National Occupational Certificate: Falsework Foreman

Purpose

The purpose of this qualification is to prepare a learner to operate as a Falsework Foreman. A Falsework Foreman coordinates, inspects, and supervises the erection, modification and dismantling of falsework structures during a construction process. A falsework foreman typically works in the construction and engineering sectors, particularly on large-scale projects that involve temporary structures to support construction activities.

In addition, learner attributes (including problem solving, decision making, ethics, interpreting information and communication) will be integrated in the learning process. Learners will have to prove competence of the above knowledge, skills, attitudes, responsibilities, and tasks imbedded in the exit level outcomes.

A qualified learner will be able to

• Prepare for falsework erection activities.
• Construct and maintain falsework structures.
• Inspect the integrity of falsework structures.
• Supervise and coordinate falsework construction operations.

A competent Falsework Foreman will exhibit key attributes, amongst others, the following

• Effective communication.
• Stakeholder relations and management.
• Conflict resolutions.
• Negotiation.
• Acts and regulations.
• Research skills.
• Analytical and decision-making skills.
• Report writing skills.
• Basic auditing and assessment skills.
• Calm and focused.
• Accurate and precise.
• Organised and efficient.
• Ethical and professional.

Rationale

The need for this National Occupational Certificate: Falsework Foreman stems from the fact that there are currently no registered qualifications aimed at falsework (including formwork and support work) construction. Falsework consists of a temporary structure used in construction to support a permanent structure (such as buildings and bridges) until it has gained sufficient strength to support itself. Currently, there are no SANS (South African National Standards) for Falsework and the British and EN (European Nations) Standards have mainly been adopted in industry to ensure minimum standards in the quality of work.

The qualified learner who has completed the National Occupational Certificate: Falsework Foreman may operate in any of a range of occupations in different industries, such as: Construction workers, builders, machine operators, maintenance workers, painters, cleaners, mine workers, and facilitators/trainers who have to train others. This qualification is structured to allow first-time entrants into building/construction and many other industries and caters to several job advancement opportunities as the person progresses through the various exit points.

Professional registration with the relevant professional body is a requirement for this occupation and the learning process. The National Occupational Certificate: Falsework Foreman will benefit a variety of industries, by providing employers with competent and certified Falsework Foremen with knowledge and skills thereby contributing to safer workplaces.

The well-being of the South African economy is reliant on the creation of work opportunities in the building, construction, and infrastructure sectors. Key skills to drive these industries are in short supply, and this qualification opens the door for the inclusion of previously disadvantaged persons so that they can contribute to the growth of the economy and at the same time, build lifelong careers that will improve their lives.

Qualified false workers will enhance safe working conditions on construction sites and decrease the number of incidents at height. The quality of falsework structures also directly impacts the quality and safety of the structure being supported. Construction-related accidents contribute not only to human loss and injury but also to economic losses. This qualification will thus benefit the sector, society, and the economy.

Typical learners likely to be attracted to this qualification are those who have been working in the construction industry wanting to further specialise or new entrants to the industry with an interest in falsework. This qualification will contribute to the development of the learner within the construction industry by providing them with the skills, knowledge, insights and competence to supervise teams constructing and maintaining falsework in national, provincial or local construction projects.

In addition, this qualification also includes two part-qualifications

• Falsework Erector, NQF Level 4.
• Falsework Inspector, NQF Level 4.

The part qualification provides career progression opportunities for new entrants. Learners wishing to follow such a route (first completing the Part Qualification: Falsework Erector, NQF Level 4) will be granted recognition for modules already completed through Credit Accumulation and Transfer.

The typical learners who could enrol for the Falsework Foreman qualification include employees in various industries as part of the organisational legal requirements. The diagonal articulation possibilities could not be accomplished for this qualification. Furthermore, prospective youth and local community members with an interest in Falsework will also form part of the typical learners.

