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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Further Education and Training Certificate: Roof Truss Technology 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
66370  Further Education and Training Certificate: Roof Truss Technology 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Forestry 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
FPMSETA - Fibre Processing and Manufacturing Sector Education and Training Authority  OQSF - Occupational Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Further Ed and Training Cert  Field 01 - Agriculture and Nature Conservation  Forestry and Wood Technology 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  131  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 "Reregistered" 		 SAQA 0695/12  2012-07-01  2015-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2016-06-30   2019-06-30  

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 provide entry level and foundational competencies in the area of roof truss technology. The qualification enables the qualifying person with integrated competencies, in various contexts, workplace, learning and education to:
  • Interpret a roof plan in order to estimate quantities for roof design in compliance with client expectations and legislative requirements.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of roof truss technology, concepts and required solutions to interpret roof design for estimation.
  • Interface with the client to determine and confirm client needs.

    The qualification seeks to address an existing gap in the wood processing sector for reasons of consistency and standardization within the occupational context. It addresses the need for persons wanting to acquire the roof truss estimation qualification.

    Qualifying learners will be able to:
  • Establish client requirements and gather and apply required design information.
  • Use a GUI-based word processor to enhance a document through the use of tables and columns.
  • Develop and maintain effective working relationship with clients.
  • Process roof layout documents in a compliant manner.
  • Apply knowledge of roof terminology and concepts.
  • Identify structural material required for a roof design.
  • Explain the dynamic interaction of the various elements to a functional roof structure.
  • Recommend material best suited for roof design within context.
  • Calculate pitch, height and span using trigonometric equations.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of industry legislation, the various stakeholders, their responsibilities, and compliance requirements.
  • Interpret roof design for a roof solution.
  • Estimate the quantity of material required for roof design.
  • Apply problem solving strategies.

    Rationale:

    Roof estimation for roof design purposes is a specialised occupation within the forestry and wood processing subfield. There is currently a high demand for competent persons at this level (NQF Level 4) to address the need for roof estimation personnel for the various sectors that make use of this competence. This includes building construction persons, roof designers and manufacturers and wood processing agents and public clients in need of the various roof solutions.

    This qualification serves as a foundational base and an entry point for the next level: roof design. Roof design is at NQF Level 5.

    The roof estimation competence is designed for persons who have achieved grade 11 and or an equivalent qualification, (NCV) with maths and science. This includes persons at the workplace with the equivalent workplace and life experience.

    This qualification enables qualifying persons to acquire all the foundational competencies in, mainly, the various knowledge areas of legislation, the various roof estimation practices, sector and or specific roof estimation norms and standards and key mathematical concepts and applications (calculations).

    It is foundational in nature as it introduces the learner, worker or RPL person to the basic concepts that will enable the learner to practice as a roof estimator.

    The key requirement is a reasonable level of Mathematical Literacy and related concepts that will enable the qualifying person to deal with challenges of scale, height, angles, span and estimation.

    This qualification allows for access to previously disadvantaged persons to the profession through RPL by means of matching the relevant work and life experience with the requirements of the relevant unit standard. The NQF principles (portability, progression) will be realized through the articulation path suggested for the qualification.

    It is through this qualification that the needs of the various stakeholders, mentioned above, will be met. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    This qualification assumes that learners are already competent in:
  • Communication and Mathematical Literacy at NQF Level 3.

    Recognition of Prior Learning:

    This qualification can be achieved wholly or in part through Recognition of Prior Learning.

    Whether a learner attends formal courses or acquires the required skills through informal means, the same standards apply as per the matrix of unit standards and Exit Level Outcomes. The qualification and the standards have been written in such a way that the learning has to be assessed in an integrated way. Assessors will assess evidence to establish what the learners know, understand and can do. Such evidence may be gathered through course related activities and/or through work related activities. In cases where candidates do not attend formal courses, assessors should seek work related evidence as far as possible.

    Assessors should ensure that learners submitting themselves to RPL are thoroughly briefed prior to assessment. Learners will be required to submit a Portfolio of Evidence in the prescribed format to be assessed for formal recognition.

    Where courses are provided for learners, institutions can use the unit standards and this qualification to assess learning achievements. For learners who are not able to achieve the outcomes, providers can then use the standards and qualifications to determine a specific learning program to suit the learning needs of the candidates.

