Education and skills development in South Africa is a process of change, writes Hennie Basson, managing member: Raetech Training Centre, in this Part 2 of a two part series.
The full and part qualification makes provision for articulation levels: vertical and horizontal. It provides the opportunity for the learner to articulate horizontally to extend the current qualification to meet the requirements of other part qualifications. The vertical articulation is to obtain the next NQF Level from the current NQF level reached.
The qualification
There are two main qualifications and 15-part qualifications spreading out of the main qualifications.
| No | Description | SAQA ID | Credits | NQF Level | Full / Part Qualification |
| 1 | Air conditioning and Refrigeration Mechanic | 103277 | 641 | 4 | Full |
| 2 | Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Certificate of Conformity | 103272 | 142 | 4 | Part |
| 3 | Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Compliance Verifier | 103726 | 146 | 4 | Part |
| 4 | Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Systems Pipework Installer | 103278 | 83 | 3 | Part |
| 5 | Air Conditioning Filtration Equipment Worker | 104618 | 61 | 3 | Part |
| 6 | Mobile Refrigeration Fitter | 103267 | 399 | 4 | Part |
| 7 | Domestic and light commercial refrigeration serviceman | 103279 | 173 | 2 | Part |
| 8 | Industrial Refrigeration Mechanic Plant Room Operator | 103280 | 112 | 2 | Part |
| 9 | Evaporative Cooling Systems Installer | 104460 | 90 | 2 | Part |
| 10 | Duct Work Installer | 104619 | 72 | 3 | Part |
| 11 | Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Control Fitter | 104620 | 155 | 4 | Part |
| 12 | Refrigerant Pipe Work Fitter | 104800 | 104 | 2 | Part |
| 13 | Refrigeration Control Fitter | 103271 | 169 | 4 | Part |
| 14 | Refrigeration Fitter | 103268 | 209 | 2 | Part |
| 15 | Refrigeration Maintenance and Repair workman | 103266 | 419 | 2 | Part |
| 16 | Refrigeration Mechanic | 103270 | 543 | 4 | Full |
| 17 | Refrigeration Pipework Installer | 103265 | 167 | 2 | Part |
Main qualifications
The difference between the two main qualifications is:
- The air conditioning refrigeration mechanic is aimed at the heating, ventilation and air conditioning industry and the minimum requirement is grade 9 or NQF level 2
- The refrigeration mechanic is aimed at the refrigeration industry and on NQF Level 3 the learner has a choice to specialise in one of three options: ammonia, CO2 or ‘F gases’.
Trade test
The trade tests for the different full and part qualifications are under development. In the interim the legacy trade test will be valid.
The curriculum and assessment documents are available on QCTO’s website, which can be accessed for detailed information on the different full and part qualifications.