COURSE OVERVIEW:
This qualification is the first in a series for practitioners in the field of environmental science, environmental management and waste management. This series of qualifications will equip practitioners with the skills, knowledge and values to contribute towards the wise and effective use and management of our natural resources and ecological systems.
The specific purpose of this qualification represents the skills, knowledge and understanding required by competent practitioners to:
- Have an elementary understanding of the concept of the environment and the basic principles which underpin the sustainable use of resources
- Understand their role and perform the activities associated with their role, using the tools, materials and practices of their particular field
- Understand how they are affected by-laws, agreements and policies related to their particular context
- Understand the impact of their activities on the (natural) environment, as well as the implications of these activities for the environment.
With this understanding, learners will be able to engage productively and responsibly in work, individual or community-related activities in the field of environmental science, environmental management and waste management. This qualification will also serve as a basis for further learning and will equip learners with the knowledge, skills and values to participate meaningfully in society and contribute towards developing sustainable communities.
This qualification can be obtained in any context within the field of environmental science, environmental management and waste management, eg: local government, public and private waste management enterprises, cultural or natural heritage sites, community projects, recycling and recovery of resources, control and eradication of invasive and alien species, rural development, or as workers with environmental functions in a range of industries such as mining, chemicals or manufacturing, etc.
ARTICULATION OPTIONS
This qualification has been designed and structured so that qualifying learners can move from one context to another. Employers or institutions should be able to evaluate the outcomes of this qualification against the needs of their context and structure top-up learning appropriately. Equally, holders of other qualifications may be evaluated against this qualification for the purpose of RPL.
This qualification has been designed as a generic qualification which will serve the diverse needs of the field of environmental science, environmental management and waste management. While a certain amount of learning is applicable across the field, the balance will be related to the learner’s context. Each context will have a different focus and this will determine what qualifications, both horizontally and vertically, will articulate with this one.
PROGRAMME TYPE
- Part-time
- Full time
DURATION
18 months
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
The learner is required to have a minimum of Grade 12. Must able to speak and write in English.
LEARNER MATERIAL
All learning material included in tuition fees.
ASSESSMENT
- Appropriate numeracy and verbal and written communication skills are selected and used in the performance of tasks.
- Appropriate numeracy and verbal and written communication skills are selected and used to explain concepts and processes during the assessment.
- Specific practice is described and explained, relating the tools and the materials to the practice, and explaining the environmental principles which underpin the practice.
- Resources are used in a sustainable manner, without injury to self or fellow workers or damage to tools, equipment, infrastructure or the environment.
- Actual or potential environmental impacts are identified.
- Actual or potential environmental impacts are reported timeously and accurately.
- Appropriate information is collected and recorded accurately.
- Information is contributed in an appropriate form or format within the required timeframe.
- Contribution to cleanliness and condition of tools, equipment and infrastructure is made in an environmentally responsible and safe manner.
- Laws, policies and procedures which govern the learner’s particular context are described and explained.
- The learner’s role and contribution are described and explained.
Integrated Assessment:
In order to achieve the aims of integrated assessment, it is recommended that the assessor assesses all components of the learning simultaneously and that credits are awarded for the unit standards during this assessment.
It is recommended that learning components (ie fundamental and core) are combined into assignments and projects which are then included in the portfolio of evidence. This will form the basis for the bulk of the assessment. The assessor can then focus on specific areas for further probing and verification.
The assessment process should:
- Cover the explicit activities required for the qualification as well as the understanding of the concepts and principles which underpin the activities
- Establish how the critical outcomes have been advanced by the learning process.
The integrated assessment must be based on a summative assessment guide. The guide will spell out how the assessor will assess different aspects of the performance and will include:
- Looking at records and reports in the portfolio and reviewing previous assessments
- Asking questions and initiating short discussions to test understanding
- Observing the learner at work (in the primary activity as well as in other interactions).
The learner may choose in which language s/he wants to be assessed. This should be established as part of a process of preparing the learner for assessment and familiarizing the learner with the approach being taken.
While this is primarily a context-based qualification, evidence from other areas of endeavor may be introduced if pertinent to any of the exit-level outcomes.
CERTIFICATION
On successful completion of course, the learner will receive a certificate.
DISCLAIMER
The information provided may vary or change at the discretion of Eskilz College. Eskilz College will formally notify learners of any changes or variations.