    Access to Qualification:
  • Access to this qualification is open however bearing in mind learning assumed to be in place. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    The qualification consists of:

    Fundamental, Core and Elective unit standards. A minimum of 131 credits is required to achieve this qualification. The credits are allocated as follows:
  • 56 credits from the Fundamental component are compulsory for all the learners.

    The fundamental component consists of the following learning:
  • Unit standards at NQF Level 4, totalling 16 credits in Mathematical literacy.
  • Unit standards at NQF Level 4, totalling 20 credits in Communication in a First South African Language.
  • Unit standards at NQF Level 3, totalling 20 credits in Communication in a Second South African Language.

    It is therefore compulsory for learners to do Communication in two different South African languages, one at NQF Level 4 and the other at NQF Level 3.

    69 credits from the Core component are compulsory for all learners.

    For the elective component, the qualifying learner must choose a minimum of 6 credits in order to meet the qualification requirements. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Communicate and solve problems by applying practical mathematical applications in a variety of ways.

    2. Interpret a roof plan in order to estimate quantities for roof design in compliance with client expectations and legislative requirements.

    3. Demonstrate knowledge of roof truss technology, concepts and required solutions to interpret roof design for estimation.

    4. Interface with the client to determine and confirm client needs.

    Critical Cross Field Outcomes:

    Critical cross field outcomes have been addressed by exit level outcomes as follows:

    Trigonometric equations - in relation to roof processes and within the context of an awareness of geometric considerations - are undertaken. This is relative to the following critical cross-field outcomes:
  • Make decisions and solve problems.
  • Technology and science.
  • Work effectively with others.
  • Information.
  • Related systems.

    Skills in verbal and written communication in relation to client roofing requirements and the need to maintain effective working relationships are demonstrated, and their need is explained, relative to the following critical cross-field outcomes:
  • Make decisions solve problems.
  • Organisation Teamwork.
  • Communication.
  • Information.
  • Work effectively with others.

    Procedures, logical sequences and requirements for roof estimation for design are identified and discussed, relative to the following critical cross-field outcomes:
  • Make decisions solve problems.
  • Communication.
  • Technology and science.
  • Related systems.
  • Information.

    Consequences of defective material in relation to key estimation and design requirements are explained in terms of legislative and contractual considerations, relative to the following critical cross-field outcomes:
  • Make decisions solve problems.
  • Communication.
  • Technology and science.
  • Related systems.
  • Information.
  • Work effectively with others. 
    		•

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:

    1.1 Client requirements are gathered and communicated.
    1.2 Oral communication is maintained and adapted as required to promote effective interaction in a work context.
    1.3 Written communication is conducted at an appropriate level for designated target audiences.
    1.4 Oral and written communication is conducted at an appropriate level in a second language.
    1.5 Mathematical principles and techniques are applied while performing the tasks in the operational context.
    1.6 Solutions are recorded and presented at an appropriate level.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:

    2.1 Quantity of material required for roof design is estimated.
    2.2 Roof layout documents are processed as outlined in the specifications.
    2.3 Roof design is interpreted for a roof solution according to client's requirements.
    2.4 Trigonometric equations are used to calculate pitch, height and span.
    2.5 A GUI-based word processor is used to enhance a document through the use of tables and columns.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:

    3.1 Knowledge of roof terminology and concepts is applied.
    3.2 Knowledge of industry legislation, the various stakeholders, their responsibilities, and compliance requirements is demonstrated.
    3.3 The dynamic interaction of the various elements to a functional roof structure is explained.
    3.4 Structural material required for a roof design is identified.
    3.5 Material best suited for roof design within context is recommended.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:

    4.1 Problem solving strategies are applied.
    4.2 Effective working relationship with clients is developed and maintained.
    4.3 Client requirements are established and required design information is gathered and applied.

    Integrated Assessment:

    Integrated assessment evaluates the learner's ability to combine actions and ideas across a range of activities and knowledge areas. The integrated must specifically assess the learner's ability to:
  • Demonstrate competence by means of the practical application of the embedded knowledge in a manner that meets the required performance standards required.
  • Illustrate a clear understanding of the concepts, theory and principles that underpin the practical action taken.

    The assessment will require assessment methods, which measure and evaluate evidence generated during learning and on-the-job activities. Because assessment practices must be open and transparent, fair, valid and reliable; ensuring that no leaner is disadvantaged in any way whatsoever, an integrated assessment approach is incorporated into the qualification.

