Field:  Manufacturing

Change report for the review of Plastics Manufacturing New Zealand Qualifications

Reviewed qualifications

[Ref]	Version	Qualification title	Level	Credits
2974	1	New Zealand Certificate in Plastics Processing (Level 3) with optional strand in Plastics Engineering	3	65-115
2975	1	New Zealand Certificate in Plastics Engineering (Level 4)	4	120
2976	1	New Zealand Certificate in Plastics Engineering Technology (Level 5)	5	90

Review information

Qualification Developer	Competenz
Reason for the review	Scheduled 5-year review
Review date	31 December 2020
Outcome date	May 2021
Next review date	December 2025

Summary of review and consultation process

The consultation process included engagement with Plastics New Zealand and a range of individual companies and interested parties.  Feedback was received through an online platform during a period of disruption caused by Covid-19 which limited the ability to engage using traditional methods.  This stakeholder group confirmed that overall, each qualification was working well and providing the outcomes industry was seeking however lack of the specialised areas within the titles at both Level 3 and Level 4 did not allow for the flexibility and further training and recognition of skills to better serve the plastics sector and their learners.  Both qualifications have been stranded and given new NZQA reference numbers.

It was also identified that learners at Level 3 had difficulty in participating in plastic processing paint trials therefore this graduate profile outcome has been removed.

Main changes resulting from the review

While the new stranded qualifications have been developed at both Level 3 and Level 4, the overall intent and purpose of the qualifications has not changed.

- Strategic purpose statements and graduate profile outcomes have been reworded to better reflect the intention of the qualifications.

- Education and employment pathways have been updated to better align with the intention of each qualification.

- Evidence requirements for assuring consistency have been amended to align with industry requirements.

- Conditions removed to align with current NZQA practice.

Specific changes:

New Zealand Certificate in Plastics Processing (Level 3) with optional strand in Plastics Engineering [Ref: 2974-1] has been replaced with the New Zealand Certificate in Plastics Processing (Level 3) with optional strands in Blown Film Extrusion, Extrusion, Extrusion Blow Moulding, Injection Moulding, Injection Stretch Blow Moulding, Rotational Moulding and Thermoforming [Ref: 4401].

- Inclusion of seven optional strands to recognise the distinct operations within the plastics processing sector

- Removal of one graduate profile outcome from the replaced qualification.

- Change of credit values to reflect strands 95 – 120. 

New Zealand Certificate in Plastics Engineering (Level 4) [Ref: 2975-1] has been replaced with the New Zealand Certificate in Plastics Processing (Level 4) with strands in Blown Film Extrusion, Extrusion, Extrusion Blow Moulding, Injection Moulding, Injection Stretch Blow Moulding and Rotational Moulding [Ref: 4402].

- Inclusion of six strands, and the restructuring of the graduate profile outcomes to recognise the distinct operations within the plastics processing sector.

- Change of credit values to reflect strands 125 – 130.

New Zealand Certificate in Plastics Engineering Technology (Level 5) [Ref: 2976]

- Changes to the strategic purpose statements and individual outcomes to better align to the intention of the qualification.

Review outcome

Reference	Version	Reviewed qualification	Outcome category	New qualification details/version (if applicable)
2974	1	New Zealand Certificate in Plastics Processing (Level 3) with optional strand in Plastics Engineering New Zealand Certificate in Plastics Processing (Level 3) with optional strands in Blown Film Extrusion, Extrusion, Extrusion Blow Moulding, Injection Moulding, Injection Stretch Blow Moulding, Rotational Moulding and Thermoforming	C-New replacement qualification	2974-2 4401-1
2975	1	New Zealand Certificate in Plastics Engineering (Level 4) New Zealand Certificate in Plastics Processing (Level 4) with strands in Blown Film Extrusion, Extrusion, Extrusion Blow Moulding, Injection Moulding, Injection Stretch Blow Moulding and Rotational Moulding	C-New replacement qualification	2975-2 4402-1
2976	1	New Zealand Certificate in Plastics Engineering Technology (Level 5)	B-New version of qualification	2976-2

Qualification review outcome categories

Outcome	Result	Category
No changes are identified to the qualification	Qualification version number and NZQF ID remain the same. New review date is required.	A
Minor changes are identified to the qualification	New version of qualification is required (NZQF ID remains the same). New review date is required.	B
Significant changes are required to the qualification	New replacement qualification is required with a new NZQF ID. The existing qualification will expire.	C
The qualification is no longer required be industry	The qualification will expire with no replacement.	D

Transition information

Reference	Version	Qualification title	Last date for entry*	Last date of assessment
2974	1	New Zealand Certificate in Plastics Processing (Level 3) with optional strand in Plastics Engineering	31 December 2023	31 December 2026
2975	1	New Zealand Certificate in Plastics Engineering (Level 4)	31 December 2023	31 December 2026
2976	1	New Zealand Certificate in Plastics Engineering Technology (Level 5)	N/A	31 December 2023

*only required for outcome category C or D

Any additional information

It is anticipated that no existing candidates will be disadvantaged by these transition arrangements. However, anyone who feels that they have been disadvantaged may appeal to Competenz at the address below. Appeals will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Competenz

PO Box 9005

Newmarket

Auckland 1149.

Email: qualifications@competenz.org.nz

Phone: 0800 526 1800