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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: |
| National Occupational Certificate: Furniture Maker |
| SAQA QUAL ID | QUALIFICATION TITLE | |||
| 121988 | National Occupational Certificate: Furniture Maker | |||
| ORIGINATOR | ||||
| Development Quality Partner-FPMSETA | ||||
| PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY | NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK | |||
| - | OQSF - Occupational Qualifications Sub-framework | |||
| QUALIFICATION TYPE | FIELD | SUBFIELD | ||
| Higher Occupational Cert | Field 06 - Manufacturing, Engineering and Technology | Manufacturing and Assembly | ||
| ABET BAND | MINIMUM CREDITS | PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL | NQF LEVEL | QUAL CLASS |
| Undefined | 550 | Not Applicable | NQF Level 05 | 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 replaces: |
| Qual ID | Qualification Title | Pre-2009 NQF Level | NQF Level | Min Credits | Replacement Status |
| 49092 | Further Education and Training Certificate: Furniture Making | Level 4 | NQF Level 04 | 155 | Complete |
| 22306 | National Certificate: Furniture Making: FET Phase | Level 4 | Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L4 | 122 | Complete |
| 22304 | National Certificate: Furniture Making: FET Phase | Level 2 | NQF Level 02 | 122 | Complete |
| 22305 | National Certificate: Furniture Making: FET Phase | Level 3 | NQF Level 03 | 122 | Complete |
| 49091 | National Certificate: Furniture Making: Wood | Level 2 | NQF Level 02 | 125 | Complete |
| 49105 | National Certificate: Furniture Making: Wood | Level 3 | NQF Level 03 | 122 | Complete |
| PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION |
| Purpose:
The purpose of this qualification is to prepare a learner to operate as a Furniture Maker. A Furniture Maker cuts, shapes, assembles, and finishes wooden articles, sets up and operates a variety of woodworking machines, such as power saws, jointers, mortises and tenon to surface, cut, or shape lumber and fabricate wooden products such as pedestals, chairs, tables, desks, cabinets, wall units, cupboards, bookcases, and parts for wooden articles. A qualified learner will be able to: Rationale: The shortage of skilled workers, rising production costs, and poor domestic demand negatively affect the performance of local furniture manufacturers. The cost of labour, electricity, raw materials, and transport continue to shrink operating margins and make it difficult for furniture manufacturers to compete in local and international markets. The industry is also negatively affected by declining investments in capital equipment, insufficient research and development, and inadequate design improvement. Imported furniture is often cheaper than what is manufactured locally, and furniture imports grew beyond (R7 billion) during 2019 (according to the Furniture Industry Master Plan, 2020). South African furniture manufacturers are also facing competition from Chinese furniture in their important export markets in Africa. With about 80% of the companies in the furniture manufacturing sector classified as small, medium, and micro enterprises (SMMEs), these challenges impose significant pressure on the largest section of the industry. This highlights the need for this qualification; it could create opportunities for training and skilling current workforce as well as new entrants into the industry to make the industry more competitive and support the vision of the South African Furniture Industry for manufacturing locally and reducing the volume of imports. Industry engagements confirmed the dire need for employees who are skilled at the trade level and to be able to create and test furniture prototypes throughout the furniture production process. There are no other similar qualifications on the NQF other than those to be replaced by this qualification. The Furniture Industry Master Plan (FIMP) was established by the Department of Trade Industry and Competition (dtic) in partnership with the South African Furniture Initiative (SAFI) to set clear guidelines and targets for the furniture manufacturing industry, as well as guide public sector procurement as part of government's efforts to support and stimulate the industry. The furniture industry is one of the most labour-intensive industries, with a potential to contribute to the reduction of unemployment, development of small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) and increase exports. This identifies the importance of growing the furniture industry and signals the need for skilled and competent furniture makers in the furniture production process across the furniture manufacturing industry. Furthermore, it will benefit the manufacturing sector as well as the economy by reducing unemployment and improving entrepreneurial projects. This qualification creates opportunities for advancement for those skilled people who wish to further their training. The specialised skills provide for the necessary stepping stones creating multi-skilling opportunities for learners. At an entry level, learners will be enabled to read drawings and specifications, operate woodworking equipment and machines to machine, assemble and finish furniture. Learners will also be equipped at a more advance level to machine, assemble and finish crafted furniture and create and test prototypes. The competencies in this qualification are essential