Purpose and Rationale of the Qualification

In summary, the purpose of this qualification may be stated as:

To develop learners with the requisite competencies against the skills profile for the systems support career path (The overarching aim being to develop a broader base of skilled ICT professionals to underpin economic growth)

The qualification may be acquired in the traditional way of formal study as well as in the workplace, through learnerships. Acquiring the qualification through learnerships has the potential of addressing the problems of the past, where newly qualified people getting into the industry struggled to get employment, because they were required to have practical experience. The workplace experience can now be gained while acquiring the qualification through the various learnership schemes that are planning to use this qualification.

A qualifying learner at this level will be a well-rounded IT professional building on foundational technical skills acquired at NQF level 4, via the National Certificate in IT Technical Support or equivalent. This qualification is expanding the specialisation(s) started at NQF level 4 into the core field of networking and support, with further specialisation(s) into IT Support fields or in any other related vertical or enabled markets.

The qualification is designed to:

• Provide qualified learners with an undergraduate entry into the field of networking/systems support, earning credits towards tertiary offerings in the fields of Computer Studies or Computer Science
• Prepare qualified learners for initial employment in the computer industry.
• Allow the credits achieved in the National Certificates relating to Information Technology at NQF level 4 to be used as prior learning for this qualification.
• Allow many of the unit standards listed in this qualification, to be used in Learnership Schemes in the Information Systems and Technology sector, as well as other sectors where Information Technology is a key requirement.

Research has indicated that in order to qualify for this qualification, learners will need to demonstrate competence in the following:

• Ability to use logical methodology to troubleshoot the common types of hardware and software problems typically encountered in the day-to-day operations of an organisation.
• Ability to understand the role of technology in the business context.
• Ability to create integrated technology-based communication systems for improved business effectiveness.
• Ability to store, manage and retrieve knowledge (data) efficiently and effectively to meet organisational requirements.
• Ability to ensure secure information systems that will serve to protect the business from data loss and breaches of integrity.
• Ability to design and reflect business structure in IT Systems appropriately in order to optimise operating efficiencies, flows of data and resource utilisation within the structure.
• Ability to mobilise technical and technology-based resources to solve business problems in a specified context.
• Ability to perform cost effectively and efficiently in technology-based projects.
• Ability to manage customer relations appropriately.
• Ability to operate effectively within a change, release and configuration process.
• Ability to utilise technology-based research tools and knowledge-base repositories.
• Ability to identify and communicate business opportunities appropriately.
• Ability to install, support and maintain end-user applications

Articulation Options 

Upon successful completion of the qualification, the qualifying learner will have a thorough understanding of the role of an IT Systems Support person and be able to competently carry out the exit level outcomes of the qualification, in a business environment. The qualification may be acquired in the traditional way of formal study as well as in the workplace, through learnerships.

A qualifying learner at this level will be a well-rounded IT professional building on foundational technical skills acquired at NQF level 4, via the National Certificate in IT Technical Support or equivalent. This qualification is expanding the specialisation(s) started at NQF level 4 into the core field of networking and support, with further specialisation(s) into IT Support or in any other related vertical or enabled markets.

This qualification was developed to allow for further study in Information Technology and related fields at Higher Education levels. It will allow the qualified learner to progress to further qualifications either in Systems Support or other IT domains, or in related industries where IT is a key component. In particular, this qualification has been designed to allow entry into the National Diploma in Systems Support at NQF level 5 and into current tertiary qualifications at National Diploma level. 

Unit Standard Type	Unit Standard Code	Unit Standard Title	Pre – 2009 NQF Level	NQF Level	Credits
Core	114054	Administer a local area computer network	Level 5	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5	7
Core	114074	Demonstrate an understanding of different computer network architectures and standards	Level 5	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5	5
Core	114046	Demonstrate an understanding of issues affecting the management of a local area computer network (LAN)	Level 5	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5	4
Core	114060	Demonstrate an understanding of local area computer networks, by installing a networked workstation	Level 5	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5	5
Core	114058	Demonstrate an understanding of the concepts of Multi-User computer Operating systems	Level 5	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5	7
Core	114061	Demonstrate an understanding of Wide Area Computer Networks (WAN`s), comparing them with Local Area Networks (LAN`s)	Level 5	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5	5
Core	114052	Demonstrate appropriate customer care in the context of IT support, according to a Service Level Agreement	Level 5	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5	8
Core	114056	Describe enterprise systems management and its role in IT systems support	Level 5	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5	3
Core	114075	Design a local area computer network for a departmental office environment	Level 5	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5	5
Core	114072	Install and commission a local area computer network	Level 5	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5	9
Core	114047	Install and configure a multi-user networked operating system	Level 5	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5	9
Core	114053	Monitor and maintain a multi-user networked operating system	Level 5	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5	6
Core	114066	Test Networked IT systems against given specifications	Level 5	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5	4
Fundamental	114076	Use computer technology to research a computer topic	Level 4	NQF Level 04	3
Fundamental	10135	Work as a project team member	Level 4	NQF Level 04	8
Fundamental	114183	Apply the principles of resolving problems for single-user and multi-user computer operating systems	Level 5	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5	7
Fundamental	114051	Conduct a technical practitioners meeting	Level 5	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5	4
Fundamental	114055	Demonstrate an awareness of ethics and professionalism for the computer industry in South Africa	Level 5	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5	3
Fundamental	114059	Demonstrate an understanding of estimating a unit of work and the implications of late delivery	Level 5	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5	5
Fundamental	114050	Explain the principles of business and the role of information technology	Level 5	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5	4
Fundamental	8252	Writing business reports in Retail/Wholesale practices	Level 5	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5	6
Elective	114062	Assemble a server computer and peripherals from modules	Level 5	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5	5
Elective	114048	Create database access for a computer application using structured query language	Level 5	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5	9
Elective	114049	Demonstrate an understanding of Computer Database Management Systems	Level 5	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5	7
Elective	114063	Install a server computer and peripherals	Level 5	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5	7
Elective	114064	Install and commission multi-user application software for a server computer	Level 5	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5	5
Elective	114073	Install and commission multi-user system software on a server computer	Level 5	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5	7
Elective	114057	Install high-volume/High-Speed computer cabling for server computer system	Level 5	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5	10
Elective	114065	Maintain and repair a server computer to module level	Level 5	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5	10
Elective	114042	Maintain and repair colour photocopiers/printers	Level 5	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5	5
Elective	114182	Maintain and repair computer printers	Level 5	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5	3
Elective	114067	Maintain and repair facsimile (fax) machines	Level 5	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5	3
Elective	114070	Maintain and repair high-volume photocopier machines	Level 5	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5	5
Elective	114071	Maintain and repair photocopier machines	Level 5	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5	4
Elective	114068	Maintain and repair scanning systems	Level 5	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5	4
Elective	114077	Maintain and repair server computer peripherals to module level	Level 5	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5	10
Elective	114045	Operate an enterprise server computer system	Level 5	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5	6
Elective	114043	Support a local area computer network	Level 5	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5	10
Elective	114069	Administer security systems for a multi-user computer system	Level 6	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L6	15
Elective	114044	Demonstrate an understanding of change management for computer systems	Level 6	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L6	3
Core	114054	Administer a local area computer network	Level 5	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5	7
Core	114074	Demonstrate an understanding of different computer network architectures and standards	Level 5	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5	5
Core	114046	Demonstrate an understanding of issues affecting the management of a local area computer network (LAN)	Level 5	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5	4

RADA TRAINING

Learning Programmes Recorded Against This Qualification:

NONE