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Occupational Qualification · D23

Discretionary Grant · Open

Dock Master

QCTO Aligned Audit-ReadyTETA
NQF Level
NQF Level 5
Credits
180
Duration
—
SAQA ID
102759
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Official QCTO Registry Profile

Source: SAQA / QCTO registry
SAQA ID
102759
Min Credits
180
Registered
2021-07-01
Re-registration
2025-12-30
Field
Field 11 - Services
Sub-field
Transport, Operations and Logistics

Sample Asset Preview

Curriculum Alignment MatrixCRN ZA-SDP-2026-089
Curriculum Alignment Matrix — page 1
Curriculum Alignment Matrix — page 2
Curriculum Alignment Matrix — page 3
Curriculum Alignment Matrix — page 4
Curriculum Alignment Matrix — page 5
Page 1 of 5

Overview & Scope

Programme Profile

Target Designation
Certified Dock Master Practitioner
Competency Focus
Master specialised practical applications, safety criteria, and regulatory mandates required of a qualified Dock Master.
Academic Weight
Full national recognition at NQF Level 5 yielding 180 credits upon successful PoE verification.
Work Opportunities
Deployment across As a qualified dock master, you can find employment opportunities in Transport, Logistics, Maritime, Aviation. Your skills will be in demand across both public and private sectors, and you may also choose to work as an independent contractor or start your own business in this field. operations under TETA scope.
Audit Objective
Bridges operational skills deficits under the governing TETA quality matrix.
Value Proposition
Measurable, legally compliant skills that optimise productivity, satisfy Workplace Skills Plans (WSP), and unlock B-BBEE scorecard weight.
Introduction▾

Designed as a Occupational Certificate at NQF Level 5 worth 180 credits, the Dock Master equips you with both theoretical understanding and hands-on capabilities. You will learn to perform complex tasks, solve real-world problems, and adapt to the demands of a dynamic work environment. This qualification is your stepping stone to becoming a confident, capable professional.

Purpose▾

The purpose of this qualification is to prepare a learner to operate as a Dock Master. A Dock Master plans, coordinates and controls the safe and efficient docking and undocking of all vessels and or structures for the purposes of surveys, planned maintenance, unplanned repairs, alterations and refits. A qualified learner will be able to: • Dock and undock vessels. • Plan and coordinate docking and undocking of vessels. • Achieve optimisation of docking and undocking bookings. • Warp vessel. • Transfer vessel on land. • Manage environmental protection. • Maintain and repair vessel.

Entry Requirements▾

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: • Level 3 with Mathematics and Communication.

SAQA Rationale▾

This qualification resulted from an identified industry and employer need and represents a step in the established sub-field learning pathway. It will contribute to sustainable management of ports, terminals and the ship repair industry to ensure South Africa's economic growth through providing additional ports and docking facilities to accommodate any of size of vessels. With this qualification, the learner will undergo structured learning which will build on their skills and competencies thereby reducing incidents and potential hazards within the industry. Currently coaching and mentoring initiatives are common practice with structured on the job training within these agreements. While these initiatives exist, they vary in application from business to business, which will be aligned through the implementation of the Dock Master qualification. Learners may range from unskilled progressing to becoming skilled workers. For learners within the industry, Recognition of Prior Learning may be considered, whereas new entrants may embark on this qualification with minimum requirements. Learners achieving this qualification may progress from smaller facilities to the management of larger facilities. Career opportunities may extend to management positions within Operations. This qualification provides for implementation of programmes in South Africa which complies with international competitive trends in the ports and harbours industry. The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) held in Porto during 2002 agreed on a strategy for training of Dock Master. It was further agreed that the programme will encompass diverse linguistic groups. Training of South African ports managers was outsourced to relevant countries which support the best international practice.

Learning Assumed to be in Place & 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: • Level 3 with Mathematics and Communication.

Exit Level Outcomes▾

1. Optimise the docking and undocking booking schedule in line with established safety requirements and regulations. 2. Plan and coordinate the docking and undocking of vessels. 3. Manage the docking and undocking of vessels. 4: Manage the warping of the vessel. 5: Manage the transfer of the vessel on land. 6. Manage environmental protection during docking and undocking of vessels. 7. Manage the maintenance and repair of the dock. 8. Manage security duties around the docks and vessels.

Learning Material Included

  • Learner Guide (Theory and Knowledge Modules)
  • Facilitator Guide
  • Workplace Logbook
  • Formative and Summative Assessment
  • Assessor Guide & Marking Memorandum
  • SETA / QCTO Alignment Matrix
  • Administrative & Onboarding Pack
  • Implementation Plan

Moderator-Ready Curriculum Breakdown

25 modules · 200 credits

Theory, regulatory and safety knowledge. Each row carries the registered module code, NQF level and credit weight used for formative assessment rubric mapping.