for social and economic transformation, empowerment, and upliftment within the furniture manufacturing environment, whilst simultaneously improving the skills base for the furniture industry. This will enhance the international competitiveness of the furniture sector by means of improving productivity in the various furniture making departments and overall quality of products. The National Occupational Certificate: Furniture Maker is designed to equip learners with the skills, knowledge and understanding required to find employment in the furniture industry, whether in micro, small, medium, or large operations. Learners may find employment as wood machinists, furniture assemblers and furniture finishers or furniture prototype makers and furniture repairers. Typical learners for this qualification include school leavers wishing to enter the furniture-making industry, persons currently employed in the furniture industry who have no formal qualification, persons currently employed in the furniture industry who want to advance their skills or unemployed persons. No professional registration is needed for Furniture Makers to operate in the industry. Industry associations and labour organisations consulted include: |
| 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:114 Practical Skill Modules Total number of credits for Practical Skill Modules: 147 Work Experience Modules Total number of credits for Work Experience Modules: 289 |
| EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES |
| 1. Interpret drawings and specifications for furniture making processes.
2. Perform breakout, planning, sanding, and laminating operations to produce cut components for wood products. 3. Join and assemble cut furniture components. 4. Prepare the furniture product for final finishing and perform the hand finishing and spray applications to produce finished wooden furniture. 5. Produce bored, edged, profiled, turned, and jointed timber, board, or components for crafted furniture. 6. Produce decorative joints and curved and laminated components and fit fixtures for crafted furniture using power tools, pneumatic tools, and hand tools. 7. Manufacture furniture prototypes, repair damaged furniture and produce jigs and templates for furniture manufacturing process. 8. Demonstrate an understanding of furniture making process, materials, and technology. |
| ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA |
| Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
ELO:1 Interpret drawings and specifications for furniture making processes. Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2: ELO:2 Perform breakout, planning, sanding, and laminating operations to produce cut components for wood products. Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3: ELO:3 Join and assemble cut furniture components. Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4: ELO:4 Prepare the furniture product for final finishing and perform the hand finishing and spray applications to produce finished wooden furniture. Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5: ELO:5 Produce bored, edged, profiled, turned, and jointed timber, board, or components for crafted furniture. Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6: ELO:6 Produce decorative joints and curved and laminated components and fit fixtures for crafted furniture using power tools, pneumatic tools, and hand tools. Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7: ELO:7 Manufacture furniture prototypes, repair damaged furniture and produce jigs and templates for furniture manufacturing process. Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 8: ELO:8 Demonstrate an understanding of furniture making process, materials, and technology. Integrated Assessment Integrated 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. Integrated 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. The external integrated summative assessment will be a trade test as prescribed under Section 26D of the SDA and defined in the Trade Test Regulations (Government Gazette No 38758 published 8 May 2015) conducted through a combination of a written assessment (which may take a maximum of 1 hour 30 minutes) and practical tasks conducted at a QCTO accredited trade test centre. The trade test will be concluded at the trade test centre and assessed by an assessor registered with the NAMB. The combination of the written and practical assessment will be conducted over a period of two working days. A learner who attempted a trade test will be given recognition for those trade test tasks in which he/she has been found competent and not be retested in those tasks provided that: The learner is competent in at least 50% of the trade test tasks given during the trade test. The recognition will be retained by the candidate for a maximum of 3 attempts or 18-months from the date of successful completion of the trade test tasks, whichever comes first. Minimum 25% of all trade tests conducted on trade test centre level will be internally moderated and externally moderated by NAMB on a basis of minimum 10% on national trade tests conducted. |
| INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY |
| The National Occupational Certificate: Furniture Maker has been compared to similar qualifications offered in Canada and Australia. The countries used for this comparison have structured learning in place to achieve the qualification in respective countries.
