Occupational Qualification · B13
Discretionary Grant · OpenBench Worker
- NQF Level
- NQF Level 4
- Credits
- 74
- Duration
- —
- SAQA ID
- 117017
Official QCTO Registry Profile
Source: SAQA / QCTO registry- SAQA ID
- 117017
- Min Credits
- 74
- Registered
- 2020-05-28
- Re-registration
- 2025-05-28
- Field
- Field 06 - Manufacturing, Engineering and Technology
- Sub-field
- Manufacturing and Assembly
Sample Asset Preview
Overview & Scope
Programme Profile
- Target Designation
- Certified Bench Worker Practitioner
- Competency Focus
- Master specialised practical applications, safety criteria, and regulatory mandates required of a qualified Bench Worker.
- Academic Weight
- Full national recognition at NQF Level 4 yielding 74 credits upon successful PoE verification.
- Work Opportunities
- Deployment across As a qualified bench worker, you can find employment opportunities in Manufacturing, Engineering, Automotive. 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 MERSETA scope.
- Audit Objective
- Bridges operational skills deficits under the governing MERSETA quality matrix.
- Value Proposition
- Measurable, legally compliant skills that optimise productivity, satisfy Workplace Skills Plans (WSP), and unlock B-BBEE scorecard weight.
Introduction▾
Designed as a Occupational Certificate at NQF Level 4 worth 74 credits, the Bench Worker equips you with both theoretical understanding and hands-on capabilities. You will learn to perform complex tasks, solve real-world problems, and adapt to the demands of a dynamic work environment. This qualification is your stepping stone to becoming a confident, capable professional.
Purpose▾
The purpose of this part-qualification is to prepare a learner to operate as a Bench Worker. A Bench Worker diagnoses and repairs starters and alternators and/or disassembles (strips) starters and alternators, replaces their worn or faulty components, tests repaired starters and alternators for functionality, and re-assembles and refits them.
Entry Requirements▾
Recognition of Prior Learning (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 results or by certifying a work experience record. RPL for Access to the Qualification: Accredited providers and approved workplaces may recognise prior learning against the relevant access requirements. Entry Requirements: NQF Level 1 qualification with Mathematics and Science.
SAQA Rationale▾
This is a part-qualification that emerged during the revision of the Automotive Electrician qualification. The part-qualification is designed for learners who will diagnose and repair starters and alternators and/or disassemble starters and alternators, replace their worn or faulty components, test repaired starters and alternators for functionality, re-assemble and refit them in auto-electrical environments like dealerships, independent workshops or fully-fledged auto- electrical workshops. This part-qualification will fulfil the need of many people employed as 'Bench Workers' who have no formal qualification in performing the above tasks with starters and alternators. The part-qualification is aimed at both new entrants to the automotive sector as well as those who have been working in the automotive industry in the environments described above. This part-qualification will also provide learners with a foundation to pursue the Automotive Electrician trade qualification. Upon completion of this part-qualification, learners will gain official recognition for their competencies and be positioned to assume higher-level responsibilities within their respective organisations. Learners who successfully complete this part-qualification can participate effectively in the automotive industry, whether in small, medium or large enterprises. This part-qualification will contribute to the economy in that persons diagnosing and repairing starters and alternators in a critical growth sector will be adequately trained to do so. The part-qualification will open employment opportunities and/or enhance the potential for higher income.
Learning Assumed to be in Place & RPL▾
Recognition of Prior Learning (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 results or by certifying a work experience record. RPL for Access to the Qualification: Accredited providers and approved workplaces may recognise prior learning against the relevant access requirements. Entry Requirements: NQF Level 1 qualification with Mathematics and Science.
Exit Level Outcomes▾
1. Test, diagnose and repair automotive starting and charging systems.
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
8 modules · 74 creditsTheory, regulatory and safety knowledge. Each row carries the registered module code, NQF level and credit weight used for formative assessment rubric mapping.
- 671208-000-00-03KM-019 cr
Workplace Fundamentals
NQF Level 2
- 671208-000-00-03KM-026 cr
Concepts of Occupational Health, Safety and Quality
NQF Level 2
- 671208-000-00-03KM-056 cr
Theory and Principles of Electricity
NQF Level 2
- 671208-000-00-03KM-106 cr
Conventional Charging and Starting Systems
NQF Level 4
Qualification 117017 · Curriculum Architecture
Occupational Certificate: Bench Worker · NQF Level 4 (74 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
4 KM + 3 PM + 1 WM modules mapped to NQF Level 4
Assessment Bank
Missing formative and summative assessments
Pre-validated assessment bank per module
Alignment Evidence
No alignment matrix — audit fails
MERSETA alignment matrix included
Facilitation
Facilitators improvise Bench Worker 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 R53 700
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.