6 Questions About FET Colleges Answered

Whether you are in grade 10 or in Matric, you might be busy considering your options for next year. There is a lot of information out there… but where to start? This week we look at FET colleges and answer some important questions, so that you have the answers you need to make an educated decision about what you would like to do next year!

Q: What does FET stand for?

A: FET stands for Further Education and Training. FET colleges are institutions registered with the Department of Higher Education that provide training in a specific occupational field.

Q: What makes this type of college unique?

A: FET colleges offer students the opportunity to study a specific educational programme to develop marketable skills that can be used towards a specific career (so you can study to become an electrician, a chef or a hairdresser for example).

Q: What can I study at an FET college?

A: FET colleges offer a variety of industry-related courses that can help you to get a job in one of the following industries:

• Agriculture
• Commerce
• Education
• Engineering
• Services
• Security
• Business
• Management
• Training and Development
• Manufacturing and Technology
• Building Construction
• Arts and Culture

Some private FET colleges will only offer courses in one or two of the industries listed above, although there are many colleges that will have a larger variety of courses and industries for you to choose from. The courses vary in duration from a short course of a few hours to formal diploma courses.

Q: What is the entrance requirement?

A: FET colleges generally consider students who are older than 16 and have completed Grade 10. It is however very important that you confirm the entrance requirements for your chosen College as they might vary from college to college.

Q: Where can I find a FET College and how do I know if it is a good college?

A: There are so many colleges for you to consider on the Internet. If you do not have regular access to the internet, you can approach your school guidance counselor for assistance. It is also a good idea to ask the college what their accreditation is – all FET colleges have to be registered with the Department of Higher Education and many of them will also be registered with a Sector Education and Training Authority (SETA). Most industries have a SETA that ensures that all the courses comply with a standard that is legal and authorized. 

Did you know…

Eduloan has loan options to suit your educational needs. We also have loan options that cater for specialist equipment for your course like textbooks, laptops and even tablets! If you are looking to further your studies at a FET college, you can contact Eduloan and one of our consultants will be able to give you all the information you require to get the financial assistance. For more information or to speak to one of our Eduloan consultants, visit our website www.eduloan.co.za.

Year of The Artisan & Skills-Based Education: Become An Electrician

An electrician is a person responsible for installing, operating, repairing, upgrading and servicing various electrical systems. As an electrician, you might service streetlights, traffic lights, intercom systems as well as various control systems and circuits.

You may be required to do work in someone’s home, in residential complexes, at large companies, factories or even power stations. Many electricians work for a company, an agency or even for themselves.

As an electrician, there are a variety of specialties that you can get into:

• General electricians – design, assemble, install, test, commission, diagnose, maintain and repair electrical networks, circuits, equipment, components, appliances and facilities for industrial, commercial and domestic purposes.
• Engineering electricians – are responsible for the generation, transfer and conversion of electrical power.
• Mining electricians – work in the minerals and energy industry they are responsible for establishing and ensuring ongoing supplies of power from generators to plant and accommodation units.
• Auto electricians – specializes in the electrical wiring and maintenance of motor vehicles.
• Aircraft electricians – specializes in the electrical wiring and maintenance for planes and helicopters for example.

As an electrician, you could also be required to design layouts, research building plans, test and inspect circuits, install complex electrical circuits, upgrade existing systems and fix wires and circuits. You will have to work with a variety of electrical equipment and tools. It is also very important to take great care in what you do, taking great care in safety precautions and ensuring that you complete your tasks according to government regulations.

If you…

• are interested in electricity
• are physically fit and agile
• are observant
• are responsible
• have an eye for detail
• are good with your hands
• are safety-conscious
• are self-motivated
• like to solve problems

… then you could be a perfect candidate to become an electrician!

Courses, learnership and apprenticeship programmes are available from a variety of FET (Further Education & Training) colleges. It is always recommended to cross-reference the college’s accreditation.  Visit the Energy and Water Sector Education and Training Authority website for a complete list of registered colleges. Every college will have varying prerequisites and the relationship between practical and theory courses on offer will vary too – just do your research and consider all you options!

