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: Steel Tube and Pipe Manufacturing (Seamless Hot-Finished OR Welded OR Cold-Formed) 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
49400  National Certificate: Steel Tube and Pipe Manufacturing (Seamless Hot-Finished OR Welded OR Cold-Formed) 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Manufacturing and Assembly Processes 
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  135  Level 3  NQF Level 03  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  2009-07-01  2012-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2013-06-30   2016-06-30  

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 
It is intended that qualifying learners will be able to work in the steel tube and pipe manufacturing environment and be able to perform a range of activities in steel tube and pipe manufacturing processes.
This qualification recognises the skills, knowledge and values acquired by learners involved in setting up the manufacturing process for the production of steel tube and pipe and conducting first line maintenance on steel tube and pipe manufacturing and related equipment.

The chief skills that are recognised in this qualification are the ability to install tooling, produce first-off steel product and oversee the activities of team members in the steel tube and pipe manufacturing process. This capability requires a more advanced understanding of quality requirements, the conversion process as well as an understanding of communication, people management and people development theory.

Qualified learners will also understand how they should operate within the legislative, safety, health, environmental, quality and risk management systems that govern their workplace and how to apply the various policies and procedures related to these systems.

Qualifying in the exit level outcomes will allow learners to participate effectively in workplace activities. Learners will also have foundational competence in mathematics, science, reading, writing and speaking relevant to the steel tube and pipe manufacturing industry.

Rationale for the qualification:

The steel tube and pipe manufacturing industry is characterised by sophisticated manufacturing processes operating in a competitive and challenging environment. The manufactured products have to respond to a wide variety of exacting customer requirements. In addition the industry has to respond to global competition and ongoing development of new products as a result of changing customer needs and safety, health, environmental, quality and risk management issues.

This is the second qualification in a series designed for learners who want to follow a career in steel tube and pipe manufacturing. The series outlines a learning progression from NQF level 2 to NQF level 4 for learners learning and working in the following steel tube and pipe manufacturing processes; seamless hot-finished, welded and cold-formed. It reflects the skills, knowledge and understanding required to participate effectively in these manufacturing processes within the industry, whether in 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 to acknowledge workplace skills acquired without the benefit of formal education or training. For the new entrant, this qualification recognises the applied competence needed by a productive person in a steel tube and pipe manufacturing workplace.

The qualification also forms the basis for further development in manufacturing and assembly processes, and the management thereof, in the further education and training band. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
This qualification assumes learners have a National Certificate in Steel Tube and Pipe Manufacturing: NQF Level 2 or equivalent. If the learner does not already have such a qualification, learning in preparation for this qualification would also have to include learning in:
  • Mathematical Literacy at NQF Level 2
  • Concepts of science and technology related to material, machinery and equipment in use in manufacturing processes at NQF Level 2
  • Communication at NQF Level 2

    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 and guidance should be provided to assist in the process of developing a portfolio. 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.

    Care should be taken that the process used provides the learner with an opportunity to demonstrate competence and is not too demanding as to prevent learners from taking up the RPL option towards gaining the qualification. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    In order to be awarded this qualification, learners have to be declared competent in:
  • All listed unit standards in the Fundamental category of the qualification
  • All listed unit standards in the Core category of the qualification
  • A choice of unit standards from the Elective category of the qualification totalling a minimum of 12 credits 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Demonstrate an understanding of, and an ability to, prepare and set up process equipment for steel tube and pipe manufacturing processes, working safely and with due care for fellow workers and the environment.
    2. Select appropriate procedures to solve familiar problems within steel tube and pipe manufacturing processes and operate within clearly defined contexts, with some scope for personal decision-making and responsibility.
    3. Demonstrate a familiarity with first line maintenance procedures and operations for process equipment in area of responsibility.
    4. Demonstrate an understanding of, and the ability to, plan, organise and control individuals and work teams in area of responsibility to meet operational requirements.
    5. Communicate with team members, internal customers and members of supervisory/management levels by demonstrating the ability to gather and summarise information from a range of sources and report this information. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    1.
  • Use appropriate instruments to make adjustments or changes to process equipment set up
  • Meet equipment specifications and manufacturing requirements
  • Maintain process equipment availability and readiness for manufacturing processes
  • Maintain a clean and safe work area
  • Apply and adhere to applicable policies and procedures
  • Respond to questions and discuss issues related to process equipment set up activities relevant to the outcomes

    2.
  • Select appropriate procedures to solve problems in an efficient and effective manner
  • Report unfamiliar problems accurately to appropriate personnel
  • Respond to questions and discuss issues related to familiar problems in the setting up and monitoring of process equipment for steel tube and pipe manufacturing

    3.
  • Perform first line maintenance regularly and consistently on process equipment
  • Maintain process equipment availability and readiness for manufacturing processes
  • Maintain a clean and safe work area
  • Apply and adhere to applicable policies and procedures
  • Respond to questions and discuss issues related to first line maintenance issues on process equipment

    4.
  • Align workplace performance to meet organisational goals, objectives and targets
  • Organise resources to effectively meet workplace objectives
  • Respond to questions and discuss issues related to planning, organising and controlling individuals and work teams

    5.
  • Gather information from a range of sources and accurately summarise and report on it in an appropriate and timely manner to relevant parties
  • Discuss and resolve manufacturing issues in work area on a regular basis with other team members, internal customers and supervisors/management
  • Establish and maintain relationships with peers and supervisory/management levels

    Integrated Assessment:
  • Integrated assessment at the level of the qualification provides an opportunity for learners to show they are able to integrate concepts, actions and ideas 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, and 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 (both in the primary activity as well as other interactions)
  • Asking questions and initiating short discussions to test understanding
  • Looking at records and reports in the portfolio and reviewing previous assessments

    In some cases inference will be necessary to determine competence depending on the nature and context within which performance takes place.

