FIELD ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY
Review of Engineering and Technology qualifications
National Certificate in Engineering (General Engineering - Mechanical) (Level 2) [Ref: 0903]
National Certificate in Gunsmithing (Level 4) [Ref: 0346]
Competenz has completed the review of the above qualifications.
Date report published February 2008
Summary of review and consultation process
In the period 2004 to 2006 a major review of the qualifications for the mechanical engineering trades was undertaken.
Part of this review identified the fundamental skills and knowledge underlying mechanical engineering and fabrication trades in general, and this led to the registration of the National Certificate in Mechanical Engineering (Level 2) [Ref: 1220]. This qualification is now widely used as a pre-trade qualification and in the first year of apprenticeships leading to the National Certificate in Mechanical Engineering (Level 4) with strands in Fitting and Machining, General Engineering, Machining, Maintenance Engineering, and Toolmaking [Ref: 1262].
In conjunction with the major review of the qualifications, a review of the requirements of the gunsmithing industry took place. The uptake of the National Certificate in Gunsmithing (Level 4) since its first registration in 1997 has been very low, and there are currently only five apprentices. Under the circumstances, the industry decided that their interests would be better served by the new National Certificate in Mechanical Engineering (Level 4) with strands in Fitting and Machining, General Engineering, Machining, Maintenance Engineering, and Toolmaking [Ref: 1262] provided standards from the Gunsmithing domain are available in the elective sections. This has since been implemented.
Main changes resulting from the review
The National Certificate in Engineering (General Engineering - Mechanical) (Level 2) [Ref: 0903] and the National Certificate in Gunsmithing (Level 4) [Ref: 0346] are no longer required. Both of these qualifications will expire and not be replaced.
National Certificate in Engineering (General Engineering - Mechanical) (Level 2) [Ref: 0903]
|
Review category |
D |
See Key to Qualification Review Categories at the end of report |
Transition
No new trainees have been signed into this programme during 2007.
All existing trainees have until 2010 to complete the qualification. Expiry dates of some standards in the qualification were extended earlier this year to permit assessments to take place until then.
Alternatively, trainees may transfer their credits to any of the following qualifications:
· National Certificate in Mechanical Engineering (Level 2) [Ref: 1220]; or
· National Certificate in Manufacturing and Mechanical Engineering (Level 1) [Ref: 0126]; or
· National Certificate in Manufacturing and Mechanical Engineering (Level 2) [Ref: 0127].
Last date for award of the National Certificate in Engineering (General Engineering - Mechanical) (Level 2) [Ref: 0903] is 31 December 2010.
It is not intended that anyone be disadvantaged by this review. The above arrangements have been designed for a smooth phasing out of this qualification. However, anyone who feels they have been disadvantaged may appeal to Competenz at the address below.
National Certificate in Gunsmithing (Level 4) [Ref: 0346]
|
Review category |
D |
See Key to Qualification Review Categories at the end of report |
This qualification contains standards that replace an earlier standard. For the purposes of this qualification, people who have gained credit for the following expiring standard are exempt from the requirement to gain credit for the replacement standards – see table below.
|
Credit for |
Exempt from |
|
2700 |
11661, 11662, 11663, 11664 |
Transition
No new trainees were signed into this programme during 2006 or 2007. People interested in an apprenticeship in gunsmithing should enrol in a programme leading to the National Certificate in Mechanical Engineering (Level 4) with strands in Fitting and Machining, General Engineering, Machining, Maintenance Engineering, and Toolmaking [Ref: 1262] and choose elective standards from the Gunsmithing domain.
All existing trainees have until 2012 to complete the qualification. Expiry dates of some standards in the qualification were extended earlier this year to permit assessments to take place until then.
Alternatively, trainees may transfer their credits to either of the following qualifications:
· National Certificate in Mechanical Engineering (Level 2) [Ref: 1220]; or
· National Certificate in Mechanical Engineering (Level 4) with strands in Fitting and Machining, General Engineering, Machining, Maintenance Engineering, and Toolmaking [Ref: 1262].
Last date for award of the National Certificate in Gunsmithing (Level 4) [Ref: 0346] is 31 December 2012.
It is not intended that anyone be disadvantaged by this review. The above arrangements have been designed for a smooth phasing out of this qualification. However, anyone who feels they have been disadvantaged may appeal to Competenz at the address below.
Competenz
PO Box 62 517
KALMIA STREET
Auckland 1544
Key to Qualification Review Categories
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Category A The qualification is published as a new version with the same NQF ID |
Changes are made to SSB name, contact details or purpose statement |
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No change is made to title, rules or components of the qualification | |
|
No transition arrangements are required | |
|
Category B The qualification is published as a new version with the same NQF ID |
Changes are made to title, rules or components |
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The new version of the qualification recognises a similar skill set to that recognised by the previous version | |
|
The SSB is confident that people awarded the new or previous version are comparable in terms of competence | |
|
Transition arrangements are required if candidates must gain additional/different credits for the new version | |
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Category C A new (replacement) qualification is published with new NQF ID |
Significant changes are made to the qualification in terms of components, structure, type or level |
|
The SSB views people with the replacement qualification as being significantly different in terms of competence from those with the replaced qualification | |
|
Transition arrangements are required | |
|
Transition may be limited to phase-out dates | |
|
Category D Qualification will expire. There is no replacement qualification |
Qualification is no longer required by industry |
|
The qualification is designated as expiring and a last date for meeting the qualification requirements is set |