Commercial Natural Gas Practitioner

The purpose of this qualification is to prepare a learner to function as a Commercial Natural Gas Practitioner. Commercial Natural Gas Practitioners design, install, construct, inspect, maintain, repair and commission commercial Natural (natural or bio-) gas installations which comply with safety and other legal requirements. A qualified learner will be able to: • Determine customer energy requirements to provide natural gas supply to meet commercial customer needs. • Design a commercial natural gas system and estimate cost related to the construction of the system to provide efficient gas supply. • Construct and install a natural gas system as per scope of work in a commercial environment. • Commission a commercial natural gas system and conduct a handover session with the end-user on completion of the installation. • Inspect commercial natural gas systems to detect defects and potential risks and maintain or modify the systems to achieve operational safety and optimum performance and reliability, including fault finding.

The South African gas industry is highly regulated and legislation requires gas installers to have formally recognised qualifications. It is a growing industry with an increasing demand for gas systems in domestic, commercial and industrial settings and offers a green alternative to fossil generated energy. South Africa experiences a rising energy demand and deals with a range of challenges and opportunities in the sustainable provision of energy. As Government sought accelerated growth to address the current energy crisis facing the country, it launched its ambitious gas-to-power programme. This initiative is supported by National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA), South African Gas Association (SAGA), DTI and Department: Energy. The gas-to-power landscape in South Africa has moved even further forward with the recent initiative for the development of a 600MW gas-fired power plant. Current government focus includes the strengthening of regional co-operation and cross-border infrastructure being vital to the success of the long-term development of gas to power. Within this context, the development and registration of the Occupational Certificate: Commercial Natural Gas Practitioner becomes a national imperative which will serve the economy and society. This qualification has been designed to meet the training needs expressed by the commercial natural and biogas (natural) industry and will contribute towards the development of competence in the installation and maintenance of natural and biogas equipment and systems in commercial contexts. A person qualifying as a Commercial Natural Gas Technician will be competent to install, repair and maintain gas installations in commercial contexts such as restaurants, yachts, food trucks, schools, etc. It is anticipated that they will start their careers as learner-installers in gas companies from where they will progress to independently run their own natural or biogas installation and maintenance operations. The skills, knowledge and understanding demonstrated within this qualification are essential for social and economic transformation and will contribute to progression and economic growth within the gas installation and maintenance fraternity. Learners will receive recognition for their competencies and will be able to progress further in the industry. The Occupational Certificate: Commercial Natural Gas Practitioner (NQF Level 4) follows on the Occupational Certificate: Domestic Natural Gas Practitioner (NQF Level 3). After successful completion of this qualification and meeting registration requirements, learners can progress to the Occupational Certificate: Industrial Thermoprocessing Gas Technician (NQF Level 5). These three qualifications form a career and learning path for the Natural Gas Industry which creates mobility opportunities for learners and will benefit the industry tremendously. Through the employment of competent installation personnel, employers and, in turn, the field and sub-field, will have confidence that this critical work in the industry is efficiently carried out and that occurrence of accidents, explosions and fires can be avoided. Typical learners include qualified Domestic Natural Gas Practitioners who wish to pursue a career in the gas industry as well as persons currently employed or operating in the gas industry but with no formal recognition for their skills. The following qualifications are registered on the NQF: Occupational Certificate: Flammable Gas System Installer, Occupational Certificate: Food and Beverage Gas Systems Installer, Occupational Certificate: Inert Gas Systems Installer, Occupational Certificate: Medical Gas Systems Installer, Occupational Certificate: Speciality Gas Systems Installer, and Occupational Certificate: Oxidant Gas Systems Installer. These qualifications are all at NQF Level 4 and prepare Gas Practitioners to operate within the compressed gas context and are designed to meet the training needs expressed by the gas industry. It should be noted that the Occupational Certificate: Commercial Natural Gas Practitioner is also designed to meet the training needs expressed by the gas industry for the natural, bio- or liquefied petroleum gas environment. Qualifying learner will be registered with the relevant gas authority based on achievement of the exit level outcomes of this qualification and three (3) years of work experience for professional recognition.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL): RPL for Access 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 Credits 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: Occupational Certificate: Domestic Natural Gas Practitioner, NQF Level 3.

• Design a legally compliant commercial natural gas system according to gas system demand.
• Demonstrate the installation of a commercial natural gas system as per scope of work which is legal and code compliant.
• Adhere to safety, quality and environmental compliance according to legal requirements for a commercial natural gas system.
• Perform maintenance functions and inspections of commercial natural gas installations and equipment.
• Adhere to safety and quality industry codes and legal aspects when installing a commercial natural gas system and working with commercial natural gas.