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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: |
| Intermediate Occupational Certificate: Food and Beverage Packaging Operator |
| SAQA QUAL ID | QUALIFICATION TITLE | |||
| 121148 | Intermediate Occupational Certificate: Food and Beverage Packaging Operator | |||
| ORIGINATOR | ||||
| Development Quality Partner - FoodBev (Man, Eng) | ||||
| PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY | NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK | |||
| - | OQSF - Occupational Qualifications Sub-framework | |||
| QUALIFICATION TYPE | FIELD | SUBFIELD | ||
| Intermediate Occupational Cert | Field 06 - Manufacturing, Engineering and Technology | Manufacturing and Assembly | ||
| ABET BAND | MINIMUM CREDITS | PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL | NQF LEVEL | QUAL CLASS |
| Undefined | 123 | Not Applicable | NQF Level 03 | Regular-ELOAC |
| REGISTRATION STATUS | SAQA DECISION NUMBER | REGISTRATION START DATE | REGISTRATION END DATE | |
| Registered | EXCO 0820/23 | 2023-11-14 | 2028-11-14 | |
| LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT | LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT | |||
| 2029-11-14 | 2032-11-14 | |||
| 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 replaces: |
| Qual ID | Qualification Title | Pre-2009 NQF Level | NQF Level | Min Credits | Replacement Status |
| 57694 | National Certificate: Food and Beverage Packaging Operations | Level 3 | NQF Level 03 | 120 | Complete |
| PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION |
| Purpose:
The purpose of this qualification is to prepare a learner to operate as a Packaging Process Operator. A Food and Beverage Packaging Operator operate multiple pieces of equipment in primary, secondary and tertiary packaging processes, operates packaging equipment and performs tasks to package food, beverage and related products by adjusting, maintaining and overseeing the equipment set up and operating parameters to ensure that quality standards and specifications are met. A qualified learner will be able to: Rationale: The need for this qualification stems from the necessity to align an existing historical qualification. Currently there is one unit standard-based qualification which is SAQA ID 57694 National Certificate: Food and Beverage Packaging Operations NQF Level 3. Other than the qualification listed above that this qualification replaces, there are no similar qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework. There is a significant need for this qualification based on the sector skills plans for the Food and Beverage Manufacturing Sector, as all finished products require primary, secondary, and tertiary packaging to ensure consumer safety, effective merchandising and efficient storing and distribution. All organisations that manufacture food, household and beverage products require similar packaging. While the industry is constantly evolving there are numerous process contexts in the food and beverage industry that are automating and are experiencing significant growth, these contexts will all benefit from a qualification that reflects the latest technologies, a process required for the 21st -Century operator. Developing this qualification enhances the professionalism of a packaging operator. It demonstrates that packaging operators have undertaken a formal programme of training and assessment, and have achieved a level of knowledge, skills and work experience that is recognized by the Food and Beverage industry. This occupational qualification will improve the career opportunities of the packaging operator by providing a recognized certificate as employers are more likely to recruit and retain individuals with a formal qualification. This qualification will benefit society and the economy by enhancing citizenship, increasing social and economic productivity, providing specifically skilled and/or professional people, and transforming and redressing past inequities. Long term benefits include lateral and vertical growth opportunities for employees in food and beverage manufacturing plants and access to previously inaccessible employment opportunities at higher levels as process controllers, supervisors and production managers. The Food and Beverage industry is highly regulated, and packaging operators must adhere to strict safety and quality standards to ensure that the products they produce are safe for consumption. This qualification ensures that operators have the required knowledge and skills to maintain these high safety and quality standards. Products such as beer, wine, breakfast cereals, coffee, tea, sparkling soft drinks sweets, and chocolate require similar packaging. This qualification can provide the knowledge skills and experience for employees and potential employees across multiple fast-moving consumer goods manufacturers. Typical occupations in this area are the following: Filler Operator; Labeller; Packaging Operator; Form, Fill and Seal Packaging Operator; Palletiser Operator; Bottle washing Operator; Shrink wrapper Operator; Wrapper Operator; Washer Operator; Blow moulder operator; Palletiser Operator. It is also envisaged that learners wanting to enter employment in a food and beverage packaging plant will use this qualification, thus creating a pool of skilled operators that can advance into various other roles in the Food and Beverage Industry. This occupational qualification will improve the career opportunities of the food and beverage packaging operator. There is no professional registration needed for this qualification. |
| LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING |
| Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
RPL for access to the external integrated summative assessment: Accredited providers and approved workplaces must apply the internal assessment criteria specified in the related curriculum document to establish and confirm prior learning. Accredited providers and workplaces must confirm prior learning by issuing a statement of result or certifying a work experience record. Entry Requirements: The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is: |
| RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? |
| Y |
| QUALIFICATION RULES |
| This qualification is made up of compulsory Knowledge, Practical Skill and Work Experience Modules:
Knowledge Modules: Total number of credits for Knowledge Modules:38 Practical Skill Modules: Total number of credits for Practical Skill Modules: 47 Work Experience Modules: Total number of credits for Work Experience Modules: 38 |
| EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES |
| 1. Apply the fundamental theory and concepts of communication, interpersonal relations, business understanding, manufacturing, quality and food safety in the food and related products manufacturing environment.
