Meteorological Technician

The purpose of this qualification is to provide qualifying learners with the knowledge, understanding, competence and experience required to operate as a Meteorological Technician. A Meteorological Technician installs and inspects weather stations, conducts climate data checking, conducts surface and upper air observations, and disseminates data into specific coded forms. A qualified learner will be able to: • Install, maintain and verify meteorological instrumentation and electronic sensors. • Gather, record, code and decode surface meteorological variables and phenomena and synoptic land and ship messages. • Initialise upper air instrumentation, gather and interpret upper air meteorological variables.

The need for this qualification stems from the necessity to revise and update an existing unit standards-based qualification. The World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) has prescribed rules and regulations that guide the timeous dissemination of accurate weather observations, which is an international obligation for every country with a national weather service. Knowledge of weather conditions is fundamental to the planning and operational activities of various industry sectors including agriculture, aviation, construction, marine and tourism. In addition, these weather observations are used by local communities to plan their daily activities. Data obtained from weather observations also forms the basis of weather forecasts and related sciences. All observations are stored in databases which are used for longer term planning and research of global weather changes. To ensure the quality of the weather observations, all instrumentation need to be erected and maintained according to the same international regulations. In addition, the resultant climate data also needs to undergo stringent quality control processes prescribed by the WMO to ensure its long-term value. This qualification, by addressing the need for accurate and reliable weather data, in accordance with international standards is essential for the operation and growth of the agriculture, aviation, construction, marine and tourism sectors and therefore important for the economic growth of the country. This qualification will also benefit society as information on weather is of the utmost importance for the health and safety of humans and animals and plays an important role in environmental disaster management. This qualification will benefit learners, as it has been designed to serve as entry into a career where there is a scarcity of qualified people at various levels with job opportunities in the Meteorological Sector internationally. The qualification will also be recognised internationally as it is aligned to the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) minimum requirements for training as per the WMO publication 1083 for Meteorologists and Meteorological Technicians. Typical learners likely to be attracted to this qualification include school leavers with an interest in science and technology enjoying working outdoors. This qualification will contribute to the full development of the learner within the Weather Services industry by providing recognition, further mobility, and transportability within the sector. Related to this qualification is a part-qualification, Occupational Certificate: Aviation Meteorological Observer. Learners wishing to become a Meteorological Technician can either enrol for this qualification (Occupational Certificate: Meteorological Technician, Level 5) or can first enrol for the part-qualification (Occupational Certificate: Aviation Meteorological Observer, Level 5) to qualify as an Aviation Meteorological Observer. Should such a learner wish to, at a later stage, enrol for the Occupational Certificate: Meteorological Technician he/she will be granted recognition for modules already completed (CAT).

• Install, maintain and verify meteorological instrumentation and electronic sensors using standard methods, procedures, and techniques in accordance with all regulatory requirements.
• Gather, record, code and decode surface meteorological variables and phenomena applying standard statistical methods and procedures.
• Gather and interpret upper air meteorological variables and assist in surface observations applying standard statistical methods and procedures.