Canada The Canadian Red Seal Apprenticeship Programme for Cabinetmakers is a Red Seal Program, formally known as the Interprovincial Standards Red Seal Program, which is a program that sets common standards to assess the skills of tradespeople across Canada. This trade is offered by Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) and prepares the learner to build, repair, finish and install residential and commercial cabinets (including hardware), wooden furniture and architectural millwork using a variety of woods, laminates and other products. It prepares cabinet makers to read drawings and specifications, and prepare layouts, set up and operate woodworking equipment, both power and computerized, to machine wood products and composite materials and to use various power tools and precision woodworking tools to perform their work. They sand and finish the surfaces either before or after assembly in some shops. They also apply finishing products. Minimum requirements are defined as: English and Maths, OR a pass mark in all five Canadian General Educational Development (GED) tests OR Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training Entrance Exam. SAIT offers this program over a period of four (4) years as an apprenticeship program in which case the learner must be employed. Generally, approximately 80 per cent of an apprentice's training is done "on the job". Training is provided by the employer, with the apprentice learning from a certified journeyperson or qualified individual and is measured in hours and months. Approximately 20 per cent of an apprentice's training is completed through an approved technical training provider. This trade includes the following aspects: Similarities Both qualifications are recognised trades and include work experience components as well as technical training offered by accredited institutions. Both qualifications require an external exam. The National Occupational Certificate: Furniture Maker includes similar skills and competencies as those of the Canadian Red Seal Apprenticeship Programme for Cabinetmakers as listed above. Differences The duration of the National Occupational Certificate: Furniture Maker is three years, but the duration of the Canadian Red Seal Apprenticeship Programme for Cabinetmakers is four years. Australia The Australian Certificate IV in Furniture Design and Technology (MSF40213) describes the skills and knowledge required to perform designs of furniture and the application of the design into a finished furniture product. Training is provided by the Holmesglen Institute, a vocational education and higher education institute. There are no prerequisites or entry requirements for this program. This qualification is streamed to reflect two primary occupational outcomes in the areas of: It reflects vocational outcomes in fine furniture making or furniture design with a broad range of skilled applications including requirements to evaluate and analyse current practices, develop new criteria and procedures for performing current practices, and provision of some leadership and guidance to others in the application and planning of the skills. The qualification provides for a few combinations of unit standards which will direct the learner in one of two streams, namely Fine Furniture Making and Furniture Design. The qualification includes compulsory occupational aspects such as shift hand-over, operating machinery, machine cleaning and maintenance, working in a team, health and safety in the workplace, compliance with standard operating procedures, conformity to production and quality standards, completion of documentation / reporting records and communication with supervisors. It also includes units related to the operations within a business, finances of a business, planning and purchasing. A full section with a range of units on the aspect of furniture design is included. Units specific to the making of furniture include: Similarities Both qualifications are at Level 4. The National Occupational Certificate: Furniture Maker includes similar skills and competencies as those of the Certificate IV in Furniture Design and Technology as listed above. The Certificate IV in Furniture Design and Technology can be offered as an apprenticeship program and as such entails a work experience component. Differences The duration of the National Occupational Certificate: Furniture Maker is three years, but the duration of the Certificate IV in Furniture Design and Technology is one year. The Certificate IV in Furniture Design and Technology has no entry requirements but the National Occupational Certificate: Furniture Maker states NQF Level 1 with mathematics as entry requirements. Conclusion This South African qualification compares favourably with the competencies covered in international programmes. |
| ARTICULATION OPTIONS |
| This qualification provides opportunities for the following articulation options.
Horizontal Articulation: Vertical Articulation: Diagonal Articulation |
| 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 as well as proof of successful completion of the following subjects and modules or alternative programmes. Additional Legal or Physical Entry Requirements: 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 Furniture Maker: 682201-001-00-00. 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. |