You can contact Eduloan as soon as you have decided which school or training college you would like to study at and one of our consultants will be able to give you all the information you require to get the financial assistance you need to realise your dream of becoming an electrician. For more information or to speak to one of our Eduloan consultants, visit our website www.eduloan.co.za.

Celebrating Heritage Day – 24 September 2013

Our heritage is very unique and precious because it helps us to define our cultural identity

Heritage Day is a national holiday where all South Africans celebrate their cultural heritage and embrace their diverse traditions and values that contribute to our “rainbow nation”. It is a day in which we are all encouraged to celebrate our cultural traditions in the wider context of the great diversity of cultures, beliefs, and traditions that make up the nation of South Africa. We as South Africans live in a country full of diversity, and because of this we should all be accommodating and respect other people’s heritage.

At an address marking National Heritage Day in 1996, Nelson Mandela said:

"When our first democratically-elected government decided to make Heritage Day one of our national days, we did so because we knew that our rich and varied cultural heritage has a profound power to help build our new nation.We did so knowing that the struggles against the injustice and inequities of the past are part of our national identity; they are part of our culture. We knew that, if indeed our nation has to rise like the proverbial phoenix from the ashes of division and conflict, we had to acknowledge those whose selfless efforts and talents were dedicated to this goal of non-racial democracy."

At Eduloan, we like to offer people from all walks of life the opportunity and access to education, unlocking potential throughout South Africa.

We would like to wish all our clients a happy Heritage Day!

4 Wallet-Friendly Sports You Can Play To Boost Your Fitness Levels

It is not breaking news that students are generally short of budget or out of pocket. Because exercise is an important element of a healthy lifestyle and contributes positively to your studies, we take a look at some inexpensive sport-options that won’t break the bank.

Running

Running and track sports are great to do socially – as a team or even on your own. Whether you like to take a casual run around the neighbourhood, join a track team or train for a marathon, running is a sport that needs little funding. You will require a pair of running shoes and some comfortable clothes to run in.

There are also various benefits of running. As an impact sport, running is good for cardio-training and burns a high amount of calories!

So why not tie up those laces and get running?

Soccer

Soccer is a great team sport that requires a lot of running as well as good hand-eye co-ordination. Often considered a social sport, many schools, colleges and universities have various soccer teams. You can always join a local club or just get a group of friends together. Whether you are playing field or indoor soccer, you will get a great workout without having to fork out large amounts of money. Depending on the kind of team you join, you will need a kit that generally consists of soccer boots, and comfortable clothing.

Soccer can be a great workout and lots of fun. The health benefits include:

• Increased aerobic capacity and cardiovascular health

• Lowers body fat and improves muscle tone

• Builds strength, flexibility and endurance

• Increases muscle and bone strength

• Improved health due to shifts between walking, running and sprinting.

 Lace-up those boots and get active!

Swimming

Join your school, college or university’s swimming team or even your local swimming pool or a gym. You can choose whether you want to commit to swimming in a team or on your own. The only equipment you will need to get started is a swimming costume and a swimming cap. Sure, flippers would be nice, but it is no excuse not to get in the pool!

Swimming offers you something no other aerobic exercise does: the ability to work your body without harsh impact to your skeletal system.

So why don’t you make that splash?

Netball

A good team sport, Netball is a non-contact sport and players have to be fast, strong and agile. A game puts considerable pressure on the body, with players having to make short sprints, hard stops, and twists and turns during the course of the match. You will require a pair of takkies and some comfortable clothes or a uniform (if you join a team).

Although a non-contact sport, netball is still a fast-paced and intensive game, which will quickly boost your health and fitness levels.

Get to the court!

See, getting active does not mean breaking the bank! So try out some of these options and see which sport you prefer… it shouldn’t be long until you find something you enjoy!

