SAQA

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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY

REGISTERED QUALIFICATION THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE:

National Certificate: Welding Application and Practice

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
24216	National Certificate: Welding Application and Practice
ORIGINATOR
SGB Welding
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY			NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
MERSETA - Manufacturing, Engineering and Related Services Education and Training Authority			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	169	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 0151/03	2003-12-03	2006-12-03
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT		LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2007-12-03		2010-12-03

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
57887	Further Education and Training Certificate: Welding Application and Practice	Level 4	NQF Level 04	158	Complete

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION

The purpose of this Qualification is to provide learners, education and training providers and employers with the standards and the range of learning required to work effectively in the welding industry and to meet the challenges of such an environment.

This Qualification recognises the skills, knowledge and values acquired by learners involved in welding. The chief skill that is recognised in this Qualification is the ability to weld and cut materials to create a product, using a range of welding methods. This capability requires an understanding of complex welding tools and equipment, combination processes and concepts of measurement. Hand skills play a role in this Qualification.

This Qualification requires that learners qualify in complex integrated welding practice and theoretical knowledge during the manufacturing and assembling process as specified by Industry.

Qualified learners will also understand:

The basics of how a business functions.

Their role in the business.

How they are affected by legislation, regulations, agreements and policies related to their particular work environment
With this understanding, learners will be able to participate in workplace activities.

What learners achieve in this Qualification will also serve as a basis for further learning where they will further develop their skills and knowledge to include more complex welding processes, equipment and techniques, and the interpretation of engineering drawings for welding purposes.

Rationale for the Qualification:

This is the third Qualification in a series for learners who want to follow a career in welding. This Qualification focuses on developing skills and knowledge necessary to begin such a career.

The welding industry operates in a competitive and challenging environment. The finished processes have to respond to a wide variety of exacting customer and consumer requirements. In addition, the industry has to respond to international competition and environmental issues.

Welding application and practice require joining and cutting of materials that meet national and international requirements. Welding generally requires the joining of material that is subjected to considerable stress when in operation and the welding process needs to be consistent and accurate.

There were previously no formal recognised Qualifications for this industry. This Qualification forms part of a series at different levels to create opportunities for development, a career path and greater security of employment within the welding industry.

This Qualification enables learners who have gained relevant experience in the workplace to obtain credits through the RPL process. This Qualification also forms the basis for further development in polymeric composites fabrication in particular and the plastics manufacturing industry in general.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

This Qualification assumes learners have a National Certificate in Engineering Fabrication (Light / Heavy) (NQF level 3). If the learner does not already have such a Qualification, learning in preparation for this Qualification would also have to include:

Language and mathematics related to organising and controlling their environment.

An ability to weld components of some complexity using a variety of welding methods.

An ability to set up and assemble equipment and perform routine maintenance on equipment and machinery.

Concepts of organising factors in labour, business and the economy.

Role and purpose of procedures related to workplace relationships, roles and responsibilities.

Recognition of prior learning:
This Qualification may be obtained through RPL. The learner should be thoroughly briefed on the mechanism to be used and support and guidance should be provided. Care should be taken that the mechanism used provides the learner with an opportunity to demonstrate competence and is not so onerous as to prevent learners from taking up the RPL option towards gaining a Qualification.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

QUALIFICATION RULES

N/A.

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

1. Demonstrate an ability to weld pipes using a variety of welding processes and operations, meeting output requirements and working safely with due care for fellow workers and the environment.
2. Demonstrate an understanding of quality specifications and an ability to interpret these and evaluate fabricated components to determine compliance with specifications.
3. Maintain and support procedures to solve a variety of problems, both familiar and unfamiliar, within a welding context and operate within familiar and new situations, taking responsibility and making decisions.
4. Coordinate work team, promote the maintenance of a safe and efficient workplace and developing the skills and performance of workgroup members.
5. Communicate with peers and members of supervisory / management levels by producing simple written reports using information gathered and summarised from a range of sources.
6. Demonstrate the ability to communicate and present information clearly and reliably, and to analyse information in order to identify problems and determine trends.
7. 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

1. > Output and quality requirements are met.

Welding time limits are adhered to.

Safe working practices are adhered to.

Can respond to questions and discuss issues related to the theoretical principles of welding processes and methods and their respective operations at this level.

2. > Quality specifications are interpreted and applied to welded pipes and compliance is determined and reported.

Can respond to questions and discuss issues related to quality specifications and the principles underpinning such methods.

3. > Solutions to welding-related problems are based on a clear analysis of information gathered through diagnostic procedures.

Procedures are modified to respond to unfamiliar problems where appropriate.

All actions related to problem solving are accurately recorded for future reference.

