Intermediate Occupational Certificate: Truck Driver

Purpose

The purpose of this qualification is to prepare a learner to operate as a Truck Driver.

A Truck Driver operates a truck or truck combination with a GVM more than 3,500 kilograms and ensures the safe and economic transportation of cargo (goods or materials) from point of departure to point of arrival.

A qualified learner will be able to

• Prepare the truck or truck combination for transportation and secure the load.
• Ensure truck or truck combination roadworthiness, load compliance, and manage route plan and documentation.
• Safely and economically operate a laden and unladen truck or truck combination.

A qualified learner will demonstrate the following key attributes: problem identification and solving, decision making, communicating information and applying appropriate methods and techniques.

Rationale

The need for this qualification resulted from the requirement to review and align an expired qualification to meet new policy requirements. The main mean of transporting freight in South Africa is by road, resulting in an increase in the demand for qualified Truck Drivers with the knowledge and skills to safely and economically transport goods. This qualification is developed and aligned as a result of this need.

The increase of road accidents and incidents is a major concern and in South Africa the most common causes thereof are considered to be reckless or negligent driving, poor road conditions, vehicle defects and mechanical failures, and human factors such as fatigue, stress, and medical conditions. The Truck Driver qualification focuses on all these aspects as well as the ability to drive economically and be more energy efficient.

Currently there are no similar qualifications for this occupation registered on the NQF.

This qualification will benefit the road transport sector and the economy as qualified Truck Drivers with enhanced driving skills (both safety wise and economically) will have the skills to drive economically, better care for their trucks and loads, and decrease the risk of accidents and incidents. Companies employing learners who have successfully completed this qualification will be able to reduce their operational costs and improve overall productivity, leading to economic growth.

Road accidents often result in injury or even death which impact negatively on society. Society will thus benefit from drivers with enhanced driving skills resulting in an increase in road safety. Truck Drivers with the skills to drive economically, using less fuel and thereby minimizing the negative impact of greenhouse gas emissions which is a major contributor to global warming and air pollution and have adverse health effects on humans and the environment. By saving on diesel usage, these harmful emissions can be reduced and air quality improved, leading to better public health outcomes. In addition, diesel extraction and refining have ecological impacts, including habitat destruction, water pollution, and biodiversity loss. By reducing the demand for diesel, these environmental consequences can be mitigated, and sustainable resource management promoted.

Typical learners of this qualification are those who have a valid and applicable driver's license and a and Professional Drivers Permit (PrDP), and who are interested in driving trucks with a GVM more than 3,500 kilograms as a career.

The Intermediate Occupational Certificate: Truck Driver will contribute to the development of the learner by providing learners with the skills, knowledge, insights and competencies to enable them to secure loads, ensure truck roadworthiness and load compliance and professionally drive and manoeuvre a truck.

Stakeholders from the road transport sector participated in the review of the qualification.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

RPL for Access

Learners may use the RPL process to gain access to training opportunities for a programme of learning, qualification, part-qualification, or skills programme if they do not meet the formal, minimum entry requirements for admission. RPL assessment provides an alternative access route into a programme of learning, qualification, part-qualification, or skills programme.

Such an RPL assessment may be developed, moderated, and conducted by the accredited Skills Development Provider which offers that specific qualification/part qualification/skills programme. Such an assessment must ensure that the learner is able to display the equivalent level of competencies required for access, based on the NQF level descriptors.

RPL for Exemption

For exemption from modules through RPL, learners who have gained the stipulated competencies of the modules of a programme of learning, qualification, part-qualification, or skills programme through any means of formal, informal, or non-formal learning and/or work experience, may be awarded credits towards relevant modules, and gaps identified for training, which is then concluded.

RPL for Credits

Learners who have gained the stipulated competencies of the modules of a programme of learning, qualification, part-qualification, or skills programme through any means of formal, informal or non-formal learning and/or work experience, may be awarded credits towards relevant modules, and gaps identified for training, which is then concluded.

RPL for Access to the External Integrated Summative Assessment.

A valid Statement of Results is required for admission to the EISA in which confirmation of achievement is provided that all internal assessment criteria for all modules in the related curriculum document have been achieved.

Upon successful completion of the EISA/FISA, RPL learners will be issued with the QCTO certificate for the qualification, part-qualification, or skills programme. Quality Partners are responsible for ensuring the RPL mechanism and process for qualifications and part-qualification is approved by the QCTO.

Entry Requirements

An NQF Level 2 qualification.

This qualification is made up of compulsory Knowledge, Practical Skill and Work Experience Modules

Knowledge Modules

• 733201-000-01-KM-01, Emotional Intelligence and Active Learning, NQF Level 2, 3 Credits.
• 733201-000-01-KM-02, Basics of Computers and Computing Systems, NQF Level 2, 3 Credits.
• 733201-000-01-KM-03, Ethics and Basic Business principles, NQF Level 3, 3 Credits.
• 733201-000-01-KM-04, Principles of General Health, Fire Safety, and First Aid, NQF Level 3, 4 Credits.
• 733201-000-01-KM-05, Principles of Business Communication and Customer Services, NQF Level 3, 4 Credits.
• 733201-000-01-KM-06, Incidents, Accidents and Transport Risks, NQF Level 3, 7 Credits.
• 733201-000-01-KM-07, Road Usage Legislative Requirements and Vehicle Driving Techniques for Driving a Truck or Truck Combination, NQF Level 3, 5 Credits.
• 733201-000-01-KM-08, Trip/journey Management Principles and Navigation Technology, NQF Level 3, 2 Credits.
• 733201-000-01-KM-09, Principles of Vehicle Inspections and Load Securement, NQF Level 3, 6 Credits.

