SCARCE AND CRITICAL SKILLS IN THE FP&M SECTOR:
PRIORITY INTERVENTIONS
4.1.1 KEY STRATEGIC CHALLENGES AND PRIORITY INTERVENTIONS
The chapters on the demand and supply of skills pointed to a spectrum of challenges facing various
FP&M industries. Each of these is described in the table below, with one or more possible priority
interventions described.
Note that the challenges were confirmed in discussions with key stakeholders and experts, and many
of the priority interventions were suggested by stakeholders themselves.
This list is not comprehensive, and comments are invited from sector stakeholders to add to (or
amend) the list.
Table 1: Key Strategic Challenges and Priority Skills Interventions
Key Strategic Challenge
The labour market forecasts project
employment loss in most FP&M
industries. Stakeholders for the most
part confirmed this during consultations.
Priority Skills Intervention
The Training Layoff Scheme should be explored as a mechanism to
prevent job loss during the recession. Challenges in accessing this
in the past should be explored and resolved.
2
The state has adopted a local
procurement strategy to support
industry during the recession. Yet most
companies do not know how to access
this.
An informal skills intervention should be provided, training
companies in how to benefit from the local procurement strategy.
3
Industrial strategies envisage significant
growth in output and employment
across the FP&M industries.
New
management skills are required to make
this happen.
FP&M SETA should support targeted management and leadership
development programs for the industries, aimed at building the
intellectual leadership specifically to turn the industrial strategies
into realities.
4
“Collaborative clustering” is at the heart
of the DTI strategies to achieve
industrial growth. These will require
new partnerships between training
providers,
development
finance
institutions, business support agencies
and possible markets/ retailers.
FP&M SETA should explore MoUs with a set of collaborative
clusters and build long-term working relationships to make these
work. The first few years will involve all parties learning together,
thus the strategy and partnerships should be developmental, longterm and involve regular assessments of strengths and
weaknesses.
5
Collaborative clustering is also at the
heart of cooperatives development, and
SMME support.
FP&M SETA should explore partnerships with FET colleges, HEIs
and others to use collaborative clustering as a vehicle for growing
the cooperatives sector.
6
Employers report that many graduates
(from both FETs and HEIs) are not
FP&M SETA should identify the specific mismatches between
curriculum and workplace requirements, on a qualification-by-
1
Key Strategic Challenge
“workplace ready”.
Priority Skills Intervention
qualification basis, as part of a qualifications review strategy.
Qualifications and programs should be “fit-for-purpose”, and
mismatches of this type are evidence that they are not. This
initiative should be the starting point for FET and HEI capacity
building, and should serve to identify the specific equipment, staff
development or other capacity building required.
7
HIV/Aids is estimated to have a high
prevalence rate in many FP&M
industries, and is likely to cause
significantly higher attrition rates if
nothing is done about it.
FP&M SETA needs to develop targeted HIV/Aids interventions,
and work with constituent employers in a developmental
approach to mobilize the sector around the issues. This may
include a focus on policies and procedures for managing
productivity, wellness and productivity in the workplace.
8
ETQA data continue to reflect high levels
of differential access to skills efforts, in
terms of race, gender and disability.
Recognition of Prior Learning must be
pursued more vigorously as one means
of redressing unfair discrimination.
A great deal of RPL has taken place in the FP&M sector over the
past few years. The current ETQA system does not however
separately capture qualifications awarded through RPL as opposed
to other means; thus FP&M cannot at this stage report
quantitative information on the scale or focus of RPL in the
industries. This will be addressed during 2013.
9
Skills development efforts are not
yielding a high return on investment,
while the resources available are not
adequate
given
the
challenges.
Improving the economy and efficiency of
skills development efforts is a high
priority.
10
Reaching rural learners is central to
poverty alleviation, and is crucial in
providing the skills needed for growth
resulting
from
the
Strategic
Infrastructure Projects (SIPS). Using FET
colleges is a cost-effective way of
achieving both these goals.
FP&MSETA has developed an RPL strategy. This includes using RPL
for a variety of purposes in the sector. One of these is using RPL
to fast-track the achievement of sector NSA targets. This will take
place by identifying large numbers of partly skilled artisans who
may be eligible. Second, FP&M may also explore greening skills in
the sector through an inter-SETA partnership with the LGSETA
around RPL.
One mechanism for improving how economical skills efforts are is
by achieving economies of scale. FP&MSETA is embarking on a
number of partnerships with other SETAs, to share resources and
lower costs. These include partnerships with LGSETA (around
Recognition of Prior Learning and Environmental Practices); with
WRSETA (to achieve the “collaborative clustering” needed); with
MERSETA (around a research agenda; with INSETA around
disability programs; with a cluster of SETAs around the Design
Initiative; and with the DHET-allocated cluster around FET
partnerships.
