1 The National certificate in professional driving (nqf3)

1.1 Introduction

The National Certificate in Professional Driving is an NQF3 Learnership (qualification) which has been registered with the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) and the Department of Labour (DOL), by the Transport SETA (TETA). It is an eleven-month program which earns the learner a nationally recognised certificate. The curriculum has been designed according to standards set by the industry, which will be revisited and adjusted every three years.

NQF3 qualifications have an entry-level requirement which is the equivalent of a Grade 9 literacy level. The learner is also required to be English read and write literate, as the National Instruction Language is English.

1.2 Learning Methodology

Learnerships may be completed over a period of up to four years, with the employer able to claim Skills Development Levies back for the learner for the duration of the four-year period, but no longer.

Learnerships are designed as three-phase courses. The three phases are:

o Fundamental
This phase teaches the learner certain fundamental skills, such as Communications, Operating Computer Systems, Self Development and a variety of others depending on the Learnership.

o Core
These are modules (subjects) which are core to the industry in which the learner is operating. For example in the transport industry: Understanding the Road Transport Industry in South Africa.

o Elective
These modules allow the learner to study subject matter which is job-specific for the learner. E.g. a truck driver could study Convey General Freight and/or Convey Hazardous Goods.

Learners may elect to do a skills programme composed of a number of the unit standards that are particularly relevant to them, without completing the whole learnership. Unit standards completed will still earn them credits towards the full learnership, should they subsequently decide to do it.

Learnerships are broken up into Classroom training, which is a theoretical phase and Workplace training, which requires the learner to apply the theory learnt, in his own workplace. The ratio of classroom to workplace training is Learnership-specific and may be defined in the Unit Standards. In the case of the Professional Driving Learnership, the ratio is 40:60 (Classroom/Workplace). The learner is given a workplace-training program which must be managed by a mentor appointed by his employer. At the end of the workplace-training program, a qualified assessor assesses the learner. If competent, the learner is issued with a National Certificate and the results are stored in the National Learner Database (NLRD).

Learnerships can have up to four classroom phases, which may be of up to two weeks in duration. These are alternated with workplace training at the end of each classroom phase. An assessment is done at the end of each workplace-training phase. A learner may generally not continue with subsequent phases until the prior phase has been successfully completed.

Each module has a credit value and learners have to successfully complete enough modules in the Professional Driving Learnership to achieve 120 credits. A credit is the equivalent of 10 hours of study, as specified by SAQA. The full Learnership therefore requires 1200 notional hours of study, 40% of which is classroom based (includes practical driving lessons).

1.3 Learnership Content - National Certificate in Professional Driving

1.3.1 FUNDAMENTAL UNIT STANDARDS

NO	STANDARD (MODULE)	NQF LEVEL	CREDITS
CFH01	Conducting Communication and Interpersonal Relations.	3	10
	Module Content: No Days: 4 Enables learner to select and use a communication medium bearing in mind customer requirements; identify specific requirements and styles used in initiating written and verbal interactions; choose Interpersonal behavioural choices appropriate to occupational situations and review communication networks and the effective and accurate communication of information to the correct external and internal customers.
CFH03	Managing Self Development	4	12
	Module Content: No Days: 4 Enables learner to identify the skills and knowledge required for development of his career path; make and update personal plans for developing skills to improve his performance; prioritise goals and objectives; pursue feedback of current levels of competence and personal growth; use requisite resources for the successful achievement of planned objectives; identify ways to minimise digressions or obstacles for the successful achievement of planned objectives.
CFHO4	Applying Basic Business Principles	3	9
	Module Content: No Days: 4 Enables learner to utilise machinery, equipment, materials and time cost effectively and productively; identify and apply goals aligned to the work situation which reflect the organisational goals; maintain and enhance organisational image and customer service; identify and anticipate customers’ requirements and meet them within budgetary constraints.
CFH06	Maintaining Occupational Health, Safety and General Housekeeping	3	8
	Module Content: No Days: 3 Enables learner to use the correct protective clothing and equipment in relation to specific freight / commodities and environments; implement and comply with the relevant procedures, material requirements and methodologies in maintaining prescribed safety, health and environmental standards; implementing selected mechanisms for the minimising of safety, health and environmental impacts and risks as specified in current legislation, NOSA requirements and organisational policies.
	TOTAL		39

