Discretionary Grant Available · CETARolling▾
Construction Education & Training Authority · CETA
High demand for artisan trade tests and Section 26D bursaries.
- Window:
- Rolling — applications reviewed quarterly
- Priority focus:
- Artisan Development · OHS · Green Building
SAQA Qualification · 117008
Face Shovel Operator
R42 150
(Once-off Institutional License Fee)
Professional Role & Capability Blueprint
- Target Designation
- Certified Face Shovel Operator Practitioner
- Competency Focus
- Master specialised practical applications, safety criteria, and regulatory mandates required of a qualified Face Shovel Operator.
- Academic Weight
- Full national recognition at NQF Level 2 yielding 43 credits upon successful PoE verification.
Strategic Institutional Purpose
- Audit Objective
- Formulated to systematically bridge operational skills deficits under the governing CONSTRUCTION SETA 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 Face Shovel 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)
20 crTheory · 3 modules
- 734201-000-00-0610 cr
KM-01, Workplace Fundamentals
NQF Level 2
- 734201-000-00-065 cr
KM-02, Information Technology for Construction Environment
NQF Level 2
- 734201-000-00-065 cr
KM-04, Principles of Construction and Construction Environment
NQF Level 2
Practical Skill Modules (PM)
5 crApplied · 1 module
- 734201-000-00-065 cr
PM-13, Operate a Surface Face Shovel
NQF Level 2
Work Experience Modules (WM)
18 crSite · 3 modules
- 734201-000-00-063 cr
WM-01, Participate in the Daily Start-up Planning Meeting
NQF Level 2
- 734201-000-00-065 cr
WM-03, Conduct Plant Operational Inspection
NQF Level 2
- 734201-000-00-0610 cr
WM-04, Procedures for Operation of Earth Moving Equipment
NQF Level 2
Official SAQA Curriculum
Source of truth · SAQA ID 117008 · Field 12 - Physical Planning and Construction › Civil Engineering Construction
Purpose▾
The purpose of this part-qualification is to prepare a learner to operate as a Face Shovel Operator. A Face Shovel Operator operates equipment to excavate side walls. A qualified learner will be able to operate the equipment safely and efficiently.
Rationale▾
This Face Shovel Operator part-qualification is important to address the skills of the current and future employees serving the construction industry. The construction industry will draw the learners from the cohort of current unemployed youth and provide them with the standardised Face Shovel Operator part-qualification that will assist in providing skills necessary for employment. The construction industry is critical for the reduction of unemployment in the economy. However, for the industry to be effective, a skilled workforce is critical. Properly trained Face Shovel operators will improve productivity. This part-qualification will enhance the mobility of qualified operators and improve opportunities for self-employment and employment. The health and safety of employees will also be enhanced. Qualifying learners will progress based on their certification, qualification, grading and experience. This part-qualification creates opportunities for new entrants in the market. Opportunities exist for qualifying learners to progress to: • Continuous Bucket Trencher Operator. • Grader Operator. • Water Cart Operator. • Sideboom Operator. • Construction Plant Supervisor. • Earthwork. • Layer Works Hand. • Road Drainage Hand.
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 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: NQF Level 1 qualification with Mathematics.
Exit Level Outcomes▾
- Prepare the equipment for safe operation to assignment specifications.
- Operate and monitor equipment for effective, safe and efficient execution of construction project.
Qualification 117008 · Curriculum Architecture
Occupational Certificate: Face Shovel Operator · NQF Level 2 (43 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 Face Shovel Operator delivery
- 🕳️PoE gaps flagged in moderation
i2Graduates Transformation
- ✓3 KM + 1 PM + 3 WM modules mapped to NQF Level 2
- ✓Pre-validated assessment bank per module
- ✓CONSTRUCTION SETA 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.