Vehicle Damage Quantifier

The purpose of this qualification is to prepare a learner to operate as a Vehicle Damage Quantifier. A Vehicle Damage Quantifier (VDQ) determines the real and actual cost of reinstating the vehicle to the condition it was in before the incident that gave rise to the damage or loss or claim. As part of this process, the learner will verify the cause of the damage, determine the values of the vehicle before and after the incident, provide rectification guidelines and interact with the client or insurance company to take the quantification and rectification processes forward. The occupational qualification also covers a range of technical (practical) skills and work experiences in panel beating, automotive vehicle painting, and in mechanical and auto-electrical aspects to assist the learner with the requisite knowledge to determine the quantum accurately and professionally. The training will include vehicle repairs; however, the qualified learner will not perform any repairs on the damaged vehicle. The final assessment will only focus on the estimation of the damage to the vehicle. While this qualification will serve the needs of the vehicle damage quantifier (motor body estimator) it will serve as a basis for the aspirant Motor Vehicle Insurance Assessor who, upon completing this qualification, will need to complete other insurance-related training relevant to that occupation. A qualified learner will be able to: • Discuss vehicle components and material in terms of their vulnerability, characteristics and reparability. • Quantify damage or loss to vehicle.

Vehicle Damage Quantifiers (VDQs) and Motor Vehicle Insurance Assessors play a crucial role in the daily lives of South Africans. Motor accidents occur daily and the services of VDQs, Assessors and Body-shop Estimators are required all the time. There are currently in excess of 4000 Assessors and Estimators in the country who operate without a formal qualification; currently they are trained by insurance companies or auto-body shop entities to perform vehicle quantification services. There has also been a long history of tension between insurance companies and auto-body shops over vehicle quantification assessments, attributed in part to the different training courses offered by the two related sectors. It is hoped that this qualification will standardise training of VDQs, Assessors and Estimators and increase the integrity of these occupations. This qualification has been endorsed by both the insurance and auto-body shop institutions. Further, a professional body for VDQs- endorsed by both the insurance and auto-body shop sectors - has already been established. It is called the Vehicle Damage Quantification Governing Body of South Africa (VDQGBSA) and it has submitted a letter of intent to become a professional body to SAQA. Vehicle Damage Quantifiers (VDQs) and Motor Vehicle Insurance Assessors make a huge contribution to the South African economy. In the implementation of training programmes based on this qualification, these sectors also have the potential of creating significant job opportunities and promoting the transfer of much-needed skills. Typical learners will be those already involved in these sectors, who wish to acquire a formal qualification. Other learners will be matriculants with an interest in becoming VDQs and Motor Vehicle Insurance Assessors.

Recognition of Prior Learning: 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 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 Level 4 qualification with Mathematical Literacy.

• Interpret and motivate the application of key recognised theories and processes related to vehicle damage quantification.
• Assess or quantify vehicle damage or loss.