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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: |
| Occupational Certificate: Commercial Natural Gas Practitioner |
| SAQA QUAL ID | QUALIFICATION TITLE | |||
| 122580 | Occupational Certificate: Commercial Natural Gas Practitioner | |||
| ORIGINATOR | ||||
| Development Quality Partner - CHIETA | ||||
| PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY | NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK | |||
| QCTO - Quality Council for Trades and Occupations | OQSF - Occupational Qualifications Sub-framework | |||
| QUALIFICATION TYPE | FIELD | SUBFIELD | ||
| Occupational Certificate | Field 06 - Manufacturing, Engineering and Technology | Manufacturing and Assembly | ||
| ABET BAND | MINIMUM CREDITS | PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL | NQF LEVEL | QUAL CLASS |
| Undefined | 133 | Not Applicable | NQF Level 04 | Regular-ELOAC |
| REGISTRATION STATUS | SAQA DECISION NUMBER | REGISTRATION START DATE | REGISTRATION END DATE | |
| Registered | EXCO 0326/24 | 2024-08-22 | 2029-08-22 | |
| LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT | LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT | |||
| 2030-08-22 | 2033-08-22 | |||
| 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 Natural Gas Practitioner. Commercial Natural Gas Practitioners design, install, construct, inspect, maintain, repair and commission commercial Natural (natural or bio-) gas installations which comply with safety and other legal requirements. A qualified learner will be able to: Rationale: The South African gas industry is highly regulated and legislation requires gas installers to have formally recognised qualifications. It is a growing industry with an increasing demand for gas systems in domestic, commercial and industrial settings and offers a green alternative to fossil generated energy. South Africa experiences a rising energy demand and deals with a range of challenges and opportunities in the sustainable provision of energy. As Government sought accelerated growth to address the current energy crisis facing the country, it launched its ambitious gas-to-power programme. This initiative is supported by National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA), South African Gas Association (SAGA), DTI and Department: Energy. The gas-to-power landscape in South Africa has moved even further forward with the recent initiative for the development of a 600MW gas-fired power plant. Current government focus includes the strengthening of regional co-operation and cross-border infrastructure being vital to the success of the long-term development of gas to power. Within this context, the development and registration of the Occupational Certificate: Commercial Natural Gas Practitioner becomes a national imperative which will serve the economy and society. This qualification has been designed to meet the training needs expressed by the commercial natural and biogas (natural) industry and will contribute towards the development of competence in the installation and maintenance of natural and biogas equipment and systems in commercial contexts. A person qualifying as a Commercial Natural Gas Technician will be competent to install, repair and maintain gas installations in commercial contexts such as restaurants, yachts, food trucks, schools, etc. It is anticipated that they will start their careers as learner-installers in gas companies from where they will progress to independently run their own natural or biogas installation and maintenance operations. The skills, knowledge and understanding demonstrated within this qualification are essential for social and economic transformation and will contribute to progression and economic growth within the gas installation and maintenance fraternity. Learners will receive recognition for their competencies and will be able to progress further in the industry. The Occupational Certificate: Commercial Natural Gas Practitioner (NQF Level 4) follows on the Occupational Certificate: Domestic Natural Gas Practitioner (NQF Level 3). After successful completion of this qualification and meeting registration requirements, learners can progress to the Occupational Certificate: Industrial Thermoprocessing Gas Technician (NQF Level 5). These three qualifications form a career and learning path for the Natural Gas Industry which creates mobility opportunities for learners and will benefit the industry tremendously. Through the employment of competent installation personnel, employers and, in turn, the field and sub-field, will have confidence that this critical work in the industry is efficiently carried out and that occurrence of accidents, explosions and fires can be avoided. Typical learners include qualified Domestic Natural Gas Practitioners who wish to pursue a career in the gas industry as well as persons currently employed or operating in the gas industry but with no formal recognition for their skills. The following qualifications are registered on the NQF: Occupational Certificate: Flammable Gas System Installer, Occupational Certificate: Food and Beverage Gas Systems Installer, Occupational Certificate: Inert Gas Systems Installer, Occupational Certificate: Medical Gas Systems Installer, Occupational Certificate: Speciality Gas Systems Installer, and Occupational Certificate: Oxidant Gas Systems Installer. These qualifications are all at NQF Level 4 and prepare Gas Practitioners to operate within the compressed gas context and are designed to meet the training needs expressed by the gas industry. It should be noted that the Occupational Certificate: Commercial Natural Gas Practitioner is also designed to meet the training needs expressed by the gas industry for the natural, bio- or liquefied petroleum gas environment. Qualifying learner will be registered with the relevant gas authority based on achievement of the exit level outcomes of this qualification and three (3) years of work experience for professional recognition. |
| 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: Occupational Certificate: Domestic Natural Gas Practitioner, NQF Level 3. |
| 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: 32 Practical Skill Modules Total number of credits for Practical Skill Modules: 74 Work Experience Modules Total number of credits for Work Experience Modules: 27 |
| EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES |
| 1. Design a legally compliant commercial natural gas system according to gas system demand.
