Occupational Certificate: Meteorological Technician

Purpose

The purpose of this qualification is to provide qualifying learners with the knowledge, understanding, competence and experience required to operate as a Meteorological Technician. A Meteorological Technician installs and inspects weather stations, conducts climate data checking, conducts surface and upper air observations, and disseminates data into specific coded forms.

A qualified learner will be able to

• Install, maintain and verify meteorological instrumentation and electronic sensors.
• Gather, record, code and decode surface meteorological variables and phenomena and synoptic land and ship messages.
• Initialise upper air instrumentation, gather and interpret upper air meteorological variables.

Rationale

The need for this qualification stems from the necessity to revise and update an existing unit standards-based qualification. The World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) has prescribed rules and regulations that guide the timeous dissemination of accurate weather observations, which is an international obligation for every country with a national weather service.

Knowledge of weather conditions is fundamental to the planning and operational activities of various industry sectors including agriculture, aviation, construction, marine and tourism. In addition, these weather observations are used by local communities to plan their daily activities. Data obtained from weather observations also forms the basis of weather forecasts and related sciences. All observations are stored in databases which are used for longer term planning and research of global weather changes. To ensure the quality of the weather observations, all instrumentation need to be erected and maintained according to the same international regulations. In addition, the resultant climate data also needs to undergo stringent quality control processes prescribed by the WMO to ensure its long-term value.

This qualification, by addressing the need for accurate and reliable weather data, in accordance with international standards is essential for the operation and growth of the agriculture, aviation, construction, marine and tourism sectors and therefore important for the economic growth of the country. This qualification will also benefit society as information on weather is of the utmost importance for the health and safety of humans and animals and plays an important role in environmental disaster management.

This qualification will benefit learners, as it has been designed to serve as entry into a career where there is a scarcity of qualified people at various levels with job opportunities in the Meteorological Sector internationally. The qualification will also be recognised internationally as it is aligned to the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) minimum requirements for training as per the WMO publication 1083 for Meteorologists and Meteorological Technicians.

Typical learners likely to be attracted to this qualification include school leavers with an interest in science and technology enjoying working outdoors.

This qualification will contribute to the full development of the learner within the Weather Services industry by providing recognition, further mobility, and transportability within the sector. Related to this qualification is a part-qualification, Occupational Certificate: Aviation Meteorological Observer. Learners wishing to become a Meteorological Technician can either enrol for this qualification (Occupational Certificate: Meteorological Technician, Level 5) or can first enrol for the part-qualification (Occupational Certificate: Aviation Meteorological Observer, Level 5) to qualify as an Aviation Meteorological Observer. Should such a learner wish to, at a later stage, enrol for the Occupational Certificate: Meteorological Technician he/she will be granted recognition for modules already completed (CAT).

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

Knowledge Modules

• 311102-001-00-KM-01, Basic Meteorological Concepts, Level 5, 7 Credits.
• 311102-001-00-KM-02, Basic Meteorological Circulation, Level 5, 10 Credits.
• 311102-001-00-KM-03, Cloud Formation and Associated Precipitation Types, Level 5, 15 Credits.
• 311102-001-00-KM-04, Climate Theory, NQF Level 5, 10 Credits.
• 311102-001-00-KM-05, Meteorological Variables, Level 5, 10 Credits.