  • 143907000-KM-015 cr

    Dock Optimisation Theory

    NQF Level 5

  • 143907000-KM-0216 cr

    Vessel Docking and Undocking Planning

    NQF Level 6

  • 143907000-KM-038 cr

    Vessel Docking and Undocking Operations

    NQF Level 6

  • 143907000-KM-043 cr

    Warping of Vessel at Management Level

    NQF Level 4

  • 143907000-KM-053 cr

    Vessel Movement after Docking at Management Level

    NQF Level 4

  • 143907000-KM-065 cr

    Environmental Protection

    NQF Level 4

  • 143907000-KM-075 cr

    Dock Maintenance Theory

    NQF Level 6

  • 143907000-KM-086 cr

    Docking and Undocking Safety and Emergency Practices

    NQF Level 5

  • 143907000-KM-095 cr

    Security Awareness in compliance with ISPS Code

    NQF Level 4

Sub-total credits56
QCTO & TETA AlignedSAQA 102759

Qualification 102759 · Curriculum Architecture

Occupational Certificate: Dock Master · NQF Level 5 (180 Credits)

Filter View
§ 01

Three Curriculum Pillars

56
Credits

Knowledge Modules

Classroom & E-Learning

KM-01 to KM-09 · 9 modules
  • Facilitated lectures & self-study
  • Written question banks
  • Formative comprehension checks
54
Credits

Practical Skill Modules

Simulated Line Tasks

PM-01 to PM-08 · 8 modules
  • Simulated line tasks
  • Observation rubrics
  • Structured task sheets
90
Credits

Work Experience Modules

On-the-Job Production

WM-01 to WM-08 · 8 modules
  • On-the-job rotation
  • Mentor logbooks
  • Workplace sign-offs
§ 02

Evidence & Audit Pipeline

Learner Portfolio of Evidence (PoE)
Owner · Candidate
▾
1
Admin & Registration

ID, learner contract, induction pack, POPIA consent.

2
Knowledge Evidence

Written assessments & question banks — KM-01 to KM-07.

3
Practical Evidence

Task sheets, observation rubrics, assessor photos.

4
Workplace Evidence

Logbooks, mentor sign-offs, supervisor letters.

Assessor Master File
Owner · Registered Assessor
▾
5
Assessment Reports

Judgements, learner feedback, remediation agreements, appeals log.

Internal Moderation & Quality File
Owner · Moderator / SDP
▾
6
Moderation Evidence

10% sampling matrix, HACCP/LOTO compliance sheets, SDP sign-off.

§ 03

Final Accreditation Gateway

Step 1
Statement of Results

Issued by the accredited Skills Development Provider once internal moderation is signed off.

Step 2
EISA Readiness Declaration

Provider submits declaration + PoE to the Assessment Quality Partner (AQP).

Step 3
National Qualification Certificate

QCTO awards the SAQA-registered certificate on successful EISA outcome.

Learner Certified · Uploaded to National Learner Records Database (NLRD)

Audit & Compliance

Evidence & Audit Pipeline

From portfolio assembly to external sign-off — the exact route your evidence travels.

  1. Step 1

    PoE Assembly

    Learner evidence, formative records and logbook entries filed against the alignment matrix.

  2. Step 2

    Internal Assessment

    Registered assessor judges each KM/PM/WM outcome using the supplied instruments.

  3. Step 3

    Internal Moderation

    Sampling and verification of assessor decisions, with remediation loop before submission.

  4. Step 4

    External Moderation

    SETA/QCTO desktop audit and certification upload against registered credits.

Broken Standard vs i2Graduates Standard

The measurable delta between improvised material and an audit-ready suite.

Broken Standard

i2Graduates Standard

Curriculum Mapping

Photocopied guides with mismatched outcomes

9 KM + 8 PM + 8 WM modules mapped to NQF Level 5

Assessment Bank

Missing formative and summative assessments

Pre-validated assessment bank per module

Alignment Evidence

No alignment matrix — audit fails

TETA alignment matrix included

Facilitation

Facilitators improvise Dock Master delivery

Facilitator scripts + learner activities per credit

Portfolio of Evidence

PoE gaps flagged in moderation

PoE templates that survive external moderation

View on SAQA

Pricing & Delivery Tiers

Base licence from R64 000

Digital Master Suite

Editable master files, licensed to your SDP

  • Learner Guide, Facilitator Guide & Assessment Suite
  • Workplace logbook + alignment matrix (editable)
  • Instant digital delivery under institutional licence
  • Free minor corrections for 12 months
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Most selected

Turnkey Print & Bound Package

Printed, bound and couriered per learner

  • Everything in the Digital Master Suite
  • Full-colour print, wire-bound learner packs
  • Per-learner PoE folders and dividers
  • Nationwide courier with tracked delivery
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Full Enterprise Accreditation Bundle

Assets plus accreditation support end-to-end

  • Everything in the Print & Bound Package
  • Bespoke QMS build mapped to your scope
  • Moderation dry-run + written remediation report
  • Brand & metadata integration across the suite
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Complementary Services

Optional add-ons that harden your accreditation scope before an external audit.

Bespoke QMS Build

We author your Quality Management System — policies, procedures, records, matrices — mapped to your accreditation scope. From R18,500.

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Moderation Consultation

External moderation dry-run on your PoE + delivery pack. Written report with fixes before your real audit. From R4,900.

Book Moderation Session

The i2Graduates Quality Guarantee

Every page of this bundle is checked for sequence and structural accuracy — no missing pages, no shortcuts. You get pre-validated assessment instruments ready to survive rigorous compliance moderation, wrapped in a curriculum your facilitators will enjoy teaching.