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: Mechatronics 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
22773  National Certificate: Mechatronics 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Manufacturing and Assembly Processes 
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  123  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  Regular-Unit Stds Based 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 SAQA 0480/09  2009-11-07  2011-02-16 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2012-02-16   2015-02-16  

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
79627  National Certificate: Mechatronics  Level 5  NQF Level 05  141  Complete 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
The purpose of this qualification is to provide learners, education providers, training providers and employers with the standard and range of learning required to work effectively in the mechatronics environment and meet the requirements of such an environment.

The primary skills that are recognised by this qualification include the ability to:
  • Install, maintain, commission and hand over a complex computer integrated manufacturing system
  • Ensure optimum quality of production

    Hand skills and advanced theoretical and analytical skills play a large role in this qualification.

    Qualified learners will also understand:
  • How to maintain and influence relationships in a complex production environment
  • How to achieve change
  • How to work with a range of information sources to optimise performance and quality

    With this understanding learners will be able to participate in workplace activities.
    Qualifying learners will also be able to relate what they see and experience to scientific and technological principles and concepts. They will also be able to maintain and support the various policies and procedures related to the safety, health, environment and quality systems that govern their workplace.


    Rationale for the qualification:

    The manufacturing industry is characterised by technologically sophisticated automation processes using Computerised Integrated Manufacturing systems (CIM) that integrate the fields of mechanical, electrical and electronic engineering and control and information technology. The field of mechatronics deals with the installation, maintenance and commissioning of such CIM systems that must conform to all safety aspects as per regulations and legislation. People working in the mechatronics field require specialised technical skills and knowledge as well as highly developed hand skills to enable them to install, maintain and commission mechatronic systems.

    This is the fourth qualification in the certificate series for learners who want to follow a career in mechatronics

    This series will reflect the skills, knowledge and understanding required to perform effectively in industry, whether in micro, small, medium or large operations.

    For those who have been in the workplace for a long time, this qualification represents part of the RPL process that acknowledges workplace skills acquired without the benefit of formal education and training.

    For the new entrant, this qualification recognises the applied competence needed by a productive person in a structured workplace.

    This qualification forms the basis for further development in the higher education and training band in the field of engineering. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    This qualification assumes learners have attained a Mechatronics NQF level 4 qualification or have the relevant experience.

    Recognition of Prior Learning:

    This qualification may be obtained through the 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. While this is primarily a work-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 
    N/A 

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    Exit level Outcomes:

    1. Install, test and commission a complex integrated computer manufacturing system.

    2. Demonstrate the ability to handover computer integrated systems to customers.

    3. Demonstrate an understanding of how to maintain the efficiencies of an automotive manufacturing and assembly process and how to identify opportunities for optimising such a process.
    Range: Maintaining and optimising the process includes maintaining and optimising aspects of equipment operation, materials usage and inventory management, the utilisation of personnel, quality, safety, health, and environmental practices.

    4. Demonstrate an understanding of options for further learning in this or a related field of learning and preparation requirements for such learning. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes:

    1.1 System parameters are met
    1.2 Bus parameterisation is correctly done
    1.3 Software is installed and configured to specification
    1.4 PLC Programming of system meets specifications
    1.5 Can respond to questions and discuss issues related to the installation, testing and commissioning of a complex integrated computer manufacturing system

    2.1 Appropriate communication procedures and internal communication systems are used to communicate operating instructions and demonstrate the use of product manuals
    2.2 System demonstrations and presentations on equipment are given

    3.1 Production efficiencies are maintained.
    3.2 Performance and training issues affecting quality, safety, health, and the environment are identified and reported
    3.3 Process output is recorded and trends mapped
    3.4 Options to achieve process improvements are generated and tested and reflect a clear understanding of issues

    4.1 Options are explained
    4.2 Preparation requirements are explained.
    4.3 Learning plan is developed


    Integrated Assessment:

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

    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 that underpin the activities required of mechatronics. The assessment process should also establish how the critical outcomes have been advanced by the learning process. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    As a starting point, the series of qualifications in the field of mechatronics of which this qualification forms a part, was compared to other, similar outcomes-based qualifications, certifications or skills standards in New Zealand and Australia. It was found to be difficult to compare the New Zealand and Australian narrow focus qualifications with these broad-based qualifications in the specialised field of mechatronics. Therefore, extensive reference was made to training materials from Germany and the United States when constructing these qualifications to ensure the relevance of the qualification content and benchmarking with best practice world wide. 

    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 ETQA and have a qualification in engineering.

    To assure the quality of the assessment process, the moderation should cover one of the following:
  • Assessor credentials
  • The assessment instrument
  • The assessment process

    Where assessment and moderation are taking place in sectors other than the MERSETA, 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 engineering, with a minimum of four years` experience in the field of mechatronics. The subject matter experience of the assessor can be established by recognition of prior learning

    2. Appropriate experience and understanding of assessment theory, processes and practices

    3. Good interpersonal skills and 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. Registration as an assessor with the MERS ETQA or any other relevant
    ETQA

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

    NOTES 
    This qualification has been replaced by qualification 79627, which is " National Certificate: Mechatronics", Level 5, 141 credits. 

    UNIT STANDARDS: 
      ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
    Core  13114  Install, test and maintain a complex computer integrated manufacturing system  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  20 
    Core  13256  Maintain business processes  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  10 
    Core  9894  Optimise the production process  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  24 
    Core  13237  Optimise the quality assurance system  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  6 
    Fundamental  12433  Use communication techniques effectively  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  8 
    Fundamental  12432  Use mathematical and statistical techniques effectively  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  20 
    Elective  9405  Analyse work requirements and plan ahead  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  4 
    Elective  12458  Develop the skills of a work team  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  10 
    Elective  13137  Install, commission and maintain an industrial robot system  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  10 
    Elective  9406  Manage a team  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  4 
    Elective  12459  Optimise the safety, health and environmental protection system  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  6 
    Elective  13333  Write computer numerical controlled (CNC) programmes for CNC machining centres using proprietary software  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  30 


    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.