Warping Machine Operator

The purpose of this qualification is to prepare a learner to operate as a Warping Machine Operator. A qualified learner will be able to: • Prepare (clean, load, thread, draw and set) creels and warping machines or beaming and sizing machines, according to product specifications and yarn/thread paths. • Operate (check, start, patrol, monitor, control (adjust/fix) and stop) creels and warping machines or beaming and sizing machines and to process textile yarns into warp or weavers beams. • Patrol and monitor creeling and warping processes or beaming and sizing processes to ensure maximum machine utilization and minimize product and process non-conformance. • Identify and attend to raw material, product and creeling and warping machine non-conformances or beaming and sizing machine non-conformance, and take corrective action within operator control. • Apply all safety standards and housekeeping practices when operating warping machines, to minimize hazards and reduce waste.

The Occupational Certificate: Warping Machine Operator is designed to provide learners with basic operational knowledge of operating a warping machine. A Warping Machine Operator prepares, loads, operates and monitors creels and warping machines or beaming and sizing machines to process textile yarns into a warp beam or weavers beam, according to specification, output and quality standards. In 2013, the Clothing, Textiles, Footwear and Leather (CTFL) industry accounted for about 14% of manufacturing employment and represented South Africa's second largest source of tax revenue. The industry facilitates an estimated 80 000 jobs and contributes around 8% to the GDP of the country. The domestic industry can be found mostly in the Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal, with some activity taking place in Gauteng. Owing to technological developments that are closing the major product gaps, local textile production has evolved into a capital-intensive industry, producing synthetic fibres in ever-increasing proportions. In July 2007, Cabinet endorsed the first Industrial Policy Action Plan (IPAP) that detailed key action and timeframes for the implementation of the policy. The textile sector was selected for support due to its strategic importance for its contribution to employment and the desire to retain the core capabilities that had been developed in the industry. The Clothing and Textiles Competitiveness Program (CTCP) was introduced in 2009 and is subdivided into the Competitiveness Improvement Program (CIP) and Production Incentive Program (PIP). Both CIP and PIP make provision for skills development, aimed at addressing the persistent skills deficits and mismatches that continue to hamper individual and technological development. This qualification will support the above national strategies. Two distinct target groups have been identified. Firstly, new entrants into the industry who have a school qualification or adults with limited basic schooling, and existing employees/operators who have been operating in the industry for a number of years without receiving appropriate recognition for the competencies acquired in the workplace and who are operating without the necessary underpinning knowledge. The textile industry is in a growth phase due to the ongoing support by government with new employment opportunities being created in specialised textiles. The replacement of an ageing workforce approaching retirement will create employment opportunities. The qualification is very well suited to promote employment in capital intensive sub-sectors in the textile industry in general. This qualification will contribute in improved productivity, efficiency and quality, increase labour stability, reduction in accidents, and the extended life of the production machinery and equipment. Qualifying against the new curriculum standard due to its multi-skilling nature and structure of learning will increase job security and improve employability in this occupation as well as in related operational activities. In addition, the qualification will also assist towards qualifying for career advancement, particularly into a supervisory or artisanal role.

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: • NQF Level 1 with Communication. Or • 3 years' workplace experience in a Warping or Beaming and Sizing Department.

• Understand and interpret creeling and warping specifications to ensure warp beams meet customer requirements and quality standards.
• Conduct pre-production processes in order to prepare and set a creel and warping machine for production.
• Operate and monitor creels and warping machines to convert yarn into warp beams according to set standards.
• Identify and rectify deviations from creeling and warping product specifications to ensure products meets customer and quality requirements.
• Understand and interpret beaming and sizing specifications to ensure weavers beams comply with customer requirements and quality standards.
• Conduct pre-production processes in order to prepare and set beaming and sizing machines for production.
• Operate and monitor beaming and sizing machines to convert yarn into sized weavers' beams according to set standards.
• Identify and rectify deviations from beaming and sizing product specifications to ensure product quality.