Air Quality Specialist Occupational Qualification Development Process

Ms Agnes Makau14th Air Quality Governance LekgotlaProtea Hotel, Stellenbosch Technopark Western Cape Province01 – 03 October 2019

Presentation Outline

• Background

• Air Quality Occupational Qualification Objectives - Air Quality Specialist

• Approach and process towards development of qualification

• Scope of the AQ Occupational Qualification

• Qualification implementation

• Way Forward

Background• Following the establishment of the MoU with LG SETA

– The development of the Air Quality OccupationalQualification was approved by Quality Council for Tradesand Occupation (QCTO) in 2018

– The QCTO delegated the LG SETA as the body that willcoordinate and fund the process

• During the 2018 Lekgotla we reported that:

– The LG SETA to appoint qualification developmentfacilitator

– Communities of Expert Practitioners (CEPs) to beestablished to:

✓Drive the design and development process of thequalification

✓Develop the qualification assessment specifications

The objectives of the AQ Occupational Qualification – Air Quality Specialist

• To provide means for current officials to receiverecognition for Prior Learning Experience

• To build on existing skills and imparting specialisedknowledge to air quality officials

• To enhance capacity in all spheres of government to perform air quality functions effectively

Progress Made in Occupational Qualification Development

Occupational Qualification Development

• The process to develop accredited specialisedair quality occupational qualification has beeninitiated

– LG SETA appointed a qualificationdevelopment facilitator

– It is envisaged that the development will beconcluded in 2020

Approach and process towards development of qualification

Establish the Community of

Expert Practitioners

▪ The CEPs was established▪ Consists of government officials,

academia and researchers invited

Establish the Occupation

Profile

Develop qualification

curricula

▪ Knowledge Module▪ Practical Module▪ Work Module

▪ Purpose and NQF Level of Occupation

▪ Occupational tasks (as per governance cycle defined in the NF

Community of Expert Practitioners

• Community of Expert Practitioners composed of:

– Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries

– Provinces – Western Cape, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Gauteng

– Academia – UP and UJ

– Researchers – SAEON

• Minimum of five years in the air quality management field

Air Quality Specialist Occupational Qualification Profile

• Air Quality Specialist will be registered at NQF Level 7

• The total of credits – Not more than 240

• Entry level requirements– NQF Level 6 (QCTO Level 6 or Level 6 academic

qualification)

– Recognition of Prior Learning Experience with minimum 5 years experience in the field of air quality management – this is designed to accommodate existing air quality personnel

What is the occupational qualification

• What is the occupational qualification

What is the content of the AQ Occupational Qualification -

Curricula

What is the occupational qualification

How the Curricula was Designed

CEPs asked fundamental questions

• What are the ROLES/RESPONSIBILITIES of the Air Quality Specialist – has to be the AQO

– What is the KNOWLEDGE required for these roles?

– What are the PRACTICAL SKILLS required for these roles?

– What is the WORK EXPERIENCE for this person to be qualitied as AQ Specialist?

• Roles/Responsibilities as defined in the National Framework

National Framework Governance Cycle

Authorisation & Authorisation Management

Systems, Infrastructure, Data Management, Reporting, etc.

Regulatory Framework/Strategies Development, Implementation and Monitoring

Expected Outcomes of the Qualification

• The learner is expected to have understanding on the:

– Development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of AQM policies, regulations and strategies (including all relevant tools) for the control of air pollution

– Analysis and execution of AQ authorisation functions in accordance with the regulatory framework (Provide input to environmental impact assessment reports)

– Assessment and compliance monitoring with AQM policies, regulations and strategies and provide support to the enforcement process

– Establishment and maintenance of systems for the collection and management of air quality information

Knowledge Module Overview

Knowledge Module

Fundamentals and principles of air

quality management

regulatory framework

Air quality authorisation and

management

Establish and maintain air

emission inventories and

systems

Establish and maintain

ambient AQ monitoring

infrastructure and information

systems

Practical Module Overview

Practical Module

Develop, maintain or strengthen processes for

AQM policies and strategies aligned with national and international best

practices

Manage AQ authorisation

(issuing, approvals, transfers, renewals,

reviews, etc.)

Design, operate and maintain

the AQ infrastructure

and AQ information and

knowledge services

Utilise the AQ information to

compile relevant strategic

governance and compliance reports

(SoA, etc.) in line with AQ regulatory

requirements

Work Experience Module Overview

Work Module

The development, implementation and monitoring and evaluation processes for

AQM policies and strategies

Air quality authorisation and

management

Establishing, operating and

maintaining AQ infrastructure

and AQ information and

knowledge services

Utilising the AQ information for the compilation

of strategic governance and

compliance reports level

credits

What is next

Develop the external Assessment Specification

Document

▪ External Assessment Strategy▪ Criteria for registration of Assessors▪ Aspects to be assessed externally, etc.

Submit the qualification to QCTO

for review and approval

QCTO submit the qualification to SAQA

Develop the learning materials

▪ Once approved and registered with the QCTO, the qualification will be submitted to SAQA for registration

▪ Qualification documents (Knowledge, Practical, Work modules and Assessment specification document

Develop the assessment tools

Identify institutions for

qualification governance

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently asked questions

• Entry requirements – At NQF 6

• Length of the course – based on the number credits (from the previous occupational qualifications 1 credit= 8 – 10hrs)

• Costs of the qualification and distance learning –Depends on the service provider – LG SETA to advise further on these

• Modules can be taken one at the time working towards a full qualification over an extended period

• Will legislation be amended to include this qualification as one of the requirements for AQO designation?

Wayforward

• The team welcome all inputs/ comments into the

process especially now before finalising the

curriculum

• Department will continuously provide feedback

on the process until its conclusion

Note of appreciation to all Air Quality Officers for

their continuous support