Collaboration with relevant stakeholders

• Representatives from relevant industries, including manufacturing, mining, construction, retail, and cleaning and hiring.
• Regulators - Department of Employment and Labour. The Professional Body.
• Subject matter experts in the Work at height industry.
• Educators and trainers with experience in facilitating, assessment and moderation of Falsework.

List typical occupations in which the qualifying learner will operate include

• Construction workers.
• Builders.
• Machine operators.
• Maintenance workers.
• Painters.
• Cleaners.
• Mine workers.
• Facilitators/trainers who have to train others.

Collaboration with relevant stakeholders

• Representatives from relevant industries, including manufacturing, mining, construction, retail, and cleaning and hiring.
• Regulators, the Professional Body.
• Subject matter experts in the Work at height industry.
• Educators and trainers with experience in facilitating, assessment and moderation of Falsework.

The list of typical professions in which the qualifying learner will operate includes

• Construction Foreman - Oversees the construction site and manages the team responsible for building temporary structures such as support scaffolding, shoring, and formwork.
• Site Supervisor - Manages day-to-day operations on a construction site, including the installation and maintenance of falsework systems.
• Civil Engineering Technician - Assists engineers with the construction of temporary structures required for large civil projects, such as bridges and tunnels.
• Project Manager - Coordinates and manages various aspects of construction projects, including temporary works like falsework, to ensure project milestones are met.
• Structural Steel Erector - Works with temporary support structures, often including falsework, during the installation of structural steel components.
• Construction Safety Officer - Ensures that temporary structures like falsework are constructed and maintained in a manner that meets safety regulations and standards.
• Formwork Carpenter - Specializes in building and setting up formwork systems, which are essential components of falsework.
• Shoring Specialist - Focuses on designing and implementing shoring systems to support excavations or structures under construction, which often involves falsework elements.
• Concrete Finisher - Works on the final stages of concrete work, often using falsework to support and shape concrete during curing.

These roles all involve some interaction with falsework systems, either in their design, implementation, or oversight, and require a good understanding of temporary support structures and their role in construction projects.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

• Learners may use the RPL process to gain access to training opportunities for a programme of learning, qualification 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.
• Such an RPL assessment may be developed, moderated, and conducted by the accredited Skills Development Provider which offers that specific qualification/. 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.
• For exemption from modules through RPL, learners who have gained the stipulated competencies of the modules of a programme of learning, qualification 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.
• For exemption from modules through RPL, learners who have gained the stipulated competencies of the modules of a programme of learning, qualification 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.
• 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, RPL learners will be issued with the QCTO certificate for the qualification. 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 3 qualification.

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

Knowledge Modules

• 641902-002-00-KM-01, Business ethics and Tme Management, NQF Level 3, 2 Credit.
• 641902-002-00-KM-02, Knowledge of Self to Contribute to Team Performance, NQF Level 2, 4 Credits.
• 641902-002-00-KM-03, Introduction to the Construction Workplace, NQF Level 2, 2 Credits.
• 641902-002-00-KM-04, Introduction to Falsework, NQF Level 2, 2 Credits.
• 641902-002-00-KM-05, Introduction to Scaffolding, NQF Level 2, 2 Credits.
• 641902-002-00-KM-06, Principles of Falsework Erection, NQF Level 3, 4 Credits.
• 641902-002-00-KM-07, Rules of Falsework Inspection, NQF Level 4, 3 Credits.
• 641902-002-00-KM-08, Advanced Safety, Health, and Environment Related Legislation in the Construction Workplace, NQF Level 4, 3 Credits.
• 641902-002-00-KM-09, Basic Supervisory and Communication Principles, NQF Level 4, 4 Credits.
• 641902-002-00-KM-10, Principles of Falsework Supervision, NQF Level 4, 4 Credits.

