Skills Programme ID: SP-230375: Python Programmer NQF Level 4, 60 Credits

Qualification Details:

Registration start date:           11-03-2022

Registration end date:            11-03-2027

Last date for enrolment:         11-03-2028

Last date for achievement:     11-03-2031

Entry LEVEL Requirements:

Gr. 11 with Maths Lit and English

Related Registered Qualifications:

OC: Artificial Intelligence Software Developer, NQF Level 05, 209 credits

OC: Cloud Administrator, NQF Level 04, 149 credits

OC: Cybersecurity Analyst, NQF Level 05, 173 credits

OC: Data Science Practitioner, NQF Level 05, 185 credits

OC: Quality Test Automator, NQF level 05, 179 credits

Purpose And Rationale of The Qualification

In South Africa, according to the 2020 list of occupations in high demand: Technical Report (Department of Higher Education and Training) published in 2021 it is clear that the role of the programming and its derived skills programmes have been identified as pivotal by several Sector Education and Training Bodies (SETAs). Responding to the rapid skills demand by supplying Python programmers will thus have a positive impact on the economy.

Python programmers will play a pivotal role in establishing a data-driven culture and currently available advanced technology to manipulate these big data and complex datasets.

It is also important to note that there are great opportunities to become self-employed and the entrepreneurial orientated Python Programmers will form new companies (with the employment creation associated to it).

A demand for competent Python programmers exist in any economic sector, e.g. finance, insurance, healthcare, energy, environmental, government, transportation, agriculture and food. International research also confirms the phenomenal growth in the need for qualified programmers, including Python Programmers.

Typical learners include school leavers and persons who want to enter the ICT sector with programming skills. Minimum requirements are a Gr 11 with Maths Lit and English.

No formal registration is required to function as a Python Programmer.

Python Programmers can be employed in developing websites and software, task automation, data analysis, and data visualisation, search engine optimisation, Blockchain, etc.

A Python Programmer will be able to implement solutions to solve real-life problems in an efficient manner applying a knowledge and understanding of the principles of programming with Python and applicable tools.

Skills Programme Outcomes:

Tasks that the learner will be able to know, do and understand after achievement of the skills programme include:

1. Create well-written and readable Python programs, using a disciplined coding style, including comments and indentation standards.
2. Work collaboratively in a team and execute version control.

Skills Development Provider Accreditation Requirements:

Knowledge Modules

Physical Requirements:

1. The provider must have lesson plans and structured learning material or provide learners with access to structured learning material that addresses all the topics in all the knowledge modules as well as the applied knowledge in the application.

QCTO/ MICT SETA requirements

Human Resource Requirements:

1. Lecturer/learner ratio of 1:20 (Maximum)
2. Qualification of lecturer (SME):
   • NQF 5 qualified in industry recognised qualifications with 1-year experience in the IT industry
   • Cybersecurity vendor certification
   • Assessors and moderators: accredited by the MICT SETA

Legal Requirements:

1. Legal (product) licences to use the software for learning and training.

2. OHS compliance certificate

Application Modules

Physical Requirements:

1. Valid licenses software and application, including OS.
2. Internet connection and hardware availability.
3. Examples and information specified in the scope statement and all the case studies, scenarios and access to hardware and software implied in the scope statements of the modules.
4. Remote learners: Provider must provide business IT simulation system (e.g. invoice processing).

Human Resource Requirements:

1. Qualification of lecturer (SME):
   • NQF 5 industry recognised qualification with 1 year relevant experience
   • Assessors and moderators: accredited by the MICT SETA

Legal Requirements:

2. Legal (product) licences to use the software for learning and training
3. OHS compliance certificate
4. Ethical clearance (where necessary)

Work Opportunities

Employment opportunities:

• Self-employed,
• Working remotely,
• Programming companies,
• Any industry.

Further Learning

Further learning opportunities include:

1. Occupational Certificate: Artificial Intelligence Software Developer, NQF Level 05, 209 Credits
2. Occupational Certificate: Cloud Administrator, NQF Level 04, 149 Credits
3. Occupational Certificate: Cybersecurity Analyst, NQF Level 05, 173 Credits
4. Occupational Certificate: Data Science Practitioner, NQF Level 05, 185 Credits
5. Occupational Certificate: Quality Test Automator, NQF Level 05, 179 Credits
6. Occupational Certificate: Software Developer, NQF Level 05, 220 Credits

Learners may also enroll for international certifications such as:

1. Pearson IT Specialist Certification: Python

Curriculum Information

Learning Unit 1: Python Programming

60 hrs 45 min / 8 days

ELO1: Describe the basics of Python Programming.

2. ELO2: Programme effectively using Python frameworks and functionalities.
3. ELO3: Work collaboratively in a team using GitHub platform.

Resources Required for this learning unit:

• Access to equipment, internet connectivity

The course content has been divided into 3 elements:

Book A: NQF95-023SG: Introduction to Basic Programming

Learners will only be required to cover the following lessons:

• Lesson 1: Processing Data
• Lesson 2: Manage software development source files using appropriate tools

The remaining lessons may be used upon facilitator discretion, should the facilitator not cover these lessons it must be allocated to self-study.

Lesson 1 & 2 covers the following knowledge module / topics:

900221-000-00-KM-01, Introduction to Python Programming, NQF Level 4, Credits 2

• KM-01-KT01: Computers 10%

Suggested Facilitation Duration: 9 hrs.

Associated Assessment Activity:

• Formative Assessment 1 (FA1) = 1 hour, 100 marks

Assessment Duration: 1 hr.

