Qualification
SAQA ID 121467
NQF Level 03
Registered

Occupational Certificate: Flexographic Plate Mounter

Purpose:

Sources: SAQA official qualification record, SAQA registered qualifications record. Yiba Verified does not own the underlying qualification data shown on this page.

Qualification type

Occupational Certificate

Credits

131

Sub-framework

OQSF - Occupational Qualifications Sub-framework

Providers listed

0

Qualification snapshot

Official qualification identity fields captured from the qualification record.

Originator

Development Quality Partner - PIFSA

Quality assurance functionary

-

Field

Field 06 - Manufacturing, Engineering and Technology

Subfield

Manufacturing and Assembly

Qual class

Regular-ELOAC

Recognise previous learning

Y

Important dates

These dates are carried directly from the qualification record.

Registration start

2024-01-30

Registration end

2029-01-30

Last date for enrolment

2030-01-30

Last date for achievement

2033-01-30

Purpose and entry context

Official SAQA text formatted for easier reading.

Purpose and rationale

Purpose

The purpose of this qualification is to prepare a learner to operate as a Flexographic Plate Mounter within the printing environment. A Flexographic Plate Mounter prepares plate cylinders or sleeves in readiness for print production.

A qualified learner will be able to

  • Identify and mount flexographic printing plates accurately on plate cylinders or sleeves.

Rationale

The shared purpose of this qualification is to assess and recognise workplace skills acquired with the benefit of formal education and training.

Learners who are assessed as competent against this qualification will be competent to act as a Flexographic Plate Mounters within the printing industry. Learners will be able to identify and mount flexographic printing plates accurately on plate cylinders or sleeves. This qualification represents a specialised skill within a printing trade or industry. The shared purpose of this qualification is to assess and recognise workplace skills acquired with the benefit of formal education and training.

The existing National Craft Diploma: Rotary Printing and Re-Reeling Flexography is outdated and does not cater for skills progression in the various occupations associated with the printing trade. The lack of skilled operators with up-to-date technological skills has placed the Sector in a precarious position in so far as international competitiveness is concerned.

Learners will benefit by receiving a high standard of training and education that is occupationally aligned. Once qualified, Learners may progress on their pathway to becoming an artisan.

Printing and Packaging employers will benefit by gaining access to suitably qualified operators to maintain costly printing presses and auxiliary equipment.

Benefits to society and economy: By creating career pathways in the Sector employees will be able to progress from General Factory Workers to Artisans. This will create a healthy employment cycle providing employment opportunities to unemployed youth.

Typical Learners / Target Group: Learners will be drawn from the school leavers.

Possible Employment: By obtaining an occupational qualification, Learners will secure employment in the Sector and open themselves up to career advancement opportunities.

Waste efficiency and recycling are subjects covered in this curriculum. The efficient and responsible use of materials is of critical importance to the Industry as it forms a significant component of print manufacturing costs within a green economy.

Entry requirements and RPL

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

RPL for Access to the External Integrated Summative Assessment

  • 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.
  • 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

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

  • NQF Level 1 qualification.

Replacement note

This qualification does not replace any other qualification and is not replaced by any other qualification.

Structure and assessment

Qualification rules, exit outcomes, and assessment criteria from the SAQA record.

Qualification rules

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

Knowledge Modules

  • 662212-001-00-KM-01: Introduction to the Printing and Packaging Industry, Level 3, 6 Credits.
  • 662212-001-00-KM-02: Legal and Regulatory Requirements, Level 3, 21 Credits.
  • 662212-001-00-KM-03: Printing Science and Chemistry, Level 3, 9 Credits.
  • 662212-001-00-KM-04: Productivity and Economics, Level 3, 11 Credits.

