Higher Certificate in Resource and Waste Management

Purpose

The Higher Certificate in Resource and Waste Management provides industry and society at large with qualifying learners with a set of knowledge, skills and applied competencies to contribute to sustainable use of resources, towards social and economic transformation of the economy, environment, resources and society. The qualification further aims to build capacity towards efficient management and improvement of the environment through innovation and entrepreneurship, contributing to the wellbeing of society, as well as an awareness of the environment, creating opportunities for active participation in the resource and waste economy.

The qualification is informed by a body of scientific and social knowledge, mainly within a South African context, focussing on amongst others but not limited to fundamental learning, environmental matters and related resource, waste sciences, management, entrepreneurship, innovation, technology, related legislation and related skills and applied competencies.

Furthermore, the qualification will also focus on providing access to working individuals in the Waste and Chemicals Sector (WACS) towards the fostering of a credible, ethical and qualified workforce.

Rationale

Waste and sustainable resource management is globally an immense challenge and of great concern to the South African government. Like many other countries, the SA Government identified waste and sustainable resource management as a priority. The focus on Waste and sustainable resource management was informed by the initiatives of the Department of Environmental Affairs and implemented under the auspices of the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP). The initiative is a proactive preventative measure that recog�nises that inadequate waste services may lead to litter (waste) which is not only visual pollution but may lead to health hazards and environmental degradation. Operation Phakisa (2014) has identified and proposed twenty initiatives across the workstreams that will add R11.5bn to South Africa's Waste and Chemicals Sector (WACS) and create 127,000 jobs by 2023. 4300 SMME's will be created with a target of 30% women and 70% of the youth.

The education and training landscape within the Occupational and Higher Education sub-frameworks (NQF level 1-8) can effectively contribute towards the design and development of qualifications fit for purpose in the provisioning of a workforce as mentioned in the WACS.

It is clear from stakeholders that such a need exists and that such a qualification on level 5 of the NQF will function as an anchor-learning qualification, providing vertical articulation routes and access from lower levels in the NQF.

The design and development of this qualification is a product of collaboration amongst the South African Technology Network (SATN), Departments of Environmental Affairs and Science and Technology and Energy and Water SETA (EWSETA). The process was initiated at the end of 2017 in November. The institution was named to pilot this qualification and this application is a product of the SATN team and the Department of Environmental, Water and Earth Sciences. The design of the qualification is underpinned by the waste management situation at a national and international level and is based on an urgent need for such a qualification in the waste and related chemical sectors.

Furthermore, the qualification will focus on providing access to working individuals in WACS towards the fostering of a credible qualified workforce. Throughout this qualification, the learner will be equipped with the necessary skills to design, develop, maintain and manage amongst others, but not limited to, waste management processes, sustainable and renewable resources. Qualifying learners will be able to play an operational, supervisory and/or strategic role in the workforce of 127, 000 as envisaged towards 2023.

Learners will benefit through self and professional development in their field of work, providing them with the knowledge, skills and applied competencies to play an operational, supervisory and/or strategic role in the waste and resource management environment. As such, skilled workers at this level will contribute immensely to the socio-economic development and upliftment of all communities in South Africa through sustainability and the development of a safe and healthy environment.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The institution gives recognition of prior learning (RPL), as stipulated in the RPL policy. The RPL policy of the institution provides clear guidelines to prospective learners who intend to enter into the Higher Certificate in Resource and Waste Management qualification.

The following rules are applicable as outlined by the policy on the Recognition of Prior Learning

• Informal and non-formal learning experiences submitted for RPL will be assessed against the current qualification and subject requirements of the institution.
• Credits may be achieved through RPL.
• Applicants need to provide evidence of significant and relevant prior learning before applications will be considered.
• Assessment for RPL will be done in compliance with the institution's RPL policy.

