Apprenticeship

The entry requirements are not the same for all apprenticeships, as the type of trade will determine the required previous learning. Generally, the minimum entry requirements
relate to age, language and subjects completed at school, as described below.

• The person must be at least 16 years of age, but the maximum age is not stipulated.
• Language prociency must be on Grade 10 level.
• Most apprenticeships stipulate fundamental knowledge in subjects such as Mathematics, Science, Technical Terminology or Drawing on at least Grade 10 level that was acquired
  through the school system or through programmes oered by the TVET colleges, e.g., NATED programmes or the NC (V);
• Some apprenticeships accept learners who passed Grade 7 Math and Science.
• Some employers only take in apprentices with Grade 12, irrespective of the stipulated entry requirements, and apply other criteria in selecting learners that meet internal
  organizational requirements; and 
• Many trades require applicants to meet physical requirements that are relevant to the trade, e.g., to pass medical health and physical tness assessments. Such
  assessments are usually done by the employer

Apprenticeship will take three years to complete. However, if the apprentice completed formal study or work experience relevant to the specic trade previously this could be assessed and taken into account to reduce the time taken to complete the apprenticeship. The apprenticeship training plan will specify the periods for completing the components of the apprenticeship. For example, apprentices would need to complete a minimum of 122 weeks of training in the following areas before they can apply for a trade test:

• 10 weeks of trade-related theory.
• 32 weeks of o-the-job practical training to develop the skills to apply the tools of the trade
• 80 weeks of on-the-job learning in a real workplace under supervision of a coach

This process is summarized as follows – an apprentice:

• Has signed an apprenticeship contract.
• Attends formal training with a training provider.
• Must have a workplace for completing prescribed on-site training.
• Must complete all the prescribed tests, assignments, and workplace learning activities.
• Will do a trade test as a final assessment
• Will be certified as an artisan after successful completion of the trade test.

• Apprenticeship contract: A person undergoes a structured training programmes for a specic trade to develop the required knowledge, theory, and practical skills and to
  complete the prescribed workplace experience under the guidance of a coach (who must be an artisan) over a period of three to four years. The term ‘apprentice’ is used in this website to refer to these learners. (They were previously referred to as ‘Section 13’ apprentices, on the basis of Section 13 of the Manpower Training Act of 1981, which has been repealed.)
• National Certificate (Vocational): A person undergoes a structured training programmes for an NC (V) qualication for a specic trade to obtain the required theoretical, practical skills and supplementary training and exposure at a workplace.
• National Accredited Technical Education Diploma (NATED): A person undergoes a structured training programmes towards this diploma that covers technical and theoretical knowledge, and the workplace knowledge and skills required in a chosen occupational/vocational area.
• Engineering Learnership: A person enrols for an engineering learnership at NQF Level 4 and completes the required 80 weeks of workplace experience.
• Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL): A person provides proof of having obtained adequate theoretical and skills training and workplace experience (previously referred to as ‘Section 28’ applicants on the basis of Section 28 of the Manpower Training Act of 1981, which has been repealed). A process called Artisan Recognition of Prior Learning (ARPL) will be used for the listed trades.

People who have met all the requirements in any of these ve routes can apply to do a trade test.

People who have many years of experience working in a job related to a trade and who meet certain educational requirements can apply for a trade test based on the knowledge
and skills they have acquired. (This process is sometimes still referred to as ‘Section 28’, based on the Manpower Training Act which has been repealed.

The new process is called Artisan Recognition of Prior Learning, or ARPL.) They do not have to complete the programme described above for contracted apprentices and are not
referred to as apprentices. Such applications for trade tests are processed through a Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) process, which enables persons who meet the prerequisite learning and work experience for the trade test to enter a supported process to do the trade test.

The merSETA RPL trade test application form describes the conditions, process and requirements to qualify for a trade test on the basis of RPL, as well as the documents to be
submitted with the application (http://www.merseta.org.za/SkillsDevelopment/LearningProgrammes/Section28.aspx). The form claries the qualifying criteria, which include the number of years of relevant work experience, the type and level of qualication, and the subjects (e.g., mathematics and engineering science).

The merSETA website also describes the following conditions under which former ‘Section 13’ apprentices can apply for a trade test through RPL:

• Former apprentices who meet the Section 13 trade test requirements, but their contract got rescinded before qualifying as an artisan: and
• Former apprentices under Section 13 whose contracts were terminated before they could qualify for a trade test; and either have proven eligibility for an Artisan RPL trade test based on acquired skills from the formal training part under Section 13 or have undergone additional approved training to meet the requirement.

Apprentices do receive wages for the hours they work for the employer, but the amounts are not the same for all apprenticeships. The rates of some apprenticeships are determined by the relevant Bargaining Council and are adjusted annually

There is no cost for the apprentice who completes an apprenticeship programme under an apprenticeship contract. Any costs for attending classes at a training provider will be covered by the employer. 

Generally, the Sector Education and Training Authority (SETA) pays a grant to the employer to cover costs associated with an apprentice. However, you will have to fund your own training if you enrol for a programme at a TVET college or other training institution that prepares you for a trade (e.g., to be an electrician or welder) without being enrolled in an apprenticeship.

Applying for the trade test

Once apprentices have successfully completed all the tests, assignments and practical requirements of the knowledge/theory and workplace learning of the apprenticeship, they can apply to do a trade test that serves as the external nal summative assessment. The trade test includes practical tasks that the apprentice must complete within a specied period determined by the National Artisan Moderation Body (NAMB) for the specic trade. NAMB is the body responsible for monitoring and moderating all processes related to trade testing, which includes the registration of assessors and moderators, ensuring the quality of trade testing and making sure that the tests remain relevant to the needs of industry. Applications to do a trade test can be submitted through the relevant Sector Education and Training Authority (SETA) or its regional oces. The applications are reviewed against the stipulated criteria to ensure that all necessary evidence and documents are provided to qualify for the trade test. Should the evidence submitted be sucient then the application for the trade test will be processed and forwarded to the trade test centre closest to the applicant. Applicants can also book for trade tests online at the National Artisan Development Support Centre (NADSC) at http://nadsc.dhet.gov.za/. 

Trade test centres

The trade test is done at a centre that is accredited by the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO) to conduct trade tests. Trade tests can be done at INDLELA – the government subsidized centre on Old Pretoria Road in Olifantsfontein – or in many other trade test centres across the country.

The cost of the trade test and who pays for it

The cost of trade tests varies greatly as some trade test centres are operated as private businesses. The government subsidizes trade tests conducted at INDLELA, the test centre in Olifantsfontein near Pretoria. The funding arrangement for the apprenticeship will be stipulated in the contract signed by the apprentice with the employer at the start of the apprenticeship. There are no stipulations relating to the payment for the trade test. The cost could be covered by the employer of the apprentice or by the relevant SETA. If no such funding is available, the apprentice will have to pay for the test.

Certication as an artisan

Apprentices who successfully complete the trade test will be certied as artisans and will receive a certicate issued by the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO). The certicate will indicate the qualication awarded and the trade. This certicate is commonly referred to as the “red seal”.

The National Artisan Moderation Body (NAMB) is responsible for the monitoring, moderating and quality assurance of all processes related to trade testing. NAMB registers all assessors, moderators and others involved in the development of assessments and trade testing. NAMB also ensures that trade testing remains relevant to the needs of industry and that the apprenticeships enable learners to become competent artisans. All accredited trade test centres report to the NAMB as per pre-determined requirements to enable the NAMB to monitor their performance. NAMB therefore acts as the ‘ombudsman’ for artisan development and any concerns relating to trade tests may be reported to it.