FP&MSETA has signed MoUs with a wide cross-section of FET
colleges. These are detailed in the APP, and reflect the attempt to
reach rural learners as well as efforts to grow skills in regions
where the SIPs will be taking place. Budgetary allocations for
these projects are also specified in the APP. The FP&M
partnership with Gauteng City Region Academy (GCRA) around
career guides will also reach rural learners in the Gauteng
province, and is another example of inter-sectoral collaboration
which will improve economy.
11
Key Strategic Challenge
Using skills as one strategic mechanism
for achieving the kinds of industrial
growth envisaged in the industrial
policies requires credible intellectual
leadership of skills development. While
there are pockets of expertise around
skills in the sector, more can be done to
define the skills agenda in ways that
achieve buy-in from top management.
Priority Skills Intervention
FP&MSETA has established a formal working relationship with the
Human Sciences Research Council, and is engaging a number of
HEIs in formal partnerships. These include projects to fund
bursaries for programs of study that will contribute to building
the intellectual leadership around skills development in the FP&M
sector. The FP&M Research Agenda, submitted to DHET during
2012, provides a road-map for areas of inter-SETA collaboration as
well as HEI partnerships.
Key Strategic Challenge
Many scarce skill occupations have an aging workforce. This represents a threat not only because it
may not be possible to replace the employees easily, but also because the older employees hold
institutional memory regarding the development of the industry which should not be lost.
Priority Intervention
FP&M SETA should design interventions to identify the scarce skill occupations where the skills may
be lost due to retirement; and encourage succession planning linked to internships, coaching and
mentoring. Incentives should be provided and recognition given to those who are prepared to share
their knowledge and experience with others, through an awards scheme.
Table 2: Key Strategic Challenges and Priority Interventions (2)
Key Strategic Challenge
Supply-side capacity to address a number of growth
priorities in each sector, does not exist in South
Africa; or exists only in the private sector. This
includes scarce skills such as leather technologists,
and new scarce skills such as designers.
Many industries need to build a more highly skilled
and multi-skilled staff in order to compete
internationally
Low levels of general education continue to impede
both learning and career path progress in the sector.
Yet the ABET programs have reported not always
delivered the results required, and are inefficient
mechanisms for addressing the challenge.
The National Skills Accord targets suggest that FP&M
sector should significantly increase learner
enrolment against all artisan qualifications, on a 1: 2
ratio of artisans to apprenticeships. This will require
significantly increased funding and support.
Priority Intervention
FP&M SETA should explore partnerships with the top
international providers and aim to build local provider
capacity through these. Also, partnerships between public
and private providers or with FETs and HETs should also be
explored.
FP&M SETA should ensure career pathing to guide critical
skills development, with progression from the current level 2
programs to NQF level 4 programs where appropriate.
FP&M SETA should explore new forms of adult education and
training that are more workplace-relevant, and that address
the key challenges of literacy, numeracy, problem-solving
and systems-thinking.
FP&M SETA should promote the artisan programs more
urgently in the sector. Recognition of Prior Learning may be
a possible vehicle for both incentivizing enrolments and
improving efficiency – many employers report high numbers
of current employees who may be eligible for RPL in part or
Key Strategic Challenge
Priority Intervention
Employers complain that they are not attracting the
right talent, or that the talent they do attract is not
entering with the right skills.
in full.
FP&M SETA should establish “feeder” systems in the schools,
identifying talent at an early stage and providing both career
guidance (around subject choice) as well as additional
support to potential future employees (for example to
improve their maths and science achievement).
Table 3: FP&M SETA Scarce and Critical Skills Priorities
NO
1
SKILLS DEVELOPMENT
PRIORITY
All scarce skills (occupations)
identified should receive
priority funding to ensure that
learners undergo quality
training to achieve full national
qualifications. The scarce skills
are:
Technical trainers
Production Managers
Technologists
Work Study Officers
Technologists
Machine
Mechanics/Artisans
CAD Pattern-makers,
makers and graders
INTERVENTION
Bursary scheme should be opened for all scarce skills identified
Scarce skills should qualify for learnership/apprenticeship grants
A database of approved and accredited training providers should be used
to source training for the sector
Work experience/internship grants should be made available for new
graduates seeking first-time employment in partnership with public FET
Colleges and Higher Education Institutions, who offer appropriate
qualifications that addresses the scarce skills of the FP&M sector
Engage with DTI to fund technologist training through the CSIR Clothing
and Textiles Centre of Excellence
Fund a Masters Degree in C & T in partnership with the DTI
Engage with DTI and NSF to approve funding for the Clothing and Textiles
Skills Development Project Plan
Engage with relevant Higher Education Institutions and stakeholders to
re-curriculate technologist programmes
Accelerate QCTO qualifications development to promote technologist,
artisanal development and technical training to cater for all occupations
on the Organizing Framework for Occupations (OFO) in the FP&M sector.
