Discretionary Grant Available · MQARolling▾
Mining Qualifications Authority · MQA
Section 13 apprenticeships and OHS learnerships.
- Window:
- Rolling grant applications
- Priority focus:
- Rock-breaker · Mine Health & Safety · Assay
SAQA Qualification · 101669
Dragline Operator
R48 750
(Once-off Institutional License Fee)
Professional Role & Capability Blueprint
- Target Designation
- Certified Dragline Operator Practitioner
- Competency Focus
- Master specialised practical applications, safety criteria, and regulatory mandates required of a qualified Dragline Operator.
- Academic Weight
- Full national recognition at NQF Level 3 yielding 75 credits upon successful PoE verification.
Strategic Institutional Purpose
- Audit Objective
- Formulated to systematically bridge operational skills deficits under the governing MQA quality matrix.
- Value Proposition
- Equips your workforce with measurable, legally compliant skills to optimise productivity, satisfy Workplace Skills Plans (WSP), and unlock maximum B-BBEE scorecard weight.
Who is this for
The Dragline Operator is intended for entry-level workers, school leavers, or career changers who want to gain foundational skills. If you have a passion for this field and want to turn that passion into a profession, this programme will give you the tools and credentials to succeed. It is also suitable for employers who wish to upskill their workforce to meet industry standards.
Qualification Rules · Module Matrix
Official SAQA module breakdown parsed from the qualification's registered rules.
Knowledge Modules (KM)
23 crTheory · 4 modules
- 734211000-KM-016 cr
Workplace fundamentals
NQF Level 2
- 734211000-KM-028 cr
Health, safety and the environment
NQF Level 2
- 734211000-KM-034 cr
Operations and machines
NQF Level 2
- 734211000-KM-045 cr
Components, controls and consumables
NQF Level 2
Practical Skill Modules (PM)
19 crApplied · 3 modules
- 734211000-PM-011 cr
Work safely and respond to emergencies
NQF Level 2
- 734211000-PM-025 cr
Perform pre-operational activities
NQF Level 2
- 734211000-PM-0313 cr
Operate machine
NQF Level 3
Work Experience Modules (WM)
0 crSite · 0 modules
No modules listed in SAQA rules.
Official SAQA Curriculum
Source of truth · SAQA ID 101669 · Field 06 - Manufacturing, Engineering and Technology › Engineering and Related Design
Purpose▾
The purpose of this qualification is to prepare a learner to operate as a Dragline Operator. A Dragline Operator operates and controls a dragline which manipulates large buckets to move great amounts of earth or other material for mining or construction operations. The qualified learner will know the function and operating requirements for the dragline, including health, safety and the environmental requirements to be able to operate the machine productively and safely. A qualified learner will be able to: • Lift, move and dump material using a dragline.
Rationale▾
There is a need in various sectors of the South African economy for machine operators. In particular, draglines are essential to the construction and mining sectors. South African legislation requires persons/to be trained and assessed competent before operating a dragline machine. This qualification will train and develop the qualified learner with the knowledge, skills and experience necessary to ensure draglines are operated productively and safely. This will also improve the standard of training and assessment, which will lead to better operations and improved safety and will improve mobility of employment. Most learners will already be employed. The career progression for machine operators will be to other machine operator specialisations and to occupations in operations, engineering or training.
Learning Assumed to be in Place & RPL▾
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: • Level 1 with communication and mathematical literacy.
Exit Level Outcomes▾
- Carry-out start and end-of-shift procedures and checks, using the knowledge and understanding of the dragline specifications, operational standards and operating systems.
- Operate the dragline, using the knowledge and understanding of its performance parameters, operation controls and standards.
- Work safely, applying the knowledge and understanding of relevant legal and company requirements, hazard identification and risk assessment processes and procedures, including environmental and operating conditions.
Qualification 101669 · Curriculum Architecture
Occupational Certificate: Dragline Operator · NQF Level 3 (75 Credits)
Three Curriculum Pillars
Knowledge Modules
Classroom & E-Learning
- Facilitated lectures & self-study
- Written question banks
- Formative comprehension checks
Practical Skill Modules
Simulated Line Tasks
- Simulated line tasks
- Observation rubrics
- Structured task sheets
Work Experience Modules
On-the-Job Production
- On-the-job rotation
- Mentor logbooks
- Workplace sign-offs
Evidence & Audit Pipeline
Learner Portfolio of Evidence (PoE)Owner · Candidate▾
Admin & Registration
ID, learner contract, induction pack, POPIA consent.
Knowledge Evidence
Written assessments & question banks — KM-01 to KM-07.
Practical Evidence
Task sheets, observation rubrics, assessor photos.
Workplace Evidence
Logbooks, mentor sign-offs, supervisor letters.
Assessor Master FileOwner · Registered Assessor▾
Assessment Reports
Judgements, learner feedback, remediation agreements, appeals log.
Internal Moderation & Quality FileOwner · Moderator / SDP▾
Moderation Evidence
10% sampling matrix, HACCP/LOTO compliance sheets, SDP sign-off.
Final Accreditation Gateway
Issued by the accredited Skills Development Provider once internal moderation is signed off.
Provider submits declaration + PoE to the Assessment Quality Partner (AQP).
QCTO awards the SAQA-registered certificate on successful EISA outcome.
Learning Material Stack
Start-to-Exit Moderation Timeline
- 1
Pre-Delivery Setup
Facilitator induction, learner enrolment forms, baseline assessment, PoE folder issue. Alignment matrix stamped.
- 2
Delivery & Formative Moderation
Modular rollout with formative assessments per KM/PM. Internal moderator reviews evidence weekly; feedback loop before summatives.
- 3
Summative & External Moderation
Summative assessments captured, PoE finalised, submitted for external moderation. Certification uploaded to the SETA/QCTO.
Bespoke QMS Build
We author your Quality Management System — policies, procedures, records, matrices — mapped to your accreditation scope. From R18,500.
Talk QMS on WhatsAppModeration Consultation
External moderation dry-run on your PoE + delivery pack. Written report with fixes before your real audit. From R4,900.
Book Moderation SessionClassroom Transformation Blueprint
Broken Standard
- 📄Photocopied guides with mismatched outcomes
- ❔Missing formative/summative assessments
- ⚠️No SETA alignment matrix — audit fails
- 🎲Facilitators improvise Dragline Operator delivery
- 🕳️PoE gaps flagged in moderation
i2Graduates Transformation
- ✓4 KM + 3 PM + 0 WM modules mapped to NQF Level 3
- ✓Pre-validated assessment bank per module
- ✓MQA alignment matrix included
- ✓Facilitator scripts + learner activities per credit
- ✓PoE templates that survive external moderation
The i2Graduates Quality Guarantee
Every page of this bundle is meticulously checked for sequence and structural perfection — no missing pages, no stolen content, no shortcuts. You get pre-validated assessment instruments ready to survive rigorous compliance moderation, wrapped in an engaging curriculum your facilitators will love teaching.
