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Occupational Qualification · P14

Discretionary Grant · Rolling

Pattern Grader

QCTO Aligned Audit-ReadyFP&M SETA
NQF Level
NQF Level 4
Credits
85
Duration
—
SAQA ID
115509
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Official QCTO Registry Profile

Source: SAQA / QCTO registry
SAQA ID
115509
Min Credits
85
Registered
2020-02-26
Re-registration
2025-02-26
Field
Field 06 - Manufacturing, Engineering and Technology
Sub-field
Manufacturing and Assembly

Sample Asset Preview

Curriculum Alignment MatrixCRN ZA-SDP-2026-089
Curriculum Alignment Matrix — page 1
Curriculum Alignment Matrix — page 2
Curriculum Alignment Matrix — page 3
Curriculum Alignment Matrix — page 4
Curriculum Alignment Matrix — page 5
Page 1 of 5

Overview & Scope

Programme Profile

Target Designation
Certified Pattern Grader Practitioner
Competency Focus
Master specialised practical applications, safety criteria, and regulatory mandates required of a qualified Pattern Grader.
Academic Weight
Full national recognition at NQF Level 4 yielding 85 credits upon successful PoE verification.
Work Opportunities
Deployment across As a qualified pattern grader, you can find employment opportunities in Furniture, Paper, Printing, Packaging, Forestry. Your skills will be in demand across both public and private sectors, and you may also choose to work as an independent contractor or start your own business in this field. operations under FP&M SETA scope.
Audit Objective
Bridges operational skills deficits under the governing FP&M SETA quality matrix.
Value Proposition
Measurable, legally compliant skills that optimise productivity, satisfy Workplace Skills Plans (WSP), and unlock B-BBEE scorecard weight.
Introduction▾

The Pattern Grader is a Occupational Certificate set at NQF Level 4, comprising 85 credits. This qualification has been carefully developed to provide you with the essential knowledge, practical skills, and workplace experience needed to excel in your chosen field. Whether you are starting your career or looking to formalise your existing expertise, this programme offers a structured pathway to competence and recognition.

Purpose▾

A Pattern Grader grades a set of constructed patterns for different size garments applying a sizing system while maintaining the proportions and look of the garment.

Entry Requirements▾

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: • NQF 4 with Mathematical Literacy. Or • NQF Level 1 (AET Level 4) with a minimum of three years' assessed experience as a pattern grader.

SAQA Rationale▾

This part-qualification equips learners with the necessary skills and competence to operate as a Pattern Grader. A Pattern Grader can grade a set of constructed patterns in different sizes through the application of a sizing system and a grading system. Qualifying learners will be skilled and capable of analysing a base pattern and applying the appropriate sizing system and sizing chart, grading rules and grading methods to grade a set of patterns, using both traditional and modern techniques, materials and fabrics to produce aesthetically pleasing and fit for purpose consumer products. Learners will find employment as Pattern Graders. These skills will also open opportunities for self­ employment. Target groups identified include school leavers with an NQF Level 4 qualification or persons working in the clothing industry without formal qualifications and has the desire to formalise their skills and knowledge. Employers will benefit from appointing qualified workers in terms of increased productivity and the ability to be competitive in the international market and seek markets abroad, supplying quality manufactured apparel articles.

Learning Assumed to be in Place & RPL▾

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: • NQF 4 with Mathematical Literacy. Or • NQF Level 1 (AET Level 4) with a minimum of three years' assessed experience as a pattern grader.

Exit Level Outcomes▾
  • Measure, calculate and apply formulae in pattern grading operations.
  • Explain the grading principles and methods to be applied during the pattern grading process.
  • Scrutinise and interpret patterns and apply information and specifications to grading operations.
  • Grade patterns of various sizes and shapes for different sizes using various grading methods.

Learning Material Included

  • Learner Guide (Theory and Knowledge Modules)
  • Facilitator Guide
  • Workplace Logbook
  • Formative and Summative Assessment
  • Assessor Guide & Marking Memorandum
  • SETA / QCTO Alignment Matrix
  • Administrative & Onboarding Pack
  • Implementation Plan

Moderator-Ready Curriculum Breakdown

5 modules · 85 credits

Theory, regulatory and safety knowledge. Each row carries the registered module code, NQF level and credit weight used for formative assessment rubric mapping.

