Borehole Pump Operator

The purpose of this qualification is to prepare a learner to operate as a Borehole Pump Operator. A Borehole Pump Operator prepares, operates, inspects, measures, samples, tests, installs, adjusts, monitors, records and maintains a borehole pump to transfer groundwater to treatment plant or reservoir to residential, commercial, and industrial establishments for safe drinking and other uses in accordance with safe working instructions, principles and best practice. A qualified learner will be able to: • Operate and maintain groundwater abstraction system/borehole pump. • Monitor and evaluate groundwater abstraction system performance and its related equipment. • Perform fault-finding and troubleshooting. • Build and maintain relationships with stakeholders.

Climate change continues to negatively affect the availability of both groundwater and surface water contributing to water shortage/scarcity globally. This affects the livelihoods, human wellbeing both in urban and rural settings, food security and industries in the economy throughout the country. The communities especially in the rural areas are experiencing water shortages and depend on wells which are not sustainable. Policy-makers and other key role-players in the water sector are increasingly looking for ways to achieve sustainable supply and access to water resources to meet the basic human right and industry needs hence groundwater forms an important life sustaining resource that most rural communities depend on including major sectors in the economy such as mining and agriculture. Currently there is limited accessibility to groundwater resources in most areas due to non-functionality of the available groundwater infrastructure as a result of vandalism, hence the need for the qualification to provide knowledge and technical skills to individuals to operate and maintain borehole infrastructure which will promote socio-economic progress in the country benefiting the communities in terms of human health and industries utilising groundwater resources in their operations thus creating the economic welfare of the country. Currently there are no similar qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF). This qualification is therefore designed to provide learners with requisite knowledge skills, values and attitudes to operate and maintain borehole pumps to ensure optimal performance and meet constant supply of water to the various users at this level. Qualifying learner will be able to operate and maintain groundwater infrastructure. No licensing or membership requirements apply to this qualification at the time of development. The qualification is intended for those who wish to start a career as borehole pump operators as well as process controllers, learners who have obtained civil engineering NATED programmes as well as those who have acquired knowledge, expertise and experience in groundwater abstraction operating the borehole pumps in the real-life work environment but do not have formal qualification. Qualifying learners will gain employment opportunities at government levels (national, provincial and local) as well in private homes, business or become self-employed. This qualification also allows career pathing to qualifying learners to articulate vertically and horizontally in water related qualifications to practice an occupation as process controllers, technicians and technologists.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL): RPL for access to a qualification • Learners will gain access to the 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. RPL for exemption of modules • Learners who have acquired competencies of the modules of a qualification or part qualification will be exempted from modules through RPL. • Learners will be awarded credits for or towards the qualification or part qualification through RPL as provided in the QCTO RPL Policy. RPL for credits provides for the formal award of credits for, or towards a qualification or part-qualification registered on the NQF. 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 or certifying a work experience record. Entry Requirements: • NQF Level 2 qualification.

• Monitor, evaluate and operate groundwater abstraction system for optimal performance.
• Perform basic maintenance and troubleshooting on groundwater abstraction system.
• Analyse and apply stakeholder engagement techniques to build trust and maintain relationships.