FIELD                 ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY

 

Review of Mechanical Engineering qualification

 

National Certificate in Engineering - Fabrication (Level 4) with strands in Heavy Fabrication, Light Fabrication, and Welding [Ref: 0122]

 

Competenz has completed the review of the qualification listed above.

 

Date new versions published                                                          September 2009

 

The next qualification review is planned to take place during 2014.

 

Summary of review and consultation process

 

The qualification has been reviewed as a result of a review of the unit standards in both the Fabrication and Welding domains.  The review resulted in the removal of the Welding strand from this qualification as it does not meet the fabrication industry's requirements.  Qualifications for specialist welders are under development.  The Steel Construction strand was added to meet the requirements of that branch of fabrication.

 

Following a period of consultation with industry experts, assessors, training providers and the fabrication industry, changes were made based on feedback received.

 

In June 2008, Competenz met with fabrication tutors from various Polytechnics around New Zealand to discuss the off-job component of the qualification.  All recommendations and suggestions had been taken into account during the review of this qualification.

 

The Sector Advisory Group endorsed the qualification in March 2009.

 

Main changes resulting from the review

 

National Certificate in Engineering - Fabrication (Level 4) with strands in Heavy Fabrication, Light Fabrication, and Welding [Ref: 0122]

National Certificate in Engineering - Fabrication (Level 4) with strands in Heavy Fabrication, Light Fabrication, and Steel Construction [Ref: 0122]

 

Review category

B

See Key to Qualification Review Categories at the end of report

 

Changes to structure and content

·      Welding strand was removed from this qualification as it did not fulfil industry needs.

·      Steel Construction strand was added to this qualification in response to industry demand.

·      Title changed to National Certificate in Engineering - Fabrication (Level 4) with strands in Heavy Fabrication, Light Fabrication, and Steel Construction.

·      Core Elective section was replaced by the new Core Elective A and Core Elective B.

·      Strand Elective sections were removed from the qualification.

·      Total credits for the qualification changed from 269-285 to 252 or 268.

·      The content of all sections of the qualification was changed to fulfil current industry requirements and standards were updated to reflect changes made at the last review.

·      Structure and standards were changed to rationalise assessments of practical skills, and to more clearly distinguish between heavy and light fabrication strands.

·      New standards on Computer Numerical Control, Cutting and Gouging, Pressure Vessels, Steel Construction and Pattern Developments were added.

·      New structure enables more clearly defined off-job learning program for fabrication apprentices.

 

Transition

 

People working towards version 4 of this qualification may either complete the requirements for that version or transfer their result to version 5.  All new apprentices will be enrolled in version 5.  Apprentices who were enrolled in version 4 from June 2008 will be transferred to version 5.  Apprentices who were enrolled earlier should complete version 4 prior to 31 December 2014.

 

The last day for assessment against unit standards towards versions 3 and 4 of this qualification is 31 December 2014.

 

This qualification contains standards that replace earlier standards.  For the purposes of this qualification people who have gained credit for the earlier standards are exempt from the requirement to gain credit for the replacement standards - see table.

 

Credit for

Exempt from

2414

4435

2414, 2416, 2417

25075

2415

25075

2416

2387, 21909

2418, 2419, 2420, 2421

25704, 25706

2418, 2419, 2420, 2421

25704, 25707

2422

25874

2422, 2423, 2424, 2425

25705, 25708

2423

25698

2423

25699

2423, 2424, 2425, 18107

25705, 25709

2424

25700

2424

25701

2425

25702

2425

25703

2670

21907

2672, 2682

22906

2824

21911, 21912

4432, 16954

21905

4795

20917

4796

20799

12299

21913

18106

25783

18107

25875

 

These exemptions will be available up to 31 December 2015.

 

Competenz will publicise these arrangements on the Competenz website http://www.competenz.org.nz/, in newsletters, and by direct contact with affected parties.

 

It is the intention of Competenz that no existing candidate is disadvantaged by these transition arrangements.  Any person who considers they have been disadvantaged is requested to contact Competenz at the address below.

 

Competenz

P O Box 9005

Newmarket

Auckland 1149

 

Telephone       0800 526 1800

Email                qualifications@competenz.org.nz

 

Key to Qualification Review Categories

 

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

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

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

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