Physical Planning and Construction Civil Engineering Construction

Paving Screed Operation And Asphalt Paver Training

SAQA US 116140 | NQF 2 | Credits 6 | Duration 3 Days
From $967 per delegate

Description

This course equips learners with the knowledge and practical skills to operate an asphalt paver and its screed safely and efficiently. It covers pre-operation checks, screed setup, paving techniques, and quality control to ensure compliance with industry standards.

Learning Outcomes

  • Demonstrate the ability to perform pre-operation checks and start-up procedures on an asphalt paver.
  • Apply correct screed setup and adjustment techniques for various paving specifications.
  • Analyze paving conditions and adjust paver speed, material flow, and screed settings to achieve uniform mat quality.
  • Implement safe operating practices, including hazard identification and emergency shutdown procedures.
  • Evaluate mat quality and perform corrective actions to address defects such as ripples, tears, or segregation.
  • Perform routine maintenance and troubleshooting on paver components, including the screed and material delivery system.

Target Audience

This course is designed for construction workers, plant operators, and supervisors who are responsible for operating asphalt pavers and screeds on road construction and paving projects.

Prerequisites

None — open enrollment.

Course Outline

Day 1: Foundational Principles and Machine Familiarisation

Objectives:
• Understand the role and importance of paving screed operation in road construction.
• Identify key components and safety features of an asphalt paver.
• Explain basic asphalt mix properties and their relevance to paving.
• Demonstrate pre-start safety checks and basic machine positioning.

Topics:
• Introduction to SAQA Unit Standard 116140 and course structure.
• Overview of the asphalt paving process and industry context.
• Asphalt paver anatomy: tracks/wheels, hopper, conveyor, augers, screed.
• Basic screed types and functions: fixed-width and extendable.
• Fundamental asphalt mix design: aggregates, binder, temperature control.
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and site safety protocols.
• Pre-operational inspection checklist and daily maintenance basics.
• Basic machine controls and stationary operation principles.

Day 2: Screed Operation Techniques and Mat Quality Control

Objectives:
• Operate paver screed controls to achieve correct mat thickness and width.
• Adjust screed parameters for varying job specifications and conditions.
• Identify common asphalt mat defects and their causes.
• Apply techniques for joint construction and longitudinal joint matching.

Topics:
• Advanced screed controls: slope, crown, vibration, tamping, and heating.
• Principles of screed float and automatic grade/slope control systems.
• Achieving target density: compaction principles behind the paver.
• Monitoring and controlling mat temperature, texture, and smoothness.
• Troubleshooting common issues: segregation, tearing, uneven texture.
• Transverse and longitudinal joint construction techniques.
• Communication protocols with truck drivers and roller operators.
• Introduction to basic paving plans and setting out from stringlines.

Day 3: Advanced Application, Integration, and Assessment

Objectives:
• Execute a complete paving sequence integrating all operational skills.
• Adapt paving techniques to complex scenarios like curves, ramps, and patches.
• Conduct post-paving inspection and quality assurance checks.
• Integrate safety, efficiency, and quality considerations into operational planning.

Topics:
• Complex paving applications: curves, inclines, variable widths, and patches.
• Coordinating the paving train: material supply, paver, and compactors.
• Calculating yield, truck cycle times, and maintaining a constant head of material.
• Final mat inspection: using straightedges, density gauges, and visual checks.
• End-of-day procedures: machine cleaning, shutdown, and securement.
• Problem-solving scenarios and decision-making for on-site challenges.
• Review of Unit Standard 116140 assessment criteria and evidence requirements.
• Course summary, Q&A, and preparation for practical evaluation.

Practicals

No practicals for this training.

This course is made up of exercises and case studies delivered alongside the theory — no separate practical sessions are required to complete it.

Summatives

Each delegate is assessed continuously throughout the course and a final summative test at the end.

Daily Exercises — 30%

Every training day ends with a multiple-choice exercise scored out of 100%. The scores from each daily exercise are averaged across the duration of the course to produce a Daily Average mark, which contributes 30% to the final total.

Final Test — 70%

On the last day a final summative test is written. It is a multiple-choice paper with multiple-answer questions: each question may have more than one correct option, and a single wrong selection on a question marks the entire question wrong — no partial credit. The final test is scored out of 100% and contributes 70% to the overall mark.

Final Total
Component Out of Weight
Daily Average (multiple choice) 100% 30%
Final Test (multi-answer multiple choice) 100% 70%
Final Total 100%

All marks are recorded on the AATICD LMS and visible to each learner under their account.

Certificate

Certificate of Completion

Awarded to delegates who achieve an overall mark of 50% or higher on the Final Total (Daily Average 30% + Final Test 70%).

How it works
  • Certificates are auto-generated on the AATICD LMS as soon as the marks pass the 50% threshold.
  • Each certificate is a branded PDF with the delegate's name, the course title, the unit standard ID, NQF level, credits, and the date of issue.
  • You can download or print your certificate from your LMS dashboard at any time after issue — there's no reissue fee and no expiry date.
  • If you scored under 50% you can sit the final test again at the next scheduled session at no extra cost.
Where to find it

Sign in to the LMS, open your dashboard, and your certificates appear under My Certificates. Each entry has a View / Download button and a print option.

