PCD

LGSETA, together with WISA, develops new occupational qualification

Occupational Certificate: Water Process Controller

Process controllers play a critical role in the water cycle, and the socio-economic well-being of a community and country. There is, however, a dire need to ensure that these front-line water sector workers have the required skills to manage our water works in an optimal way.

As these key skills and competencies needed to be identified from practitioners in the field, WISA’s Process Controller Division (PCD) drew from the expertise of a community of expert practitioners to become involved in developing the curriculum applicable to the entry-level process controller qualification. This not only ensures that the topics covered are relevant, but also allows for an opportunity to address issues relating to the quality of training provided.

The new qualification is intended to bridge the gap between knowledge and workplace skills required. It will be awarded based on competency and skill in real-life work scenarios. Embracing the principles of the modern-day apprenticeship, the qualification falls within the sphere of the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations, which will ensure that training is workplace driven, and that learners will only successfully complete the course once they have passed an independent standardised examination, referred to as an external integrated summative assessment (EISA).

The actual training uses knowledge modules as the foundation from which practical skills need to be established. This approach relies heavily upon ‘workplace coaches’ and necessitates a skills gap analysis for these workplace coaches. This will, by implication, improve the existing level of process control skills on-site and allow for the training of a new generation of process controllers in a way that will ensure true capacity building to the extent where all process controllers are equipped with the required skills and competencies to deal with an ever-changing environment.

This change in the approach to capacity building and training obviously holds some challenges. Process controllers who already received training need to embrace life-long learning and not shy away from concepts like skills-gap analyses. It will also be a challenge to make sure that these workplace coaches have the suitable skills to coach the trainees, can effectively transfer their technical knowledge, and have the time to take on coaching, especially keeping in mind that many plants are already understaffed.

Historical qualifications

In an attempt to eliminate the need for process controllers to repeat training they have already received, a recognition of prior learning (RPL) process must be implemented. Fortunately, a very comprehensive toolkit already exists, and assessors only need to be trained on how to implement this toolkit.

It must be emphasised that the RPL process is not a shortcut and learners wishing to receive this qualification still need to complete the EISA at one of the assessment centres that are to be established. Assessors and moderators linked to these assessment centres will act as the final line of defence in ensuring that the process controllers have the required technical know-how and skills.

WISA is recognised by the South African Qualifications Authority.