Total number of credits for Knowledge Modules: 52

Practical Skill Modules

• 311102-001-00-PM-01, Identify and Install Meteorological Instrumentation According to World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) Specifications, Level 5, 6 Credits.
• 311102-001-00-PM-02, Maintain Meteorological Instrumentation and Electronic Components, Level 5, 6 Credits.
• 311102-001-00-PM-03, Verify Functionality and Accuracy of Meteorological Instrumentation and Electronic Components, Level 5, 7 Credits.
• 311102-001-00-PM-04, Initialise and Use Upper Air Instrumentation, Level 5, 2 Credits.
• 311102-001-00-PM-05, Set up Upper Air Instrumentation and Monitor Data, Level 5, 3 Credits.
• 311102-001-00-PM-06, Decode and Interpret Upper Air Data, Level 5, 4 Credits.
• 311102-001-00-PM-07, Record Surface Meteorological Variables according to International Requirements, Level 5, 9 Credits.
• 311102-001-00-PM-08, Code and Decode Synoptic Land and Ship Messages according to World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Formats, Level 5, 7 Credits.
• 311102-001-00-PM-09, Code and Decode Aviation-based Weather according to International Requirements, Level 5, 7 Credits.

Total number of credits for Practical Skill Modules: 51

Work Experience Modules

• 311102-001-00-WM-01, Processes and Procedures for Meteorological Instrumentation and Electronic Components, NQF Level 5, 12 Credits.
• 311102-001-00-WM-02, Processes and Procedures for Gathering, Recording, Coding and Decoding World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) and Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Coded Surface Meteorological Messages, NQF Level 5, 12 Credits.
• 311102-001-00-WM-03, Processes and Procedures for Gathering, Recording and Decoding World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) Coded Upper Air Meteorological Messages, NQF Level 5, 12 Credits.

Total number of credits for Work Experience Modules: 36

1. Install, maintain and verify meteorological instrumentation and electronic sensors using standard methods, procedures, and techniques in accordance with all regulatory requirements.
2. Gather, record, code and decode surface meteorological variables and phenomena applying standard statistical methods and procedures.
3. Gather and interpret upper air meteorological variables and assist in surface observations applying standard statistical methods and procedures.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

ELO 1: Install, maintain, and verify meteorological instrumentation and electronic sensors using standard methods, procedures, and techniques in accordance with all regulatory requirements.

• Create weather station files according to the South African Weather Service (SAWS) regulations for full inspections of automatic weather stations (AWS).
• Carry out inspection procedures on meteorological instrumentation and electronic sensors (automated and non-automated) and complete post-inspection reports according to the South African Weather Service (SAWS) regulations.
• Correctly identify errors in meteorological variables using 5-minute AWS data.
• Carry out the inspections of climate and rainfall stations according to the South African Weather Service (SAWS) manual on climate inspections.
• Identify areas for the establishment of a weather camp that meet the World Meteorological Organisation's (WMO) criteria.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

ELO 2: Gather, record, code and decode surface meteorological variables and phenomena applying standard statistical methods and procedures.

• Read and manually code meteorological variables into the synoptic land code format within the standard time of 5 minutes and identify and rectify faulty readings of instrumented and non-instrumented meteorological variables.
• Observe and record non-instrumental meteorological variables and complete World Meteorological Organisation and/or International Civil Aviation Organisation meteorological messages according to international standards.
• Decode all synoptic messages according to South African regional regulations and identify faulty synoptic messages to rectify or discard data.
• Code meteorological aviation variables into a routine meteorological aviation report (METAR) within the standard time of 5 minutes and determine whether they fall within the selected special aviation report (SPECI) criteria.
• Decode METAR and SPECI reports in accordance with International Civil Aviation Organisation regulations (ICAO) and identify faulty reports to rectify data.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

ELO 3: Gather and interpret upper air meteorological variables and assist in surface observations applying standard statistical methods and procedures.

• Identify temperature and humidity spikes on an areological diagram to rectify or discard data.
• Interpret coded upper air messages to determine specific parameters.
• Interpret an areological diagram is interpreted to explain the vertical characteristics of the atmosphere.

Integrated Assessment

Integrated Formative Assessment

The Skills Development Providers 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 Assessment

An External Integrated Summative Assessment, conducted through the relevant QCTO Assessment Quality Partner is required to issue this qualification. The External Integrated Summative Assessment will focus on the Exit Level Outcomes and Associated Assessment Criteria. Additional to the written assessment the learner must also submit a portfolio of evidence compiled of outcomes achieved in the workplace.