    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 all the CRITICAL CROSS-FIELD OUTCOMES have been achieved.

    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 that underpin the activities associated with the tube and pipe manufacturing process. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    No comparative sources of outcomes-based, standards-based and/or learning material could be found during Internet searches. Subject matter experts in this field could not provide any additional references to research for comparison with this qualification. A comparison between this qualification and other international models is therefore not possible.

    This qualification was however compared with existing machine-based South African qualifications:
  • National Certificate in Iron and Steel manufacturing: NQF Level 3 (ID # 21009)
  • National Certificate in Industrial Rubber Manufacturing (Mixing OR Extruding OR Moulding OR Calendaring): NQF Level 3 (ID # 23258)

    It was evident that the technical content of this qualification for Steel Tube and Pipe Manufacturing corresponds with the level and content of the qualifications highlighted above, and is of similar quality and value to learners and the provision of learning according to NQF principles. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    The qualification has been designed and structured so that qualifying learners can move both horizontally from one area of specialisation to another, and vertically, further specialising in a particular skills area.

    This qualification allows learners to enter into the FETC in Steel Tube and Pipe Manufacturing (Seamless Finished or Welded or Cold Formed). This qualification should also, in terms of the fundamental, non-manufacturing unit standards and other portable skills, articulate with any other qualification at level 3 in the fields of:
  • Engineering
  • Machine-based manufacturing processes such as Product Coating and Iron and Steel Manufacturing

    Employers or institutions should be able to evaluate the outcomes of these qualifications 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 or moderating the assessment of a learner against this 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 at exit points of the Qualification, unless ETQA policies specify otherwise. Moderation should also encompass achievement of the competence described both in individual Unit Standards as well as the integrated competence described in the Qualification.

    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 
    The assessor should be in possession of:
  • At least the NQF Level 4 Steel Tube and Pipe Manufacturing (Seamless Hot-Finished OR Welded OR Cold-Formed) qualification with relevant workplace experience of at least 12 months in the field of steel tube and pipe manufacturing.
  • Registration as an assessor with the relevant ETQA. 
    		•

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARDS: 
      ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
    Core  12466  Explain the individual`s role within business  Level 2  NQF Level 02  4 
    Core  13234  Apply quality procedures  Level 3  NQF Level 03  8 
    Core  13223  Apply safety, health and environmental protection procedures  Level 3  NQF Level 03  6 
    Core  12457  Develop learning strategies and techniques  Level 3  NQF Level 03  3 
    Core  12456  Explain and use organisational procedures  Level 3  NQF Level 03  6 
    Core  9913  Perform first line maintenance  Level 3  NQF Level 03  14 
    Core  119053  Set up process for tube and pipe production  Level 3  NQF Level 03  30 
    Core  10981  Supervise work unit to achieve work unit objectives (individuals and teams)  Level 4  NQF Level 04  12 
    Fundamental  8968  Accommodate audience and context needs in oral communication  Level 3  NQF Level 03  5 
    Fundamental  9010  Demonstrate an understanding of the use of different number bases and measurement units and an awareness of error in the context of relevant calculations  Level 3  NQF Level 03  2 
    Fundamental  13915  Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of HIV/AIDS in a workplace, and its effects on a business sub-sector, own organisation and a specific workplace  Level 3  NQF Level 03  4 
    Fundamental  9013  Describe, apply, analyse and calculate shape and motion in 2-and 3-dimensional space in different contexts  Level 3  NQF Level 03  4 
    Fundamental  8969  Interpret and use information from texts  Level 3  NQF Level 03  5 
    Fundamental  9012  Investigate life and work related problems using data and probabilities  Level 3  NQF Level 03  5 
    Fundamental  8973  Use language and communication in occupational learning programmes  Level 3  NQF Level 03  5 
    Fundamental  7456  Use mathematics to investigate and monitor the financial aspects of personal, business and national issues  Level 3  NQF Level 03  5 
    Fundamental  8970  Write texts for a range of communicative contexts  Level 3  NQF Level 03  5 
    Elective  13914  Conduct a formal meeting  Level 3  NQF Level 03  3 
    Elective  119048  Finish tube and pipe products  Level 3  NQF Level 03  20 
    Elective  8039  Operating cranes  Level 3  NQF Level 03  10 
    Elective  8038  Operating lift trucks  Level 3  NQF Level 03  6 
    Elective  12455  Perform the role of a safety, health and environmental protection representative  Level 3  NQF Level 03  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.
     
    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.