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: Construction Material Testing: Soils and Aggregates 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
23974  National Certificate: Construction Material Testing: Soils and Aggregates 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Civil Engineering Construction 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
Was CETA until Last Date for Achievement  OQSF - Occupational Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
National Certificate  Field 12 - Physical Planning and Construction  Physical Planning, Design and Management 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  159  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 0148/03  2003-06-11  2004-02-11 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2005-02-11   2008-02-11  

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
48817  Further Education and Training Certification: Construction Materials Testing  Level 4  NQF Level 04  142  Complete 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Learners found competent against this qualification will be able to safely execute the sampling and laboratory testing required for designs, quality control during construction and acceptance testing of completed construction works where soils and aggregates are used.

For those with extensive experience in the workplace, this qualification can be used in the recognition of prior learning process to assess and recognise workplace skills acquired without the benefit of formal education and training.

For the new entrant, this qualification describes the learning outcomes required to effectively participate in a structured workplace.

For education and training providers, this qualification provides guidance for the development of appropriate learning programmes and assessment documentation.

For employers, this qualification enables skills gaps to be identified and addressed ensuring that productivity levels are increased and business objectives achieved.

This qualification has been developed to provide flexibility and mobility across the construction materials testing industry. This will allow for future career advancement across the various streams of construction materials testing.

The following qualifications provide a learning pathway for Construction Materials Testers

NQF level 2:
National Certificate in Construction Materials Testing - various streams
NQF level 4:
National Certificate in Construction Materials Testing - various streams
NQF level 5:
National Diploma in Construction Materials Technology
NQF level 6:
National Degree in Construction Materials Technology

Rationale for the qualification:

The rationale for the introduction of a unit standard based - "National Certificate in Construction Materials Testing - Soils and Aggregates - NQF Level 4 "- is to provide a specialist qualification for persons executing laboratory testing on soils, gravels and aggregate construction materials.

Road surfacing designs, quality control during construction, acceptance of road surfacing and pavement layers is totally dependent on the accurate execution of laboratory test by competent materials testers.

Learners will mostly be employed in the road construction industry where specialization in bulk earthworks, layer-works and surfacing occurs. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Learners should have acquired the language competencies of NQF level 3 and mathematical literacy competencies of NQF Level 3, prior to embarking on learning towards this qualification.

Furthermore, a learner will have to undertake the Unit Standards below to meet the requirements of the industry for in case they were not covered before:

Transport personnel, material and equipment using a light delivery vehicle (10567) Render basic first aid (9995). These Unit Standards will be registered concurrently with the Qualification.

Recognition of Prior Learning:

The qualification may be obtained through the process of Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). Learners who have met the requirements of any Unit Standard in this qualification may apply for recognition of prior learning to the Construction Education and Training Authority (CETA), and will be assessed against the assessment criteria and specific outcomes for the relevant Unit Standard/s. 

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
Y 

QUALIFICATION RULES 
N/A 

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
On completion of this qualification learners are able to:

Demonstrate the following generic technical competence:
  • Transport personnel, material and equipment using a light delivery vehicle.
  • Implement occupational health and safety measures in a construction materials testing laboratory.

    Demonstrate the following specific technical competence for the stream - soils and aggregates:
  • Execute sampling of soil and gravel material for testing.
  • Execute laboratory testing pertaining to soils and gravels.
  • Execute sampling of aggregate materials for testing.
  • Execute laboratory testing pertaining to aggregates

    Demonstrate the following competence depending on the elective unit standard chosen to complement the qualification:
  • Demonstrate knowledge of and produce word processing documents using base functions.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of and produce computer spreadsheets using base functions.
  • Produce work processing documents for business.
  • Produce and use spreadsheets for business.
  • Produce presentations documents for business.
  • Demonstrate the ability to use a database for business purposes.
  • Execute sampling of bituminous binder materials for testing.
  • Execute laboratory testing pertaining to bituminous binders.
  • Execute sampling of cement and lime binder materials for testing.
  • Execute laboratory testing pertaining to cement and lime binders.
  • Execute sampling of concrete materials for testing.
  • Execute laboratory testing pertaining to concrete materials.
  • Execute sampling of asphalt materials for testing.
  • Execute laboratory testing pertaining to asphalt materials. 
    		•

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Exit level outcomes will be judged by the following criteria:
  • Personnel, material and equipment required during the sampling of materials to be tested, including sampled materials are transported in a safe and cost effective manner using a light delivery vehicle.
  • Occupational Health & Safety measures are identified and implemented in order to ensure that the execution of sampling and laboratory testing is done in a safe manner.
  • Material sampling is executed in terms of codes of practice and project specifications.
  • Materials are tested in accordance to codes of practice and project specifications.
  • Word processing, spreadsheets preparation, presentations and use of databases are done in accordance to Industry norms.

    Learners who have completed this qualification would be able to progress to the "National Diploma in Construction Materials Technology" - NQF Level 5.

    Integrated Assessment:

    Formative assessments conducted during the learning process will consist of written tests, demonstrations and a number of self-assessments. The purpose of formative assessment is to diagnose learner strengths and weaknesses and to determine readiness for summative assessment.

    Summative assessment would consist of written tests coupled with assignments, case studies and practical demonstrations. Summative assessments would only be conducted once the learner has indicated that he/she is ready to undergo summative assessment.

    Before qualifying, the learners will be expected to demonstrate competence in a practical situation that integrates the assessment of all specific outcomes, for all Unit Standards.

    Integrated assessment provides learners with an opportunity to display an ability to integrate practical performance, actions, concepts and theory across unit standards in order to achieve competence in relation to the purpose of this Qualification.

