Fossil Power Plant Process Controller

The purpose of this qualification is to prepare a learner to operate as a Fossil Power Plant Process Controller. A Fossil Power Plant Process Controller manages, supervises and controls the application of resources, operations, processes and activities within the energy conversion processes in a power generating plant effectively and efficiently to ensure a continuous, reliable supply of electrical energy to the national grid and/or internal reticulation system. A qualified learner will be able to: • Manage, monitor and control the availability of raw materials and disposal of combustion waste and the auxiliary plants/services required within the electrical production processes. • Manage, supervise and control the application of resources, operations, processes and activities within the energy conversion processes in a steam generating plant effectively and efficiently to ensure a continuous, reliable supply of heat energy to the turbo generating/process plant. • Manage, supervise and control the application of resources, operations, processes and activities within the energy conversion processes in a turbine or process plant effectively and efficiently to ensure a continuous, reliable supply of energy to the electrical generating or process plant. • Manage, supervise and control the application of resources, operations, processes and activities within the energy conversion processes and systems to generate and supply electricity to the stakeholders and to supply adequate electrical supplies for own auxiliaries.

Learners obtaining this qualification will be recognised on a national level for performing process control activities on a power plant. This qualification will ensure professionalism, proficiency and excellence in the control of Power Plant Generation Units. It will also assist in changing perceptions on the status and functional levels of Process Controllers in Power Plant Generation. The qualification will enable the learners to feel pride and self-worth, and enhance their morale. Value-adding to the employer will be manifested in the competence of the employee in terms of safe, sound and efficient operations performed by the Process Controller. This qualification will provide standards for Recognition of Prior Learning of existing Process Controller competence throughout the industry and allow credits to be obtained in cross-functional learning fields. This qualification is based on the power generation industry needs in building competence in the workplace for Fossil Power Plant Process Operations. The qualification has been developed to cater for the needs of power plant process control in contexts such as sugar processing and SASOL as these contexts are significantly limited in what is expected from a power plant controller in the Fossil, Hydro and Nuclear contexts. Since this qualification is now specific to a single context, (as per OFO), these gaps are now addressed in the qualification and therefore demonstrates an increase in complexity, which places the qualification at NQF Level 6. This qualification will provide the learner with accessibility to be employed within the process control function on fossil-fired power plant units. Other considerations in the national interests addressed by this Qualification are: • Building individual capacity in this specialised profession. • Ensuring entry, progression and mobility into Life Long Learning in this specific learning field. • Addressing Power Plant Operations Industry's specific employment requirements. • Enhancing professional competence on a national level. • Providing an avenue of upliftment for the previously disadvantaged into this professional discipline. • Enhancing social and economic development. Typical learners will include Power Station employees that have completed the relevant Operator Qualification. The power generating industry is currently investing huge amounts of capital in the training of power plant operators. In addition this qualificationwilladdress the following which will contribute to good environmental practices: • Basic Environmental Procedures. • Air Quality Management according to procedures and administrative requirements. • Water Quality Management. • Waste Management. • Soil/Land Quality Management. • Environmental Management System.

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: Learners are required to have the following in order to be considered for admission: • Further Education and Training Certificate: Power Plant Operations at NQF Level 4 SAQA ID: 61569. • Senior Certificate (SC) or National Senior Certificate with a pass in Mathematics, Science and English Language. • National Vocational Certificate.

• Interpret or diagnose events and conditions based on alarms and indications during normal, out of normal and emergency operations on a Fossil Power Plant.
• Apply procedures, references and technical specifications during normal, out of normal and emergency operations on a Fossil Power Plant.
• Operate a Fossil Power Plant safely during normal, out of normal and emergency conditions from a controlled environment.
• Communicate and interact with other role players during normal, out of normal and emergency operations on a Fossil Power Plant.
• Perform status monitoring during out of normal and emergency operations on a Fossil Power Plant.
• Integrate and apply human performance practices on a Fossil Power Plant.
• Source and use control room documentation on a Fossil Power Plant.
• Recognise and understand the integration and functionality of all plant systems on a Fossil Power Plant.
• Evaluate the strategies in incidents, out of normal and emergency operations on a Fossil Power Plant.
• Interact as a functional member of the team on a Fossil Power Plant.