Total number of credits for Knowledge Modules: 30

Practical Skill Modules

• 641902-002-00-PM-01, Conduct Housekeeping and Safeguard Equipment, Tools and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Required for Falsework, NQF Level 2, 2 Credits.
• 641902-002-00-PM-02, Perform Fall Protection Activities, NQF Level 2, 1 Credits.
• 641902-002-00-PM-03, Handle Falsework Components and Prepare the Worksite, NQF Level 3, 3 Credits.
• 641902-002-00-PM-04, Erect, Modify and Dismantle Falsework (Formwork and Support Work), NQF Level 4, 6 Credits.
• 641902-002-00-PM-05, Implement Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment, NQF Level 4, 5 Credits.
• 641902-002-00-PM-06, Inspect, Sign-Off and Handover Falsework, NQF Level 4, 5 Credits.
• 641902-002-00-PM-07, Plan Falsework Operations and Supervise Implementation, NQF Level 4, 3 Credits.
• 641902-002-00-PM-08, Plan and Control Falsework Resources, NQF Level 4, 4 Credits.

Total number of credits for Practical Skill Modules: 29

Workplace Skills Modules

• 641902-002-00-WM-01, Processes and Procedures to Prepare for Falsework Erection, Modification, and Dismantling, NQF Level 4, 40 Credits.
• 641902-002-00-WM-02, Processes and Procedures for the Erection, Modification and Dismantling of Falsework, NQF Level 4, 40 Credits.
• 641902-002-00-WM-03, Inspection and Sign-Off Processes and Procedures for Falsework, NQF Level 4, 40 Credits.
• 641902-002-00-WM-04, Supervision Processes for Falsework Operations, NQF Level 4, 40 Credits.

Total number of credits for Work Experience Modules: 160

Exit Level Outcomes

1. Conduct preparatory activities for the erection of falsework within a managed environment.
2. Construct and maintain safe falsework structures applying essential knowledge, methods, procedures, and techniques.
3. Evaluate the integrity of Falsework applying essential methods, procedures, and techniques, to gather relevant information and address shortcomings.
4. Coordinate falsework operations, communicating and present information reliably and accurately.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

ELO 1: Conduct preparatory activities for the erection of falsework within a managed environment.

• Care for Tools and equipment according to proper housekeeping principles.
• Set falsework out from a "setting out point" on pre-prepared founding.
• Prepare work area in accordance with safety requirements and project specifications, ensuring accessibility and minimising potential hazards.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

ELO 2: Construct and maintain safe falsework structures applying essential knowledge, methods, procedures, and techniques.

• Erect and dismantle soffit wall formwork and beam sides according to design drawings and procedures, using correct components, erection methods, and sequence safely.
• Erect and dismantle vertical formwork according to design drawings and specifications, using correct components, erection methods, and sequence safely.
• Maintain falsework structure throughout the construction phase, identifying and rectifying instability in accordance with safety standards.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

ELO 3: Evaluate the integrity of Falsework applying essential methods, procedures, and techniques, to gather relevant information and address shortcomings.

• Evaluate risk mitigation processes based on calculated risk ratings and potential consequences.
• Inspect and evaluate formwork using information from a design drawing and instructions for the modification process, and findings recorded.
• Identify, document and rectified compliance and structural concerns in falsework through corrective actions based on evaluation findings.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

ELO 4: Coordinate falsework operations, communicating and present information reliably and accurately.

• Complete a method statement indicating requirements in terms of people and equipment resources, laydown areas, public areas and barricading, work procedures, and planned task observations.
• Apply a pre-inspection and handover procedure and complete all related documents.
• Clearly communicate instructions related to the construction and dismantling of a modular continuous support system to the team.

Integrated Assessment

Integrated Formative Assessments

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. The skills development provider will use the curriculum to guide them on the stipulated internal assessment criteria and weighting. They will also apply the scope of practical skills and applied knowledge as stipulated by the internal assessment criteria. This formative assessment leads to entrance into the integrated external summative assessment.

Integrated Summative Assessments

Integrated Assessment involves all the different types of assessment tasks required for a particular qualification, 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.

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 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.

External Integrated Assessment (EISA)

An external integrated summative assessment, conducted through the relevant QCTO Assessment Quality Partner is required for the issuing of this qualification. The external integrated summative assessment will focus on the exit level outcomes and associated assessment criteria. 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.