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 THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

National Certificate: Plastics Manufacturing 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
20890  National Certificate: Plastics Manufacturing 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Plastics Manufacturing 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
Was MERSETA until Last Date for Achievement  OQSF - Occupational Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
National Certificate  Field 06 - Manufacturing, Engineering and Technology  Manufacturing and Assembly 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  132  Level 4  NQF Level 04  Regular-Unit Stds Based 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Registered" 		 SAQA 0742/02  2002-06-12  2005-04-13 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2006-04-13   2009-04-13  

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 is replaced by: 
Qual ID Qualification Title Pre-2009 NQF Level NQF Level Min Credits Replacement Status
49451  Further Education and Training Certificate: Plastics Manufacturing  Level 4  NQF Level 04  163  Complete 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
The purpose of the qualification is to provide learners, education and training providers and employers with the standards and the range of learning required to satisfy the challenges of participating effectively in the plastics manufacturing industry

For those who have been in the workplace for a long time, this qualification can be used in the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) process to assess and recognise workplace skills acquired without the benefit of formal education or training.

For the new entrant or for someone changing from another field, this qualification describes the learning outcomes (the skills, knowledge and values) required to effectively participate in a structured workplace.

For education and training providers, this qualification provides guidance for the development of appropriate learning programmes. For employers, this qualification allows skills gaps to be identified and programmes to close skills gaps to be developed, and acts as an external benchmark for fulfilling the criteria of national and international quality standards such as ISO 9000:2000.

This qualification recognises the skills, knowledge and values acquired by learners to initiate and maintain plastics manufacturing processes by:
  • solving common problems to produce quality products to meet customer needs
  • interacting with others to achieve manufacturing objectives.

    Hand skills play a role in this qualification.

    What learners achieve in this qualification will also serve as a basis for further learning where they will maintain production efficiencies and optimise the production processes.

    Rationale:

    The plastics manufacturing industry is characterized by sophisticated high-volume manufacturing processes operating in a competitive and challenging environment. The manufactured products have to respond to a wide variety of exacting customer and consumer requirements. In addition, the industry has to respond to competition from exports, export markets, on-going development of new products as the result of changing customer needs, and environmental issues.

    This means that people working in the industry require a range of skills and knowledge to help them respond to the exacting quality requirements and ongoing change.

    This is the third qualification in a series in a career path involving high-volume plastics manufacturing processes. This series of qualifications reflects the skills, knowledge and understanding required to participate effectively in the plastics manufacturing industry, whether in micro, small, medium or large operations. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    National Certificate in Plastics Manufacturing NQF Level 3.

    If the learner does not already have such a qualification, this does not preclude him/her from starting. It will, however, require an increase in learning time.

    Recognition of prior learning:

    This qualification may be obtained through a process of RPL. The learner should be thoroughly briefed prior to the assessment and support provided to assist in the process of developing a portfolio. As with integrated assessment, while this is primarily a workplace-based qualification, evidence from other areas of endeavour may be introduced if pertinent to any of the exit-level outcomes. 

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    Fundamental: 47
    Core: 72
    Elective: 13 minimum

    Credit total: Minimum of 132 credits 

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Install required tooling, set up and start up the manufacturing process, maintaining efficiency of the process and the quality of the manufactured product.

    2. Solve common manufacturing process problems and identify areas for improvement.

    3. Maintain a safe, effective and efficient workplace, developing the skills and performance of workgroup members.
    Range: `Safe` also includes issues of health and issues relating to reducing negative impacts on the environment.

    4. Understand and work with internal customers and partners.
    Range: Internal customers and partners include those with roles relating to material preparation and supply, quality assurance, safety, health and the environment, sales and marketing, management, unions or worker representatives and any others who interact with the manufacturing environment. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    1.1 The manufacturing process and the manufactured products conform to all specifications
    1.2 Installation, setup and start up process are planned, organised and carried out efficiently and safely and within standard times
    1.3 Instructions to workgroup members are clear and records and instructions are maintained
    1.4 Issues relating to product design, the manufacturing process and the materials used are discussed and resolved.

    2.1 Problems are identified and resolved quickly, systematically and in such a way as to minimise reoccurrence
    2.2 Problems and solutions are recorded and monitored for reoccurrence
    2.3 Problems and solutions and opportunities for improvement are discussed and resolved with workgroup members and internal customers and partners
    2.4 The underlying causes and related issues are explained or discussed (science and technology).

    3.1 The conditions in the workplace and the condition of the tools and equipment, safety equipment and services are safe and arranged to reduce waste
    3.2 Hazards are dealt with quickly and effectively
    3.3 Workgroup members are supported, coached and influenced to work effectively, efficiently and safely.

    4.1 Key issues are identified, discussed and resolved
    4.2 Actions, responsibilities, timeframes and reporting issues are clarified
    4.3 Other persons` opinions, suggestions and alternatives are listened to
    4.4 Key ideas, decisions and plans are recorded and implemented.

    Integrated Assessment:

    The integrated assessment must be based on a summative assessment guide. The guide will spell out how the assessor will assess different aspects of the performance and will include:
  • Observing the learner at work (in the primary activity as well as in other interactions)
  • Asking questions and initiating short discussions to test understanding
  • Looking at records and reports in the portfolio and reviewing previous assessments.

