • How to handle thermal forces in the track structure.

    The above courses do not address all those competences found in the South African NQF Level 4 Qualification. In terms of the Track design, the South African Qualification only deals with track geometry used in track layout work and the material selection for specific type of service track. These are found within the Specific Outcomes and the Assessment Criteria. The items of Track Design and Design of non-standard turnouts will be covered by a higher level Qualification. Also in addition it covers the creation of a bill of materials which is not covered in our Qualification. In addition, the dealing with Neutral Rail Temperature is not covered as it will also be dealt with at a higher level.

    As the South African Qualification deals with construction and maintenance, it does not cover the area of Derailment Investigation. In South Africa this is the work of specialists. Our Qualification however has additional subjects which are not handled in these USA courses. These are Ultrasonic testing, Occupational Health and Safety, Management Functions and the management of the on-track maintenance machines.

    The Railway Educational Bureau: Railway Worksite Training:

    Courses:
  • Introduction to FRA and AAR.
  • AAR Inspection and Maintenance Rules.
  • Basic Track Inspection.
  • Basic Principles of Track Maintenance.
  • Advanced Principles of Track Maintenance.
  • AAR and FRA Inspection, Repair Billing and Repair Records.

    The above courses are very similar to the Unit Standards contained in the South African Qualification, in that they cover track inspection and maintenance. They do however have the subjects of the rules and regulations which are included in the Level 3 Qualification. They too have added in the subject of billing, which is not covered.

    The University of Tennessee: Railroad Education and Training:

    Courses:
  • Railroad Track Inspection and Safety Standards.
  • Railroad Track Inspection and Safety Standards for High Speed Rail.
  • Track Inspection and Safety Standards for Rail Transit Systems.
  • Basic Railroad Track Maintenance.
  • Railroad Track Design.
  • Advance Railroad Track Geometry.
  • Railroad Timber Bridge Inspection and Maintenance.
  • Railroad Steel Bridge Inspection and Maintenance.

    The above course contains a number of additional subjects which are not applicable to the South African rail situation, like High Speed Rail and Timber and Steel Bridge Inspection and Maintenance. The other subjects are similar and therefore can be used as a comparison.

    United Kingdom:

    Network Rail: Training Maintenance Workers:

    Course and Contents:

    Safety Requirements:
  • Work safety.
  • Stay safe from trains and electrification equipment on the tracks.
  • Manage other peoples safety.

    Skills Training:
  • Inspecting the track.
  • Checking height, width and level of rail.
  • Repair faults and replace components.

    The above two skills programmes only cover a portion of the whole South African Qualification and therefore only those portions that are offered have been compared. The safety issues are dealt with in depth at Level 3 and are covered within the Level 4 Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria. The section on Repair Faults and Replace components are included in a Level 2 Unit Standard dealing with Operating On-track Maintenance Machines.

    Argentina:

    National Railway Training Centre:

    Course and Contents:

    Track:
  • Track machines and its maintenance.
  • Rail gang foreman.
  • Welded long rail track conservation.
  • Mechanised track conservation.
  • Methodical track conservation.
  • Track inspector.
  • Materials classification methodology and nomenclature use.
  • Levelling and alignment of the track.

    The above course compares very well with the South African one and only additional subjects are those of Methodical Track Conversion and Welded Long Rail Track Conversion.

    Australia:

    Monash: Institute of Railway Technology:

    Course and Contents:

    Monitoring Rail Track Conditions:
  • Overall Track Performance.
  • Local rail/track defects.
  • Dynamic effect on bridges.
  • Vehicle performance and stability.
  • Train operation and control.
  • Trending and projection analysis.
  • Assessment of maintenance operations.
  • Driver Training.
  • Maintenance programming.
  • Condition monitoring.
  • Operational planning.
  • Defect mitigation and preventative maintenance schemes.

    The above course is once again a very good comparison and the only major differences are that Driver Training is not part of our Qualification and that Vehicle Performance and Stability and Train Operation and Control are included in the NQF Level 3 South African Qualification.

    In conclusion, this Level 4 South African Qualification compares well with its international counterparts, in fact it has in essence more subjects, specifically in the area of team leadership and supervision and many of their contents are addressed in our Level 3 Qualification. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    Horizontal articulation is possible with:
  • ID 49774: Further Education and Training Certificate: Construction and Maintenance of Overhead Track Equipment.
  • ID 57712: Further Education and Training Certificate: Generic Management.
  • ID 49053: National Certificate: Supervision of Construction Processes.

