Software Tester

The purpose of this part- qualification is to prepare a learner to function as a Software Tester. A Software Tester assess the functionality of an application against client's specifications. A qualified learner will be able to: • Plan and prepare to test and debug source code. • Test or debug source code.

The need to develop a part-qualification was established by industry's role-players during the realignment of the National Certificate: Information Technology (Systems Development). The part-qualification is aimed for learners who wish to pursue a career as Software Testers. This part-qualification has drawn some of its modules from the realigned Occupational Certificate: Software Engineer. The design of the Software Tester part-qualification was also influenced by the lack of registered Software Tester occupational qualification on the National Qualifications Framework. Organisations that were consulted and participated in the process of realigning this qualification included employers and training providers such as Yitro Innovations, iThemba IT Solutions, E-kasi IT Solutions, CTU Training Solutions, Bytes People Solutions, i-College, Ginini Consulting, Puzzle debt, DVG, Mpande Technologies and Torque IT. Their input has been used to ensure that the qualification is fit for purpose. Typical learners to enrol for the part-qualification are people with workplace experience in the Systems Development areas who would like to formalise their training and other professionals, school leavers and qualifying learners, who have already been exposed to the system development area and want to pursue a career towards Software Engineers. Upon completion of this qualification, learners may gain employment in the Software Engineering field within the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) industry and all other industries that requires ICT services. Qualified learners can also be entrepreneurs servicing other industries with ICT requirements. Learners who successfully complete the part-qualification can advance their careers by enrolling in higher-level qualifications, which upon completion, will enable them to take higher level responsibilities in leadership or pursue entrepreneurial opportunities. Businesses, organisations and communities will benefit from this qualification by being served by qualified Software Testers. These professionals will efficiently and effectively perform their roles by contributing to the building of the economy and South Africa as a whole, through developing innovative software solutions facing the country.

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 results or by 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: The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is: • Any NQF Level 4 qualification.

• Plan and prepare to test and debug source code.
• Test or debug source code.