Occupational Qualification · A4
Discretionary Grant · UpcomingAbove Surface Cleaner
- NQF Level
- NQF Level 1
- Credits
- 46
- Duration
- —
- SAQA ID
- 118712
Official QCTO Registry Profile
Source: SAQA / QCTO registry- SAQA ID
- 118712
- Min Credits
- 46
- Registered
- 2022-02-03
- Re-registration
- 2025-12-31
- Field
- Field 09 - Health Sciences and Social Services
- Sub-field
- Preventive Health
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Overview & Scope
Programme Profile
- Target Designation
- Certified Above Surface Cleaner Practitioner
- Competency Focus
- Master specialised practical applications, safety criteria, and regulatory mandates required of a qualified Above Surface Cleaner.
- Academic Weight
- Full national recognition at NQF Level 1 yielding 46 credits upon successful PoE verification.
- Work Opportunities
- Deployment across As a qualified above surface cleaner, you can find employment opportunities in Business Services, Cleaning, Security, Real Estate. Your skills will be in demand across both public and private sectors, and you may also choose to work as an independent contractor or start your own business in this field. operations under SERVICES SETA scope.
- Audit Objective
- Bridges operational skills deficits under the governing SERVICES SETA quality matrix.
- Value Proposition
- Measurable, legally compliant skills that optimise productivity, satisfy Workplace Skills Plans (WSP), and unlock B-BBEE scorecard weight.
Introduction▾
The Above Surface Cleaner (NQF Level 1, 46 credits) is a comprehensive Occupational Certificate that blends foundational theory with intensive practical application. Throughout your learning journey, you will develop the competencies required to operate effectively, safely, and ethically within your industry. Employers value this qualification because it signals that you are job-ready from day one.
Purpose▾
The purpose of this qualification is to prepare learners to function as a an Above Surface Cleaner. An Above Surface Cleaner, cleans and disinfects above floor structures, fixtures and accessories surfaces in a commercial environment. In addition, learner attributes (including communication) will be integrated in the learning process. Learners will have to prove competence of the above knowledge, skills, attitudes, responsibilities and tasks imbedded in the exit level outcomes. A qualified learner will be able to: • Plan and prepare to clean above surface. • Clean above surface
Entry Requirements▾
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL): • Learners will gain access to the part-qualification through RPL for Access as provided for in the QCTO. RPL Policy. RPL for access is conducted by accredited education institution, skills development provider or workplace accredited to offer that specific qualification/part qualification. • Learners who have acquired competencies of the modules of a qualification or part-qualification will be credited for modules through RPL. RPL for access to the external integrated summative assessment: Accredited providers and approved workplaces must apply the internal assessment criteria specified in the related curriculum document to establish and confirm prior learning. Accredited providers and workplaces must confirm prior learning by issuing a statement of result. Entry Requirements: The minimum entry requirement for this part-qualification is: • Open Access
SAQA Rationale▾
This part-qualification is important to address the skills of the current and future employees serving all forms of commercial enterprises. Many commercial entities draw commercial cleaners from a unique group of semi-literate people in the country. The employees are currently trained using unit standard from various qualifications but the occupation itself does not have focused and formalised training programme. The need for formalisation of the qualification was emphasised by many role players that included Black Economic Empowerment (BEECA) Cleaning Association, Professional Body for Environmental Hygiene (PBEH) and National Contract Cleaners Association (NCCA). The skills acquired by the qualified commercial cleaner will remain important boost for the multiple sectors. The qualified employees will enhance commercial value offering and improve the customer experiences for most commercial cleaning offerings. The young people drawn into this sector will improve not only their cleaning skills but also serve the country broadly across different sectors. The skills gained can be used in various economic sectors to enhance hygienic working environment and improve health and safety standard in the commercial environment. Opportunities for growth are abundant for many qualified people. Not only will they have a qualification that can very easily enable them to move horizontally as butlers amongst others but vertically into supervisory roles in many contracted commercial cleaning companies. This qualification will contribute to the full development of the learner within the commercial industry by providing recognition, further mobility, and transportability within the sector. This qualification forms part of a suite of related qualifications in a commercial cleaning occupational pathway. Learners wishing to become a Commercial Cleaner can enrol for this qualification (Occupational Qualification: Commercial Cleaner, Level 1) or alternatively first enrol for the following part qualifications: • Commercial Kitchenette Cleaner Level 1. • Commercial Ablution Cleaner Level 1. • Above Surface Cleaner Level 1. • Commercial Floor Cleaner Level 1. Should such a learner wish to, at a later stage, enrol for the Occupational Certificate: Commercial Cleaner he/she will be granted recognition for modules already completed (CAT). In a similar manner, learners will be able to move from the any of the part qualifications to the Commercial Cleaning pathway.
Learning Assumed to be in Place & RPL▾
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL): • Learners will gain access to the part-qualification through RPL for Access as provided for in the QCTO. RPL Policy. RPL for access is conducted by accredited education institution, skills development provider or workplace accredited to offer that specific qualification/part qualification. • Learners who have acquired competencies of the modules of a qualification or part-qualification will be credited for modules through RPL. RPL for access to the external integrated summative assessment: Accredited providers and approved workplaces must apply the internal assessment criteria specified in the related curriculum document to establish and confirm prior learning. Accredited providers and workplaces must confirm prior learning by issuing a statement of result. Entry Requirements: The minimum entry requirement for this part-qualification is: • Open Access
Exit Level Outcomes▾
- Prepare equipment and tools, chemicals, and consumables to clean above surface to specifications.