Book B: ELK94-021: Introduction to Programming with Python

Learners will be required to cover all the lessons:

• Lesson 1: Setting up Python and developing a simple application.
• Lesson 2: Processing Simple Data Types.
• Lesson 3: Processing Data Structures.
• Lesson 4: Writing Conditional Statements and Loops in Python.
• Lesson 5: Structuring Code for Reuse.
• Lesson 6: Writing Code to Process Files and Directories.
• Lesson 7: Dealing with Exceptions.

These lessons will cover the following knowledge and practical modules / topics:

• 900221-000-00-KM-01, Introduction to Python Programming, NQF Level 4, Credits 2
• 900221-000-00-KM-02, Python Data Types and Structures, NQF Level 4, Credits 6
• 900221-000-00-KM-03, Principles of Programming with Python, NQF Level 4,
  Credits 4
• 900221-000-00-KM-04, Intermediate Programming Principles in Python, NQF Level 4, Credits 6
• 900221-000-00-KM-05, REST API and GUI in Python, NQF Level 4, Credits 2
• 900221-000-00-PM-01, Programming Basics for Beginners, NQF Level 4, Credits 3
• 900221-000-00-PM-02, Use Built-In Python Data Types, NQF Level 4, Credits 8
• 900221-000-00-PM-03, Program with Python, NQF Level 4, Credits 6
• 900221-000-00-PM-04, Intermediate Programming with Python, NQF Level 4,
  Credits 8
• 900221-000-00-PM-05, Getting Started with REST API and GUI, NQF Level 4,
  Credits 4
• 900221-000-00-PM-06, Use Cases with Python, NQF Level 4, Credits 11

Suggested Facilitation Duration: 13 hrs.

Associated Assessments:

• Formative Assessment 2 (FA2) = 1 hour, 32 marks
• Formative Assessment 3 (FA3) = 1 hour, 32 marks
• Formative Assessment 4 (FA4) = 30 minutes, 19 marks
• Formative Assessment 5 (FA5) = 1 hour, 31 marks
• Formative Assessment 6 (FA6) = 30 minutes, 20 marks
• Formative Assessment 7 (FA7) = 8 hours
• Formative Assessment 8 (FA8) = 5 hours
• Summative Assessment 1 (SA1) = 1 hour 30 minutes, 80 marks
• Summative Assessment 2 (SA2) = 1 hour, 41 marks
• Summative Assessment 3 (SA3) = 2 hours, 98 marks
• Student Reflection = 15 minutes

Assessment Duration: 22 hrs. 45 min.

Book C: ELK35–436: Version Control with Git and GitHub

Learners will be required to cover all the lessons:

• Lesson 1: Introduction to Version Control.
• Lesson 2: Versioning Commits.
• Lesson 3: Fetching and Delivering Code.
• Lesson 4: Branches.
• Lesson 5: Collaborative Git.
• Lesson 6: Automated Testing and Release Management.

These lessons will cover the following exit level outcome:

ELO3: Work collaboratively in a team using GitHub platform.

These lessons also link to the following knowledge module topic:

KM-01-KT04: GIT

Suggested Facilitation Duration: 16 hrs.

Associated Assessments:

• Formative Assessment 9 (FA9) = 30 min, 21 marks
• Formative Assessment 10 (FA10) = 6 hours

Assessment Duration: 6 hrs. 30 min

Content: All the above content will be covered by eBooks via Masterskill LMS platform.

Content is grouped into a student and instructor edition:

• SP-230375-LU1SG_rev1.0: LU1-Python Programmer, Student Edition
• SP-230375-LU1IG_rev1.0: LU1-Python Programmer, Instructor Edition

Each edition consists of:

• Student / Instructor Programme Guidelines
• Book A: NQF95-023SG: Introduction to Basic Programming, Student and Instructor Digital Courseware (Learning Material). Print option is available.
• Book B: ELK94-021: Introduction to Programming with Python, Student and Instructor Digital Courseware (Learning Material). Print option is available.
• Book C: ELK35–436: Version Control with Git and GitHub, Student and Instructor Digital Courseware (Learning Material). Print option is available.
• Additional Web Resources
• Assessment Guidelines

Access to the above student and instructor material will be provided on the Masterskill LMS. Facilitator/Assessor should consult the Instructor Programme Guidelines document which will provide an overview of the course content and how it should be presented.

Practical: CertPREP Gateway-LearnKey and GMetrix

• ELO1: Describe the basics of Python Programming.
• ELO2: Programme effectively using Python frameworks and functionalities.

Resources Required for this learning unit:

• Access to equipment, internet connectivity
• Simulated Platform or Lab Environment with applicable tool and virtual machines, refer to LearnKey access provided.

In order to prepare learners for the final integrated supervised assessment (FISA), access to a simulated platform environment i.e. LearnKey and GMetrix has been provided. Learners will receive access to pre-assessments, video training sessions, exercise labs, post-assessment and a workbook. It is suggested that learners work through these resource in their own time in preparation for the FISA.

Suggested Contact Hrs: 20 hrs

Content is grouped into a student edition:

• CertPREP Gateway-LearnKey and GMetrix, Student Edition

Each edition consists of:

• LearnKey–Demonstration Video
• LearnKey–Brochure
• GMetrix–Demonstration Video
• GMetrix–Brochure
• LearnKey and GMetrix–SMS Client
• LearnKey and GMetrix–User Guide
• LearnKey and GMetrix–Gateway

Curriculum Hours Breakdown

60 credits = 600 Notional Hours, 75 days