Implement a QCTO Qualifications Development Framework that
promotes career pathing.
NO
2
SKILLS DEVELOPMENT
PRIORITY
All critical skills identified
should
receive
additional
incentives to ensure that
discretionary grant spending is
skewed towards such skills.
INTERVENTION
Bursary scheme should be opened for all critical skills identified
Cluster projects should be initiated focusing on critical skills
A database of approved and accredited training providers should be used
to source training for the sector
Firms should be encouraged to prioritise critical skills in their WSPs
3
30 000 learnerships should be
registered per year.
Engage with the DTI to acquire funding for learnerships
Capacitate FET Colleges to offer learnerships
4
Establish Institutes of Sectoral
Excellence
(ISOE)
at
5
institutions
Identify 2 more ISOEs within the public FET sector
Sign performance agreement with ISOEs
Fund ISOEs
Engage with the DTI to support ISOEs
5
Establish a critical mass of FET
Colleges
to
engage
in
learnership provision
Allocate discretionary funding for national FET projects to build capacity
to deliver programmes to the FP&M sector
4.2
CRITICAL AND SCARCE SKILLS
The scarce and critical skills list for this 2013/2014 Update are detailed in Table 109 below.
Table 4: Critical and Scarce Skills List
Unit
Group
Code
Unit Group
Occupation
Code
Occupation
Description
Specialisation
Intervention
NQF
Level
Numbers
required
1111
Chief
Executives
and Managing
Directors
(Enterprises /
Organisations
(Skill Level 5)
111101
Director
Determines, formulates and reviews
the general policy program and the
overall direction of an organisation,
within the framework established by
a board of directors or a similar
governing body.
CEO/Managing
Director
(Enterprise/Organisati
on)
Continuous
Professional
Development &
Work Experience
6
2
1112
General
Managers
(Skill Level 5)
111201
Corporate
General
Manager
Plans, organises, directs, controls
and reviews the day-to-day
operations and major functions of a
commercial, industrial or other
organisation (excluding Government
or Local Government) through
departmental managers and
subordinate executives.
Corporate;
Manufacturing
Continuous
Professional
Development &
Work Experience
6
19
1222
Crop Farm
Production
Managers /
Foremen (Skill
Level 4)
122201
Agronomy
Farm
Production
Manager /
Foreman
Oversees, coordinates and performs
farming operations to grow annual
and perennial crop such as cotton,
grain, maize etc.
Compliance, IKM,
Health and Safety,
QMS, SCM,
Performance
management,
Operational
management,
Planning, Monitoring
and evaluation
Further Education,
Higher Education,
Internship
6
1233
Unit
Group
Code
Unit Group
Occupation
Code
NQF
Level
Numbers
required
Occupation
Description
Specialisation
Intervention
122202
Ornamental
Horticultural
Farm
Production
Manager /
Foreman
Oversees, coordinates and performs
farming operations to grow flowers
and turf.
Production Manager /
Foreman
Further Education,
Higher Education,
Internship
6
40
122203
Arboricultural
Farm
Production
Manager /
Foreman
Oversees, coordinates and performs
farming operations to grow trees.
Production Planning &
Human Resource
Management,
Further Education,
Higher Education,
Internship
6
49
1311
Advertising,
Marketing and
Sales
Managers
(Skill Level 5)
131102
Sales and
Marketing
Manager
Plans, organises, directs, controls
and coordinates the sales and
marketing activities of an
organisation.
Sales Executive
Further Education,
Higher Education,
Internship
5
136
1322
Finance
Managers
(Skill Level 5)
132201
Finance
Manager
Plans, organises, directs, controls
and coordinates the financial and
accounting activities within an
organisation.
Corporate;
Manufacturing
Further Education,
Higher Education,
Internship
6
91
1323
Human
Resource
Managers
(Skill Level 5)
132301
Personnel /
Human
Resource
Manager
Plans, organises, directs, controls
and coordinates human resource and
workplace relations activities within
an organisation.
(Occ.) Health and
Safety Manager
Further Education,
Higher Education,
Internship
5
27
Unit
Group
Code
Unit Group
Occupation
Code
Occupation
Description
Specialisation
Intervention
NQF
Level
Numbers
required
132302
Business
Training
Manager
Plans, directs, organises, controls
and coordinates training policy,
provides advice, training and
administrative support to trainers
and learners.
Technical Training
Manager
ETDP Diploma
6
442
1334
Manufacturer
s (Skill Level 5)
133401
Manufacturer
Plans, organises, directs, controls
and coordinates the operations of a
small manufacturing establishment.
Factory Manager
(Production, Word
Class Manufacturing
(WCM))
Further Education,
Higher Education,
Internship
5
18
1335
Production /
Operations
Managers
(Skill Level 5)
133501
Production /
Operations
Manager
Plans, organises, directs and controls
the production activities of a forest
operation including physical and
human resources.