Total number of credits for Knowledge Modules: 56

Practical Skill Modules

  • 662212-001-00-PM-01: Mount and Proof Printing Plates, Level 3, 23 Credits.
  • 662212-001-00-PM-02: Perform Basic Maintenance, Level 3, 8 Credits.
  • 662212-001-00-PM-03: Comply with Safety, Health and Environmental, Best Practices and Procedures for a Printing Environment, Level 2, 8 Credits.

Total number of credits for Practical Skill Modules: 39

Work Experience Modules

  • 662212-001-00-WM-01: Processes and Procedures for Mounting Print Plates for Flexographic Printing Press, Level 3, 45 Credits.

Total number of credits for Work Experience Modules: 45

Exit level outcomes

  1. Identify and mount flexographic printing plates accurately on plate cylinders or sleeves.

Associated assessment criteria

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

  • Mount and proof printing plates according to job specifications.
  • Perform basic maintenance on plate mounting equipment.
  • Safety, health and environmental, best practices and procedures for a printing environment are complied with

Integrated Assessment

Formative Assessment

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 together with work experience leads to entrance in the integrated external summative assessment.

Summative Assessment

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 external integrated assessment will be conducted through a trade test as prescribed under section 26 D of the Skills Development Act and defined in the Trade Test Regulations. It will be conducted through an evaluation of written and practical tasks covering critical aspects in a simulated environment at an assessment centre accredited by QCTO and conducted by an assessor registered by the National Artisan Moderation Body (NAMB). The assessment will take place over a minimum of 2 days.

Progression and comparability

Articulation options

This qualification provides opportunities for horizontal and vertical articulation options.

Horizontal Articulation

  • Occupational Certificate: Electronic Pre-Press Flexographic Plate-maker, NQF Level 3.

Vertical Articulation

  • Occupational Certificate: Rotary Printing and Re-reeling Flexographic Machine Technician, NQF Level 4.

International comparability

United Kingdom

City & Guilds of London was chosen for international comparability purposes in light of the fact that they are the United Kingdom's leading provider of vocational qualifications and have over 8500 centres in 100 countries and are recognised by employers worldwide for providing quality qualifications.

For purposes of comparability Unit 215 (Maintain the condition of plates for printing) of the Level 2 NVQ in Machine Printing - Flexography (5158-21) qualification was chosen.

The Performance criteria, Knowledge and understanding and Performance evidence detailed in the following elements are well aligned to this qualification:

  • Element 215.1 Protect and store plates.
  • Element 215.2 Retrieve and mount plates for printing.

Australia

The Certificate III in Printing found in the National Register on Vocational Education and Training (VET)�in Australia incorporates the following unit of competency:

  • ICPPRN2110 - Mount and proof flexographic plates for basic printing.

Qualification Description

This qualification applies to individuals working as print machinists who typically set up and operate letterpress, lithographic, flexographic, gravure printing presses, digital printers or screen printers and work on a range of printed products. They prepare material, monitor and run equipment and machinery and apply solutions to a defined range of unpredictable problems. They may also provide guidance to others with some limited responsibility for the output of others.

Licensing/Regulatory Information

No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this qualification at the time of publication.

Entry Requirements

Nil

Core units related

  • ICPSUP2160: Inspect quality against required standards in a production environment.
  • ICPSUP2600: Maintain a safe work environment.

The elements and performance criteria, foundational skills, performance evidence, knowledge evidence, and assessment conditions defined in this unit of competence compares favourably with this qualification.

Conclusion

In conclusion the Flexographic Plate Mounter qualification compares favourably to what is found in the chosen international best practice, in terms of what the qualification covers and the level of skills, knowledge and experience that learners have to acquire.�

Providers currently listed

This reflects provider names published on the official record. It is useful for qualification discovery, but it should not be treated as a substitute for checking the relevant quality body’s latest provider status.

No provider listing was captured on this qualification record.

Related Qualifications

Explore other relevant certificates and degrees in this field.

Use this qualification in your readiness workflow

Once the qualification identity is clear, your institution can structure the readiness work around the right title, NQF level, dates, and supporting records instead of rebuilding that story later.