  • 683202-003-00-00-KM-014 cr

    Introduction to Fashion, Garment Design, Pattern-making and Grading

    NQF Level 4

  • 683202-003-00-00-KM-028 cr

    Raw Materials and Manufacturing of Clothing

    NQF Level 4

  • 683202-003-00-00-KM-0615 cr

    Pattern Grading Principles, and Methods

    NQF Level 4

Sub-total credits27
QCTO & FP&M SETA AlignedSAQA 115509

Qualification 115509 · Curriculum Architecture

Occupational Certificate: Pattern Grader · NQF Level 4 (85 Credits)

Filter View
§ 01

Three Curriculum Pillars

27
Credits

Knowledge Modules

Classroom & E-Learning

KM-01 to KM-03 · 3 modules
  • Facilitated lectures & self-study
  • Written question banks
  • Formative comprehension checks
30
Credits

Practical Skill Modules

Simulated Line Tasks

PM-01 to PM-01 · 1 modules
  • Simulated line tasks
  • Observation rubrics
  • Structured task sheets
28
Credits

Work Experience Modules

On-the-Job Production

WM-01 to WM-01 · 1 modules
  • On-the-job rotation
  • Mentor logbooks
  • Workplace sign-offs
§ 02

Evidence & Audit Pipeline

Learner Portfolio of Evidence (PoE)
Owner · Candidate
▾
1
Admin & Registration

ID, learner contract, induction pack, POPIA consent.

2
Knowledge Evidence

Written assessments & question banks — KM-01 to KM-07.

3
Practical Evidence

Task sheets, observation rubrics, assessor photos.

4
Workplace Evidence

Logbooks, mentor sign-offs, supervisor letters.

Assessor Master File
Owner · Registered Assessor
▾
5
Assessment Reports

Judgements, learner feedback, remediation agreements, appeals log.

Internal Moderation & Quality File
Owner · Moderator / SDP
▾
6
Moderation Evidence

10% sampling matrix, HACCP/LOTO compliance sheets, SDP sign-off.

§ 03

Final Accreditation Gateway

Step 1
Statement of Results

Issued by the accredited Skills Development Provider once internal moderation is signed off.

Step 2
EISA Readiness Declaration

Provider submits declaration + PoE to the Assessment Quality Partner (AQP).

Step 3
National Qualification Certificate

QCTO awards the SAQA-registered certificate on successful EISA outcome.

Learner Certified · Uploaded to National Learner Records Database (NLRD)

Audit & Compliance

Evidence & Audit Pipeline

From portfolio assembly to external sign-off — the exact route your evidence travels.

  1. Step 1

    PoE Assembly

    Learner evidence, formative records and logbook entries filed against the alignment matrix.

  2. Step 2

    Internal Assessment

    Registered assessor judges each KM/PM/WM outcome using the supplied instruments.

  3. Step 3

    Internal Moderation

    Sampling and verification of assessor decisions, with remediation loop before submission.

  4. Step 4

    External Moderation

    SETA/QCTO desktop audit and certification upload against registered credits.

Broken Standard vs i2Graduates Standard

The measurable delta between improvised material and an audit-ready suite.

Broken Standard

i2Graduates Standard

Curriculum Mapping

Photocopied guides with mismatched outcomes

3 KM + 1 PM + 1 WM modules mapped to NQF Level 4

Assessment Bank

Missing formative and summative assessments

Pre-validated assessment bank per module

Alignment Evidence

No alignment matrix — audit fails

FP&M SETA alignment matrix included

Facilitation

Facilitators improvise Pattern Grader delivery

Facilitator scripts + learner activities per credit

Portfolio of Evidence

PoE gaps flagged in moderation

PoE templates that survive external moderation

View on SAQA

Pricing & Delivery Tiers

Base licence from R54 250

Digital Master Suite

Editable master files, licensed to your SDP

  • Learner Guide, Facilitator Guide & Assessment Suite
  • Workplace logbook + alignment matrix (editable)
  • Instant digital delivery under institutional licence
  • Free minor corrections for 12 months
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Most selected

Turnkey Print & Bound Package

Printed, bound and couriered per learner

  • Everything in the Digital Master Suite
  • Full-colour print, wire-bound learner packs
  • Per-learner PoE folders and dividers
  • Nationwide courier with tracked delivery
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Full Enterprise Accreditation Bundle

Assets plus accreditation support end-to-end

  • Everything in the Print & Bound Package
  • Bespoke QMS build mapped to your scope
  • Moderation dry-run + written remediation report
  • Brand & metadata integration across the suite
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Complementary Services

Optional add-ons that harden your accreditation scope before an external audit.

Bespoke QMS Build

We author your Quality Management System — policies, procedures, records, matrices — mapped to your accreditation scope. From R18,500.

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Moderation Consultation

External moderation dry-run on your PoE + delivery pack. Written report with fixes before your real audit. From R4,900.

Book Moderation Session

The i2Graduates Quality Guarantee

Every page of this bundle is checked for sequence and structural accuracy — no missing pages, no shortcuts. You get pre-validated assessment instruments ready to survive rigorous compliance moderation, wrapped in a curriculum your facilitators will enjoy teaching.