Master Toolmaker (Metal Forming Die Master Toolmaker)

The purpose of this qualification is to prepare a learner to operate as a Master Toolmaker (Metal Forming Die Master Toolmaker). A Metal Forming Die Master Toolmaker designs, manufactures and maintains metal stamping, forming and extrusion tooling; integrates processes and equipment; tests processes and maintains complex metal stamping, forming and extrusion production systems, multiple technologies and business management processes into a cost effective solution. A qualified learner will be able to: • Design, manufacture and maintain metal stamping, forming and extrusion tooling. • Manage and integrate metal stamping, forming and extrusion tooling making processes, equipment, multiple technologies and business management processes into a cost effective tooling. • Test, optimise and maintain production systems in relation to specific metal stamping, forming and extrusion tooling.

The National Tooling Initiative Programme (NTI) is the turnaround intervention programme aimed at the rehabilitation and growth of the Tool, Die and Mould manufacturing (TDM) Sector and has been identified by the DTI as a key programme to uplift the manufacturing industry to international standards to develop the market and showcase the niche competitive advantages and capabilities of South Africa. The need for revamping and updating the training capacity for the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) sector cannot be over-emphasised and the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO) model for provision of training received overwhelming support from the industry. In particular, the advent of this system is considered opportune to address existing problems in the industry, such as: • Improved industrial competitiveness by addressing current loss of work to competitor countries resulting from the lack of skills availability, decline in quality standards (out-dated non-competitive technology), decline in South Africa (SA) TDM companies' ability to meet delivery capacity and timing requirements. • Improve the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE) transformation in TDM industry where as a result of perceived distress in the sector, financial institutions and investors classify this industry sector as high risk, thus empowerment investment to date remains largely insignificant. Capacity building will address start-up Small Medium Enterprises (SME) in the sector to improve investor perception and improve chances for investment finance. • Improve the balance of payments through import substitution resulting from local production and manufacturing competitiveness, i.e. machine setting, tooling adjustment and tool maintenance services. The improved competiveness will further address downstream problems like plant downtime, higher scrap rates, drop in output efficiencies, quality problems, missed supply deadlines, and increased input costs. The master artisan concept exhibits great potential to revive the seeming "dwindling away" of trades and trades uptake, with the capacity to assist trades people to achieve the social recognition and prestige enjoyed by other professionals in the community. The completion of the Metal Forming Die Master Toolmaker marks a significant moment in South Africa's industrial history, where highly skilled artisans for the first time will be able to access formal recognition, recognition that will also play a leading role in elevating the status of trades' careers and conferring prestige on South African artisans in the twenty-first century. The SA TDM sector views the introduction of the Metal Forming Die Master Toolmaker qualification, of serious significance for the transformation of the sector. The range of typical learners that will enter this new master artisan qualification are people who are generally qualified Toolmaker artisans, with at least four years practical experience in making Tooling within the industry and who would like to advance their skills, competencies and employment in the Tool and Die Making industry. This qualification resides as one of several in the mechanical engineering and manufacturing environments and makes allowance for any toolmaking sector artisan occupation within this context to gain access to the more specialised aspects of Tool, Die and Mould making. The Master Artisan qualifications in toolmaking further make provision for artisans to progress within this discipline to more specialised aspects such as technology, management, financial and entrepreneurial skills development. The main benefits of this qualification for the learner are that the learner has an opportunity to be recognised as a qualified master artisan with well-structured, relevant and current competencies and have access to entrepreneurial opportunities within the mechanical engineering and manufacturing environments. Society will be served by artisans qualified at a high level of specialisation in specific aspects of the toolmaking sector, thus contributing to the competitiveness of South Africa's manufacturing sector. The overall benefits for the economy would include efficient and effective high end Toolmaking competencies available to be utilised for economic growth purposes.

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: • Toolmaker at NQF Level 5. Or • Fitter and turner at NQF Level 4. Or • Machinist trade at NQF Level 4 and four years' experience in any field of specialisation i.e. Plastics or rubber or glass, Casting and Die Casting, Purpose Built Machine or Specialised Machinist or Fitting and Turning.

• Design, manufacture and maintain metal forming dies.
• Manage and integrate metal forming die making processes, equipment, multiple technologies and business management processes into cost effective dies.
• Test, optimise and maintain production systems in relation to specific metal forming dies.