Liquid Dairy Reception Operator

The purpose of this qualification is to prepare a learner to operate as a Liquid Dairy Product Reception Operator. A Liquid Dairy Product Reception Operator operates equipment and performs tasks to receive milk, cream or other liquid food products at a dairy reception facility by adjusting, maintaining and overseeing the equipment set up and operating parameters to ensure that quality standards and specifications are met. A qualified learner will be able to: • Prepare the system for receiving of milk, cream, or other liquid food product. • Analyse and evaluate milk, cream, or other liquid food product at receiving for conformance to statutory and organisational requirements and specifications. • Transfer milk, cream, or other liquid food input material at receiving. • Control the receiving process and product to statutory and organisational requirements and specifications.

The need for this qualification stems from the necessity to align an existing historical qualification currently there is one unit standard-based qualification which is ID 74250 National Certificate: Dairy Primary Processing NQF Level 3,120 credits. Other than the qualification listed above that this qualification replaces, there are no similar qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework. There is a significant need for this qualification based on the sector skills plans for the Food and Beverage Manufacturing Sector, as milk is a significant part of each family's diet in South Africa. Consumer preference has changed over time from fresh milk to long-life milk. No matter the type of milk, the Liquid dairy reception operator that receives the raw milk from the farmer is significant in the manufacture of milk products. This qualification refers to the Liquid dairy reception operator who receives analyses and stores the unprocessed milk directly from the transporter that has delivered the milk from the farmer to the dairy. The reception of unprocessed milk is automated so the level of skills required has changed over time, therefore the industry will benefit from a qualification that reflects the latest technologies, a process required for the 21st -Century operator. Developing this qualification enhances the professionalism of a liquid dairy reception operator. It demonstrates that operators have undertaken a formal programme of training and assessment, and have achieved a level of knowledge, skills and work experience that is recognized by the industry. This qualification improves the career opportunities of the operator by providing a recognised certificate that improves their career prospects as employers are more likely to recruit and retain individuals who have a formal qualification, but also it provides vertical and horizontal articulation and lifelong learning prospects in the dairy industry as well as the wider food and beverage industry. This qualification will benefit society and the economy by enhancing citizenship, increasing social and economic productivity, providing specifically skilled and/or professional people, and transforming and redressing past inequities. Long term benefits include lateral and vertical growth opportunities for employees in food and beverage manufacturing plants and access to previously inaccessible employment opportunities at higher levels as process controllers, supervisors and production managers. The dairy industry is highly regulated, and operators must adhere to strict safety and quality standards to ensure that the products they produce are safe for consumption. This qualification ensures that operators have the required knowledge and skills to maintain these high safety and quality standards. Typical occupation in this area is: Raw Milk pump operator. It is also envisaged that learners wanting to enter employment in a dairy will use this qualification, thus creating a pool of skilled operators that can advance into the various other roles in the Food and Beverage Industry. This qualification is aligned with the requirements of the SAMPRO (South African Milk Producers Organisation) although it does not require registration. There is no professional body registered in this industry.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL): • RPL for Access to Training/Exemption: Learners may use the RPL process to gain access to training opportunities for a programme of learning, qualification, part-qualification or skills programme if they do not meet the formal, minimum entry requirements for admission. RPL assessment provides an alternative access route into a programme of learning, qualification, part-qualification, or skills programme. Such an RPL assessment may be developed, moderated and conducted by the accredited Skills Development Provider which offers that specific qualification/part qualification/skills programme. Such an assessment must ensure that the learner is able to display the equivalent level of competencies required for access, based on the NQF level descriptors. For exemption from modules through RPL, learners who have gained the stipulated competencies of the modules of a programme of learning, qualification, part-qualification or skills programme through any means of formal, informal or non-formal learning and/or work experience, may be awarded credits towards relevant modules, and gaps identified for training, which is then concluded. • RPL for Access to the External Integrated Summative Assessment (EISA) Learners who have gained the stipulated competencies of the modules of a programme of learning, qualification, part-qualification or skills programme through any means of formal, informal or non-formal learning and/or work experience, may be awarded credits towards relevant modules, and gaps identified for training, which is then concluded. A valid Statement of Results is required for admission to the EISA in which confirmation of achievement is provided that all internal assessment criteria for all modules in the related curriculum document have been achieved. Upon successful completion of the EISA/FISA, RPL learners will be issued with the QCTO certificate for the qualification, part-qualification or skills programme. Quality Partners are responsible for ensuring the RPL mechanism and process for qualifications and part-qualification is approved by the QCTO. ENTRY REQUIREMENTS: An NQF Level 2 qualification with Mathematics and Communication.

• Conduct required preparations for receiving liquid dairy raw material at a reception facility.
• Apply the fundamental theory and concepts of communication, interpersonal relations, business understanding, manufacturing quality and food safety to establish conformance of liquid dairy raw material to operational standards and requirements for intake.
• Receive liquid dairy raw material at a reception facility.
• Clean and sanitise the liquid dairy raw material reception facility.