Training Discounts

Group discounts apply automatically — the more delegates you enrol, the greater the saving. Discounts are calculated at 3% per 5 delegates, scaling up to 40% off for 100+ delegates.

Delegates Discount
5 3% off
10 6% off
15 9% off
20 12% off
25 15% off
30 18% off
50 30% off
75 35% off
100 40% off

3% discount per 5 delegates, up to 40% off for 100+ delegates. Contact us for a custom group quote.

Upcoming Training Sessions
Online training — attend live sessions from anywhere via our virtual classroom.
Start End Delivery Season Price Action
Wed 09 Sep 2026 Fri 11 Sep 2026 Virtual Spring 2026 $967 Register
Tue 29 Sep 2026 Thu 01 Oct 2026 Virtual Spring 2026 $967 Register
Mon 19 Oct 2026 Wed 21 Oct 2026 Virtual Spring 2026 $967 Register
Wed 09 Dec 2026 Fri 11 Dec 2026 Virtual Summer 2026 $967 Register
Tue 12 Jan 2027 Thu 14 Jan 2027 Virtual Summer 2026 $967 Register
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Wed 03 Mar 2027 Fri 05 Mar 2027 Virtual Autumn 2027 $967 Register
Tue 09 Mar 2027 Thu 11 Mar 2027 Virtual Autumn 2027 $967 Register
Mon 15 Mar 2027 Wed 17 Mar 2027 Virtual Autumn 2027 $967 Register
Wed 09 Jun 2027 Fri 11 Jun 2027 Virtual Winter 2027 $967 Register
Tue 29 Jun 2027 Thu 01 Jul 2027 Virtual Winter 2027 $967 Register
Mon 19 Jul 2027 Wed 21 Jul 2027 Virtual Winter 2027 $967 Register
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Tue 28 Sep 2027 Thu 30 Sep 2027 Virtual Spring 2027 $967 Register
Mon 18 Oct 2027 Wed 20 Oct 2027 Virtual Spring 2027 $967 Register
Wed 08 Dec 2027 Fri 10 Dec 2027 Virtual Summer 2027 $967 Register
Tue 28 Dec 2027 Thu 30 Dec 2027 Virtual Summer 2027 $967 Register
Mon 17 Jan 2028 Wed 19 Jan 2028 Virtual Summer 2027 $967 Register
On-Campus training — face-to-face sessions at our training venues across Africa and beyond.
Showing all 498 sessions across 26 venues
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Mon 03 Aug 2026 Wed 05 Aug 2026 Cape Town, South Africa Winter 2026 $2,392 Register
Mon 03 Aug 2026 Wed 05 Aug 2026 Lagos, Nigeria Winter 2026 $3,796 Register
Tue 04 Aug 2026 Thu 06 Aug 2026 Dubai, UAE Winter 2026 $4,552 Register
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Wed 05 Aug 2026 Fri 07 Aug 2026 Pretoria, South Africa Winter 2026 $1,447 Register
In-House training — we bring the trainer to your organisation, tailored to your team.
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Mon 14 Sep 2026 Wed 16 Sep 2026 Your Premises Spring 2026 $1,258 Register
Wed 07 Oct 2026 Fri 09 Oct 2026 Your Premises Spring 2026 $1,258 Register
Tue 27 Oct 2026 Thu 29 Oct 2026 Your Premises Spring 2026 $1,258 Register
Mon 14 Dec 2026 Wed 16 Dec 2026 Your Premises Summer 2026 $1,258 Register
Wed 20 Jan 2027 Fri 22 Jan 2027 Your Premises Summer 2026 $1,258 Register
Tue 23 Feb 2027 Thu 25 Feb 2027 Your Premises Summer 2026 $1,258 Register
Mon 08 Mar 2027 Wed 10 Mar 2027 Your Premises Autumn 2027 $1,258 Register
Wed 17 Mar 2027 Fri 19 Mar 2027 Your Premises Autumn 2027 $1,258 Register
Tue 23 Mar 2027 Thu 25 Mar 2027 Your Premises Autumn 2027 $1,258 Register
Mon 14 Jun 2027 Wed 16 Jun 2027 Your Premises Winter 2027 $1,258 Register
Wed 07 Jul 2027 Fri 09 Jul 2027 Your Premises Winter 2027 $1,258 Register
Tue 27 Jul 2027 Thu 29 Jul 2027 Your Premises Winter 2027 $1,258 Register
Mon 13 Sep 2027 Wed 15 Sep 2027 Your Premises Spring 2027 $1,258 Register
Wed 06 Oct 2027 Fri 08 Oct 2027 Your Premises Spring 2027 $1,258 Register
Tue 26 Oct 2027 Thu 28 Oct 2027 Your Premises Spring 2027 $1,258 Register
Mon 13 Dec 2027 Wed 15 Dec 2027 Your Premises Summer 2027 $1,258 Register
Wed 05 Jan 2028 Fri 07 Jan 2028 Your Premises Summer 2027 $1,258 Register
Tue 25 Jan 2028 Thu 27 Jan 2028 Your Premises Summer 2027 $1,258 Register
Training Discounts
Delegates Discount
5 3% off
10 6% off
15 9% off
20 12% off
25 15% off
30 18% off
50 30% off
75 35% off
100 40% off

3% off per 5 delegates, up to 40% for 100+

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