    In particular, assessors should check that the learner is able to demonstrate the ability to consider a range of options and make decisions about:
  • The quality of the observed practical performance as well as the theory and underpinning knowledge behind it.
  • The different methods that can be used by the learner to display thinking and decision making in the demonstration of practical performance.
  • Reflexive competencies. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The contextual model for the qualifications " National Certificate in Construction Materials Testing (Stream) - NQF levels 2 & 4 is unique to South Africa. The contextual model is however comparable to the - "strand" - concept in qualifications registered on the New Zealand Qualifications Framework.

    No information could be found on the New Zealand National Qualifications Framework for qualifications in Construction Materials Testing.

    One Training provider in Australia does offer a post certificate/diploma/degree course in Construction Materials Testing (soils and concrete). The course has a duration of 108 hours.

    By comparison, the National Certificates in Construction Materials Testing in South Africa all have a minimum of 120 credits - that is 1200 hours of training. The stream - Cementitious materials - that includes concrete - is a much more comprehensive training program if the number of training hours is considered. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This Qualification has been developed for mobility across various streams of construction materials testing for the construction industry as well as horizontal articulation.

    This is possible because the fundamental learning and the core Unit Standards dealing with Occupational Health and Safety and Transport of personnel, equipment and materials are the same for all the streams.
    The core unit standards of streams also become electives in other streams. The information technology electives are the same for all the streams.

    Vertical articulation is also possible. Learners can progress from level 2 to level 6 in the learning field of materials testing/materials technology.

    Equally, holders of other qualifications may be evaluated against this Qualification for the purpose of RPL. 

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    Assessment of learner achievements takes place at providers accredited by CETA (RSA, 1998b) for the provision of programs that result in the outcomes specified for the National Certificates in Construction Materials Testing. CETA- ETQA, or other ETQA`s who have a Memorandum of Understanding in place with CETA - ETQA, is responsible for the moderation of learner achievements of learners who meet the requirements of this qualification.

    Anyone assessing a learner or moderating the assessment of a learner against this Qualification must be registered as an assessor 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 ETQA.

    Assessment and moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant ETQA according to the ETQA`s policies and guidelines for assessment and moderation; in terms of agreements reached around assessment and moderation between ETQA`s and in terms of the moderation guideline detailed immediately below.

    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, which is accredited by the relevant ETQA. 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    For an applicant to register as an assessor, the applicant needs:
  • A recognized assessor qualification
  • Compliance with the relevant ETQA`s requirements for assessor registration
  • Subject matter expertise in the Unit Standard/s for which assessor registration is sought, as well as an understanding of the discipline of the qualification in order to enable integrated assessment 
    		•

    NOTES 
    This qualification has been replaced by 48817, which is "National Certificate: Construction Materials Testing", Level 4, Minimum Credits 142.

    Two of the unit standards linked to this qualification before it expired, were later withdrawn by the SGB. These were 15018, "Execute laboratory testing to cement and lime binders" and 15020, "Execute sampling of cement and lime binder materials for testing". Thus, their IDs but no other details are shown in the unit standards table for this qualification. 

    UNIT STANDARDS: 
      ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
    Core  14540  Execute laboratory testing pertaining aggregates  Level 4  NQF Level 04  15 
    Core  14542  Execute laboratory testing pertaining to soils and gravels  Level 4  NQF Level 04  30 
    Core  14543  Execute sampling of aggregates for testing  Level 4  NQF Level 04  5 
    Core  14546  Execute sampling of soils and gravels for testing  Level 4  NQF Level 04  15 
    Core  14547  Implement Occupational Health and Safety measures in a construction materials testing laboratory  Level 4  NQF Level 04  10 
    Fundamental  8968  Accommodate audience and context needs in oral communication  Level 3  NQF Level 03  5 
    Fundamental  8969  Interpret and use information from 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  14539  Demonstrate an understanding and apply physical science and chemistry in construction materials testing  Level 4  NQF Level 04  8 
    Fundamental  8974  Engage in sustained oral communication and evaluate spoken texts  Level 4  NQF Level 04  5 
    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  8979  Use language and communication in occupational learning programmes  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  8976  Write for a wide range of contexts  Level 4  NQF Level 04  5 
    Elective  15018         
    Elective  15020         
    Elective  10567  Transport personnel, material and equipment using Light Delivery Vehicle  Level 1  NQF Level 01  4 
    Elective  7572  Demonstrate knowledge of and produce computer spreadsheets using basic functions  Level 2  NQF Level 02  3 
    Elective  7568  Demonstrate knowledge of and produce word processing documents using basic functions  Level 2  NQF Level 02  3 
    Elective  9965  Render basic first aid  Level 2  NQF Level 02  3 
    Elective  7576  Demonstrate the ability to use a database for business purposes  Level 3  NQF Level 03  5 
    Elective  7567  Produce and use spreadsheets for business  Level 3  NQF Level 03  5 
    Elective  7575  Produce presentation documents for business  Level 3  NQF Level 03  5 
    Elective  7570  Produce word processing documents for business  Level 3  NQF Level 03  5 
    Elective  14541  Execute laboratory testing pertaining to bituminous materials  Level 4  NQF Level 04  30 
    Elective  15019  Execute laboratory testing pertaining to concrete  Level 4  NQF Level 04  20 
    Elective  14544  Execute sampling of asphalt materials for testing  Level 4  NQF Level 04  12 
    Elective  14545  Execute sampling of bituminous binder material for testing  Level 4  NQF Level 04  5 
    Elective  15021  Execute sampling of concrete material for testing  Level 4  NQF Level 04  8 


    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.