Corrugated Board Printing and Finishing Machine Minder

The purpose of this qualification is to prepare a learner to operate as a Corrugated Board Printing and Finishing Machine Minder. A Corrugated Board Printing and Finishing Machine Minder sets up, runs, tests and monitors corrugated board printing and finishing machinery and equipment for quality corrugated containers. A qualified learner will be able to: • Set-up printing and finishing machinery and equipment. • Print and finish corrugated boards for packaging. • Test quality of corrugated containers. • Conduct first-line machine maintenance on packaging manufacturing machinery and equipment.

The current trade qualification for the Corrugated Board Printing and Finishing Machine Minder is outdated and does meet the requirements for a trade qualification in terms of the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations and National Artisan Moderation Body (NAMB) requirements. The lack of such quality training and education has placed the sector in a precarious position in so far as international competitiveness is concerned not to mention the devastating impact that the increasing scarcity of skills has had on the sector. The challenge that persists within the South African economy is that of addressing the vast range of critical and scares skills needed within an industry like the printing and packaging industry. Some of the key factors that need to be addressed within the economy are: • Prioritising and communicating critical skills for sustainable growth, development and equity. • The promotion and acceleration of quality training for all in the workplace. • Promoting employability and sustainable livelihoods through skills development. • The promotion of entrants to participate in accredited and integrated work based qualification to acquire the critical skills to enter the labour market and for self-employment. In an effort to support the states objective i.e. addressing the challenges of poverty and inequality in the country through high levels of education and training interventions, industry needs and workplace training needs have to be aligned to necessitate industry growth to yield quality and credible labourers. The apparent need of development across all sub-sectors of more middle and high level skills and the need for workplace training programmes that bring about productivity and competitiveness drive the need to identify the skill deficiencies and address them within the printing and packaging industry. Economic gender sensitivity in the workplace also needs addressing through the requirement of more female apprentices to enter the printing and packaging industry to change the complexion of the industries male dominated reputation so that it starts to reflect the transformation taking root in the workplace. Trades and occupations need to incorporate new skills and knowledge to replace outdated skills and knowledge. Learners of this qualification will receive a high standard of training and education that is occupationally aligned. Once qualified, these learners will be able to further their education and obtain access to industry related management qualification available in the Printing and Packaging sector. Printing and Packaging employers will gain access to suitably qualified artisans to operate and maintain costly printing. By creating career pathways in this sector, employees will be able to progress from general factory workers to qualified artisans. This will create a healthy employment cycle providing much needed employment opportunities to unemployed youth. While qualified artisans will currently not be able to progress to a registered qualification at an NQF Level 5 or higher, it is envisaged that Supervisory and or Master Craftsmen qualifications will be developed in the near future to provide career pathway opportunities.

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: The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is: • NQF Level 1 qualification.

• Set up printing and finishing machinery and equipment to produce consistent quality printed and finished corrugated containers for packaging.
• Make ready and run corrugated board printing and finishing equipment and machinery to produce consistent quality printed and finished corrugated containers for packaging.
• Test the quality of printed and finished corrugated containers.
• Conduct first-line machine maintenance on corrugated board printing and finishing machinery and equipment.