    Vertical articulation is possible with:
  • ID 59201: National Certificate: Generic Management. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Anyone assessing a learner or moderating the assessment of a learner against this Qualification must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable the achievement of this Qualification must be accredited as a provider with the relevant ETQA.
  • Assessment and moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant ETQA according to the ETQA's policies and guidelines for assessment and moderation; in terms of agreements reached around assessment and moderation between ETQA's (including professional bodies); and in terms of moderation guideline detailed in "Qualification Assessor Criteria.
  • Moderation must include both internal and external moderation of assessments at exit points of the Qualification, unless ETQA policies specifies otherwise. Moderation should also encompass achievement of the competence described both in individual Unit Standards, Exit Level Outcomes as well as the integrated competence described in the Qualification.
  • 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 should:
  • Be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA or an ETQA that has a memorandum of understanding with the relevant ETQA.
  • Be in possession of a relevant Qualification at NQF Level 5 or higher. 
    		•

    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  113852  Apply occupational health, safety and environmental principles  Level 3  NQF Level 03  10 
    Core  255936  Assess rail track conditions  Level 4  NQF Level 04  10 
    Core  255956  Demonstrate an understanding of rail technology  Level 4  NQF Level 04  4 
    Core  255934  Demonstrate an understanding of ultrasonic testing of rail tracks  Level 4  NQF Level 04  6 
    Core  14667  Describe and apply the management functions of an organization  Level 4  NQF Level 04  10 
    Core  255955  Evaluate and apply electronically measured track geometry  Level 4  NQF Level 04  10 
    Core  242821  Identify responsibilities of a team leader in ensuring that organisational standards are met  Level 4  NQF Level 04  6 
    Core  255954  Manage the operation of railway on track maintenance machines  Level 4  NQF Level 04  12 
    Fundamental  119472  Accommodate audience and context needs in oral/signed communication  Level 3  NQF Level 03  5 
    Fundamental  119457  Interpret and use information from texts  Level 3  NQF Level 03  5 
    Fundamental  119467  Use language and communication in occupational learning programmes  Level 3  NQF Level 03  5 
    Fundamental  119465  Write/present/sign texts for a range of communicative contexts  Level 3  NQF Level 03  5 
    Fundamental  9015  Apply knowledge of statistics and probability to critically interrogate and effectively communicate findings on life related problems  Level 4  NQF Level 04  6 
    Fundamental  119462  Engage in sustained oral/signed communication and evaluate spoken/signed texts  Level 4  NQF Level 04  5 
    Fundamental  119469  Read/view, analyse and respond to a variety of texts  Level 4  NQF Level 04  5 
    Fundamental  9016  Represent analyse and calculate shape and motion in 2-and 3-dimensional space in different contexts  Level 4  NQF Level 04  4 
    Fundamental  119471  Use language and communication in occupational learning programmes  Level 4  NQF Level 04  5 
    Fundamental  7468  Use mathematics to investigate and monitor the financial aspects of personal, business, national and international issues  Level 4  NQF Level 04  6 
    Fundamental  119459  Write/present/sign for a wide range of contexts  Level 4  NQF Level 04  5 
    Elective  119985  Build an advanced rail turnout  Level 3  NQF Level 03  6 
    Elective  246667  Demonstrate an understanding of Occupational Health, Safety and Environmental Legislations  Level 3  NQF Level 03  4 
    Elective  123258  Foster and maintain customer relations  Level 3  NQF Level 03  10 
    Elective  251960  Identify and describe disaster related risks and threatening situations utilizing basic disaster management concepts and indigenous knowledge  Level 3  NQF Level 03  5 
    Elective  13283  Maintain bearings in machines and equipment  Level 3  NQF Level 03  8 
    Elective  119531  Maintain production records for plant and equipment on a construction site  Level 3  NQF Level 03  9 
    Elective  119973  Measure track geometry in order to determine track condition  Level 3  NQF Level 03  15 
    Elective  262445  Provide on-track protection  Level 3  NQF Level 03  5 
    Elective  119979  Restore track alignment  Level 3  NQF Level 03  15 
    Elective  253447  Take samples and measurements on rotating machinery for condition monitoring purposes  Level 3  NQF Level 03  5 
    Elective  120385  Apply a range of project management tools and techniques  Level 4  NQF Level 04  7 
    Elective  242824  Apply leadership concepts in a work context  Level 4  NQF Level 04  12 
    Elective  242810  Manage Expenditure against a budget  Level 4  NQF Level 04  6 
    Elective  243301  Manage safety and emergency incidences  Level 4  NQF Level 04  6 
    Elective  109999  Manage service providers in a selected organisation  Level 4  NQF Level 04  5 
    Elective  242817  Solve problems, make decisions and implement solutions  Level 4  NQF Level 04  8 
    Elective  113897  Troubleshoot on programmable logic controllers  Level 4  NQF Level 04  5 
    Elective  255935  Manage contracts and contractors  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  6 


    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.