Mechanical Engineering

The purpose of these qualifications is to provide learners, education and training providers and employers with the standards and the range of learning required to work effectively in various industries making use of engineering machining skills to meet the challenges of such an environment.

The qualification addresses needs as identified in the mechanical engineering sector to ensure that there is a capacity to meet the growth demand of the sector. The mechanical engineering sector broadly refers to manufacturing plants, processing plant and other industrial operations, ensuring that production efficiencies, plant and machine availability and quality of output are consistently maintained in support of competitive. This occupational qualification serves the need of the society and the economy by providing engineering support services in the manufacture and maintenance of machinery, plant and engineering systems in industries.

-National Certificate: Mechanical Engineering: Fitting, Manufacturing and Engineering – NQF Level 2

Industry: MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
National Certificate: Mechanical Engineering: Fitting, Manufacturing and Engineering
SAQA ID: 63473
NQF Level: 2
Minimum Credits: 130
ETQA: MERSETA (17-QA/ACC/0030/06)

This qualification forms a structured and formal learning path, resulting in outcomes which are assessed and recognized in terms of the relevant national structures such as ETQAs and the NQF.

This entry level mechanical engineering qualification lays the foundation for skills, knowledge and competencies that are required within broad categories of qualifications based on a common set of specialisation skills (e.g. Fitting, Engineering , Fabrication, Machining, Tool making) at NQF Level 3. This leads to further specializations within each of these broad categories at a NQF Level 4 (e.g. Tool making will have two branches of specialisation: tooling manufacture and plastic mould-making).

Since this is an entry-level qualification for all disciplines within the mechanical engineering sub-field, it provides an opportunity for other disciplines to utilize this qualification as the basis for further learning. This qualification could assist with the national development of scarce and critical skills in order for industries to work towards sustainable economic growth.

Through its design, this qualification will meet the needs of learners within the mechanical engineering sector who require technical expertise and essential knowledge needed to obtain formal qualifications. This qualification is able to facilitate access for previously disadvantaged groups and is able to provide articulation and mobility into more specialised occupations. It is intended, that this qualification may enhance opportunities for employment and support the development of small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs).

+National Certificate: Mechanical Engineering: Machining and Tooling – NQF Level 3

Industry: MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
National Certificate: Mechanical Engineering: Machining and Tooling
SAQA ID: 91926
NQF Level: 3
Minimum Credits: 132
ETQA: MERSETA (17-QA/ACC/0030/06)

The primary skill that is recognised in this qualification is the ability to produce components of some complexity using a variety of machining methods. This capability requires an understanding of advanced machining theory, detailed engineering drawings and a variety of tests and treatments used on engineering metals. Hand skills play a large role in this qualification.

Qualifying learners will be able to maintain and support the various policies and procedures related to the safety, health, environment and quality systems that govern their workplace.

The qualification addresses needs as identified in the machining disciplines as part of the mechanical engineering sector to ensure that there is a capacity to meet the growth demand of the sector. The mechanical engineering sector broadly refers to manufacturing plants, processing plant and other industrial operations, ensuring that production efficiencies, plant and machine availability and quality of output are consistently maintained in support of competitiveness. This occupational qualification serves the need of the society and the economy by providing engineering support services in the manufacture and maintenance of machinery, plant and engineering systems in industries.

This mechanical engineering qualification provides the learner with the intermediate skills, knowledge and competencies that are required within the machining environment providing a common set of specialisation skills in Machining, Tool, Die, Mould and Jig Making at NQF Level 3. This leads to further specialisations within each of these categories at a NQF Level 4.

+FETC: Mechanical Engineering: Machining and Tooling – NQF Level 4

Industry: MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
FETC: Mechanical Engineering: Machining and Tooling
SAQA ID: 91925
NQF Level: 4
Minimum Credits: 132
ETQA: MERSETA (17-QA/ACC/0030/06)

Qualifying learners will also be able to relate what they are doing to scientific and technological principles and concepts. They will also be able to maintain and support the various policies and procedures related to the safety, health, environment and quality systems that govern their workplace.