Therefore, recognition may be granted for informal or non-formal prior work learning. The RPL process will be conducted according to the institution's RPL policy and may involve, among other things, the submission of portfolios with evidence of prior learning, challenge examinations and interviews with assessment panels.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• Senior Certificate at NQF Level 4 with English and Mathematics, granting access to higher certificate studies.

Or

• National Senior Certificate at NQF Level 4 with English, Mathematics or Mathematics Literacy or Technical Mathematics, granting access to higher certificate studies.

Or

• N3 Certificate at NQF Level 4 with English, Mathematics and any other two additional N3 subjects, granting access to higher certificate studies.

Or

• National Certificate (Vocational) at NQF Level 4 with English, Mathematics or Mathematics Literacy and Life Orientation, granting access to higher certificate studies.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory and elective modules at NQF Level 5 totalling 120 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 5, 96 Credits

• Computer Literacy, 10 Credits.
• Earth and General Science for Occupational Health, 12 Credits.
• Mathematics and Statistics I, 12 Credits.
• Introduction to Environmental Science, 12 Credits.
• Introduction to Environmental and Waste Management, 12 Credits.
• Life Skills, 2 Credits.
• Communication for Academic Purposes, 10 Credits.
• Environmental Practice and Professionalism (WIL - Theory-based), 24 Credits.
• Information Literacy, 2 Credits.

Elective Modules, Level 5, 24 Credits (Select two modules)

• Introduction to Industrial Waste, 12 Credits.
• Introduction to Waste Diversion, 12 Credits.
• Introduction to Waste Innovation, 12 Credits.
• Introduction to Environmental Impact Management, 12 Credits.

1. Demonstrate an informed understanding of the core areas, key terms, concepts, facts, general principles, rules and theories of Waste and Resource Management, as well as an awareness of how the related bodies of knowledge developed and evolved.
2. Select and apply standard methods, procedures or techniques within the fields of Waste and Resource Management to plan and manage implementation processes within well-defined, familiar and supported settings and contexts.
3. Collect, select and process waste and resource management information relating to various integrated systems, to effectively manage resources and communicate with integrity, using a range of techniques appropriate to a related waste and resource environment.
4. Monitor individual or team performance with regards to waste and resource management and take appropriate actions to affect improvement; and manage own learning and related strategies within a structured environment to promote and enhance the learning of team members or subordinates.
5. Account for own actions and work cooperatively in the field of waste and resource management, taking supervisory responsibility for others.
6. Demonstrate the ability to take account of and act in accordance with prescribed organisational and professional ethical codes of conduct.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Define, discuss, analyse and apply an informed understanding as well as an awareness of the evolution of related fields of study in various defined settings and contexts.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Demonstrate applied competencies and integrated knowledge to work in and to plan and manage waste-related projects.
• Identify, evaluate and solve defined, routine and new related problems within familiar contexts.
• Apply solutions based on relevant evidence and procedures.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Describe waste and resource management fundamentals.
• Identify resources involved in waste management.
• Collect, evaluate and analyse waste and resource management information.
• Discuss, apply and present various verbal and written reports based on the results of the investigations with integrity, utilising a range of techniques.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Gather and analyse relevant information.
• Compile and present applicable reports.
• Promote teamwork and discuss matters about group dynamics.
• Define and discuss human resource risks as well as their ability to manage such matters.
• Track own and Individual work performance, monitor and compile reports.
• Monitor and manage personal development.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Define and discuss the interconnected systems between the various waste and resource management systems.
• Discuss group dynamics, promote and apply group work
• Track and monitor individual work performance, using appropriate reporting systems and procedures.
• Monitor, evaluate and develop teamwork performance.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• Interpret and apply ethical codes related to the waste and resource management field consistently to ensure proper conduct.
• Practice professional accountability and responsibility in the operation of the waste and resource management field to ensure a conducive and environmentally friendly environment for all.
• Apply standards for the practice of ethical conduct in the waste and resource management field to ensure the sustainable use of resources, towards social and economic transformation of the economy, environment, resources and society.