- Complete cleaning of above surface to standard using cleaning principles and methods.
Learning Material Included
- Learner Guide (Theory and Knowledge Modules)
- Facilitator Guide
- Workplace Logbook
- Formative and Summative Assessment
- Assessor Guide & Marking Memorandum
- SETA / QCTO Alignment Matrix
- Administrative & Onboarding Pack
- Implementation Plan
Moderator-Ready Curriculum Breakdown
9 modules · 46 creditsTheory, regulatory and safety knowledge. Each row carries the registered module code, NQF level and credit weight used for formative assessment rubric mapping.
- 811201-000-00-KM-016 cr
Introduction to the World of Work
NQF Level 1
- 811201-000-00-KM-045 cr
Commercial Cleaning Equipment, Chemicals and Consumables
NQF Level 1
- 811201-000-00-KM-084 cr
Introduction to Above the Floor Surface
NQF Level 1
Qualification 118712 · Curriculum Architecture
Occupational Certificate: Above Surface Cleaner · NQF Level 1 (46 Credits)
Three Curriculum Pillars
Knowledge Modules
Classroom & E-Learning
- Facilitated lectures & self-study
- Written question banks
- Formative comprehension checks
Practical Skill Modules
Simulated Line Tasks
- Simulated line tasks
- Observation rubrics
- Structured task sheets
Work Experience Modules
On-the-Job Production
- On-the-job rotation
- Mentor logbooks
- Workplace sign-offs
Evidence & Audit Pipeline
Learner Portfolio of Evidence (PoE)Owner · Candidate▾
Admin & Registration
ID, learner contract, induction pack, POPIA consent.
Knowledge Evidence
Written assessments & question banks — KM-01 to KM-07.
Practical Evidence
Task sheets, observation rubrics, assessor photos.
Workplace Evidence
Logbooks, mentor sign-offs, supervisor letters.
Assessor Master FileOwner · Registered Assessor▾
Assessment Reports
Judgements, learner feedback, remediation agreements, appeals log.
Internal Moderation & Quality FileOwner · Moderator / SDP▾
Moderation Evidence
10% sampling matrix, HACCP/LOTO compliance sheets, SDP sign-off.
Final Accreditation Gateway
Issued by the accredited Skills Development Provider once internal moderation is signed off.
Provider submits declaration + PoE to the Assessment Quality Partner (AQP).
QCTO awards the SAQA-registered certificate on successful EISA outcome.
Audit & Compliance
Evidence & Audit Pipeline
From portfolio assembly to external sign-off — the exact route your evidence travels.
- Step 1
PoE Assembly
Learner evidence, formative records and logbook entries filed against the alignment matrix.
- Step 2
Internal Assessment
Registered assessor judges each KM/PM/WM outcome using the supplied instruments.
- Step 3
Internal Moderation
Sampling and verification of assessor decisions, with remediation loop before submission.
- Step 4
External Moderation
SETA/QCTO desktop audit and certification upload against registered credits.
Broken Standard vs i2Graduates Standard
The measurable delta between improvised material and an audit-ready suite.
Broken Standard
i2Graduates Standard
Curriculum Mapping
Photocopied guides with mismatched outcomes
3 KM + 3 PM + 3 WM modules mapped to NQF Level 1
Assessment Bank
Missing formative and summative assessments
Pre-validated assessment bank per module
Alignment Evidence
No alignment matrix — audit fails
SERVICES SETA alignment matrix included
Facilitation
Facilitators improvise Above Surface Cleaner delivery
Facilitator scripts + learner activities per credit
Portfolio of Evidence
PoE gaps flagged in moderation
PoE templates that survive external moderation
Pricing & Delivery Tiers
Base licence from R37 300
Digital Master Suite
Editable master files, licensed to your SDP
- Learner Guide, Facilitator Guide & Assessment Suite
- Workplace logbook + alignment matrix (editable)
- Instant digital delivery under institutional licence
- Free minor corrections for 12 months
Turnkey Print & Bound Package
Printed, bound and couriered per learner
- Everything in the Digital Master Suite
- Full-colour print, wire-bound learner packs
- Per-learner PoE folders and dividers
- Nationwide courier with tracked delivery
Full Enterprise Accreditation Bundle
Assets plus accreditation support end-to-end
- Everything in the Print & Bound Package
- Bespoke QMS build mapped to your scope
- Moderation dry-run + written remediation report
- Brand & metadata integration across the suite
Complementary Services
Optional add-ons that harden your accreditation scope before an external audit.
Bespoke QMS Build
We author your Quality Management System — policies, procedures, records, matrices — mapped to your accreditation scope. From R18,500.
Request QuoteModeration Consultation
External moderation dry-run on your PoE + delivery pack. Written report with fixes before your real audit. From R4,900.
Book Moderation SessionThe i2Graduates Quality Guarantee
Every page of this bundle is checked for sequence and structural accuracy — no missing pages, no shortcuts. You get pre-validated assessment instruments ready to survive rigorous compliance moderation, wrapped in a curriculum your facilitators will enjoy teaching.
