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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Occupational Certificate: Commercial Housekeeper 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
121707  Occupational Certificate: Commercial Housekeeper 
ORIGINATOR
Development Quality Partner - CATHSSETA 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
-   OQSF - Occupational Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Occupational Certificate  Field 11 - Services  Hospitality, Tourism, Travel, Gaming and Leisure 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  186  Not Applicable  NQF Level 04  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 qualification is to prepare a learner to function as a Commercial Housekeeper.

A Commercial Housekeeper cleans and maintains hard and soft surfaces, makes beds, maintains supplies of guests' consumables, maintenance, and general up-keep of facilities, ensures safe and secure working environment in the hotel facilities and other commercial premises. Typical graduate attributes include among others, punctuality, honesty, communication and trustworthy.

A qualified learner will be able to:
  • Plan and prepare for housekeeping services in hospitality establishment.
  • Coordinate cleaning and maintenance of hotel rooms, facilities and other commercial premises.
  • Report on housekeeping services.

    Rationale:
    This qualification is important to address the skills of the current and future employees serving all forms of commercial enterprises. Many industries in this area and for this qualification, draw from aspirant youth and women already within the broader hospitality, travel and tourism sectors.
    The skills acquired by the qualified commercial housekeeper will remain an important boost for the multiple sectors. The qualified learners will enhance commercial value offering and improve the customer experiences for most commercial service offerings. Learners drawn into this sector will improve their cleaning and supervision skills as well as serving the country broadly across different sectors.
    Opportunities for growth are abundant for many young people in this industry. Not only will they have a qualification that can very easily enable them to move horizontally as butlers amongst others, but vertically as well to small-scale cleaning entrepreneurs and small-scale operational managers. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification is made up of compulsory Knowledge, Practical Skill and Work Experience Modules.

    Knowledge Modules
  • 515103-000-00-KM-01, Workplace Fundamentals, Level 3, 6 Credits.
  • 515103-000-00-KM-02, Information Technology for Hospitality Reception, Level 2, 5 Credits.
  • 515103-000-00-KM-03, Introduction to Hospitality and Tourism in SA, Level 4, 15 Credits.
  • 515103-000-00-KM-04, Principles of Accommodation Services, Level 4, 20 Credits.
  • 515103-000-00-KM-05, Introduction to Basic Finance, Level 4, 8 Credits.

    Total number of credits for Knowledge Modules: 54

    Practical Skill Modules
  • 515103-000-00-PM-01, Provide Hotel Laundry Services, Level 3, 10 Credits.
  • 515103-000-00-PM-02, Maintain Housekeeping Supplies, Level 4, 4 Credits.
  • 515103-000-00-PM-03, Clean Public Spaces within a Hospitality Environment, Level 3, 5 Credits.
  • 515103-000-00-PM-04, Handle and Dispose of Waste, Level 3, 5 Credits.
  • 515103-000-00-PM-05, Handle and Store Cleaning Equipment and Materials, Level 3, 8 Credits.
  • 515103-000-00-PM-06, Service Guest Bedroom Areas, Level 4, 6 Credits.
  • 515103-000-00-PM-07, Maintain the Housekeeping Service, Level 4, 8 Credits.
  • 515103-000-00-PM-08, Store and Handle Customer Property, Level 4, 8 Credits.

    Total number of credits for Practical Skill Modules: 54

    Work Experience Modules
  • 515103-000-00-WM-01, Procedures for Maintenance of Clean Linen and Housekeeping Supplies 3, 20 Credits.
  • 515103-000-00-WM-02, Set Up and Preparation Processes for Housekeeping Services, Level 4, 10 Credits.
  • 515103-000-00-WM-03, Procedures for Handling and Disposal of Waste, Level 3, 10 Credits.
  • 515103-000-00-WM-04, Process for Cleaning Public and Open Spaces in a Commercial Environment, Level 3, 15 Credits.
  • 515103-000-00-WM-05, Procedures for Deep Floor Cleaning and Soft Floor Coverings, Level 4, 10 Credits.
  • 515103-000-00-WM-06, Processes Storage and Handling Customers and Establishment Properties, Level 4,13 Credits.

    Total number of credits for Work Experience Modules: 78 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1.Gather and interpret information to determine customer needs and optimal utilisation of resources to improve and promote housekeeping and hospitality services and prepare required documentation.
    2. Apply processes of analysis, synthesis and evaluation to interpret a customer services and infrastructure support strategy and implementation plan.
    3. Apply procedures and techniques applicable to the hospitality and tourism environment to coordinate housekeeping services. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Undertake the preparation for housekeeping services daily based on the volume of customers and service requirements.
  • Audit and stock the with room supplies in compliance with industry standard procedures.
  • Audit and replenish the guest room amenities to optimise guest experience and accommodation hospitality.
  • Collect and separate waste materials for ease of management in compliance with standard industry practices.
  • Neatly pack and dispose of collected and separated waste material to maintain clean and hygienic environment.
  • Separate and classify dirty linen in preparation for laundry.
  • Iron and fold washed linen for clean keeping.
  • Audit and replenish housekeeping supplies to maintain housekeeping.
  • Describe hospitality sector in terms of its service offering and types of establishments in the industry.
  • Identify different role players in hospitality environment in terms of their roles and contribution to the industry.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Discuss the differences between hospitality and tourism to demonstrate interrelationships and influences.
  • List and discuss the different types of services offered by hospitality establishments.
  • Identify and discuss the legislation governing hospitality industry and other related protocols for relevance and contribution to the industry.
  • Identify and discuss accommodation services in relation to their influence on the work of the Commercial Housekeeper.
  • Describe the fundamentals of customer care and support for their significance in relation to the work of the Commercial Housekeeper and the customers of the establishments.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Undertake storage and handling of the establishment and the customers' properties to maintain their safety and care.
  • Clean public areas to maintain a tidy and hygienic environment for the customers.
  • Wash different types of surfaces using appropriate detergents and chemicals to maintain the surfaces clean and tidy.
  • Dry clean and wash surfaces using relevant tools to avoid slippery surfaces and injury to customers.
  • Undertake deep floor cleaning and soft floor coverings to maintain tidy environment for customers.

