Gas Practitioner

The purpose of this qualification is to prepare a learner to install, construct, inspect, maintain, repair, modify and perform commissioning activities on gas systems in the following categories: inert gases, oxidant gases, flammable gases, medical gases, food and beverage gases and speciality gases. A qualified Gas Practitioner will be able to: • Construct and install gas systems as per scope of work. • Perform commissioning activities on gas systems. • Conduct handover sessions when required by the scope of work with the end-user. • Inspect, maintain and repair gas systems to required legal requirements. • Modify gas systems according to engineering management of change (EMOC) requirements.

The South African gas industry is highly regulated, and legislation requires gas practitioners to have formally recognised qualifications. It is a growing industry with an increasing demand for gas systems in domestic, commercial and industrial settings and offers a green alternative to fossil generated energy. South Africa experiences a rising energy demand and deals with a range of challenges and opportunities in the sustainable provision of energy. As Government sought accelerated growth to address the current energy crisis facing the country, it launched its ambitious gas-to-power programme. This initiative is supported by National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and Department of Energy. The gas-to-power landscape in South Africa has moved even further forward with the recent initiative for the development of a 600MW gas-fired power plant. Current government focus includes the strengthening of regional co-operation and cross border infrastructure being vital to the success of the long-term development of gas to power. Within this context, the development and registration of the Occupational Certificate: Gas Practitioner becomes a national imperative which will serve the economy and society. Industries utilising gas supply varies from domestic uses to medical application and use in the food and beverage sector as well as the manufacturing sector. Various industries in South Africa will benefit by implementing the cost effective and improved processes that gas options provide. Industries such as healthcare, manufacturing, food and beverage will benefit from better service delivery which includes consistency in safety and quality standards according to the national and international requirements. Competent practitioners in the gas industry delivering competent and quality services will ensure safety and quality of health care facilities and provision of consistent health care to clients. It also opens opportunities to industry to introduce new manufacturing technologies requiring gas supply. The spinoff of safe supply of gas through competent service providers is enormous, e.g. reducing the risk footprint in the country, reducing the possibility of incidents and reduce economic losses. It will make South Africa more attractive in the international market for manufacturing of products, through cost cutting technologies relying on gas supply. This qualification will contribute to the full development of the learner within the gas installation industry by providing recognition as well as further mobility within the gas field. The skills, knowledge and understanding demonstrated within this qualification are essential for social and economic transformation and will contribute to progression and economic growth within the gas installation and maintenance industry. This qualification has been designed to meet the training needs expressed by the gas industry for the following gas categories: Flammable gases, food and beverage gases, inert gases, medical gases, oxidant gases and speciality gases. This will contribute towards the development of competence in the installation and maintenance of gas equipment and systems. A Gas Practitioner will be equipped to follow an independent career in gas installations and maintenance. The majority of learners for this qualification are likely to be learner-installers in small independent gas companies and it is foreseen that the learners will eventually be able to independently run their own gas installation and maintenance operations. However, employment in big companies is also a possibility. This occupation co-exists with similar occupations. Proficiencies recognised by the industry as employment opportunities were identified in this occupation. These are: • Flammable Gas System Installer. • Food and Beverage Gas System Installer. • Inert Gas System Installer. • Medical Gas System Installer. • Oxidant Gas System Installer. • Speciality Gas System Installer. During the development of this occupational qualification the above-mentioned proficiencies were provided for as part qualifications. Typical learners include school leavers who wish to pursue a career in the gas industry as well as persons currently employed or operating in the gas industry but with no formal recognition for their skills. Through the employment of competent installation personnel, employers and, in turn, the field and sub-field, will have confidence that this critical work in the industry is safely and efficiently carried out.

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 2 qualification with Mathematics.

• Demonstrate an understanding of the underpinning theory of gas and gas systems.
• Compile a bill of materials for a legally compliant gas system.
• Assemble, construct and test a gas system based on volume, pressure and integrity according to gas system demand which is legal and code compliant.
• Commission and conduct a final sign-off of a legally and code compliant gas system.
• Conduct fault finding and take remedial action on a gas system or maintain installation to ensure safe working conditions of the system.
• Comply with safety and quality industry codes and legal aspects when installing a gas system and working with gases.