Production /
Operations Manager
(Forest), Forest
Contractor
Further Education,
Higher Education,
Internship
5
150
133502
Production /
Operations
Manager
Plans, organises, directs and controls
the manufacturing activities of an
organisation including physical and
human resources.
Publishing, Operations,
Production
Further Education,
Higher Education,
Internship
5
83
Production /
Operations Manager
(Manufacturing &
Production
Further Education,
Higher Education,
Internship
5
1978
Plans, organises, directs, controls
and coordinates the operations
activities of a non-manufacturing
organisation including physical and
human resources.
(Harvesting, Skidder/
Forwarder/ Bell
Loader/ Operator/
Feller/ Buncher)
Further Education,
Higher Education,
Internship
4
150
1335
Production /
Operations
Managers
(Skill Level 5)
133504
Operations
Manager
Unit
Group
Code
Unit Group
Occupation
Code
Occupation
Description
Specialisation
Intervention
NQF
Level
Numbers
required
1336
Supply and
Distribution
Managers
(Skill Level 5)
133601
Supply and
Distribution
Manager
Plans, administers and reviews the
supply, storage and distribution of
equipment, materials and goods
used and produced by an
organisation, enterprise or business.
Supply Chain Manager
Certificate/Diploma
in Supply Chain
Management
6
250
1351
Information
and Communication
Technology
(ICT)
Managers
(Skill Level 5)
135101
Chief
Information
Officer
Plans, organises, directs controls and
coordinates the ICT strategies, plans
and operations of an organisation to
ensure the ICT infrastructure
supports the organisation's overall
operations and priorities.
IT Manager (Strategic
Manager, QMS)
Further Education,
Higher Education,
Internship
5
27
1399
Miscellaneous
Specialist
Managers
(Skill Level 4
and 5)
139906
Quality
Assurance
Manager
Plans, organises, directs, controls
and coordinates the deployment of
quality systems and certification
processes within an organisation.
Quality Control
Manager
5
55
139907
Small
Business
Manager
Manages, organises, and controls the
operations and resources of a small
or own business.
Owner Manager,
Entrepreneur
4
250
Miscellaneous
Hospitality,
Retail and
Service
Managers
(Skill Level 4)
149903
Facilities
Manager
Organises, controls and coordinates
the strategic and operational
management of facilities in a public
or private organisation.
Technical Process
Management
5
18
1499
Leadership &
Continuous
Professional
Development
Unit
Group
Code
Unit Group
Occupation
Code
Occupation
Description
Specialisation
2211
Accountants
(Skill Level 5)
221101
Accountant
Plans and provides systems and
services relating to the financial
dealings of organisations and
individuals, and advises on
associated record-keeping and
compliance requirements.
Corporate governance,
Strategic, Accounts, HR
2233
Training and
Development
Professionals
(Skill Level 5)
223302
Occupational
Instructor /
Trainer
Conducts and assesses training and
development to ensure management
and staff acquire the skills and
develop the competencies required
by an organisation to meet
organisational objectives.
Technical trainer,
Occupational Health
and Safety (OHS)
2247
Management
and
Organisation
Analysts (Skill
Level 5)
224702
Organisation
and Methods
Analyst
Assists organisations to achieve
greater efficiency and solve
organisational problems.
Work Study Officer,
Production,
Manufacturing, WCM
224704
Organisation
al Risk
Manager
Advises organisations on assessment
processes to determine actual and
potential risks pertaining to the
organisation as a total entity.
Organisational
Performance Manager
Technical
Sales
Representativ
es (Skill Level
5)
225405
Printing and
Publishing
Sales
Representativ
e
Represents companies in selling
printing and publishing equipment
and supplies related products.
Printing & Publishing
Consultant
2254
Intervention
NQF
Level
Numbers
required
5
5
5
824
5
9
Benchmarking
Exercises / Projects
5
100
Higher Education &
Internship
6
195
Higher Education &
Internship
Unit
Group
Code
Unit Group
Occupation
Code
Occupation
Description
Specialisation
Intervention
NQF
Level
Numbers
required
2323
Fashion,
Industrial and
Jewellery
Designers
(Skill Level 5)
232302
Industrial
Designer
Plans, designs, develop and
documents industrial, commercial or
consumer products for manufacture
with particular emphasis on
ergonomic (human) factors,
marketing considerations and
manufacturability, and prepare them
for mass or batch production.
Industrial Design
Higher Education &
Internship
5
500
2324
Graphic and
Web
Designers, and
Illustrators
(Skill Level 5)
232401
Graphic
Designer
Plans, designs, develops and
prepares information for publication
and reproduction using text,
symbols, pictures, colours and layout
to achieve commercial and
communicating needs with particular
emphasis on tailoring the message
for the intended audience.
