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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: |
| Higher Occupational Certificate: Aircraft Maintenance Mechanic |
| SAQA QUAL ID | QUALIFICATION TITLE | |||
| 122660 | Higher Occupational Certificate: Aircraft Maintenance Mechanic | |||
| ORIGINATOR | ||||
| Development Quality Partner - TETA (Manufacturing) | ||||
| 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 | 540 | Not Applicable | NQF Level 05 | Regular-ELOAC |
| REGISTRATION STATUS | SAQA DECISION NUMBER | REGISTRATION START DATE | REGISTRATION END DATE | |
| Registered | EXCO 0426/24 | 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 operate as an Aircraft Maintenance Mechanic. Learners will benefit from this qualification by acquiring knowledge and skills to maintain, inspect, test, diagnose, repair and install the structural and mechanical components of an aircraft and conducts basic inspections and test on related electronic components. On completion of the qualification, qualified learners will be able to gain access to job opportunities in the aviation sector both locally and internationally. A qualified learner will be able to: A qualified learner will demonstrate the following key attributes: Rationale: The need for this qualification resulted from the requirement to review and align an expired occupational qualification to meet new policy requirements. The need for a qualification, for this Trade, that meets international requirements related to the maintenance of aircraft, is a priority to ensure continued use of South African airports by international airlines. Considering this, the Aircraft Maintenance Mechanic qualification is required to ensure compliance with international standards, norms, and training as per the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) through bodies like the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA), European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA). Such alignment enhances the global employability of South African aircraft mechanics, assures a high level of competence and safety, and facilitates international collaborations. It also boosts the competitiveness of South African training institutions, ensures continuous improvement by adopting global best practices, and instils consumer confidence in the safety and reliability of air travel. Moreover, standardisation simplifies international auditing processes and can make South Africa a more attractive destination for aerospace investment, thereby bolstering the country's aviation maintenance industry on a global scale. No other national qualification provides the requisite knowledge and skills for these Aircraft Maintenance Mechanics is registered on the NQF. Aircraft Maintenance Mechanics are integral to the functioning of the aviation industry by playing a crucial role in ensuring the safety, efficiency, and reliability of aircraft. Their contribution however extends far beyond the confines of the aviation industry, benefiting the economy and society by making air travel safer (preventing accidents and saving lives), more efficient (by maintaining aircraft, mechanics support the continuous operation and expansion of the aviation sector, leading to job creation, and stimulating economic activities), and environmentally friendly (properly maintained aircraft are more fuel-efficient, reducing carbon emissions and mitigating the impact of air travel on the environment). In addition, Disaster Relief: Aircraft, including cargo planes and helicopters, are instrumental in delivering humanitarian aid and disaster relief. Well-maintained aircraft ensure swift response during emergencies, providing timely assistance to affected regions. Typical learners for this qualification include those with an interest in both aviation and maintenance. Typical learners will have an interest in "why, what and how" of aviation. Why does an aircraft fly, what keeps an aircraft in the air, how does all the parts work together to make an aircraft safe, quick and efficient. Based on local and international aviation prescripts no maintenance repair or overhaul activities on the structural, mechanical and relevant electronic elements of specified aircraft may be released to service by a person, not in possession of a valid aircraft maintenance engineer license. This qualification will provide further opportunities to obtain a South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) formal typerating as an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer. Stakeholders from different associations and organisations operating within the aviation environment, including the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA), participated in the development of this qualification. |
| LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING |
| Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
RPL for Access Learners may use the RPL process to gain access to training opportunities for a programme of learning, qualification, part-qualification or skills programme if they do not meet the formal, minimum entry requirements for admission. RPL assessment provides an alternative access route into a programme of learning, qualification, part-qualification, or skills programme. Such an RPL assessment may be developed, moderated and conducted by the accredited Skills Development Provider which offers that specific qualification/part qualification/skills programme. Such an assessment must ensure that the learner is able to display the equivalent level of competencies required for access, based on the NQF level descriptors. RPL for Exemption For exemption from modules through RPL, learners who have gained the stipulated competencies of the modules of a programme of learning, qualification, part-qualification or skills programme through any means of formal, informal or non-formal learning and/or work experience, may be awarded credits towards relevant modules, and gaps identified for training, which is then concluded. RPL for Credits. Learners who have gained the stipulated competencies of the modules of a programme of learning, qualification, part-qualification or skills programme through any means of formal, informal or non-formal learning and/or work experience, may be awarded credits towards relevant modules, and gaps identified for training, which is then concluded. RPL for Access to the External Integrated Summative Assessment. A valid Statement of Results is required for admission to the EISA in which confirmation of achievement is provided that all internal assessment criteria for all modules in the related curriculum document have been achieved. Upon successful completion of the EISA, RPL learners will be issued with the QCTO certificate for the qualification, part-qualification or skills programme. Quality Partners are responsible for ensuring the RPL mechanism and process for qualifications and part-qualification is approved by the QCTO. Entry Requirements: An NQF Level 4 qualification with mathematics and science. |
| 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: 147 Practical Skill Modules Total number of credits for Practical Skill Modules: 108 Work Experience Modules Total number of credits for Work Experience Modules: 285 |
| EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES |
| 1. Demonstrate the ability to prepare for safe aircraft maintenance activities.
