Year of The Artisan & Skills-Based Education: How To Become A Draughtsman

Draughtsmen and women translate the drawings and ideas of engineers, architects and scientists into detailed drawings. They prepare technical drawings and plans used by production and construction workers to build everything from manufactured products such as spacecraft or industrial machinery, to structures such as office buildings or oil and gas pipelines.           

Their drawings show the technical details of the structures that specify dimensions, materials to be used, and procedures and processes to be followed. Drafters fill in technical details, using drawings, rough sketches, specifications, codes and calculations supplied by engineers, surveyors or architects.

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

• Architectural drafters draw plans for all kinds of buildings.
• Civil engineering drafters draw plans for bridges, roads, irrigation and construction projects.
• Mechanical engineering drafters sketch plans for machines and engine parts.
• Electrical engineering drafters finalise plans for electrical circuits and wiring systems in buildings for example.
• Structural engineering drafters draw designs for towers and steel frames.
• Town and regional planning drafters draw maps of sewage, drinking water, steam, heating, cooling and conveyor installations, and they may also build models for projects.
• Cartographical drafters draw different types of maps such as cadastral, topographical and meteorological.
• Mining drafters draw plans of mines, including three-dimensional plans which could help for example, with the upgrading of safety standards. 

As a draughtsman, you could work at architectural firms, engineering companies, municipalities, construction companies, metal manufacturing companies, mining companies, contract draughtsman firms, various government firms or you can choose to be self-employed and to do freelance work.

If you…

• are meticulously accurate
• enjoy doing detailed work
• are able to concentrate for long periods of time
• have three-dimensional perception
• have good vision
• have good eye-hand coordination and free-hand drawing skills
• are interested in and have a flair for computer work
• have stamina (at times standing is required)

… then you could be a perfect candidate to become a draughtsman!

Draughtsmens' training consists of 18 months of academic training, available at most universities of technology, FET colleges and technicons, and 18 months of in-service training at an approved firm.

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 a draughtsman. 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.

Year Of The Artisan &Skills-Based Education: How To Become A Chef

This year has been declared the “Year of the Artisan and Skills-Based Education” by government, to promote the diplomas and courses offered by Further Education and Training (FET) colleges in South Africa. This month we will be looking at what it means to become a chef and what you will have to study to qualify as one.

A chef is responsible for a variety of activities in and around running a kitchen. A chef can be in charge of a kitchen at a restaurant, hotel, school, hospital, old age home, university or even at a resort or a cruise ship. Their responsibilities extends to kitchen staff, the menu, ordering of supplies as well as the preparation of the food.

If you:

•     Are willing to work long and unusual hours
•     Are extremely passionate about food
•     Have a good sense of taste
•     Are able to work under extreme stress
•     Can work well in a team

… you could be well on your way to becoming a chef.

There are various types of chefs. Your ‘chef status’ can be determined by your skills as well as your experience:

Commis Chef – prepares food and learns basic cooking skills

Chef de Partie (Junior Chef) – would usually be in charge of one aspect of the kitchen. A Junior Chef might be responsible for sauces or vegetables for example.

Demi Chef (Line Chef) – a Line Chef’s responsibilities can include meal preparation and even budgeting

Sous Chef (Second Chef) – this type of chef is second in command in the kitchen

Executive Chef (Head Chef) – is in charge of the kitchen and will have to manage the entire kitchen staff, plan menus, work out budgets and pricing and would be involved with the business side of things as well.

There are various FET and private colleges that offer courses in the culinary arts. You can visit the South African Chef’s Association’s website to view a list of training providers.

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 to realise your dream of becoming a chef. 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: How To Become A Mechanic

This year has been declared the “Year of the Artisan and Skills-Based Education” by government, to promote the diplomas and courses offered by Further Education and Training (FET) colleges in South Africa. This month we will be looking at what it means to become a mechanic and what you will have to study to qualify as one.

A mechanic has a passion for solving problems, enjoys working with his hands, finding faults and fixing them. Becoming a mechanic is hard work and requires commitment and dedication to training, whether it is via apprenticeship or whether you gain a qualification from one of the many universities and colleges offering a degree or diploma that you can study in order to become a mechanic.

Mechanics are responsible for maintaining machinery, repairing faulty parts and ensuring that machinery works as intended. Mechanics can work on cars as well as various other vehicles (like motorcycles, trucks and tractors for instance) as well as commercial or manufacturing machinery.

Mechanics may work in an industrial environment, in a workshop or garage or they can even be self-employed. Small companies often employ mechanics to look after the day-to-day working of their machinery or larger companies could employ a mechanic to look after their fleet of vehicles or larger pieces of equipment.

What do I have to do to become a mechanic?

There are various options for you to consider if you would like to become a mechanic:

·         You can study at a Further Education Training college or university. Various colleges and universities offer degrees, certificates and diplomas in mechanics or engineering.

·         You can enroll with a certified apprenticeship programme. An apprenticeship programme lasts for four years and provides you with plenty practical experience ahead of your trade test.

There is a complete list of schools and colleges listed on Manufacturing, Engineering and Related Services Sector Education & Training (MerSETA) website. These schools and colleges adhere to the MerSETA standards and comply with their principles to maintain the best standards in the industry. This website also lists a variety of apprenticeship programmes that you can apply to.

It might also be a good idea to talk to a mechanic or a mechanical specialist to find out how they enjoy their day-to-day activities and to gauge whether it is something that you would like to do.

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 to realize your dream of becoming a mechanic. 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: How To Become A Plumber

This year has been declared the “Year of the Artisan and Skills-Based Education” by government, to promote the diplomas and courses offered by Further Education and Training (FET) colleges in South Africa. This month we will be looking at what it means to become a plumber and what you will have to study to qualify as one.

Plumbers fix and replace damaged pipework. They also install new bathrooms, taps and sinks at large construction sites, private homes or in large buildings such as offices, schools or public buildings. 
Their projects can either consist of smaller tasks or larger assignments that might take several days or weeks to complete.

As a plumber in South Africa, you have a variety of job opportunities including working for companies that operate in the construction industry, or specific agencies that specialise in contracting out plumbers to private households or companies. You could also become an independent contractor and work for yourself.

We have three reasons why you should think of becoming a plumber:

1. You can earn good money
2. Your skill is always in demand
3. You have a choice of either becoming an independent contractor or you can work on construction sites.

What you have to do to become a plumber

Plumbers require specialized training in order to operate as a qualified artisan to ensure you comply with local and industry laws and standards. This is moderated and monitored by the National Building Regulators.

There are two ways that you can become a plumber:

1. You can work as a plumbing assistant and do a two year apprenticeship. After your two years, you will be eligible to write your trade test certificate in plumbing.
2. You can complete a two year learnership at a Construction Education & Training Authority (CETA) accredited training college or school that consists of a variety of training modules. After completing your two year learnership, you will be eligible to write your trade test certificate in plumbing.

If you choose to do the two year apprenticeship, you can always do a short course to ensure that you have the practical knowledge required to be able to pass your trade test. Whether you study a short course or a full time programme, make sure your college or school is CETA accredited.

There is a complete list of schools and colleges listed on CETA website. These schools and colleges adhere to the CETA standards and comply with their principles to ensure the best standards in plumbing.

It might also be a good idea to talk to a plumber to find out how they enjoy their day-to-day activities and to gauge whether it is something that you would like to do.

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 to realize your dream of becoming a plumber. For more information or to speak to one of our Eduloan consultants, visit our website www.eduloan.co.za