Advertising,
Commercial Artist,
Display
Higher Education &
Internship
5
500
2331
Chemical,
Materials and
Metallurgical
Engineers and
Technologists
(Skill Level 5)
233101
Chemical
Engineer
Designs and prepares specifications
for chemical process systems and the
construction and operation of
commercial-scale chemical plants,
and supervises industrial processing,
fabrication and manufacturing of
products undergoing physical and
chemical changes and related
technologies.
Chemical Engineering
Further Education /
Higher Education &
Internship
6
1
Unit
Group
Code
Unit Group
Occupation
Code
Occupation
Description
Specialisation
Intervention
NQF
Level
Numbers
required
2335
Industrial and
Mechanical
Engineers and
Technologists
(Skill Level 5)
233501
Industrial
Engineer
Investigates and reviews the
utilisation of personnel, facilities,
equipment and materials, current
operational processes and
established practices, to recommend
improvement in the efficiency of
operations in a variety of
commercial, industrial and
production environments.
Process Engineer
Further Education /
Higher Education &
Work Experience
4
28
2341
Agricultural
and Forest
Scientists (Skill
Level 5)
234103
Forester /
Forest
Scientist
Studies, develops and manages
forest areas to maintain commercial
and recreational uses, conserve flora
and fauna, and protect against fire,
pests and diseases.
Extension Forester
Further Education /
Higher Education &
Internship
5
125
Tree Breeding
Researchers
Further Education /
Higher Education &
Internship
5
400
2345
Life Scientists
(Skill Level 5)
234508
Zoologist
Studies the anatomy, physiology,
characteristics, ecology, behaviour
and environments of animals.
Entomologist, Plant
Pathologist, Pest
Control
Further Education /
Higher Education &
Internship
6
50
3119
Other
Miscellaneous
Science
Technicians
(Skill Level 4)
311907
Textile or
Fabrics
Technical
Officer
Clothing/Textile/Footw
ear/Leather
Technologist
Diploma in Textile
Technology or
Clothing
Management
6
500
Unit
Group
Code
Unit Group
Occupation
Code
Occupation
Description
Specialisation
Intervention
NQF
Level
Numbers
required
3122
Civil
Engineering
Draftspersons
and
Technicians
(Skill Level 4)
312202
Civil
Engineering
Technician
Conducts tests of construction
materials, prepares sketches and
tabulations, and assists in estimating
costs in support of Civil Engineering
Professionals and Engineering
Technologists.
Scientific Soil Tester;
Work Site Engineering
Technician
Further Education /
Higher Education &
Internship
5
200
3123
Electrical
Engineering
Draftspersons
and
Technicians
(Skill Level 4)
312302
Electrical
Engineering
Technician
Conducts tests of electrical systems,
prepares charts and tabulations, and
assists in estimating costs in support
of Electrical Engineers and
Engineering Technologists.
Electrician (General);
Appliance
Mechanician;
Armature Winder; Coil
Winder; Electrical
Contractor; Electrical
Fitter; Electrical
Mechanic; Heavy Coil
Winder; Motor Winder
Further Education /
Higher Education &
Work Experience
5
22
3129
Miscellaneous
Building and
Engineering
Draftspersons
and
Technicians
(Skill Level 4)
312904
Design and
Manufacturin
g
Draftsperson
Prepares detailed technical drawings,
plans and blueprints of various
objects for Design and
Manufacturing Engineers and
Engineering Technologists.
Further Education /
Higher Education &
Work Experience
4
2
3131
ICT Support
Technicians
(Skill Level 4)
313104
Computer
Systems
Technician
Further Education /
Higher Education &
Work Experience
4
8
Unit
Group
Code
3142
3232
Unit Group
Power Plant
Process
Technicians
(Skill Level 4)
Metal Fitters
and
Machinists
(Skill Level 3)
Occupation
Code
314201
Specialisation
Intervention
NQF
Level
Numbers
required
Occupation
Description
Fossil Power
Plant Process
Technician
Provides technical support and
services in the development of
power plant processes, facilities and
systems, and in the planning,
estimating, measuring and
scheduling of operations related to
the maintenance of power plant
machines, equipment, installations
and facilities such as boilers and
turbo generators to generate
electrical power through the use of
fossil fuels.
Artisans (electrical,
mechanical,
instrumental, forest
industry specific),
Trade Workers
Further Education /
Higher Education &
Work Experience
4
175
Fossil Power Plant
Process Technician;
Bagase Boiler Plant
Controller; Turbine
Plant Controller
Further Education /
Higher Education &
Work Experience
4
5000
Production Foreman
Further Education /
Higher Education &
Work Experience
4
5000
323202
Fitter and
Turner
Fits, assembles, grinds and shapes
metal parts and sub-assemblies to
fabricate production machines and
other equipment.