Total number of credits for Knowledge Modules: 37

Practical Skill Modules

• 733201-000-01-PM-01, Prepare for the Loading and Offloading of A Truck or Truck Combination, NQF Level 3, 8 Credits.
• 733201-000-01-PM-02, Secure the Load And Prepare Truck or Truck Combination for Transportation, NQF Level 3, 8 Credits.
• 733201-000-01-PM-03, Start-up and Shut Down a Truck or Truck Combination, NQF Level 3, 5 Credits.
• 733201-000-01-PM-04, Steer, Manoeuvre, Position and Drive a Truck or Truck Combination, NQF Level 3, 5 Credits.
• 733201-000-01-PM-05, Inspect Vehicles and Maintain Trip Documentation, NQF Level 3, 8 Credits.
• 733201-000-01-PM-06, Plan Route and Report Deviations Related to Emergencies, NQF Level 3, 3 Credits.

Total number of credits for Practical Skill Modules: 37

Work Experience Modules

• 733201-000-01-WM-01, Processes for Preparing a Truck or Truck Combination for the Transportation of Cargo, NQF Level 3, 6 Credits.
• 733201-000-01-WM-02, Processes for Safely Operating a Laden or Unladen Truck or Truck Combination to Transport Cargo, NQF Level 3, 30 Credits.

Total number of credits for Work Experience Modules: 46

1. Prepare the truck or truck combination for loading and secure the load within a managed environment by applying basic key concepts.
2. Conduct a pre and post trip truck or truck combination inspection and maintain operational documentation within a managed environment by applying basic key concepts.
3. Operate a truck or truck combination and respond to emergencies applying appropriate procedures and interpreting information related to the situation.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

ELO 1: Prepare the truck or truck combination for loading and secure the load within a managed environment by applying basic key concepts.

• Secure load according to standard operating procedures.
• Compile different loads according to specification and documentation.
• Adhere to processes and requirements for preparing a truck or truck combination and or trailer for transportation.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

ELO 2: Conduct a pre and post trip truck or truck combination inspection and maintain operational documentation within a managed environment by applying basic key concepts.

• Carry out inspection of truck or truck combination in accordance with K53 standards, and relevant industry legislation.
• Inspect vehicle components, operating controls and instruments for functionality and identify and explain defects.
• Inspect load for compliance in terms of regulatory and safety compliance.
• Maintain vehicle and driver related operational documents and records in accordance with legal compliance requirements.
• Follow appropriate procedures in case of road incidents and identify accidents.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

ELO 3: Operate a truck or truck combination and respond to emergencies applying appropriate procedures and interpreting information related to the situation.

• Manoeuvre a truck or truck combination in accordance with legal provisions including K53.
• Safely drive a truck or truck combination in accordance with specified standards and rules of the road.
• Economically drive a truck or truck combination in accordance with manufacturer specifications.

Integrated Assessment

Formative Assessment

Formative assessments are conducted throughout the training of learners. A range of formal, non-formal, and informal ongoing assessment activities are used to focus on teaching and learning outcomes to improve learner attainment.

Formative assessments are conducted continuously by the facilitator to feed into further learning, to identify strengths and weakness, and to ensure the learner's ability to apply knowledge, skills and workplace experience gained.

Formative Assessments are conducted by the accredited Skills Development Provider (SDP), and a variety of ongoing assessment methods may be used, for example, quizzes, assignments, tests, scenarios, role play, interviews. Continuous feedback must be provided.

Summative Assessment

Integrated Assessment involves all the different types of assessment tasks required for a particular qualification, part-qualification, or occupational skills programme, such as written assessment of theory and practical demonstration of competence. To achieve this, the Internal Assessment Criteria (IAC) for all modules as found in the QCTO curriculum document must be followed.

An accredited SDP should implement a well-designed, formal, relevant, final internal Summative Assessment strategy for all modules to prepare learners for the EISA. These assessments evaluate learning achievements relating to the achievement of each module of the relevant components of the qualification, part-qualification, or skills programme.

Internal Summative Assessments are developed, moderated, and conducted by the SDP at the end of each module or after integration of relevant modules, e.g. applied knowledge tests, workplace tasks, practical demonstrations, simulated tasks/demonstrations, projects, case studies, etc.

The results of these final formal summative assessments must be recorded. These results, which include the Statement of Work Experience results, where applicable, contribute to the Statement of Results (SoR) that is a requirement for admission to the EISA. An SoR, using the template provided by the Quality Partner, is issued by the accredited SDP for qualifications and part-qualifications. The SDP must produce a valid Statement of Results for each learner, indicating the final result and the date on which the competence in each module, of each component, was achieved. Learners are required to produce this SoR, together with their ID document or alternative ID document, at the point of the EISA.

The Quality Partner is responsible for the management, conduct and implementation of the External Integrated Summative Assessment (EISA), in accordance with QCTO set standards. Competence in the EISA is a requirement for certificating a learner.

For entrance into the EISA, the learner requires a valid Statement of Results issued by the accredited institution indicating the attainment of all modules for the Knowledge, Practical and Work Experience modules.