    A variety of methods must be used in assessment tools and activities must be appropriate to the context in which the learner is working or will work. Where it id not possible to assess the learner at the workplace, simulations, case studies role plays and other similar techniques should be used to provide a context appropriate to the assessment.

    The term integrated assessment implies that theoretical and practical components should be assessed together. Whenever possible, the assessment of knowledge, skills, attitudes and values shown in the unit standards should be integrated and, during integrated assessment, the assessor should make use of a range of formative and summative assessment tools and methods. Combinations of practical, applied, foundational and reflective competencies should be assessed. Assessment should further ensure that all specific outcomes, embedded knowledge and critical cross field outcomes are evaluated in an integrated way.

    Assessors must assess and give credit for the evidence of learning that has already been acquired through formal, informal and non-formal learning and work experience as the assessment process is capable of being applied to RPL, subject to the rules and criteria of the relevant ETQA. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The qualification was benchmarked against qualifications from New Zealand, United States of America and Australia.

    New Zealand:

    There are easily comparable similarities between the South African and New Zealand qualifications. Generally, both countries adopt the same approach in their requirement for learners to acquire what are considered "foundational" competencies in roofing/building concepts, i.e.:
  • Terminology.
  • Knowledge of the broader industry.
  • Its norms and the legal requirements.
  • Material used.
  • Structures used.
  • The ability to do related calculations.
  • And the interaction between the roof plan, the desired material, wall and roof structure and the intended roof design.

    The qualifying learner is able to: Perform building calculations, demonstrate knowledge of preliminary work needed for construction, demonstrate knowledge of compliance with building legislation, demonstrate knowledge of timber used in construction, demonstrate knowledge of working drawings, specifications and quantity lists, describe timber wall framing and components, demonstrate knowledge of equal pitch gable, and hip roof construction, demonstrate knowledge of construction of alternative roof structures.

    The majority of the unit standards that express the competencies referred to above, is located in both South Africa and New Zealand, at NQF Level 4.

    In New Zealand, these individual unit standards straddle the fields: Planning and Construction and the sub field: Carpentry. The singular South African Roof Truss Technology qualification, which is located within the Forestry and nature conservation field and the forestry and wood processing sub-field, is different from the loose unit standards that make up the competencies referred to above. The different credit weightings of the unit standards may be a function of their location, function and rationale, in their context.

    United States of America (USA):

    The Texas State Technical College offers a course in Conventional Roof Systems: (CRPT 1411) Construction Management System (120 hrs) at introductory level. Overall, the course is aimed at addressing design and construction skills needed to construct a conventional roof system. This qualification is, at its core, similar to the South African Roof Truss Technology, in many ways. It introduces roof components, types, layout, theory and roof design solutions, together with the attendant calculations.

    Equivalents of fundamental and critical cross-field outcomes are included as part of the qualification design. These include the use of critical thinking, reading and writing skills, the need to exhibit professional skills in personal conduct.

    The difference is that the Conventional Roof Systems course has a roof and ceiling design component that is not part of the South African Roof Truss Technology qualification.

    The Green River Community College in Washington provides a variety of courses, under the title Carpentry Technology, which has similar learning areas with the South African Roof Truss Technology qualification in the following areas:
  • Carp 144: Residential Blueprint Reading: This entails how to read and interpret architectural blueprints for residential and light commercial market. The South African Roof Truss Technology qualification is limited to roof map reading skills.
  • Carp 145: Star design and Construction, topics covered include Star design factor, Building code requirements. The South African Roof Truss Technology qualification focuses on industry legislation, which comprises the various role players, their responsibilities and the various building codes.
  • Carp 148: Material Estimating: Introduction to estimating materials, services and other related costs needed to construct a residential home using general pick- off methods. The focus in the South African Roof Truss Technology qualification is on roof estimation.
  • Carp 151: International Residential Code. This includes specific requirements of building codes, energy codes, zoning laws, environmental protection requirements. This is covered under legislation as mentioned above.

    Australia:

    This South African qualification compares, somewhat in its outlook, with the Australian qualification W263-Certificate IV in Building and Construction (Estimating). The qualification is a nationally recognised building construction (BCG40306) qualification.

