Collaborative Recycler

The purpose of this qualification is to provide the learner with the necessary education and skills in respect of Paper Recycling as well as Introductory Business Training for potential entrepreneurs so that they can venture into the business environment as a Small, Medium and Micro-sized Enterprise (SMME). This qualification focuses on education and training as a means of establishing SMMEs and promoting a culture of recycling to promote job creation by providing learners with the necessary skills and training to start their own small business; to create efficiency in the collection, recycling and disposal of waste paper; to ensure best practice in recycling through educational work and technical support and to ensure that good quality paper is recovered. This qualification provides training that is linked to special projects as it will enhance skills development and support implementation of the sector skills plan. It will address issues such as poverty alleviation (this includes assisting municipalities to fight poverty) and job creation. The shared purpose of this qualification is to assess and recognise workplace skills acquired without the benefit of formal education and training for those who have been operating as a collector for a long time and for new entrants to effectively participate in the business of paper and packaging collecting. Learners who are assessed as competent in this qualification will be able to act as business owners (small business), manage and organise resources, plan and market their businesses, sort, collect and distribute recyclable material on Recycling projects focused on Materials collections of paper, plastic, metal cans, plastic bottles and glass in the packaging industry. Learners will be able to manage small recycling businesses i.e. understand, direct and coordinate pre-project planning; understand general contract documentation; implement administrative systems and be able to co-ordinate, direct and guide activities in their SMME subcontracts in a safe and cost-effective manner.

Recycling generally is viewed within government as an opportunity for job creation. The paper sector recognised that to accelerate job creation, small businesses, run by entrepreneurs had to be created so that those businesses could create jobs. The Paper Recycling Association of South Africa (PRASA) Entrepreneurship Course was initiated to encourage collectors of recycling materials to improve their status from that of collector to Entrepreneur running his or her own micro or small business. This qualification represents a specific context of management, i.e. materials recycler (paper and packaging collector, in this case, the larger part of the life cycle of recycling and packaging industry. This qualification contributes to the development of a professional community of Materials Recyclers (Paper and Packaging Collector) in the Paper and Packaging Industry. The contribution to the National Skills Development Strategy is the key developmental interface between learners and new competencies to be achieved. Its contribution to socio-economic transformation is that learners would be able to undergo Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)-assessment and thereby receive recognition for previous learning and experience. The employability and career prospects of learners can therefore be enhanced by this qualification.

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 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: • Occupational Certificate: Self-employed re-cycling materials collector, National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 1.

1. Co-ordinate a re-cycling collection operation making use of a few operators working in collaboration to improve the efficiency of revenue generation.