Feed Miller

The purpose of this qualification is to prepare a learner to operate as a Feed Miller. A Feed Miller monitors and controls production processes to produce animal feeds from raw materials and ingredients in accordance with feed formulation specifications. A qualified learner will be able to: • Conduct intake and reclaim operations in a feed mill. • Conduct feed milling operations in a feed mill. • Direct and control the utilisation of resources and personnel in feed milling operations. • Achieve operational outputs of a feed milling unit by planning, monitoring and controlling production volumes and quality standards. • Monitor and enforce compliance with safety, health, environmental protection and quality (SHEQ) policies, practices and procedures. • Maintain the mechanical functionality of feed milling equipment through monitoring, inspections and arranging maintenance and repair services. • Conduct feed hygienising and compacting processes in a feed mill.

The qualification is designed to provide the feed milling industry with a progressive pathway for the development of operational staff. The need for formal certification of Feed Millers has long been recognised by the animal feed as well as the dry pet food industries. Currently no qualifications are available on the National Qualifications Framework that offers the needs of the Feed Milling industry. A number of companies currently use the services provided by international providers to train feed millers. Learners have been attending formal training provided by these providers such as attending courses in Kansas (USA) and Switzerland. This is mainly due to the absence of internationally comparable qualifications and associated learning programmes in South Africa. This qualification establishes a South African standard for the training of operational staff employed in the animal feed as well as the dry pet food industries. Feed Millers are employed by enterprises involved in processing raw materials and producing animal feeds and dry pet foods in accordance with feed formulations. Persons currently employed in operational positions, as well as persons seeking to enter the feed milling industry, will benefit from this qualification. Benefits to the economy or society: This occupational curriculum responds to a specific need in the South African labour market to provide a standard for the development of persons employed as a Feed Miller. The animal feed industry is a key component of the value chain of the agricultural sector. Formulated animal feeds are used in the production of livestock farming products and are a major contributor to the cost of production. The maintenance of efficiencies and quality standards in feed production, as controlled by the Feed Miller, has a marked impact on the production costs of livestock products and resulting consumer pricing. The Dry Pet Food industry provides dry pet foods used by a wide range of pet owners. The Feed Miller controls efficiencies and operational quality standards, thereby fulfilling a key role in the value chain to ensure that the public demand for safe pet foods, meeting quality standards, is met.

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 4 with Mathematics.

• Conduct feed mill material receiving and reclaim operations.
• Conduct feed milling and out loading operations.
• Conduct feed mill process control, hygienising and compacting operations.
• Direct and control the utilisation of resources and personnel used in feed milling operations.
• Monitor and enforce compliance with safety, health, environmental protection, risk and quality (SHERQ) policies, practices and procedures.
• Inspect equipment for malfunctioning, arrange maintenance and optimise the utilisation of feed milling equipment.