SAFPA has been working with MERSETA to introduce a fluid power qualification into the South African Fluid Power market. The reason for doing such an exercise is to ensure that the employers in the industry who are serious about their business will be able to put their employees through the qualification process. The result of this will be an industry where the people working in it are recognised for their skills and in turn the customers of the industry are able to be comfortable in their selection of which fluid power company to use. After numerous setbacks and delays the go ahead was given in June this year and the first meeting of the SGG (standards generating group) was held on 5 July 2005.
The fluid power standards generating group is a sub group of the Manufacturing, Assembly, and Process standards generating body (MAP). This body is registered by MERSETA with the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA). It is through this path that the fluid power qualification will be recognised.
The qualification is structured into a learning process which takes place over three years. Each year of learning, the learner must obtain credits against prescribed outcomes and have their ability assessed to achieve the outcomes. These outcomes are described in a document called a unit standard. The Fluid Power SGG sits once a month to go through the process of structuring the qualification and then to write up any unit standards that may be required. A member of the MAP SGB sits on the fluid power SGG to monitor that the correct procedures and processes are being followed by the group.
The Fluid Power SGG currently consists of the following active members:
* Wayne Langford - Facilitator appointed by MERSETA.
* Ralf Naidoo - MAP SGB member.
* Russell Gill - SAFPA.
* Steve Gibson - ELCO.
* Helmut Schwabe - Hyflo Johannesburg.
* Klaus Markgraaf - Hytec.
* Lex Todd - Parker Hannifin.
* Tom Webster - Festo.
* Angus Beveridge - Hyflo Cape Town.
To date the group have met four times and at this stage the following have been completed:
* The structure of the qualification from NQF level 2 up to NQF level 4 has been completed.
* A full investigation into existing unit standards has been carried out and many have been pulled through to be re-used.
* 18 unit standard titles have been identified to be written.
* 10 unit standards have been written, analysed and approved by the group.
The goal of the group is to have all the unit standards written and analysed by the end of 2005. The final qualification can then be submitted to MERSETA and SAQA in early 2006 for approval. The qualification will also be made available for comment to all interested parties. SAFPA members will be informed once the qualification is available for comment in order for them to be able to view the released documents.
For more information contact Russell Gill, SAFPA, [email protected]
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