Occupational Certificate: Air Quality Authorisation and Management Specialist

Purpose

The purpose of this part-qualification is to prepare a learner to operate as an Air Quality Authorisation and Management Specialist.

An Air Quality Authorisation and Management Specialist manages the development, implementation monitoring and evaluation processes for air quality management policies and strategies to ensure that air quality rights for human health and the environment are protected.

Typical graduate attributes include among others leadership, discipline, compassion, communication, inquisitive, analytical, problem solving and dedication, planning, organising, ethical, strategic, and coordination.

A qualified learner will be able to process air quality authorisation functions.

Rationale

Air pollution and air quality management are pivoted on the Bill of Rights in the Constitution of South Africa. In order to give effect to this right, it is necessary to ensure that levels of air pollution in the republic are not harmful to human health or well-being. The National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act (NEMAQA), 2004 (Act No. 39 of 2004) provides an objectives-based approach to the management of air quality at different governance and operational levels and is the legislation meant to ensure that the rights to clean air are upheld.

The NEMAQA framework prescribes the government's roles and responsibilities across all spheres. These roles include

• Policy and Regulations Development and Implementation.
• Air Pollution Strategies Development and Implementation.
• Environmental Impact Management.
• Air Pollution Authorisation, Compliance Monitoring and Enforcement.
• Air Pollution Information Management (ambient monitoring, emission inventory).

The implementation of the National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act requires specialised administration and technical capacity for government officials to fulfil their functions, roles and responsibilities, and to fully deliver on their mandate. The National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act implementation also requires specialised technical knowledge in understanding legislation, air pollution control and management, strategy development and implementation, as well as enhanced knowledge in atmospheric science.

Over the years, the government has undertaken a number of capacity development programmes in order to support officials in this regard. However, the training programmes are ad hoc, neither accredited nor recognised in career-pathing programmes. On the other hand, environmental qualifications offered at tertiary institutions are not focused on providing the required knowledge or practical skills that cover the scope necessary for government officials. As a result, air quality management expertise is scarce and skilled personnel working in government is mostly absorbed by the private sector.

There is an urgent need to build sector capacity such as air quality specialists; air quality control officers; atmospheric emission licensing officers; compliance monitoring and enforcement officers; strengthening capacity within mandated agencies; training regulators to understand air quality and related legislation, procedures and report writing.

Upon completion of this part qualification, the skills levels of environmental practitioners and policymakers will be enhanced in air quality management, improving the skills base of the sector, especially in local government, reducing high vacancy rates, in particular, within the public sector; and improving service delivery toward protecting the human health and the environment.

The key economic benefits from this occupational qualification would be to improve the quality of service delivery in air quality management, ensuring effective protection of the health of the poor and most vulnerable people, and effectively lessening the burden on the health care system, as well as encouraging more investment from the private sector and foreign investors in cleaner production initiatives. Learners will be able to find employment as Air Quality Authorisation and Management Specialist, ultimately, managing people and other related processes.

Typical learners to the qualification are those holding any NQF Level 6 in Environmental Management or related. This occupational qualification offers learners air quality management knowledge and skills.

The Occupational Certificate: Air Quality Authorisation and Management Specialist will address the capacity gaps in air quality management practitioners. The occupational qualification should produce high level Air Quality Authorisation and Management Specialists in the field of air quality management who are able to contribute to improve productivity and efficiency within the public sector, focusing on authorisations and managing the related processes. It should provide the means for current workers to receive recognition of prior learning, to upgrade their skills and achieve a nationally recognised qualification. It should also assist new entrants into the public sector. It will ensure that the quality of education and training in air quality management is enhanced and of a world-class standard. This part-qualification was developed in collaboration with both statutory and non-statutory bodies.

Learners will be able to find employment as Air Quality Authorisation and Management Specialists, ultimately managing people and the related processes. The Air Quality Authorisation and Management Specialist would be able to progress to an Atmospheric Emission Licensing Officer.

RPL for access to a qualification

Learners will gain access to the qualification through RPL for Access as provided for in the QCTO RPL Policy. RPL for access is conducted by accredited education institution, skills development provider or workplace accredited to offer that specific qualification/part qualification.

RPL for exemption of modules

Learners who have acquired competencies of the modules of a qualification or part qualification will be credited for modules through RPL.

RPL for access to the external integrated summative assessment

Accredited providers and approved workplaces must apply the internal assessment criteria specified in the related curriculum document to establish and confirm prior learning. Accredited providers and workplaces must confirm prior learning by issuing a statement of result.

Entry Requirements

An Environmental or Natural Science qualification at NQF Level 6.

This part-qualification is made up of the following Knowledge, Practical and Work Experience module

Knowledge Modules

• 213305-000-00-KM-01, The Fundamentals and Principles of Air Pollution and Atmospheric science, Level 7, 3 Credits.
• 213305-000-00-KM-02, Fundamentals and Principles of Air Quality Management Regulatory Framework, Level 6, 3 Credits.
• 213305-000-00-KM-03, Air Quality Authorisation and Management, Level 7, 6 Credits.
• 213305-000-00-KM-04, Establish and Maintain Air Emission Inventories and Systems, Level 7, 6 Credits.

Total number of credits for Knowledge Modules: 18

Practical Skill Modules

• 213305-000-00-PM-01, Develop, Monitor and Evaluate Processes for Air Quality Management Policies and Strategy Implement Policies Aligned with National and International best Practices for Human Health and the Environment, Level 6, 10 Credits.
• 213305-000-00-PM-02, Manage Air Quality Authorisation, Level 7, 10 Credits.
• 213305-000-00-PM-03, Design, Operate and Maintain the Air Quality Infrastructure and Air Quality Information and knowledge Services, Level 7, 14 Credits.

Total number of credits for Practical Skill Modules: 34

Work Experience Modules

> 213305-000-00 - WM-01, The Development, Implementation, Monitoring and Evaluation Processes for air Quality Management Policies and Strategies, Level 6, 12 Credits.

• 213305-000-00 - WM-02, Air Quality Authorisation and Management, Level 7, 12 Credits.
• 213305-000-00- WM-03, Establishing, Operating and Maintaining Air Quality Infrastructure and Air Quality Information and knowledge Services, Level 7, 12 Credits.

Total number of credits for Work Experience Modules: 36

1. Execute air quality authorisation functions in accordance with the regulatory framework.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Evaluate and recommend air quality authorisation applications in accordance with the regulatory framework.
• Monitor, evaluate and analyse air quality authorisation applications in accordance with the regulatory framework.
• Develop, issue and file air quality authorisations reports with recommendations outcomes according to the filing system.
• Evaluate and review air quality authorisation process in accordance with the regulatory framework.

Integrated Assessment

Integrated Formative Assessments

Formative Assessments conducted internally.

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 weaknesses, 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, and interviews. Continuous feedback must be provided.

Integrated Summative Assessments

Integrated Summative Assessments conducted Internally.

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.

External Integrated Summative Assessment (EISA) - a national assessment

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.

OR

The attainment of all modules for the Knowledge and Application Components.