Civil Engineering Materials Tester

The purpose of this qualification is to provide the learner with the knowledge, skills and work experience to operate as a Civil Engineering Materials Tester. A Civil Engineering Materials Tester executes the following to predefined standards of construction materials for civil engineering construction works: • Field sampling, testing, laboratory sample preparation, And • Laboratory testing of aggregates, soils, gravels, crushed stone materials, bituminous binders and bituminous products, concrete construction materials and concrete. A qualified learner will be able to: • Conduct laboratory activities, housekeeping and organise data; • Execute field sampling and on-site testing, calculate and submit results; • Execute sample preparation activities and conduct physical testing of aggregate materials, calculate and submit results; • Execute sample preparation activities and conduct physical testing of soils, gravels and crushed stone materials, calculate and submit results; • Execute sample preparation activities and conduct physical testing of bituminous binders, calculate and submit results; • Execute sample preparation activities and conduct physical testing of asphalt, calculate and submit results; • Execute sample preparation activities and conduct physical testing of concrete and constituent materials, calculate and submit results.

There is currently a critical shortage of qualified Materials Testers in the Construction Industry, and the existing qualifications are expiring, outdated and need alignment to new technologies. This qualification, therefore, intends to meet the industry's demands for the skills required as well as meeting the industry requirements of a complete qualification per occupation. Quality control during the construction process and the manufacturing of products used in construction are dependent on the accurate execution of laboratory tests by competent materials testers. The qualification's contribution to socio-economic transformation is that learners will be able to receive recognition for previous learning and experience. The qualification enhances employability and career prospects. The qualified and competent materials testers test civil engineering materials for quality before approval. The material testing contributes to infrastructure constructed with lower maintenance costs, longer life spans and increased safety factors. Graduate learners will work in the construction or manufacturing sectors. Learners will use aggregates, bituminous products, soils, gravels and crushed stone materials or concrete. The combination of learning outcomes in this qualification will provide learners with applied competence in: • The execution of field sampling and testing, • Laboratory sample preparation and laboratory testing of aggregates, soils, gravels, crushed stone materials, • Bituminous binders and bituminous products, concrete construction materials and concrete.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL): Recognition of Prior Learning (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. RPL for access to the qualification: Accredited providers and approved workplaces may recognise prior learning against the relevant access requirements. Entry Requirements: • NQF Level 2 with Mathematics. Or • Five years assessed experience in testing in a civil engineering laboratory facility.

• Conduct laboratory activities, housekeeping and organise data.
• Execute field sampling and on-site testing of asphalt and other bituminous surfacings, calculate and submit results.
• Perform field sampling of aggregates.
• Complete sample preparation activities and conduct physical testing of aggregate materials, calculate and submit results.
• Execute field sampling and on-site testing of soils, gravels and crushed stone materials; calculate and submit results.
• Perform sample preparation activities and conduct physical testing of soils, gravels and crushed stone materials, calculate and submit results.
• Execute field sampling and on-site testing of bituminous binders; calculate and submit results.
• Conduct sample preparation activities and conduct physical testing of bituminous binders, calculate and submit results.
• Execute field sampling and on-site testing of asphalt, calculate and submit results.
• Execute sample preparation activities and conduct physical testing of asphalt, calculate and submit results.
• Execute field sampling and on-site testing of concrete, calculate and submit results.
• Execute sample preparation activities and conduct physical testing of concrete, calculate and submit results.