    It is a level 4 qualification which is aimed at enabling the qualifying learner to read and interpret plans and specifications, develop labour and material schedules, estimate costs for a building project and prepare tender documentation. Qualifying learners learn about building codes and standards and structural principles related to low rise residential and commercial buildings.

    Compared to the South African Roof Truss Technology qualification, the Australian qualification is a generic building construction qualification that focuses on the domestic and commercial market. It also has the advantage of having the reading and interpreting of generic construction plans and specifications. In addition, the qualification includes the application of risk management technique, produce labour and material schedules for ordering, which are not part of the roof design qualification.

    Canada:

    Construction Learning Skills (CLS) is a learning organisation in Ontario, central Canada, which provides a course in construction estimator. The course is in three levels: The learner is introduced, at level 1, to the role and responsibilities of a Construction Estimator. The course also covers the necessary company practices and the critical function of the construction estimator in a construction team. The preparation and procedure for setting up a tender document for a construction project are fully covered in the course. Level 2 introduces the learner to quantity surveying and estimating in order to aid the student in determining material quantities and unit cost for a complete project. Level 3 enables the qualifying learner to work in teams to review specifications, take off quantities, and prepare bid forms for large construction projects.

    This is, essentially a construction estimation course that can only be compared to the, South African Roof Truss Technology qualification, from an estimation angle.

    SADC:

    A number of universities in Africa, including South African universities, offer typical undergraduate and graduate programs in quantity surveying, civil engineering and quantity surveying that comprise all or part of a full qualification.

    For example, in its Structural Engineering undergraduate course, the University of Alexandria (Egypt) offers, at undergraduate level, courses, such as Theory of Structures-1(CE 161), which includes the following elements of the Roof Truss Technology qualification:
    Types of structures and supports, types of loads, differential relations between loads and internal forces, internal forces in simple, compound, and subdivided trusses and trussed beams.

    Other undergraduate courses include Properties of materials 1 (CE 162). However, in relation to the courses offered by the Universities, we were unable to determine the exact nature of the value of the credits in the undergraduate courses, as well as how these would directly articulate with the NQF Level 4 qualification: Roof Truss Technology in South Africa.

    Conclusion:

    Based on the above, the survey indicates that the Roof Truss Technology qualification is introductory in nature.

    The American and New Zealand courses are located in the carpentry sub-field of physical planning and construction.

    In contrast, the South African Roof Truss Technology qualification resides in the field Forestry and Nature Conservations, and in the sub filed: forestry and wood processing. The remainder of the components is elements of classical structural engineering.
    Accordingly, the core elements of material theory and structure, codes, calculations, map reading and interpretation are consistent across the board.

    Despite the above, the South African qualification will always stand out in its insistence on the need to demonstrate the fundamental literacy/communication and numeracy skill in order to address inequalities of the past, and in line with National Qualifications Framework (NQF) principles.

    Summary:

    In summary, the Roof Truss Technology qualification is a hybrid of physical planning, structural engineering and estimation.

    On the one side the are the practical applications of construction's carpentry and on the other side, the elements of quantity surveying, for example, construction cost estimates, schedules of materials controlling the cost of labour, plant and materials. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    Upon completion of this qualification, the learner will articulate horizontally to:
  • ID 49053: National Certificate: Supervision of Construction Processes, NQF Level 4.
  • ID 50018: Further Education and Training Certificate: Computer Aided Drawing Office Practice, NQF Level 4.
  • ID 50441: National Certificate: (Vocational) Level 4, NQF Level 4.

    Vertically to:
  • ID 49419: National Diploma: Business Consulting Practice, NQF Level 5. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Anyone assessing a learner or moderating the assessment of a learner against the qualification must be registered as an assessor with the relevant Education, Training, Quality, Assurance (ETQA) Body, or with an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable the achievement of this qualification must be accredited as a provider with the relevant Education, Training, Quality, Assurance (ETQA) Body, or with an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA.
  • Assessment and moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant Education, Training, Quality, Assurance (ETQA) Body, or by an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA, according to the ETQA`s policies and guidelines for assessment and moderation.
  • Moderation must include both internal and external moderation of assessments, unless ETQA policies specify otherwise. Moderation should also encompass achievement of the competence described in the associated unit standards.
  • Anyone wishing to be assessed against this qualification may apply to be assessed by any assessment agency, assessor or provider institution that is accredited by the relevant ETQA. 
    		•

