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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: 

Occupational Certificate: Electronic Pre-press Flexographic Platemaker 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
121507  Occupational Certificate: Electronic Pre-press Flexographic Platemaker 
ORIGINATOR
Development Quality Partner - Printing SA 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
-   OQSF - Occupational Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Part-Qualification  Field 06 - Manufacturing, Engineering and Technology  Manufacturing and Assembly 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  108  Not Applicable  NQF Level 03  Regular-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Registered  EXCO 1121/24  2024-01-30  2029-01-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2030-01-30   2033-01-30  

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 this part-qualification is to prepare a learner to operate as an Electronic Pre-press Flexographic Platemaker within the printing environment.

An Electronic Pre-press Flexographic Platemaker produces flexographic plates used in printing.

A qualified learner will be able to produce image carriers for Flexographic printing.

Rationale:
An Electronic Pre-press Flexographic Platemaker plays a crucial role in the printing industry as their work determines the set-up of a printing press to ensure efficiency, cost-saving and ultimately the quality of the printed product. Printing SA engaged with the printing industry to address the concerns regarding the competitiveness of the industry against international markets during which the Printing Trades and Occupations were identified as scarce and critical skills in the industry.

Electronic Pre-press Flexographic Platemakers currently receive training at their places of work; but the extent of this training cannot be measured in terms of complexity and remains unaccredited because there is no national standard or qualification that can serve as a benchmark. This part-qualification will have far-reaching implications to those who are in the trade as training programmes developed against this qualification will enjoy national recognition. Typical learners for this part-qualification are school leavers, qualifying learners from the Technical and Vocational Educational and Training (TVET) college or employees in the printing industry.

Learners will receive a high standard of training and education that is occupationally aligned. Once qualified, learners will be able to further their education and will be able to obtain access to printing-related programmes and qualifications. Employers in the electronic pre-press and printing industries will gain access to suitably qualified personnel who will produce high-quality work through the training, commensurate to industry standards that they have received.

By creating career pathways in the sector, employees will be able to progress from general factory workers to qualified Artisans. This part-qualification will create a healthy employment cycle in providing employment opportunities to unemployed youth. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
RPL for access
Learners will gain access to the qualification through RPL for Access as provided for in the QCTO RPL Policy. RPL for access is conducted by accredited education institution, skills development provider or workplace accredited to offer that specific qualification/part qualification.

RPL for Credits
Learners who have acquired competencies of the modules of a qualification or part qualification will be credited for modules through 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.

Entry Requirements:
  • NQF Level 1 qualification. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This part-qualification is made up of the following compulsory Knowledge and Practical Skill and Work Experience Modules:

    Knowledge Modules:
  • 662101-002-00-KM-01, Introduction to the Printing and Packaging Industry, Level 3, 4 Credits.
  • 662101-002-00-KM-11, Image Carriers in Flexographic Pre-Press, Level 3, 8 Credits.

    Total number of credits for Knowledge Modules: 12

    Practical Skill Modules:
  • 662101-002-00-PM-04, Produce Flexographic Printing Plates, Level 3, 48 Credits.
  • 662101-002-00-PM-05, Comply with Safety, Health and Environmental Protection Best Practices and Procedures for Printing Environment, Level 2, 4 Credits.

    Total number of credits for Practical Skill Modules: 52

    Work Experience Modules:
  • 662101-002-00-WM-06, Processes to Produce Flexographic Printing Plates, Level 3, 44 Credits.

    Total number of credits for Work Experience Modules: 44 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Produce image carriers for flexographic printing. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome:
  • Submit files to the RIP and according to job specifications.
  • Produce flexographic plate using the appropriate plate-making procedures.
  • Manage image carrier production queue correctly.
  • Perform quality assurance processes correctly and at the appropriate times.
  • Handle, care and store materials used for making lithographic plates as per product specifications.
  • Maintain and clean plate-making equipment according to schedules.
  • Calibrate flexographic equipment using appropriate techniques.
  • Adhere to all relevant safety precautions.
  • Complete the tasks within specified time.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the flexographic plate-making procedure.

    Integrated Assessment
    Integrated Formative Assessment:
    The skills development provider 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 together with work experience leads to entrance in the integrated external summative assessment.

    Integrated Summative Assessment:
    An external integrated summative assessment, conducted through the relevant QCTO Assessment Quality Partner is required for the issuing of this qualification. The external integrated summative assessment will focus on the exit level outcomes and associated assessment criteria.

    The external integrated assessment will be conducted through a trade test as prescribed under section 26 D of the Skills Development Act and defined in the Trade Test Regulations. It will be conducted through an evaluation of written and practical tasks covering critical aspects in a simulated environment at an assessment centre accredited by QCTO and conducted by an assessor registered by the National Artisan Moderation Body (NAMB). 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This part-qualification was compared with the international qualifications from England and Australia.

    England:
    City and Guilds offers Level 2 NVQ Certificate in Pre-Press which closely resembles the South African qualification.

    Mandatory:
  • Maintain Health and Safety within a print related working environment.
  • Communicating and working with others in the print working environment.
  • Knowledge of the organisations printing processes and related information.

    Option stream:
  • Send and receive digital files.
  • Output digital image carriers for print.
  • Make photopolymer plates for flexographic printing.
  • Make lithographic printing plates.
  • Make gravure cylinders level.
  • Prepare stencils for printing.

    Australia:
    The Certificate III in Printing and Graphic Arts (Graphic Pre-press) offered by Australian Skills Management Institute, which is on the Australian Qualifications Framework compare with this part-qualification.

    Information from Certificates III and IV (units common to this part-qualification)
  • Participate in environmentally sustainable work practices.
  • Apply knowledge of the graphic pre-press sector.
  • Access and use the Internet.
  • Output images.
  • Produce offset lithographic plates.
  • Make photopolymer plates (flexographic).
  • Manage colour.
  • Produce and manage basic digital print.
  • Apply quality assurance.
  • Digitise complex images for reproduction.
  • Promote team effectiveness.
  • Output complex images direct to plate or press.

    Conclusion:
    This part-qualification compares favourably with the above qualifications in terms content and complexity. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This part-qualification allows possibilities for both vertical and horizontal articulation.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Occupational Certificate: Electronic Pre-press Screen-maker, NQF Level 3.
  • Occupational Certificate: Electronic Pre-press Lithographic Platemaker, NQF Level 3.
  • Occupational Certificate: Electronic Pre-press Gravure Cylinder Engraver, NQF Level 3.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Occupational Certificate: Electronic Pre-press Flexography Technician, NQF Level 4. 
    		•

    NOTES 
    Qualifying for External Assessment:
    To qualify for an external assessment, learners must provide proof of completion of all required modules by means of a statement of results and statement of work experience as well as proof of successful completion of the following subjects and modules or alternative programmes where applicable including Foundational Learning Competence.

    Additional Legal or Physical Entry Requirements:
  • Colour vision testing.

    Criteria for the Accreditation of Providers:

    Accreditation of providers will be done against the criteria as reflected in the relevant curriculum on the QCTO website. The curriculum title and code is: Electronic Pre-press Flexographic Platemaker: 662101-002-00-01.

    Encompassed Trades:
  • None.

    Assessment Quality Partner:
  • National Artisan Moderation Body (NAMB).

    PARENT QUALIFICATION
  • Occupational Certificate: Electronic Pre-press Flexography Technician, NQF Level 4. 
    		•

    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.