    The learner may choose in which language s/he wants to be assessed. This should be established as part of a process or preparing the learner for assessment and familiarising the learner with the approach being taken.

    While this is primarily a workplace-based qualification, evidence from other areas of endeavour may be introduced if pertinent to any of the exit-level outcomes.

    The assessment process should cover both the explicit tasks required for the qualification as well as the understanding of the concepts and principles which underpin the activities and the manufacturing process. The assessment process should also establish how the critical outcomes have been advanced by the learning process.

    Assessors should also evaluate evidence that the learner has been performing consistently over a period of time. The assessment can include a small project or projects which need more time to complete than is practical in a live assessment session. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This qualification was compared to other, similar outcomes-based qualifications, certifications or skills standards in the United Kingdom, New Zealand and the United States and this qualification broadly corresponds to these.
    This qualification is equivalent to the artisan-equivalent plastics manufacturing qualification in German-speaking countries as laid out in their content and assessment schedules. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    The qualification has been designed and structured so that qualifying learners can move from one context to another. Employers or institutions should be able to evaluate the outcomes of this qualification against the needs of their context and structure top-up learning appropriately. Equally, holders of other qualifications may be evaluated against this qualification for the purpose of RPL. 

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    Moderators for the qualification should be qualified and accredited with an appropriate Education, Training Quality Assurance Body (ETQA) and have a qualification in manufacturing, preferably in plastics manufacturing.

    To assure the quality of the assessment process, the moderation should cover one of more of the following:
    1. Assessor credentials
    2. The assessment instrument
    3. The assessment process (including preparation and post-assessment feedback)

    Where assessment and moderation are taking place in sectors other than the Manufacturing, Engineering and Related Services, assessment and moderation should be in terms of a Memorandum of Understanding negotiated with the MERS ETQA. 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    The following criteria should be applied by the relevant ETQA:

    1. Appropriate qualification in the field of plastics manufacturing - with a minimum of 6 months in plastics manufacturing environments.

    2. Assessed successfully against a nationally recognised unit standards/s reflecting experience and understanding of assessment theory, processes and practices.

    3. Good interpersonal skills and the ability to balance the conflicting requirements of:
  • Maintaining national standards
  • The interests of the learner
  • The need for transformation and redressing the legacies of the past
  • The cultural background and language of the learner.

    4. Any other criteria required by the MERS ETQA or any other relevant ETQA. 
    		•

    NOTES 
    This qualification has been replaced by qualification 49451, which is 'Further Education and Training Certificate: Plastics Manufacturing', Level 4, 163 credits. 

    UNIT STANDARDS: 
      ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
    Core  9527  Lead a team, plan, allocate and assess their work  Level 3  NQF Level 03  4 
    Core  12616  Operate and perform routine maintenance on equipment and tools  Level 3  NQF Level 03  5 
    Core  9905  Change and set tooling  Level 4  NQF Level 04  16 
    Core  13261  Conduct laboratory tests on manufactured products and raw materials  Level 4  NQF Level 04  10 
    Core  13254  Contribute to the implementation and maintenance of business processes  Level 4  NQF Level 04  10 
    Core  13235  Maintain the quality assurance system  Level 4  NQF Level 04  5 
    Core  13224  Monitor the application of safety, health and environmental protection procedures  Level 4  NQF Level 04  4 
    Core  12662  Prepare and process raw materials  Level 4  NQF Level 04  10 
    Core  12663  Set production equipment  Level 4  NQF Level 04  8 
    Fundamental  12429  Develop a personal financial plan  Level 3  NQF Level 03  2 
    Fundamental  9015  Apply knowledge of statistics and probability to critically interrogate and effectively communicate findings on life related problems  Level 4  NQF Level 04  6 
    Fundamental  9506  Communicate in an assertive manner with clients and fellow workers  Level 4  NQF Level 04  4 
    Fundamental  8974  Engage in sustained oral communication and evaluate spoken texts  Level 4  NQF Level 04  5 
    Fundamental  9505  Manage basic business and personal finance  Level 4  NQF Level 04  6 
    Fundamental  12417  Measure, estimate & calculate physical quantities & explore, critique & prove geometrical relationships in 2 and 3 dimensional space in the life and workplace of adult with increasing responsibilities  Level 4  NQF Level 04  4 
    Fundamental  8975  Read analyse and respond to a variety of texts  Level 4  NQF Level 04  5 
    Fundamental  7468  Use mathematics to investigate and monitor the financial aspects of personal, business, national and international issues  Level 4  NQF Level 04  6 
    Fundamental  9502  Write a technical report  Level 4  NQF Level 04  4 
    Fundamental  8976  Write for a wide range of contexts  Level 4  NQF Level 04  5 
    Elective  14445  Frame and implement an individual action plan to improve productivity within an organisational unit  Level 1  NQF Level 01  3 
    Elective  12465  Develop a learning plan and a portfolio for assessment  Level 2  NQF Level 02  6 
    Elective  12455  Perform the role of a safety, health and environmental protection representative  Level 3  NQF Level 03  4 


    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    When qualifications are replaced, some of their learning programmes are moved to being recorded against the replacement qualifications. If a learning programme appears to be missing from here, please check the replacement.
     
    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.