2. Demonstrate the installation of a commercial natural gas system as per scope of work which is legal and code compliant. 3. Adhere to safety, quality and environmental compliance according to legal requirements for a commercial natural gas system. 4. Perform maintenance functions and inspections of commercial natural gas installations and equipment. 5. Adhere to safety and quality industry codes and legal aspects when installing a commercial natural gas system and working with commercial natural gas. |
| ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA |
| Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
ELO 1: Design a legally compliant commercial natural gas system according to gas system demand. Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2: ELO 2: Demonstrate the installation of a commercial natural gas system as per scope of work which is legal and code compliant. Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3: ELO 3: Adhere to safety, quality and environmental compliance according to legal requirements for a commercial natural gas system. Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4: ELO 4: Perform maintenance functions and inspections of commercial natural gas installations and equipment. Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5: ELO 5: Adhere to safety and quality industry codes and legal aspects when installing a commercial natural gas system and working with commercial natural gas. 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 summative assessment will be conducted through a combination of a written assessment and practical tasks conducted at QCTO accredited assessment centres. The practical assessment will be concluded at the assessment centre and assessed by an assessor registered with the AQP. A learner who attempted the assessment will be given recognition for those assessment tasks in which he/she has been found competent and not be retested in those tasks provided that: |
| INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY |
| The Occupational Certificate: Commercial Natural Gas Practitioner was compared with qualifications from the New Zealand and India.
New Zealand: The National Certificate in Gas Fitting is at Level 4 and is presented by the UNITEC Institute of Technology. It recognises the competence in the gas fitting trade. It equips the learner with knowledge and skills in use of gas fitting tools and equipment, excavation and trenching, installation and maintenance of gas fitting pipework, ducting, appliances, systems, and equipment; health, safety, and emergency requirements relating to gas fitting activities; good work habits, customer services and relations, and ethical behaviour; job requirements and job costing factors; drawing patterns; and constructing sheet metal products. It prepares the learner for registration within appropriate legislation. The total credit value of the qualification is 171 with credits ranging from level 1 to 4. A core component includes compulsory standards on work and study skills, health, safety, safety related to planning and construction. Compulsory standards specific to the gas fitting trade, include standards in the areas of: Similarities Both qualifications prepare the learners for registration (licencing) with appropriate authorities and legislation. All the above content aspects are included in the Occupational Certificate: Commercial Natural Gas Technician. Safety, which is a very important aspect in the gas environment, is included in both qualifications. Both qualifications are at Level 4. Differences The New Zealand qualification credit value is 171 while the Occupational Certificate: Commercial Natural Gas Practitioner value is 133. The lesser credit value of the SA qualification relates to the fact that it builds on the Occupational Certificate: Domestic Natural Gas Technician which is at NQF Level 3. The context of application (e.g. domestic, commercial or industrial) is not referred to in the New Zealand qualification. India: Indian National Occupational Standards (NOS) for the Pipe Fitter - City Gas Distribution was used for international comparability. The Pipe Fitter-City Gas Distribution equips learners to operate in various contexts related to city gas distribution i.e., piped natural gas connection to residential consumers such as apartments, flats, houses etc., commercial consumers such as shopping malls, hospitals, etc. and industrial consumers and CNG station connections which includes massive pipes, vents and ducts for gas. The Indian Occupational Standards for the Pipe Fitter - City Gas Distribution is at NSQF Level 4 and basic machining skills and a 10th grade/class educational qualification (also known as the 10th Board Exam). These NOS are presented by e.g. the SDI Society Raebareli Skills Development Institute at Raebareli. During the learning process, learners are equipped for tasks and contexts such as: Similarities Both qualifications are at the same level, both have a focus on commercial installations and both qualifications cover natural gas installations. Both qualifications emphasise safety related to the gas components and includes welding aspects. Differences Entry requirements are different. The Indian NOS requires 10th grade and basic machining skills, while the South African qualification requires competence in the Occupational Certificate: Domestic Natural Gas Practitioner. The context of operation for the Indian NOS is specified as domestic, commercial and industrial. However, the Occupational Certificate: Commercial Natural Gas Practitioner is specific to the commercial context of operation. Conclusion: The Occupational Certificate: Commercial Natural Gas Practitioner compares well with the above qualifications in terms of content, knowledge and practical skills. |
| ARTICULATION OPTIONS |
| This qualification allows possibilities for both horizontal and vertical articulation.
Horizontal Articulation: Vertical Articulation: |
| 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 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: Commercial Natural Gas Practitioner: 642603-002-00-00. Encompassed Trades None. Assessment Quality Partner Chemical Industries Education & Training Authority (CHIETA). |
| 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. |