Can respond to questions and discuss issues related to familiar problems in the welding of components and assemblies.

4. > Production schedules and assignments are met.

Production workflow is managed efficiently.

Workgroup goals are met.

Provide leadership in workgroup discussions, in workgroup problem solving activities and in the implementation of solutions.

Relevant information is received, processed and passed on.

Workgroup members are supported, coached and influenced to work effectively, efficiently and safely.

5. > Information is gathered from a range of sources and accurately summarised.

Information is clearly presented in a timely manner in the required format to appropriate parties.

Relationships with peers and supervisory / management levels are established and functioning.

6. > Conditions, evidence and incidences are reported accurately in a timely manner and discussed with peers and management.

Data gathered through diagnostic procedures is examined systematically and analysis is repeated until problem is solved.

Records are available for scrutiny and future reference.

7. > Options are explained.

Preparation requirements are explained.

Integrated Assessment:

Integrated assessment at the level of the Qualification provides an opportunity for learners to show they are able to integrate concept, actions and values achieved across a range of Unit Standards and contexts. Integrated assessment must evaluate the quality of observable performance as well as the thinking behind the performance.

Some assessment aspects will demand practical demonstration while others may not. In some cases inference will be necessary to determine competence depending on the nature and context within which performance takes place.
Assessors will collect evidence of the learner's competence by:

Observing the learner at work (both in primary activities as well as 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 of preparing the learner for assessment and familiarising the learner on the approach being taken.

Since this is a foundational Qualification, it is necessary to ensure that the fundamental part of the Qualification is also targeted to ensure that while the competence may have been achieved in a particular context, learners are able to apply it in a range of other contexts and for further learning. The assessment should also ensure that the critical cross-field outcomes have been achieved.

INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY

This Qualification was compared with the National Certificate in Engineering - Fabrication (level 4) with specialist strands in Heavy Fabrication, Light Fabrication and Welding from the Engineering Training Organisation. There are 320 different Unit Standards registered from level 1 to level 4 on the New Zealand National Qualifications Framework (NZNQF). These Unit Standards were packaged to form three different Qualifications. The Welding Qualification is pitched on level 4 with a total credit value of 275. The Unit Standards are fairly small and consist of 2 to 3 elements (specific outcomes). It is also very task based.

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

Anyone assessing a learner against this Qualification must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA.

Any institution or learning provider offering learning towards the achievement of this Qualification should be accredited as a provider with the relevant ETQA.

Moderation of assessment should be overseen by the relevant ETQA according to the moderation guidelines provided for in this Qualification as well as the agreed ETQA guidelines.

CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS

The following criteria should be applied by the relevant ETQA:

1. Appropriate Qualification in the field of welding application and practice at NQF level 4 and a minimum of 2 years' experience in the welding industry. 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 inter-personal 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. Registration as an assessor with the relevant ETQA,.
5. Any other criteria required by the relevant ETQA.

NOTES

This qualification has been replaced by qualification 57887, which is "Further Education and Training Certificate: Welding Application and Practice", Level 4, 158 credits.

UNIT STANDARDS:

	ID	UNIT STANDARD TITLE	PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL	NQF LEVEL	CREDITS
Core	13254	Contribute to the implementation and maintenance of business processes	Level 4	NQF Level 04	10
Core	14698	Cut materials using plasma cutting	Level 4	NQF Level 04	4
Core	10981	Supervise work unit to achieve work unit objectives (individuals and teams)	Level 4	NQF Level 04	12
Core	14685	Weld pipe using gas metal arc welding process	Level 4	NQF Level 04	20
Core	14721	Weld pipe with oxy-acetylene gas process	Level 4	NQF Level 04	20
Core	14709	Weld pipes using shielded metal arc welding process	Level 4	NQF Level 04	20
Core	14692	Weld pipes with combination weld processes using gas tungsten arc welding and gas metal arc welding	Level 4	NQF Level 04	8
Core	12256	Weld pipes with the gas tungsten arc welding process in all positions	Level 4	NQF Level 04	20
Core	14680	Weld work piece with combination weld processes using shielded metal arc welding and gas tungsten arc welding	Level 4	NQF Level 04	8
Fundamental	8971	Analyse and respond to a variety of literary texts	Level 3	NQF Level 03	5
Fundamental	12429	Develop a personal financial plan	Level 3	NQF Level 03	2
Fundamental	8972	Interpret a variety of literary texts	Level 3	NQF Level 03	5
Fundamental	8973	Use language and communication in occupational learning programmes	Level 3	NQF Level 03	5
Fundamental	8970	Write texts for a range of communicative contexts	Level 3	NQF Level 03	5
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	116389	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	14931	Install networked computer application software	Level 4	NQF Level 04	5

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.

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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.

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