Railway Track Welder

The purpose of this qualification is to prepare a learner to operate as a Railway Track Welder. A Railway Track Welder refurbishes rail tracks and track components using specific welding and grinding processes to prepare and join rails to extend the lifespan of the railway lines. A qualified learner will be able to: • Prepare and repair tracks, rail ends and track components. • Join tracks and maintain track components.

The need for this qualification was identified during the development of a qualification for the Railway Track Master which is a recorded Trade (SAQA ID 96355). This qualification relates to a set of skills that forms part of a trade and is recognised in industry as a requirement to perform a certain jobs and tasks. It also creates alternative pathways and occupations in relation to becoming an artisan. Currently there is no registered qualification that meets the specific requirements within the context of railway track construction including welding. The unit standard-based qualifications previously used for Railway Track Welders are to be replaced by the occupational Certificate: Railway Track Master. Railway Track Masters have been identified as a scarce skill in the Transport sector which incorporates the skills sets required by Railway Track Welders. The development of railway infrastructure is a key driver for economic development. In South Africa, one of the barriers to accelerated economic development is the provisioning of cost effective and reliable mass transport systems for both freight and passenger services. A key strategy in the National Development Plan is the improvement and proper maintenance of infrastructure. Currently and in future, there is and will be a need for skills and abilities to build and maintain an ever-growing railway network. This qualification is targeted at providing the fundamental human resource capabilities required to deliver this strategy which in turn, will benefit the sector, the society in general and the economy at large. Typical learners for this qualification are the out of school youth with limited formal qualifications as well as workers in the rail sector interested in working mainly outdoors and aspiring to obtain formal recognition for skills and knowledge. Learners entering this qualification will exit with an NQF Level 3 qualification that will be recognised within the rail sector both nationally and abroad. This qualification will contribute to the development of the learner by providing recognition and career mobility within the sector. This qualification forms part of a suite of related qualifications to create an occupational pathway with several options to follow, each resulting in employment opportunities in areas of specialisation part of a career path for railway track workers. There is presently no professional registration which this qualification leads to or is associated with. These qualifications include the Occupational Certificate: Railway Track Constructor, NQF Level 3, the part-qualification Occupational Certificate: Railway Track Maintenance Supervisor NQF Level 4 and Occupational Certificate: Railway Track Master NQF Level 4 (Trade). The relationship and career path opportunities between the various qualifications are quite complex and is outlined in detail in the various curricula.

1.Evaluate condition of rail ends and track components, prepare and repair it using appropriate techniques and demonstrate a fundamental understanding of safety principles. 2.Gas-cut and weld tracks and track components using appropriate techniques and equipment and demonstrate a fundamental understanding of related principles, theories, and safety requirements.