2. Perform flight-line inspections and maintenance. 3. Perform aircraft airframe inspections and maintenance. 4. Perform aircraft engine and related system inspections and maintenance. |
| ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA |
| Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
ELO 1: Prepare for safe aircraft maintenance activities. Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2: ELO 2: Perform flight-line inspections and maintenance. Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3: ELO 3: Perform aircraft airframe inspections and maintenance. Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3: ELO 4: Perform aircraft engine and related system inspections and maintenance. Integrated Assessment: Formative Assessment Formative assessments are conducted throughout the training of learners. A range of formal, non-formal, and informal ongoing assessment activities are used to focus on teaching and learning outcomes to improve learner attainment. Formative assessments are conducted continuously by the facilitator to feed into further learning, to identify strengths and weakness, and to ensure the learner's ability to apply knowledge, skills and workplace experience gained. Formative Assessments are conducted by the accredited Skills Development Provider (SDP), and a variety of ongoing assessment methods may be used, for example, quizzes, assignments, tests, scenarios, role play, interviews. Continuous feedback must be provided. Summative Assessment Integrated Assessment involves all the different types of assessment tasks required for a particular qualification, part-qualification or occupational skills programme, such as written assessment of theory and practical demonstration of competence. To achieve this, the Internal Assessment Criteria (IAC) for all modules as found in the QCTO curriculum document must be followed. An accredited SDP should implement a well-designed, formal, relevant, final internal Summative Assessment strategy for all modules to prepare learners for the EISA. These assessments evaluate learning achievements relating to the achievement of each module of the relevant components of the qualification, part-qualification or skills programme. Internal Summative Assessments are developed, moderated and conducted by the SDP at the end of each module or after integration of relevant modules, e.g. applied knowledge tests, workplace tasks, practical demonstrations, simulated tasks/demonstrations, projects, case studies, etc. The results of these final formal summative assessments must be recorded. These results, which include the Statement of Work Experience results, where applicable, contribute to the Statement of Results (SoR) that is a requirement for admission to the EISA. An SoR, using the template provided by the Quality Partner, is issued by the accredited SDP for qualifications and part-qualifications. The SDP must produce a valid Statement of Results for each learner, indicating the final result and the date on which the competence in each module, of each component, was achieved. Learners are required to produce this SoR, together with their ID document or alternative ID document, at the point of the EISA. External Integrated Summative Assessment (EISA) The Quality Partner is responsible for the management, conduct and implementation of the External Integrated Summative Assessment (EISA), in accordance with QCTO set standards. Competence in the EISA is a requirement for certificating a learner. For entrance into the EISA, the learner requires a valid Statement of Results issued by the accredited institution indicating the attainment of all modules for the Knowledge, Practical and Work Experience modules. |
| INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY |
| The Aircraft Maintenance Mechanic is a trade recognized in various countries around the world. In most cases, the training is not based on registered qualifications, but training requirements are prescribed by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). This comparison aims to evaluate the alignment between the International Civil Aviation Organisation's (ICAO) standards for Aircraft Maintenance and the South African Higher Occupational Certificate: Aircraft Maintenance Mechanic. The purpose is to identify the similarities and differences in the knowledge, skills, and competencies outlined in both standards. The South African qualification's alignment is important for comparison with globally accepted norms and practices, relevant for specific aviation industry standards and international regulatory frameworks. Ensuring that it aligns with the international ICAO standard is vital for multiple reasons, including global recognition, quality assurance, and regulatory compliance. Such alignment enhances the global employability of South African mechanics, assures a high level of competence and safety, and facilitates international collaborations.
Analysis of the ICAO Standard The ICAO standard serves as a global benchmark for Aircraft Maintenance work, focusing on the minimum requirements for licensing. This standard covers the following knowledge, skills and competencies: Analysis of the South African Qualification The South African Higher Occupational Certificate: Aircraft Maintenance Mechanic is a comprehensive qualification that includes both technical and soft skills and knowledge as well as work experience. This qualification covers the following knowledge, skills and competencies: Similarities: Both the ICAO standard and the South African qualification share core similarities in emphasising technical knowledge, safety protocols, and practical experience. They both require proficiency in inspecting, maintaining, and repairing aircraft systems and components, as well as a foundational understanding of airworthiness, natural science, aircraft engineering, and human performance. Differences: The South African qualification goes beyond the core focus of the ICAO standard that focuses on aircraft engineering principles. It includes soft skills like analytical thinking and problem-solving, additional technical modules such as aerodynamics, and even introduces software development and programming concepts. In addition, the South African qualification meet specific requirements of the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) related to aircraft and aircraft component maintenance and services and a work experience component. Conclusion: Overall, the South African qualification compares well with the international standard in terms of knowledge and skills but goes beyond these in certain areas. |
| ARTICULATION OPTIONS |
| This qualification provides for horizontal, vertical and diagonal 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. Additional Legal or Physical Entry Requirements: None. Criteria for the accreditation of providers Accreditation requirements, against which Skills Development Providers (SDP) and Assessment Centres, will be accredited, is found in the Curriculum Document, as listed below: The curriculum title and code are: Aircraft Maintenance Mechanic: 653201-000-01-00. Encompassed Trade: None. Assessment Quality Partner (AQP) National Artisan Moderation Body (NAMB). |
| 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. |