National Certificate: Production Technology – 58781

Learners should be competent in the following:

• Communication at NQF Level 1
• Mathematical literacy at NQF Level 1

The combination of learning outcomes that comprise this qualification will provide the qualifying learner with vocational knowledge and skills appropriate to the context of production technology. 

This qualification provides learners with the range of learning and skills required to be able to perform a series of activities to support manufacturing, engineering and technology processes. Learners will acquire a range of skills in the identification of production parameters in manufacturing, engineering and technology industries and basic strategies to achieve them. 

This qualification is the second qualification in a pathway of three (3) qualifications for learners in the production technology environment. 

This qualification contributes to the industries in manufacturing and related fields which will allow learners who achieve the qualification to contribute and function in areas such as production planning and control, systems and maintenance, quality and occupational health and safety. Learners who will typically embark on this qualification are individuals who have an interest in a career in production technology. The production technology competencies incorporated in this qualification can also be offered as support skills programmes to incumbents in any other manufacturing, engineering and technology field qualifications. 

This qualification requires a total of 125 credits as listed below:

Fundamental component: 

Fundamental: all 36 credits

Core component:

Core: all 69 credits

Elective component:

Elective: minimum 20 credits from the specialisation, sector or general elective unit standards

The qualifying learner will be able to: 

1. Communicate production and manufacturing related operational information to a variety of end users. Range: End users include but are not limited to supervisor, serviceman, peers, co-workers. 
2. Optimise organisational structures, functions and processes in order to contribute to achieving production specifications. 
3. Maintain a safe and healthy work environment through contributions made to production activities individually and in working groups. 
4. Demonstrate an understanding of production technology practices, terminology and systems as applied in manufacturing, engineering and technology. 
5. Apply quality standards and procedures in production activities.

Communicate in the workplace

• Oral communication accommodates audience and context needs. 
• Range: Audience can include internal organisation customers such as supervisor, serviceman, peers, co-workers and suppliers and communication can be about materials or product characteristics and quality).
• Interpretation of information from texts is justified in terms of literal and implicit content of text. 
• Range: Text includes production plans, job instructions, and work procedures, policies. 
• Use of information from texts is relevant for specific contexts.
• Written texts are relevant for specified communicative contexts. 
• Range: Written text pertains to routine maintenance, safety, quality, and production documentation, production 
• Data and process control parameters that are recorded. 
• Use of language and communication in occupational learning programmes meet specified requirements.

Optimise organisational structures

• The organisational structure and functions are explained to reflect the inter-relationship between the production process and the broader organisation. 
• The systems and processes related to the workplace is identified and applied to reflect an understanding of organisational operations. 
• The role of the individual is identified and explained to demonstrate the impact on the achievement of production specifications and targets.
• The role of individuals and their impact is identified and explained to reflect the achievement of quality specifications and targets.

Safety in the workplace

• Factors that constitute safe workplace practices are demonstrated to ensure safe work conditions for production. 
• Factors that pose a risk are identified and reported to address the specific risk. 
• The impact of maintenance on safe machine operations is explained to contribute to a safe and healthy work environment. 
• Routine maintenance is conducted, and records are kept to meet safety requirements. 
• How an individual contributes to health, safety and environmental practices is demonstrated through personal hygiene and adherence to policies and procedures.

Demonstrate an understanding of production technology practices

• Production technology practices, terminology and systems are explained in terms of its relationship to production. 
• Production input, process and output variables and its influence are identified and explained to optimise resource utilisation and the production process. 
• Production targets are explained in terms of production requirements and contribution to organisational goals. 
• Range: Production requirements include given time, cost, quality, quantity, value-add and customer specifications. 
• Safety, health and environmental policies, procedures and legislation are complied with during the production process.

Apply quality standards and procedures in production activities. 

• Quality control principles and practices are interpreted and applied to meet quality specifications in production.
• An understanding of the importance of continuous quality checks are demonstrated to reflect its impact on production. 
• Quality problems are solved by comparing and interpreting quality data in the workplace.
• Basic monitoring of production is undertaken to ensure that the product stays within the limits of quality specifications. 
• Range: Basic monitoring: sensory, simple measurement, defect charts, samples.