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
20891  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  125  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 "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
49448  National Certificate: Plastics Manufacturing  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  129  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 enables 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 maintain all aspects of an efficient production system by:
  • optimising current processes and practices
  • implementing new products, materials or technology
  • interact with the workgroup, customers, suppliers in order to achieve the above.

    What learners achieve in this qualification will also serve as a basis for further learning where they will engagement with issues of management and advanced technology.

    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 fourth 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 
    A minimum of 12 elective credits may be chosen 

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Maintain and optimise all aspects of the manufacturing process and determine processing conditions for new moulds or dies or materials.

    2. Monitor and enforce systems relating to quality and safety, health and the environment.

    3. Counsel, lead, guide and develop the workgroup and workgroup members.

    4. Discuss and resolve issues with external customers and suppliers. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    1.1 Current efficiencies are maintained
    1.2 Improvements and new settings or procedures are documented and result in products that meet and continue to meet customer needs
    1.3 Information on all aspects of the manufacturing process is collected, summarised and recorded
    1.4 Changes and improvements are reported, recorded in operating procedures and communicated to workgroup members
    1.5 Any changes or recommendations are based on systematic analysis and the effects of implementation are recorded and reported.

    2.1 Responses to deviations and non-conformance are appropriate and speedy
    2.2 The workplace is clean, safe, ordered and operating without bottlenecks or hazards
    2.3 Conditions and incidents are accurately documented in records and reports
    2.4 All workgroup members apply appropriate procedures and use appropriate protective equipment
    2.5 Issues and problems are discussed, decisions are made and implemented.

    3.1 Problems are identified and resolved
    3.2 Support, training and motivation of workgroup members is appropriate to their needs
    3.3 Issues raised by workgroup members are listened to and responded to in accordance with organisational policies and agreements.

    4.1 Key issues are identified, discussed and documented
    4.2 Resolutions are agreed and documented with clear actions, responsibilities, timeframes and reporting issues
    4.3 Views, suggestions and alternatives are listened to and considered
    4.4 Implementation and progress are reported internally and externally.

    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 of 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. 

    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 49448, which is 'National Certificate: Plastics Manufacturing', Level 5, 129 credits. 

    UNIT STANDARDS: 
      ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
    Core  12664  Conduct mould or material trials in volume manufacturing processes  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  12 
    Core  9904  Coordinate work group to produce product  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  8 
    Core  13256  Maintain business processes  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  10 
    Core  9893  Maintain production efficiencies  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  12 
    Core  9897  Manage inventory  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  3 
    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 
    Core  12459  Optimise the safety, health and environmental protection system  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  6 
    Fundamental  9405  Analyse work requirements and plan ahead  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  4 
    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  12665  Control production and resource scheduling and planning in a manufacturing environment  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  8 
    Elective  13203  Counsel workgroup members in respect of HIV/AIDS  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  3 
    Elective  12458  Develop the skills of a work team  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  10 
    Elective  9406  Manage a team  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  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.