Vehicle Body Builder (Metal)

The purpose of this to qualification is to prepare a learner to operate as a Vehicle Body Builder. A Vehicle Body Builder manufactures and repairs prototype production units and purpose-built vehicle bodies such as buses, trucks, and trailers. A qualified learner will be able to: • Manufacture and assemble a vehicle's framework. • Fit the components and parts used to cover the vehicle body. • Install mechanised equipment and vehicle suspension systems, or various types of vehicle chasses. • Install components and parts. • Apply the finishing to a vehicle body. • Build chassis and vehicles bodies. • Repair and alter chasses and vehicle bodies.

There is a critical need in the industry for skilled persons who are able to conduct the essential operations associated with efficient and safe manufacturing and assembling of vehicle's framework, fitting the components and parts used to cover the vehicle body, installing mechanised equipment and vehicle suspension systems, to various types of vehicle chassis, applying the finishing to a vehicle body, build chassis and vehicles bodies and repair and altering chassis and vehicle bodies. The qualifying learner will be more employable within the Vehicle Bodybuilder sector and will and will benefit society by contributing to the economy of the Vehicle Body Building Industry and the country. This industry is vital to the existence, performance, and growth of the South African economy. A healthy economy is in turn vital in terms of the development and upliftment of the country, its infrastructure, and its entire people. Vehicle manufacturing companies invest considerable sums of money in plant, equipment, processes, raw materials, other resources, and staff thus increasing employment in the sector. These investments can only be justified if the plants and equipment operate to the optimum capacity and efficiency. This achieved by having an effective, well trained, and qualified workforce to ensure they run at optimum capacity. The effective manufacturing and repair of vehicle bodies is thus of utmost importance.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL): RPL for Access to Training: Learners may use the RPL process to gain access to training opportunities for a programme of learning, qualification, part-qualification, or skills programme if they do not meet the formal, minimum entry requirements for admission. RPL assessment provides an alternative access route into a programme of learning, qualification, part-qualification, or skills programme. Such an RPL assessment may be developed, moderated, and conducted by the accredited Skills Development Provider which offers that specific qualification/part qualification/skills programme. Such an assessment must ensure that the learner is able to display the equivalent level of competencies required for access, based on the NQF level descriptors. For exemption from modules through RPL, learners who have gained the stipulated competencies of the modules of a programme of learning, qualification, part-qualification, or skills programme through any means of formal, informal or non-formal learning and/or work experience, may be awarded credits towards relevant modules, and gaps identified for training, which is then concluded. RPL for Access to the External Integrated Summative Assessment (EISA): Learners who have gained the stipulated competencies of the modules of a programme of learning, qualification, part-qualification, or skills programme through any means of formal, informal or non-formal learning and/or work experience, may be awarded credits towards relevant modules, and gaps identified for training, which is then concluded. A valid Statement of Results is required for admission to the EISA in which confirmation of achievement is provided that all internal assessment criteria for all modules in the related curriculum document have been achieved. For a Skills Programme, the accredited Skills Development Provider (SDP) must ensure all modular competency requirements are met prior to the FISA and keep record of such evidence. Upon successful completion of the EISA/FISA, RPL learners will be issued with the QCTO certificate for the qualification, part-qualification or skills programme. Quality Partners are responsible for ensuring the RPL mechanism and process for qualifications and part-qualification is approved by the QCTO. Entry Requirements: An NQF Level 1 qualification with Mathematics and Science.

• Prepare a safe working environment, use hand, and power tools relevant to vehicle building.
• Demonstrate the ability to interpret technical drawings.
• Demonstrate the ability to mark-off materials, cut metal, bend metal, weld metal components, assemble, align, and join metal components and sub-components.
• Apply operational requirements to fit components and parts including all auto-electric and auto-electronic components.
• Show operational requirements used to remove and install mechanical components including hydraulic components.
• Apply techniques used to maintain and repair vehicle body.
• Demonstrate procedures and techniques used maintain and repair chassis.