9 Tips For Staying In Shape While Hitting The Books

All students face the exam-monster… the stress, the lack of time for yourself and others, the absence of a social life and even worse… the exam weight. Sitting at your desk all day can have its benefits for your studies, but not so much for your physical activity levels. As we head into exam-season, we take a look at tips for staying in shape while hitting the books:

1. Put together a schedule
By compiling a balanced study schedule, you can ensure that you allocate sufficient time for your studies, time for exercise and sleep.

2. Take regular study breaks 
Study breaks are a good way to get up from your desk. Take a walk to the kitchen to get a fresh glass of water. This will help with your blood flow, making sure your brain gets a fresh burst of oxygen and you get to stretch your legs.

3. Plan a study group
Touching base with other students is not just good for your studies, but also gets you off your chair. A study group is a place for you to debate concepts, ask questions and help each other study. Besides working together, students in study groups can generally learn faster than students working alone!

4. Get out of the house
Choose a study location away from home, forcing you to shower, change and get out of your house. 

5. Walk or cycle
When you leave the house to study in the library or to meet your study group, choose to walk or cycle. The additional physical exercise will do you wonders!

6. Balance
Replace your desk chair with a Pilates balance ball. This will ensure that you maintain good posture and work your core balance at the same time!

7. Don’t ditch exercise
It is so easy to ditch exercise when you are tired. Sleep often wins the debate and then you limit your physical activity even more. Try and keep yourself motivated to get moving! You can always get a gym partner or join a team to ensure that you have one more reason to get out there!

8. Small, regular meals
Keep an eye on your meals. The type of food you put into your body has a lot to do with what you get out. Avoid large meals and stick to smaller and more regular meals that will ensure that you get all the vitamins and minerals that you need.

9. Healthy snacking
It is easy to snack while studying and because exam times are stressful and you generally do not have much time, you might find yourself quickly grabbing a snack from the vending machine. If you are studying out of home, plan your day, pack healthy snacks like fruit and nuts and avoid the dreaded convenience of the vending machine.

Every little bit helps! So whether you choose to take the stairs opposed to the lift, make a point of taking a walk during your study break or whether you stay committed to your soccer team while you are studying, keep in mind that exercise is great for your studies too!

Eating Healthy While Studying – Why What You Put In, Affects What You Get Out

We often remind you that good study habits are key to success in school, college and university. A healthy diet supports your studies by helping you concentrate.

Did you know that you can improve your academic potential by eating certain foods and following particular eating patterns for their brain-boosting benefits?

Meeting your daily vitamin and mineral requirements will make doing your best much easier. Iron and B vitamins are especially important to maintaining the physical and mental energy necessary to concentrate. Keep an eye on your diet and ensure that you include all 5 food groups in your diet:

• Grains
• Vegetables
• Fruits
• Dairy
• Protein

Eating regular meals keeps nutrient and energy levels more stable, limiting the temptation of snacks that you might find in the vending machine. Eating three big meals a day slows you down mentally and physically and can also make you drowsy. Rather have 5 or 6 well-balanced, smaller meals, to sustain your energy levels.

By snacking while studying you may find that you remember more of the information that you studied. Here is a list of snacks that you can consider:

• Peanut butter sandwich on whole wheat bread – This simple sandwich provides protein, whole grains, and healthy fats.
• Piece of whole fruit – We suggest eating an apple or banana as the healthiest option, but there are so many others including oranges, grapes, strawberries and pears.
• Carrots and hummus – That crunch is oh so satisfying!  Other veggies like bell peppers and cucumber slices are great with hummus too.
• Cheese and cherry tomatoes - Cheese can be a good source of calcium, protein, and other important nutrients.

Finally, you should keep hydrated. Keep a glass of water at your desk to help maintain your energy. Take regular sips and get up from your desk to fill you glass to take a break from your studies.

By taking care of what is going into your body, you can make sure that you are one step closer to successfully studying and retaining the information!