Fitter and Turner;
Printers Mechanic
Further Education /
Higher Education &
Work Experience
4
-24
323205
Textile,
Clothing,
Footwear and
Leather
Mechanic
Sets up, adjusts and maintains
industrial or domestic sewing
machines, or machines used in the
production of yarn, textiles, footwear
and in leather processing
Footwear Machine
Mechanic / Fitter,
Knitting Machine
Mechanic / Setter,
Loom Tuner / Fixer,
Sewing Machine
Mechanic , Spray Gun
Mechanic (Leather),
Textile Machine
Further Education /
Higher Education &
Work Experience
3
28
Unit
Group
Code
Unit Group
Occupation
Code
Occupation
Description
Specialisation
Intervention
NQF
Level
Numbers
required
Mechanic, Weaving
and Knitting Machine
Mechanic / Setter
3411
Electricians
(Skill Level 3)
341101
Electrician
Installs, tests, connects,
commissions, maintains and modifies
electrical equipment, wiring and
control systems.
Electrical Contractor,
Electrical Fitter,
Electrical Mechanic
Further Education /
Higher Education &
Work Experience
3921
Binders and
Finishers (Skill
Level 3)
392101
Binder and
Finisher
Binds books and other publications,
and finishes printed products by
hand or machine.
Print Finisher
Apprenticeship/Lea
rnership &
Placement
Bindery Operator
Apprenticeship/Lea
rnership &
Placement
3
100
100
3
184
3922
Graphic Prepress Trades
Workers (Skill
Level 3)
392201
Graphic Prepress Trades
Worker
Manipulates, sets and composes text
and graphics into a format suitable
for printing and other visual media.
Desktop / Electronic
Publisher
Apprenticeship/Lea
rnership &
Placement
102
3923
Printers (Skill
Level 3)
392301
Printing
Machinist
Sets up and operates printing
machines and presses to print
artwork and text on a variety of
substrates including paper, textiles,
vinyl, metal, plastics and leather
Flexographic Printing
Machinist
Apprenticeship/
Learnership &
Placement
2554
140
Gravure Printing
Machinist
Apprenticeship/
Learnership &
Placement
4
124
Unit
Group
Code
Unit Group
Occupation
Code
Occupation
Description
Specialisation
Intervention
NQF
Level
Numbers
required
Label Printing
Machinist
Apprenticeship/
Learnership &
Placement
4
150
Letterpress Machinist /
Operator
Apprenticeship/
Learnership &
Placement
4
150
Letterpress Printing
Machinist
Apprenticeship/
Learnership &
Placement
4
150
Apprenticeship/
Learnership &
Placement
4
150
Apprenticeship/
Learnership
&
Placement
4
100
Lithographic Plate
Stone Maker Polisher
Lithographic Printing
Machinist
Mini Lab Printer
Apprenticeship/
Learnership &
Placement
4
150
Print Inspection
Machine Operator
Apprenticeship/
Learnership &
Placement
4
150
Printer
Apprenticeship/
Learnership &
Placement
4
150
Unit
Group
Code
Unit Group
Occupation
Code
392302
Occupation
Small Offset
Printer
Description
Sets up and operates small offset
printing presses used in instant print
shops or for in-house printing.
Specialisation
Intervention
NQF
Level
Numbers
required
Printing Machine
Operator / Setter
Apprenticeship/
Learnership &
Placement
4
150
Printing Press Feeder /
Operator
Apprenticeship/
Learnership &
Placement
4
150
Reel Fed
Apprenticeship/
Learnership &
Placement
4
150
Roll Winder
Apprenticeship/
Learnership &
Placement
4
150
Rotary Machinist
Apprenticeship/
Learnership &
Placement
4
150
Rotary Press Operator
Apprenticeship/
Learnership &
Placement
4
107
Sheet Fed
Apprenticeship/
Learnership &
Placement
4
150
Instant Printer
Operator
Apprenticeship/
Learnership &
Placement
4
150
Unit
Group
Code
3932
Unit Group
Clothing
Trades
Workers (Skill
Level 3)
Occupation
Code
Occupation
Description
Specialisation
Intervention
NQF
Level
Numbers
required
Offset Duplicator
Apprenticeship/
Learnership &
Placement
4
150
Offset Machinist
Apprenticeship/
Learnership &
Placement
4
150
Offset Pressman
Apprenticeship/
Learnership &
Placement
4
150
Digital Printer
Apprenticeship/
Learnership &
Placement
4
754
392303
Screen
Printer
Prepares stencils, and sets up and
operates power-driven or handoperated screen print equipment.
Screen Printing Stencil
Preparer, Screener, Silk
Screen Printer, Fabric
Printer, T Shirt Printer
Apprenticeship/
Learnership &
Placement
154
393202
Clothing,
Footwear and
Leather
Patternmaker
Draws sets of master patterns
following sketches, sample articles
and design specifications, and cuts
out patterns for garments, footwear
and general goods.