2. Understand the types of primary packaging systems and equipment in fast moving consumer manufacturing. 3. Understand the types of secondary and tertiary packaging systems and equipment in fast moving consumer manufacturing. 4. Operate a single stage stand-alone piece of packaging equipment in a fast-moving consumer goods manufacturing environment. |
| ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA |
| Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2: Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3: Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4: Integrated Assessment: Formative Assessment The Skills Development Providers will use the curriculum to guide them on the stipulated internal assessment criteria and weighting. They will also apply the scope of practical skills and applied knowledge as stipulated by the internal assessment criteria. This formative assessment leads to entrance into the integrated External Summative Assessment. Summative Assessment An External Integrated Summative Assessment, conducted through the relevant QCTO Assessment Quality Partner is required to issue this qualification. The External Integrated Summative Assessment will focus on the Exit Level Outcomes and Associated Assessment Criteria. Additional to the written assessment the learner must also submit a portfolio of evidence compiled of outcomes achieved in the workplace. |
| INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY |
| This qualification was compared to the following international qualifications:
Numerous discussions were held with experienced subject matter experts in the food and beverage packaging regarding comparing this qualification. Over and above this, research was conducted on the qualifications frameworks of numerous countries, the decision was then made to compare with countries that, not only, have a significant food and beverage manufacturing industry, but also have a dynamic qualification framework with accreditation processes for providers of such qualifications. For this reason, the countries of New Zealand and Australia were chosen. In New Zealand there is the New Zealand qualifications framework, and all training providers are required to be accredited by the New Zealand Accreditation Body. Similarly, Australia also has a dynamic occupational qualifications accreditation body and the Australian qualifications framework. The identified qualifications are offered by accredited providers in both countries that had significant similarities with this qualification. Australia Certificate 111 in Food Processing (Packaging) (equivalent to NQF 3). This qualification is suited for those who wish to undertake work as a Packaging Operator in Food Manufacturing or production in a Commercial Manufacturing Plant. The qualification leads to employment as a Packaging Operator and has a maximum duration of twenty-four months. It is offered by the Australian College of Training (RTO Provider No 51269) (www.auscollege.edu.au) Similarities: The Australian qualification and this qualification are designed for the same context, the Food and Beverage Manufacturing Plant to develop the same occupation (Packaging Operator). Both qualifications are generic which means that the qualification covers multiple contexts and focuses on the knowledge and task required to process multiple grocery products. Both qualifications cover the very important aspects of personal and consumer safety and also cover the aspects of contamination and Hazardous control points. Both qualifications cover the principles of lean manufacturing problem solving techniques, continuous improvement and 5S (sort, set, shine standardise and sustain) that provides the basic tenets of housekeeping and the removal of all types of waste. Both qualifications cover the requirements of production planning and execution required by an operator. The content listed in the Australian qualification is similar to the content in the modules of this qualification the value chain and all aspects of production management relevant to an operator. Differences: There are no major differences other than the qualification unit based rather than modular based and therefore the credits awarded are not comparable. New Zealand The New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) has a level 3 ID 2736 Certificate in Food and Beverage Processing (Packaging) qualifications on their database: (NQF Level 3) registered until April 2026. Accredited Institution is the "Te Pukenga" Work Based Learning organisation accreditation number 6044. The entry requirement for the qualification is a Level 2 Certificate in Food and beverage processing or New Zealand Certificate in primary Industry Skills. Similarities: Both qualifications have been developed for the same context the Food and Beverage Manufacturing Plant, they have the same purpose to develop the packaging operator in this context and the target group as well as the duration is the same. Both qualifications highlight the differences in materials, the difference in products and the role of primary, secondary, and tertiary packaging, which are all covered in this qualification. Both qualifications cover the very important aspects of personal and consumer safety and cover the aspects of contamination and hazardous control points. In line with the concepts of lean manufacturing both qualifications cover problem solving techniques, continuous improvement and 5S (sort, set, shine standardise and sustain) that provides the basic tenets of housekeeping and the removal of all types of waste which compares favourably with the South African qualification. Both qualifications cover the requirements of production planning and execution required by an operator. Both qualifications also focus on developing the individual and covers elements of personal mastery and interpersonal skills. Differences: The South African qualification is superior in that it allows for the development of special skills in the workplace and provides opportunities to contextualise the skills within such workplace. The other difference is that the Australian qualification allocates credits according to units of learning and not according to notional hours utilised in curriculum based occupational qualifications. Conclusion: In conclusion the Australian and New Zealand are comparable to this qualification in terms of purpose, target group, context, content and duration. |
| ARTICULATION OPTIONS |
| This qualification provides opportunities for horizontal and vertical articulation options.
Horizontal Articulation: Vertical Articulation: Diagonal Articulation: |
| MODERATION OPTIONS |
| N/A |
| CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS |
| N/A |
| NOTES |
| Qualifying for External Assessment:
In order to qualify for an external assessment, learners must provide proof of completion of all required knowledge and practical modules by means of statements of results and a record of completed work experience. Additional Legal or Physical Entry Requirements: Criteria for the accreditation of providers: The curriculum title and code are: Food and Beverage Packaging Operator 718302-000-00-00. Encompassed Trade: This qualification encompasses the following trades as recorded on the NLRD: Assessment Quality Partner (AQP) |
| LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: |
| When qualifications are replaced, some (but not all) of their learning programmes are moved to the replacement qualifications. If a learning programme appears to be missing from here, please check the replaced 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. |