Discretionary Grant Available · CATHSSETAUpcoming▾
Culture, Arts, Tourism, Hospitality & Sport SETA · CATHSSETA
Front-of-house, back-of-house and tourism learnerships.
- Window:
- Discretionary Grant window opens 1 May
- Priority focus:
- Chefs · Tour Guides · Sport Coaching
SAQA Qualification · 110644
Food Handler
R41 600
(Once-off Institutional License Fee)
Professional Role & Capability Blueprint
- Target Designation
- Certified Food Handler Practitioner
- Competency Focus
- Master specialised practical applications, safety criteria, and regulatory mandates required of a qualified Food Handler.
- Academic Weight
- Full national recognition at NQF Level 2 yielding 32 credits upon successful PoE verification.
Strategic Institutional Purpose
- Audit Objective
- Formulated to systematically bridge operational skills deficits under the governing CATHSSETA 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 Food Handler 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)
17 crTheory · 4 modules
- 512101-000-00-00-KM-013 cr
Personal Hygiene and Safety
NQF Level 3
- 512101-000-00-00-KM-025 cr
Food Safety and Quality Assurance
NQF Level 4
- 512101-000-00-00-KM-035 cr
Workplace Safety
NQF Level 4
- 512101-000-00-00-KM-144 cr
Personal Development as a Cook
NQF Level 2
Practical Skill Modules (PM)
10 crApplied · 2 modules
- 512121-000-00-00-PM-016 cr
Prepare and Assemble Food Items using Different Methods and Techniques, Equipment and Utensils
NQF Level 3
- 512121-000-00-00-PM-064 cr
Assist with Kitchen Activities
NQF Level 2
Work Experience Modules (WM)
5 crSite · 1 module
- 512101-000-00-00-5 cr
WM-02, Practice Hygiene and Cleaning Processes and Procedures within the Cook-Serve or Cook-Chill/Freeze Food Production Environment
NQF Level 2
Official SAQA Curriculum
Source of truth · SAQA ID 110644 · Field 11 - Services › Hospitality, Tourism, Travel, Gaming and Leisure
Purpose▾
This is a part qualification which aims to provide learners with the necessary knowledge and skills to qualify as a Food Handler. The qualifying learner will be able to hygienically prepares and assembles food, and cleans food preparation areas.
Rationale▾
This qualification is part of the Occupational Certificate: Cook at Level 4 and has been developed for Food Handlers in the Hospitality and catering industry. It brings together theoretical, practical and workplace elements of cleaning and food preparation. It aims to improve the standards of services, growth and development of the industry and provides possibilities of self-employment for potential food vendors. This qualification also provides for a direct pathway from entry as a Food Handler to qualifying as a Kitchen Hand. A clear career pathway exists between Food Handler to Kitchen and ultimately cook and once qualified as a Cook to further studies to be qualified as a Chef, even at a later stage. Once qualified as a Food Handler and gaining sufficient working experience it might also provide opportunities to promotion and further career advancement. The qualification is aimed at school leavers and those who have been working in the industry, without qualifications. This qualification will professionalise the industry and is applicable to all sectors of professional cookery.
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: National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 1 with Mathematics.
Exit Level Outcomes▾
5. Hygienically prepare and assemble food, and clean food preparation areas.
Qualification 110644 · Curriculum Architecture
Occupational Certificate: Food Handler · NQF Level 2 (32 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 Food Handler delivery
- 🕳️PoE gaps flagged in moderation
i2Graduates Transformation
- ✓4 KM + 2 PM + 1 WM modules mapped to NQF Level 2
- ✓Pre-validated assessment bank per module
- ✓CATHSSETA 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.