Garment Patternmaker
Learnership
2
100
Pattern Grader
(Clothing)
Skills programme
2
100
Textile Products
Marker
Skills programme
2
51
Unit
Group
Code
Unit Group
Occupation
Code
Occupation
Description
Specialisation
Intervention
NQF
Level
Numbers
required
3933
Upholsterers
(Skill Level 3)
393301
Upholsterer
Makes, rebuilds and repairs
upholstered furniture such as chairs,
sofas, beds and mattresses.
Apprenticeship/Lea
rnership &
Placement
2
-90
3941
Cabinetmaker
s (Skill Level 3)
394101
Cabinetmake
r
Fabricates or repairs wooden
furniture, and fits and assembles
prepared wooden parts to make
furniture.
Apprenticeship/Lea
rnership &
Placement
2
74
3942
Wood
Machinists
and Other
Wood Trades
Workers (Skill
Level 3)
394201
Furniture
Finisher
Applies finishes such as stain,
lacquer, paint, oil and varnish to
furniture, and polishes and waxes
finished furniture surfaces.
Apprenticeship/Lea
rnership &
Placement
2
37
394203
Wood
Machinist
Cuts, planes, turns, shapes and sands
wood stock to specifications.
Apprenticeship/Lea
rnership &
Placement
2
35
3992
Chemical, Gas,
Petroleum
and Power
Generation
Plant
Controllers
(Skill Level 3)
399201
Chemical
Plant
Controller
Controls the operation of chemical
production plant.
Pulp and Paper
processing/ Maths/
Science
4412
Fire and
Rescue
Officers (Skill
Level 3)
441202
Fire Fighter
Responds to fire alarms and
emergency calls, controls and
extinguishes fires, and protects life
and property.
Fire Detection System
Installation
Polishers, Veneer
Assistants, Hand
Sanders
Further/Higher
Education & Work
Experience
100
4
120
Unit
Group
Code
Unit Group
Occupation
Code
Occupation
Description
Specialisation
Intervention
NQF
Level
Numbers
required
5311
General Clerks
(Skill Level 2)
531101
General Clerk
Performs a range of clerical and
administrative tasks.
Administration
Further Education/
Learnership
4
100
5511
Accounting
Clerks (Skill
Level 2)
551102
Cost Clerk
Calculates and investigates the cost
of wages, materials, overheads and
other operating expenses.
Costing Estimator
Further Education/
Internship
4
50
5512
Bookkeepers
(Skill Level 2)
551201
Bookkeeper
Maintains and evaluates records of
financial transactions in account
books and computerised accounting
systems.
Finances, Record
keeping, Analyst
3
2
5911
Purchasing
and Supply
Logistics
Administrator
s (Skill Level 3)
591102
Production
Coordinator
Records and coordinates the flow of
work and materials between
departments or sub-sections,
examines orders for goods and
prepares production schedules for
production units.
Printing Coordinator
3
100
5995
Inspectors and
Regulatory
Officers (Skill
Level 2)
599510
Environment
al Practices
Inspector
3
100
7113
Paper and
Wood
Processing
Machine
Operators
711301
Paper
Products
Machine
Operator
Apprenticeship/
Learnership &
Placement
Environmental Analyst
Operates machines to manufacture
paper packaging and other products
from paper and fibreboard stock.
Cutting Machine
Operator
Apprenticeship/
Learnership &
Placement
3
100
Embosser
Apprenticeship/
3
100
Unit
Group
Code
Unit Group
Occupation
Code
Occupation
Description
Specialisation
(Skill Level 2)
7116
Clothing ,
Textiles,
Footwear and
Leather
Production
Operators
(Skill Level 2)
Intervention
NQF
Level
Numbers
required
Learnership &
Placement
Guillotine Operator
Apprenticeship/
Learnership &
Placement
3
100
Paper Bag Making
Machinist
Apprenticeship/
Learnership &
Placement
3
100
Carton Making
Machinist
Apprenticeship/
Learnership &
Placement
3
600
711302
Wood
Processing
Machine
Operator
Operates sawing, rolling, pressing
and other machines to manufacture
logs, timber poles and pieces,
plywood, particleboard, solid
laminate and similar products.
Operations
Apprenticeship/Lea
rnership &
Placement
711601
Clothing,
Textile and
Leather
Goods
Production
Operator
Operates industrial machines and
equipment and perform preparatory
tasks to sew, press and finish textile
and leather products.
Industrial Presser,
Sewing Machinist /
Sewing Machine
Operator, Textile /
Leather / Material
Cutting Machine
Operator, Upholstery
Machinist
Apprenticeship/Lea
rnership &
Placement
300
2
-200
Unit
Group
Code
7129
Unit Group
Miscellaneous
Stationary
Plant
Operators
(Skill Level 2)
Occupation
Code
Occupation
Description
Specialisation
Intervention
NQF
Level
Numbers
required
712902
Bulk
Materials
Handling
Plant
Operator
Operates plant to load, unload,
move, store and stack bulk materials
such as grain, sugar and mineral ore.