    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 summative assessment will entail a theoretical assessment conducted at accredited assessment centres or registered assessment sites and evaluated by an assessor registered by the AQP. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The Occupational Certificate: Commercial Housekeeper was compared with related qualifications from specific countries in terms of their scope, levels and curriculum content. The purpose of this exercise is to compare the qualification against existing and comparable practice internationally. The comparison was done with similar qualifications from the United Kingdom (UK) and New Zealand.

    United Kingdom (UK)
    In the United Kingdom Housekeeping Management is an important aspect in the Hospitality Industry. The UK Public College is an online distance learning institution that offers Professional Certificate in Housekeeping Management Level 4. In this online qualification, learners gain the skills required to survive and thrive in a customer focused, fast-paced environment, opening a world of opportunities in housekeeping and guest services.

    The course is accredited by The CPD Qualifications Group. Learners are taught the dimensions of Housekeeping Management as well as required knowledge and skills to be employed in the growing industry of hospitality. The course content includes among others the following aspects which relate well to the Occupational Certificate: Commercial Housekeeper:
  • the knowledge and skills required to provide housekeeping services.
  • preparing and cleaning rooms.
  • roles within housekeeping and accommodation cleaning departments.
  • essential customer service skills.

    The online assessment takes 24 hours, while the course duration is valid for a 12 month period.

    Similarities:
    The Professional Certificate in Housekeeping Management from UK includes both practical and theory components. Evaluation is based on written course work, just like the External Integrated Summative Assessment (EISA) is the South African occupational qualification context. Course content corresponds very well as indicated above.

    Differences:
    Occupational Certificate: Commercial Housekeeper consist of work experience modules which are non-existent in the Professional Certificate in Housekeeping Management, Level 4.

    New Zealand
    The New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) has commissioned the Ringa Hora Services Workforce Development Council to develop a new qualification for the Food, Hospitality and Personal Services industry Certificate in Accommodation with strands in Housekeeping, Portering and Reception. This qualification leads to employment as porters and housekeepers in a hotel, or receptionists in a commercial hospitality establishment such as a lodge, backpackers, or a motel. The qualification leads on to the New Zealand Certificate in Hotel Reception, Level 4. Version 2 of this qualification was published in February 2021 as part of a scheduled 5-year review, and is popularly offered by two service providers namely, Manukau Institute of Technology and Wellington Institute of Technology Limited.

    Similarities:
    The -modules or units of learning constituted in the New Zealand Certificate in Accommodation with strands in Housekeeping, Pottering and Reception which are closely related to the Occupational Certificate: Commercial Housekeeper are:
  • Apply health, safety, and security practices in a commercial hospitality establishment.
  • Communicate effectively and behave in a professional manner with colleagues, managers and guests.
  • Follow standard operating procedures to deal with familiar problems in a commercial hospitality establishment.
  • Clean and service a room in a commercial accommodation establishment.

    Differences:
    The New Zealand qualification is at Level 3 with 40 credits, and includes the Porter and Reception Services, while the South African Occupational Certificate: Commercial Housekeeper qualification is at NQF Level 4 with 186 credits and dealing with Housekeeping only.

    Conclusion:
    The Occupational Certificate: Commercial Housekeeper compares favourably well with related qualifications from the above-mentioned countries, in terms of their scope, levels and curriculum content. Although it is not compulsory, New Zealand the qualification may be awarded by an organisation with an approved programme of study or industry training. Evidence based on analysis of a range of workplace evidence demonstrating that qualifying learners meet the qualification profile outcomes may also be required. This relates well to the South African qualification's requirements of workplace learning as well as the application component. 
    		•

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

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • National Certificate: Vocational, NQF Level 4.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Higher Certificate in Hospitality Management Practice, NQF Level 5. 
    		•

    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:
    None.

    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 are: Commercial Housekeeper: 515103-000-00-00.

    This qualification encompasses the following trades as recorded on the NLRD:
  • This is not a trade qualification.

    Assessment Quality Partner:
  • Culture, Arts, Tourism, Hospitality and Sports Education and Training Authority (CATHSSETA).

    Related Part-Qualifications:
  • Occupational Certificate: Room Attendant, NQF Level 4.
  • Occupational Certificate: Public Area Cleaner, NQF Level 3.
  • Occupational Certificate: Hospitality Laundry Assistant, NQF Level 3. 
    		•

    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.