Occupational Qualification · R55
Discretionary Grant · RollingRock Drill Operator
- NQF Level
- NQF Level 2
- Credits
- 30
- Duration
- —
- SAQA ID
- 99252
Official QCTO Registry Profile
Source: SAQA / QCTO registry- SAQA ID
- 99252
- Min Credits
- 30
- Registered
- 2018-07-01
- Re-registration
- 2023-06-30
- Field
- Field 06 - Manufacturing, Engineering and Technology
- Sub-field
- Fabrication and Extraction
Sample Asset Preview
Overview & Scope
Programme Profile
- Target Designation
- Certified Rock Drill Operator Practitioner
- Competency Focus
- Master specialised practical applications, safety criteria, and regulatory mandates required of a qualified Rock Drill Operator.
- Academic Weight
- Full national recognition at NQF Level 2 yielding 30 credits upon successful PoE verification.
- Work Opportunities
- Deployment across As a qualified rock drill operator, you can find employment opportunities in Mining and Minerals. 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 MQA scope.
- Audit Objective
- Bridges operational skills deficits under the governing MQA quality matrix.
- Value Proposition
- Measurable, legally compliant skills that optimise productivity, satisfy Workplace Skills Plans (WSP), and unlock B-BBEE scorecard weight.
Introduction▾
The Rock Drill Operator (NQF Level 2, 30 credits) is a comprehensive Occupational Certificate that blends foundational theory with intensive practical application. Throughout your learning journey, you will develop the competencies required to operate effectively, safely, and ethically within your industry. Employers value this qualification because it signals that you are job-ready from day one.
Purpose▾
The purpose of this qualification is to prepare a learner to operate as a Rock Drill Operator. A Rock Drill Operator operates a hand-held rock drill, to drill holes and perform related operations. The qualifying learner will know the function and operating requirements for the machine, including health, safety and the environment and will be able to operate the machine productively and safely. A qualified learner will be able to operate a hand-held rock drill for mining or construction operations.
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: • Any NQF Level 1 qualification with Mathematical Literacy.
SAQA Rationale▾
Various industry sectors use drilling machines. In particular, hand-held rock-drilling operations are an essential part of the construction and mining sectors. South African legislation requires persons to be properly trained and assessed competent before operating machines. This qualification will train and develop the qualifying learner with the knowledge, skills and experience necessary to ensure the hand-held rock drills are operated productively and safely. This qualification will also improve the standard of training and assessment, which will lead to better operations and improved safety. The qualification will also improve the mobility of learners in terms of employment. The career progression for hand-held rock drill operators will be to other machine operator specialisations and to occupations in operations, engineering or training.
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: • Any NQF Level 1 qualification with Mathematical Literacy.
Exit Level Outcomes▾
- Carry-out start and end-of-shift procedures and checks, in accordance with machine specifications, operating standards, systems and procedures.
- Operate and use the hand-held rock drill, in accordance with the operating requirements and carry out drilling operations.
- Work safely, applying operational requirements.
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 · 21 creditsTheory, regulatory and safety knowledge. Each row carries the registered module code, NQF level and credit weight used for formative assessment rubric mapping.
- 711302000-KM-016 cr
Health, safety and the environment
NQF Level 2
- 711302000-KM-027 cr
Operations and machines
NQF Level 2
Qualification 99252 · Curriculum Architecture
Occupational Certificate: Rock Drill Operator · NQF Level 2 (30 Credits)
Three Curriculum Pillars
Knowledge Modules
Classroom & E-Learning
- Facilitated lectures & self-study
- Written question banks
- Formative comprehension checks
Practical Skill Modules
Simulated Line Tasks
- Simulated line tasks
- Observation rubrics
- Structured task sheets
Work Experience Modules
On-the-Job Production
- On-the-job rotation
- Mentor logbooks
- Workplace sign-offs
Evidence & Audit Pipeline
Learner Portfolio of Evidence (PoE)Owner · Candidate▾
Admin & Registration
ID, learner contract, induction pack, POPIA consent.
Knowledge Evidence
Written assessments & question banks — KM-01 to KM-07.
Practical Evidence
Task sheets, observation rubrics, assessor photos.
Workplace Evidence
Logbooks, mentor sign-offs, supervisor letters.
Assessor Master FileOwner · Registered Assessor▾
Assessment Reports
Judgements, learner feedback, remediation agreements, appeals log.
Internal Moderation & Quality FileOwner · Moderator / SDP▾
Moderation Evidence
10% sampling matrix, HACCP/LOTO compliance sheets, SDP sign-off.
Final Accreditation Gateway
Issued by the accredited Skills Development Provider once internal moderation is signed off.
Provider submits declaration + PoE to the Assessment Quality Partner (AQP).
QCTO awards the SAQA-registered certificate on successful EISA outcome.
Audit & Compliance
Evidence & Audit Pipeline
From portfolio assembly to external sign-off — the exact route your evidence travels.
- Step 1
PoE Assembly
Learner evidence, formative records and logbook entries filed against the alignment matrix.
- Step 2
Internal Assessment
Registered assessor judges each KM/PM/WM outcome using the supplied instruments.
- Step 3
Internal Moderation
Sampling and verification of assessor decisions, with remediation loop before submission.
- 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
2 KM + 3 PM + 0 WM modules mapped to NQF Level 2
Assessment Bank
Missing formative and summative assessments
Pre-validated assessment bank per module
Alignment Evidence
No alignment matrix — audit fails
MQA alignment matrix included
Facilitation
Facilitators improvise Rock Drill Operator delivery
Facilitator scripts + learner activities per credit
Portfolio of Evidence
PoE gaps flagged in moderation
PoE templates that survive external moderation
Pricing & Delivery Tiers
Base licence from R41 500
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
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
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
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.
Request QuoteModeration Consultation
External moderation dry-run on your PoE + delivery pack. Written report with fixes before your real audit. From R4,900.
Book Moderation SessionThe 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.