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
  • Anyone assessing a learner against this qualification with the relevant ETQA as an assessor.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable the achievement this qualification must be accredited as a provider with the relevant ETQA. Assessment will be overseen by the relevant ETQA according to the policies and guidelines for assessment of that ETQA, in terms of agreements reached around assessment and between various ETQA's (including professional bodies).
  • Anyone wishing to be assessed against this qualification may apply to be assessed any assessment agency, assessor or provider institution that is accredited by the relevant ETQA.
  • The options as listed above provide the opportunity to ensure that assessment and moderation can be transparent, affordable, valid reliable and non-discriminatory.
  • For an applicant to register as an assessor or moderator of this qualification, the applicant needs:
    > To be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA.
    > To be in possession of the relevant qualification.
    > To have sufficient relevant experience.
    > To have the appropriate qualification to assess communication and mathematical literacy. 
    		•

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this qualification was Reregistered in 2012. 

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARDS: 
      ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
    Core  119078  Use a GUI-based word processor to enhance a document through the use of tables and columns  Level 3  NQF Level 03  5 
    Core  263794  Apply knowledge and understanding of roof erection document requirements  Level 4  NQF Level 04  3 
    Core  263777  Apply knowledge and understanding of roof terminology and concepts  Level 4  NQF Level 04  4 
    Core  263795  Apply knowledge and understanding of structural material in the roofing industry  Level 4  NQF Level 04  6 
    Core  263762  Apply knowledge and understanding of truss manufacturing in recommendations made for roof design  Level 4  NQF Level 04  5 
    Core  14927  Apply problem solving strategies  Level 4  NQF Level 04  4 
    Core  263758  Apply trigonometry equations to calculate pitch, height and span  Level 4  NQF Level 04  4 
    Core  263776  Demonstrate knowledge of industry legislation, the various stakeholders, their responsibilities, and compliance requirements  Level 4  NQF Level 04  10 
    Core  14467  Establish client requirements and gather and apply required design information  Level 4  NQF Level 04  6 
    Core  263764  Estimate the quantity of material required for a roof design  Level 4  NQF Level 04  5 
    Core  263814  Explain the dynamic interaction of the various elements to a functional roof structure  Level 4  NQF Level 04  4 
    Core  263818  Recommend material best suited for roof design  Level 4  NQF Level 04  5 
    Core  119173  Develop and maintain effective working relationship with clients  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  8 
    Fundamental  119458  Analyse and respond to a variety of literary texts  Level 3  NQF Level 03  5 
    Fundamental  119466  Interpret a variety of literary texts  Level 3  NQF Level 03  5 
    Fundamental  119457  Interpret and use information from texts  Level 3  NQF Level 03  5 
    Fundamental  119465  Write/present/sign texts for a range of communicative contexts  Level 3  NQF Level 03  5 
    Fundamental  12154  Apply comprehension skills to engage oral texts in a business environment  Level 4  NQF Level 04  5 
    Fundamental  12155  Apply comprehension skills to engage written texts in a business environment  Level 4  NQF Level 04  5 
    Fundamental  7484  Describe, represent, analyse and explain changes in shape and motion in 2- and 3-dimensional space with justification  Level 4  NQF Level 04  4 
    Fundamental  7481  Find the derivatives and integrals of a range of functions including the trigonometric functions and apply these to problems  Level 4  NQF Level 04  4 
    Fundamental  7483  Solve problems involving sequences and series in real and simulated situations  Level 4  NQF Level 04  2 
    Fundamental  12153  Use the writing process to compose texts required in the business environment  Level 4  NQF Level 04  5 
    Fundamental  7470  Work with a wide range of patterns and inverses of functions and solve related problems  Level 4  NQF Level 04  6 
    Fundamental  119459  Write/present/sign for a wide range of contexts  Level 4  NQF Level 04  5 
    Elective  263775  Demonstrate an understanding of the impact of wind on roof engineering design  Level 4  NQF Level 04  10 
    Elective  14471  Plan drawing layout  Level 4  NQF Level 04  6 
    Elective  263842  Demonstrate an understanding of a roofing business environment  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  10 
    Elective  263841  Identify the structural material specification for a roof design  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  4 


    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.
     
    1. Mitek Industries SA ( Pty) Ltd 


    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.