[Registered Qual & Unit Std Home page] [Search Qualifications] [Search Unit Standards]
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: 

Diploma in Polymer Technology 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
97106  Diploma in Polymer Technology 
ORIGINATOR
Nelson Mandela University 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Diploma (Min 360)  Field 06 - Manufacturing, Engineering and Technology  Manufacturing and Assembly 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  360  Not Applicable  NQF Level 06  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Registered-data under construction  EXCO 0324/24  2024-07-01  2027-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30   2033-06-30  

Registered-data under construction

The qualification content is currently being updated for the qualifications with the status “Registered-data under construction” or showing “DETAILS UNDER CONSTRUCTION” to ensure compliance with SAQA’S Policy and Criteria for the registration of qualifications and part-qualifications on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) (As amended, 2022). These qualifications are re-registered until 30 June 2027 and can legitimately be offered by the institutions to which they are registered.

 

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.  

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
A qualifying learner will be competent to apply techniques and principles to the facilitation of manufacturing processes in the field of plastics and polymer technology. The learner will be able to operate within the workplace in collaboration with others. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
Access may be granted, through the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), to learners who do not meet the minimum entry requirements.

Entry Requirements:
  • A qualification at Level 5 in Polymer Technology.
  • National Senior Certificate, Level 4 granting access to Diploma studies with Mathematics, Physical Science and English.
  • Senior Certificate, Level 4 with Matriculation exemption.
  • National Certificate Vocation, Level 4 with a relevant specialisation, granting access to Diploma studies with Mathematics, Physical Science and English. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Optimising all aspects of the plastics production.
    2. Choose, order and use materials according to characteristics, cost effectiveness and end use requirements.
    3. Optimising the use and application of technology in the processing preparation and finishing of product.
    4. Apply chemical and physical principles to plastics processing and polymerisation.
    5. Evaluate end use applications of plastics products and materials.
    6. Manage production processes to achieve cost effective manufacture. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    1. The components and functions of the devices are explained correctly.
    2. Deviations from normal operation are identified and the correct corrective actions are applied or proposed.
    3. Reports and records and procedures are documented and reflect events and conditions.
    4. Production targets for quantity and quality are met.

    Indicators:
  • Organisation of work, methods and procedures.
  • Safe working and good housekeeping.

    Range:
    > Parameters, output quantities, qualities.
    > Materials are identified correctly.
    > The essential characteristics are recognised and identified.
    > The selection of the material for a given application is done taking the scientific and technological aspects of the material and its end use into account.
    > Mixtures and modifications are made using the best available practise.
    > Costs are calculated using the optimum methods and procedures.
    > Quality assurance aspects are applied as applicable.

    Indicators:
  • Clear definition of the materials properties.
  • Systematic categorisation of materials and additives.
  • Recording and documentation of formulations.
  • Safe working practise and good housekeeping.

    Range:
    > Information retrieval for materials cost and properties for cost performance evaluation.
    > The specification and criteria for production equipment are correctly applied to selection processes.
    > Rationale and supportive costing are done to support new equipment and processes.
    > Procedures for production and quality are generated and implemented.
    > Trends in losses and inefficiencies are tracked and used for decision-making.
    > Processes.
    > Ability to read and make drawings of articles or process layouts.

    Indicators:
  • Quality systems are in place.
  • Data is retrievable relevant and recent.
  • Processes and products are to specification.

    Range:
    > Application of technical criteria balanced with cost principles for decision-making.
    > Reactions and processes performed to standard.
    > Principles of safety and good practice are applied.
    > Characterisation techniques are applied and interpreted in accord with physical and chemical principles.
    > The origin of problems is established and an appropriate corrective action proposed.
    > Interpretation of integrated analyses for problem resolution.

    Indicators:
  • Interpretation, application and implementation of results.