1.3.2 CORE UNIT STANDARDS

NO	STANDARD (MODULE)	NQF LEVEL	CREDITS
DQ1	Obtain and Communicate Transport Operational Information	3	7
	Module Content: No Days: 2 Enables learner to ensure documentation for a trip is on hand and complies with both legislative and operational requirements; that all procedures for obtaining and reporting operational information are adhered to; obtain information about the route, plan and prepare for requirements on route; communicate required information to role players accurately, timeously and completely; communication devices are applied correctly and appropriately; take action to rectify defects in communication devices; determine which information is gathered and to whom it is communicated.
DQ2	Operate a Rigid Vehicle	4	32
	Module Content: No Days: See DQ10 Prepare a vehicle for a trip – inspect components, record inspection and identify defects; drive a rigid vehicle in accordance with K53, manufacturer, legal and defensive requirements – driving to actively prevent accidents, vehicle and cab are monitored for malfunctions and appropriate action is taken where required; vehicle is parked, shut down and secured in accordance with manufacturer specifications, traffic regulations and operational procedures; handle emergency situations; reflect on vehicle performance, as well as the manner in which he/she operates the vehicle – explain effect of weather/road/traffic conditions, influence of driver actions on cost effective operation of the vehicle, explain the effect of psychological and medical conditions on driving performance. Done in conjunction with DQ10.
DQ3	Understand the Road Transport Industry in South Africa	3	5
	Module Content: No Days: 2 Demonstrate an understanding of Road Transport Legislation; demonstrate knowledge of Road Transport Operations in SA – relationship between road and other transport modes, volume of passengers and freight carried, advantages of Road Transport, importance of Transport in the national economy; demonstrate knowledge of features of the SA Transport Industry – types of passenger and freight delivery services; reflect on the costs associated with the operation of Road Transport Services – identify costs and strategies for cost reduction; demonstrate knowledge of career paths in the Road Transport Industry.
DQ4	Foster and Maintain Customer Relations	3	10
	Module Content: No Days: 4 Establish and maintain sound customer relations with customers, inform customers – service enquiries are answered accurately; reflect on the information needs of customers in terms of service on offer; resolve customer complaints, satisfy existing customer needs; monitor customer satisfaction and new service opportunities.
	TOTAL		54

1.3.3 ELECTIVE UNIT STANDARDS

NO	STANDARD (MODULE)	NQF LEVEL	CREDITS
DQ5	Provide Commuter Services	3	8
	Module Content: No Days: 3 Prepare the vehicle, equipment and documentation; load, drive and off-load passengers with specific attention to safety and comfort; collect payments and issue passenger tickets; complete trip or shift information; adhere to service contractual specifications; provide operational information.
DQ6	Provide Long Distance Coach / Bus Services	3	10
	Module Content: No Days: 4 Prepare the coach/bus, documentation and ancillary equipment for the journey; collect passengers from arrival points and deliver them at destinations; drive the coach/bus with specific attention to safety and comfort; receive and deliver luggage, assist passengers with reservations, and arrival-, checking in- and departure procedures; complete journey and operational information.
DQ7	Provide Tour Coach Service	3	8
	Module Content: No Days: 3 Welcome and inform tourists; co-host tour groups; solve conflict between individuals and groups; solve problems experienced by individual members or tour groups; act as ambassador for the country; complete tour or journey and operational information; reflect on the national importance of providing quality service to tourists.
DQ9	Convey General Freight	3	6
	Module Content: No Days: 3 Prepare for loading / off-loading process; conduct loading process; secure freight according to product requirements; drive vehicle in a manner such as to ensure the maintenance of freight quality; conduct off-loading process.
DQ10	Operate a Vehicle Combination Consisting of a Drawing Vehicle and Trailer/s	4	10
	Module Content: No Days: 20 Prepare vehicle combination for a trip, drive a vehicle combination in accordance with K53, manufacturer, legal and defensive driving requirements; reflect on vehicle performance, as well as the manner in which he/she operates the vehicle; couple and uncouple a drawing vehicle and trailer/s; reflect on the impact of additional trailers on the dynamics of the vehicle combination.
DQ11	Convey Hazardous Goods	3	8
	Module Content: No Days: 3 Carry and display relevant legal documentation; apply safety and standard operating procedures during loading, off-loading and transportation; apply safety procedures in the event of an accident/incident/spillage; drive vehicle in a manner which takes cognisance of the load.
DQ12	Convey Livestock	3	8
	Module Content: No Days: 3 Transport animals in cargo space, according to regulations; group animals according to regulations; inspect animals during transportation, according to regulations; load and unload animals, according to regulations; feed animals according to regulations; take care of animals effects, whilst driving; deal with emergency situations, according to regulations; complete and carry documentation, as per regulations.
DQ13	Convey Abnormal Freight	3	8
	Module Content: No Days: 3 Inspect the load; ensure that the vehicle and load comply with conditions as per exemption permit; consider abnormal load effects while driving.
CFH17	Operate Lift Trucks	3	6
	Module Content: NoDays: 3 Identify and classify freight taking into account documentation, packaging and labelling; handle, load and store freight in accordance with laid down standards, environmental requirements; achieve maximum work performance of lifting equipment and attachments, by applying knowledge of equipment dimensions, controls, capacities etc; operate equipment in accordance with laid down organisational and legislative standards and procedures as well as manufacturers guidelines; access available support systems and emergency services in case of incidents and accidents.
CFH18	Operate Cranes	3	10
	Module Content: No Days: 4 Identify the safety and suitability of crane prior to utilisation thereof; apply the recognised methods for inspecting and recording the operational fitness of all components of the crane; react to recognised hand signals and to direct the crane movements accordingly; operate the crane in a safe and competent manner.
TBA	Conduct Elementary Heavy Vehicle Maintenance	2	6

TBA	Manage SMME’s	3	12

TBA	Guide Tourists	4	12

	TOTAL		120