Forest Plant Operator
(Harvesting, Skidder/
Forwarder/ Bell
Loader/ Operator/
Feller/ Buncher)
Apprenticeship/Lea
rnership &
Placement
4
150
712906
Paper and
Pulp Mill
Operator
Operates plant to produce paper
pulp from woodchips and to make
paper sheets.
Carton Making
Machine Operator
Apprenticeship/
Learnership &
Placement
3
100
Paper (Bag / Box /
Envelope) Maker
Apprenticeship/
Learnership &
Placement
3
100
Paper Folding Machine
Operator
Apprenticeship/
Learnership &
Placement
3
100
Paper Rewinder
Operator
Apprenticeship/
Learnership &
Placement
3
100
Cardboard /
Paperboard Machine
Operator
Apprenticeship/
Learnership &
Placement
3
100
Cardboard Maker (Box
/ Form)
Apprenticeship/
Learnership &
Placement
3
800
Carton Maker
Apprenticeship/
Learnership &
3
800
Unit
Group
Code
Unit Group
Occupation
Code
Occupation
Description
Specialisation
Intervention
NQF
Level
Numbers
required
Placement
712920
Timber
Treatment
Plant
Operator
Operates equipment used for the
treatment of timber.
Wood Preservation
Apprenticeship/
Learnership &
Placement
2
12
Kill Drying Technicians
Apprenticeship/Lea
rnership &
Placement
2
20
Apprenticeship/Lea
rnership &
Placement
2
500
7211
Agricultural
and Forest
Plant
Operators
(Skill Level 2)
721101
Agricultural
Mobile Plant
Operator
Operates agricultural and
horticultural plant to clear and
cultivate land, and sow and harvest
crops.
7331
Truck Drivers
(Skill Level 2)
733101
Truck Driver
(General)
Drives a heavy truck, requiring a
specially endorsed class of license, to
transport bulky goods.
Logging Truck Driver
Apprenticeship/
Learnership &
Placement
2
146
8394
Timber and
Wood Process
Workers (Skill
Level 1)
839402
Sawmill or
Timber Yard
Worker
Performs routine tasks in a sawmill
such as sorting and stacking timber,
assisting timber machinists,
assembling orders and racking off
cuts.
Cable Yard Operator
Apprenticeship/
Learnership &
Placement
2
100
Charcoal Burner
Apprenticeship/
Learnership &
Placement
2
150
Log Grader / Analyser
Apprenticeship/
Learnership &
Placement
2
500
Unit
Group
Code
Unit Group
Occupation
Code
839403
8413
Occupation
Wood and
Wood
Products
Factory
Worker
Description
Performs routine tasks in a wood
processing and timber product
factory such as placing logs on
equipment and conveyors, assisting
with measuring and cutting of
materials, and setting up and
operating plant equipment.
Specialisation
Intervention
NQF
Level
Numbers
required
Chainsaw Mechanic,
Chainsaw, Brush Cutter
Operator, Mechanics
Apprenticeship/
Learnership &
Placement
2
2000
Saw Maker And
Repairer
Apprenticeship/
Learnership &
Placement
2
14
Saw Doctor
Apprenticeship/
Learnership &
Placement
2
20
Apprenticeship/
Learnership &
Placement
2
37
Forest and
Logging
Workers (Skill
Level 2)
841301
Forest
Worker
Assists with cultivating, maintaining
and protecting forests.
Fire Van Driver, Fire
Lookout, Firewood
Cutter
Apprenticeship/
Learnership &
Placement
2
5583
841302
Logging
Assistant
Assists with logging, felling and
sawing of trees in forests.
Chokerman, Log
Cleaner, Log Scaler
Apprenticeship/
Learnership &
Placement
2
150
8419
Miscellaneous
Farm, Forest
and Garden
Workers (Skill
Level 1 and 2)
841902
Pest or Weed
Controller
Applies pest or weed management
techniques to kill and control pests
or weeds in domestic, commercial
and industrial areas, roadsides,
private and public lands.
Chemical Sprayer
Apprenticeship/
Learnership &
Placement
2
160
8995
Printing
Assistants and
899502
Printing Table
Operates bindery machines and
performs manual binding and
Printing Table Hand
Apprenticeship/
Learnership &
2
100
Unit
Group
Code
Unit Group
Table Workers
(Skill Level 2)
Occupation
Code
Occupation
Worker
Description
Specialisation
finishing of books and printed
products.
Intervention
NQF
Level
Numbers
required
Placement
Printing Bindery
Assistant
Apprenticeship/Lea
rnership &
Placement
2
300