    Range:
    > General analysis techniques.
    > The collection and recording of evaluations are done correctly.
    > The materials evaluations are done according to standard methods.
    > Selected analyses are relevant.
    > Interpretation of results is done in accord with statistical principles.
    > Methods of ageing simulation are applied correctly.
    > Load and stress relationship are applied correctly.

    Indicators:
    Interpretations, implementations and organisation of results.

    Range:
    > Competency in these techniques.
    > Ability to calculate costs of manufacture.
    > Calculation and detection of economic batch quantities.
    > Apply sequencing and scheduling of production.
    > Apply manufacturing control techniques.
    > Allocation of resources within a manufacturing environment.

    Indicators:
  • Cost analysis, organisation of data presentation of plans and sub plans.

    Range:
    > Fundamental level of cost accounting practice.

    Indicators:
  • Clear definition of the materials properties.
  • Systematic categorisation of materials and additives.
  • Recording and documentation of formulations.
  • Safe working practice and good housekeeping.

    Range:
    > Information retrieval for material cost and properties for cost performance evaluation.
    > The specification and criteria for production equipment are correctly applied to selection processes.
    > Rationale and supportive costing are done to support new equipment and processes.
    > Procedures for production and quality are generated and implemented.
    > Trends in losses and inefficiencies are tracked and used for decision-making.

    Processes:
  • Ability to read and make drawings of articles or process layouts.

    Indicators:
  • Quality systems are in place.
  • Data is retrievable, relevant and recent.
  • Processes and products are to specification.

    Range:
    > Application of technical criteria balanced with cost principles for decision-making.
    > Reactions, and processes performed to standard.
    > Principles of safety and good practice are applied.
    > Characterisation techniques are applied and interpreted in accord with physical and chemical principles.
    > The origin of problems is established and an appropriate corrective action proposed.
    > Interpretation of integrated analyses for problems resolution.

    Indicators:
  • Interpretations, application and implementation of results.

    Range:
    > General analysis techniques.
    > The collection and recording of evaluations are done correctly.
    > The materials evaluations are done according to standard methods.
    > Selected analyses are relevant.
    > Interpretation of results is done in accord with statistical principles.
    > Methods of ageing simulation are applied correctly.
    > Load and stress relationships are applied correctly.

    Indicators:
  • Interpretations, implementations and organisation of results.

    Range:
    > Competency in these techniques.
    > Ability to calculate costs of manufacture.
    > Calculation and detection of economic batch quantities.
    > Apply sequence and scheduling of production.
    > Apply manufacturing control techniques.
    > Allocation of resources within a manufacturing environment.

    Indicators:
  • Cost analysis, organisation of data, presentation of plans and sub plans.

    Range:
    > Fundamental level of cost accounting practice.

    Integrated Assessment:
  • Combinations of the following forms of assessment will be used in the context of the typical roles of a Professional Plastics Technologist.

    Observation:
  • The assessor will assess the candidate based on the performance of a task that is part of the candidate's normal responsibility.

    Demonstration:
  • The assessor will assess the candidate perform a typical workplace task especially designed for assessment purposes. This need not be at the place of work, not a task that is part of the normal workplace routine.

    Computer simulation:
  • The assessment may be done using a simulated task on a computer, with the assessor or the computer as assessor.

    Role-play simulation:
  • The assessor will assess the candidate in a typical workplace situation for assessment of their interpersonal skills.

    Written tests and or examination:
  • The assessor will evaluate the candidate's knowledge and understanding by means of written tests or examination.

    Oral assessment:
  • The assessor will evaluate the candidate's knowledge and understanding by a verbal assessment.

    Projects:
  • The assessor will evaluate the candidate's level of competency by setting the individual and or team, projects to complete.

    Portfolios:
  • The assessor will evaluate the candidate's level of competency by considering a portfolio of their work. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
  • Bachelor of Technology (B/Tech) Professional Degree in Polymer Technology, Level 7.
  • Bachelor of Technology (B/Tech) Professional Degree in Plastic Technology Mould design, Level 7. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    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.
     
    1. Nelson Mandela University 


    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.