Occupational Qualification · F39
Discretionary Grant · UpcomingFood Handler
- NQF Level
- NQF Level 2
- Credits
- 32
- Duration
- —
- SAQA ID
- 110644
Official QCTO Registry Profile
Source: SAQA / QCTO registry- SAQA ID
- 110644
- Min Credits
- 32
- Registered
- 2019-09-11
- Re-registration
- 2025-12-30
- Field
- Field 11 - Services
- Sub-field
- Hospitality, Tourism, Travel, Gaming and Leisure
Sample Asset Preview
Overview & Scope
Programme Profile
- 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.
- Work Opportunities
- Deployment across As a qualified food handler, you can find employment opportunities in Tourism, Hospitality, Sport, Creative Arts. 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 CATHSSETA scope.
- Audit Objective
- Bridges operational skills deficits under the governing CATHSSETA 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 2 worth 32 credits, the Food Handler 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▾
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.
Entry Requirements▾
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.
SAQA 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.
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
7 modules · 32 creditsTheory, regulatory and safety knowledge. Each row carries the registered module code, NQF level and credit weight used for formative assessment rubric mapping.
- 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
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.
Audit & Compliance
Evidence & Audit Pipeline
From portfolio assembly to external sign-off — the exact route your evidence travels.
- Step 1
PoE Assembly
Learner evidence, formative records and logbook entries filed against the alignment matrix.
- Step 2
Internal Assessment
Registered assessor judges each KM/PM/WM outcome using the supplied instruments.
- Step 3
Internal Moderation
Sampling and verification of assessor decisions, with remediation loop before submission.
- 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
4 KM + 2 PM + 1 WM modules mapped to NQF Level 2
Assessment Bank
Missing formative and summative assessments
Pre-validated assessment bank per module
Alignment Evidence
No alignment matrix — audit fails
CATHSSETA alignment matrix included
Facilitation
Facilitators improvise Food Handler delivery
Facilitator scripts + learner activities per credit
Portfolio of Evidence
PoE gaps flagged in moderation
PoE templates that survive external moderation
Pricing & Delivery Tiers
Base licence from R41 600
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
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
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
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.
Request QuoteModeration Consultation
External moderation dry-run on your PoE + delivery pack. Written report with fixes before your real audit. From R4,900.
Book Moderation SessionThe 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.