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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 Process Machine Operator |
| SAQA QUAL ID | QUALIFICATION TITLE | |||
| 121149 | Intermediate Occupational Certificate: Food and Beverage Process Machine 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 |
| 20504 | National Certificate: Food and Beverage Processing: Fruit and Vegetables Processing | Level 3 | NQF Level 03 | 140 | Complete |
| 20508 | National Certificate Food and Beverages Processing: Soft Drinks Processing | Level 3 | NQF Level 03 | 122 | Complete |
| 20509 | National Certificate: Food and Beverage Processing: Spirits Processing | Level 3 | NQF Level 03 | 127 | Complete |
| 20505 | National Certificate: Food and Beverages Processing: Brewing Processing | Level 3 | NQF Level 03 | 127 | Complete |
| 22630 | National Certificate: Food and Beverage Manufacturing Technology: Yeast Manufacturing Technology | Level 3 | NQF Level 03 | 130 | Complete |
| 20198 | National Certificate: Food and Beverage Processing: Oil and Fat Based Product Processing | Level 3 | NQF Level 03 | 125 | Complete |
| 20198 | National Certificate: Food and Beverage Processing: Oil and Fat Based Product Processing | Level 3 | NQF Level 03 | 125 | Complete |
| 80928 | National Certificate: Confectionery (Chocolate, Sugar and Biscuit) Manufacturing | Level 3 | NQF Level 03 | 130 | Complete |
| PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION |
| Purpose:
The purpose of this qualification is to prepare a learner to operate as a Food and Beverage Process Machine Operator. A Food and Beverage Process Machine Operator operates equipment and performs task to process Food and Beverage products for consumption while ensuring 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 ten existing historical unit standard-based qualifications as listed above. Other than the qualifications 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 because it covers a wide sphere of grocery products such including but not limited to fruit and vegetable processing, cereal, savoury snacks, pasta-making, beverages both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, starch and edible oils, sauces, condiments, dressings, chocolate and sugar confectioneries and spices. 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. While the industry is constantly evolving there are numerous process contexts that are vitally important 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. Examples of these contexts are the beverage industry that manufactures sparkling soft drinks, water, fruit juice and energy drinks. There is a similar context for alcoholic drinks such are cider, clear beer, and blended alcoholic drinks. Another large context is the further processing of grain to produce products such as pasta, cereals, and the further production of starches, fruits and vegetables to produce jams, sauces, condiments, soups and dressings. All these products are part of our daily lives. Further context is fruit and vegetable processing to provide frozen and canned fruit and vegetables. Two industry requirements would be the processing of maize, nuts, and vegetables to produce and pack a variety of savoury snacks such as popcorn, maize poppers, chips and similar snacks. The last significant industry need would be the processing of sugar and starch as well as chocolate to produce jellies, candies, and chocolate confectionery products. Developing this qualification enhances the professionalism of an operator in the food and Beverage industry. It demonstrates that operators have undertaken formal training and assessment, and have achieved a level of knowledge, skills and work experience that is recognized by the industry. The Food and Beverage industry is highly regulated, and 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. Typical occupations in this area are the following, Processor, Drier, Blender, Blending plant operator, fruit processing operator, extruder, processing operator, vegetable plant operator. This qualification will be aimed at employees who have worked in the Food and Beverage industry where they have accumulated skills and developed experience over a long period of time but have not been able to obtain a qualification. This qualification will also target learners wanting to follow a career in the food and beverage industry who will use this qualification as an entry point into the world of work and can also advance into various other roles in the food and beverage industry. There is no professional body that would require oversight over the content of the 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: |
| 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 principles, concepts and theory of food and beverage processing in a fast- moving consumer manufacturing environment. 3. Prepare a Food and Beverage Manufacturing Product for further processing. 4. Operate a single stage stand-alone Food and Beverage Manufacturing processing equipment. |
| 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 |
| Numerous discussions were held with experienced subject matter experts in the field of food and beverage processing regarding comparing this qualification internationally.
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 processing 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 (equivalent to NQF 3) This qualification is suited for those who wish to undertake work as a food processing operator in a Commercial food processing plant. The qualification leads to employment as a Food and Beverage processing operator and has a maximum duration of twenty -four months. It is offered by the Australian College of Training (RTO Provider No 51269) Similarities Both qualifications are aimed at a similar context and target group as well as the purpose to develop the same occupation Food and Beverage Process Machine 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 safety as well as 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) which 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 in the modules of both qualifications covers the value chain and all aspects of production management relevant to an operator. Differences 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. New Zealand The New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) has a level 3 ID 2917 Certificate in Primary Products Food Processing qualifications on their database: (NQF Level 3) registered until February 2026. Accredited Institution is the Primary Industry Training organisation registration number 8105 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 cover multiple contexts, and both similarly stress the importance of occupational as well as food safety. Both qualifications cover the very important aspects of personal safety as well as 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) which 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. Both qualifications also focus on developing the individual and covers elements of personal mastery and interpersonal skills. Differences Where this South African qualification is superior is that it allows for the development of special skills in the workplace and provides opportunities to contextualise the skills within such workplace. The only other difference is the New Zealand qualification allocates credits according to units of learning and not according to notional hours utilised in curriculum based occupational. qualifications. Conclusion: In conclusion, it can be said that the Australian and New Zealand qualifications compares favourably to the South African 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:
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 Process Machine Operator 716118-000-00-00 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. |