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

Maintain paths and tracks 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
257158  Maintain paths and tracks 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Nature Conservation 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 01 - Agriculture and Nature Conservation Nature Conservation 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 4  NQF Level 04  5 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2026-06-30   2029-06-30  

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 unit standard does not replace any other unit standard and is not replaced by any other unit standard. 

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
This unit standard is intended for individuals involved in the maintaining of paths and tracks within a conservation area. Individuals found competent will be able to use equipment and machinery correctly to ensure safety in the maintenance of paths and tracks in the operational environment, whilst complying with legislative requirements.

The learner will be able to:
  • Plan for the maintenance of paths and tracks in the area of operation.
  • Perform maintenance actions on paths and tracks in accordance with the maintenance plan.
  • Maintain equipment used for maintenance of paths and tracks.
  • Prepare information to contribute to the maintaining of paths and tracks in the area of operation. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    It is assumed that learners are competent in Communication and Mathematical Literacy at NQF Level 3. 

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    N/A 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Plan for the maintenance of paths and tracks in the area of operation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    An overview of the legislation and regulations pertaining to the maintenance of paths and tracks in conservation areas is given and the relevant constraints identified. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    National, provincial, municipal, Fencing act, Health & Safety, management plan of area of operation, National Environmental Management Act, Environmental Impact Assessments).
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Maintenance problems are identified with regard to paths and tracks within the area of operation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    A maintenance plan is developed under supervision of the Conservation Manager in order to resolve identified problems with regard to paths and tracks within the area of operation. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Prioritization of actions, materials, equipment, seasonality, visitor seasonality and usage, resources, basic project management, site preparation, drainage, filling, signage.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Perform maintenance actions on paths and tracks in accordance with the maintenance plan. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Preparation actions are identified in accordance with accepted maintenance plan. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Required interventions are communicated as to ensure the meeting of appropriate safety and operating procedures on site. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Maintenance actions are performed through the application of techniques and procedures suitable to the intervention requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Completed maintenance interventions are inspected against maintenance plan requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Shortcomings and problem areas are pointed out and suggestions for improvements to future path and track maintenance interventions and plans are made. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    The factors and trends that contribute towards degradation are identified and evaluated to assess the achievement of path and tracks maintenance. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Fauna usage, erodability of soil types, drainage, microclimates, visitor seasonality and usage, construction materials, geographic factors, cost.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    A report is written on the results of the evaluation and submitted as per organisational requirements. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Maintain equipment used for maintenance of paths and tracks. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The maintenance of equipment is planned as to ensure the effective maintaining of paths and tracks in the operational area. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Servicing schedules, replacement dates, safety checks, consumable requirements, spare parts.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Required interventions are communicated as to ensure the maintaining of equipment used for paths and track maintenance. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Maintenance actions are performed according to reported needs and intervention requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Maintaining of tools and equipment, safe-keeping and storage of equipment.
     


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Anyone assessing an individual against this unit standard must meet the assessor requirements of the relevant ETQA. In particular, such assessors must demonstrate that they assess in terms of the scope and context defined in all the range statements. Any institution offering learning towards this unit standard must be accredited as a provider with the relevant ETQA.
  • External moderation of assessment will be conducted by the relevant ETQA at its discretion according to the moderation guidelines in the relevant qualification and the agreed ETQA procedures. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
  • Identification of types of paths and tracks.
  • Appropriate knowledge pertaining to equipment required.
  • Problems in maintenance activities.
  • Identify path and track maintenance required.
  • Ecology of area.
  • Impact of visitor usage.
  • Causes for degradation.
  • Conservation principles (visual aesthetics, species conservation).
  • Social and economic importance of maintaining paths and tracks.
  • Relevant aspects of Team coordination.
  • Relevant reporting procedures.
  • Relevant Legislation: NEMA; Traffic Control Act; Road Transportation Act; Fencing Act; Occupational Health and Safety Act, management plan for area of operation, Environmental Impact Assessment.
  • Basic administration and project management. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Problem solving by applying creative thinking:
  • Problems arising during maintenance work on paths and tracks have to be identified and practical suggestions have to be offered for ways to resolve these. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Teamwork:
  • Path or track maintenance is never the work of a single individual. It is therefore imperative for a conservation worker to develop as a team player, working in collaboration and not in conflict with colleagues. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use of science and technology:
  • The correct use, maintenance and safe-keeping of technologically advanced equipment for maintaining paths and tracks are an important focus of this unit standard. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO CONTRIBUTING 
    Personal development:
  • Practical skills are the focus of this unit standard. Increased responsibility is called for in selecting, handling, operating and maintaining equipment used in the maintenance of paths and tracks. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    Values:

    Demonstration of the knowledge and skills outlined in this unit standard must be consistent with the principles of:
  • Maintaining essential ecological processes and life-support systems.
  • Maintaining genetic, species and ecosystem diversity.
  • Considering ecological and social rights and responsibilities, whilst ensuring sustainable utilisation of species and ecosystems.

    The intention is to yield the greatest sustainable and equitable benefit to present generations whilst maintaining the potential to meet the needs and aspirations of future generations. 
    		•

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Elective  63109   Further Education and Training Certificate: Nature Conservation: Natural Resource Guardianship Terrestrial  Level 4  NQF Level 04  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  CATHSSETA 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    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. CONTOUR TRAINING ACADEMY 


    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.