Let’s Take a Look at FET Colleges as an Option to Further Your Studies

As the Matric results are released, many students will be waiting for their letter of acceptance to their preferred university, college or technicon. For many students, late acceptance and last-minute applications are a reality. The Minister of Higher Education and Training recently presented a white paper announcing plans for more opportunities for South African youth.

The facts…

South Africa currently has 25 universities, 50 FET colleges and 21 Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs) that offer approximately 396 449 opportunities. The Higher Education and Training department is hoping to open a further 12 FET colleges to provide even more opportunities to students who want to choose a practical and work-ready solution. This is all part of the department’s plan to increase the number of enrollments to FET colleges from 500 000 to 2.5 million.

In the past two years, more and more students have been choosing FET colleges. FET courses are career oriented and offer students an academic as well as a practical study experience.

Right, more people are enrolling at an FET college, but why should I?

FET colleges offer a variety of industry-related courses that can help you get a job (so you can study to become something specific – like a builder, hairdresser or a mechanic). If you enjoy practical learning, FET colleges are great, as they have an offer great hands-on practical training to support your academic learning.

You can read our blog that answered six questions about FET colleges, you can contact Eduloan as soon as you have decided which FETcollege 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. 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 Builder

Whether you want to assist in building a community or whether you enjoy working with your hands, this month we take a look at what it takes to become a builder. A builder is responsible for several different jobs surrounding buildings and construction and often assumes the position of contractor during a project. Being a builder has several benefits, although it often demands hard physical work. As a builder, you can be self-employed or you can work for a construction or development company.

As a builder, you are responsible for a variety of things which include:

·         Working with the architect to build according to specifications

·         Planning and buying the relevant building equipment and material

·         Managing several contactors (like tilers or electricians)

·         Understanding the relevant building laws and regulations

·         Managing a team of builders to ensure that the project is completed on time and according to plan

·         Understanding how to accurately and safely operate a variety of equipment associated with the building process.

If you…

·         enjoy working outdoors

·         are skilled and enjoy working with your hands

·         enjoy being accurate

·         have a fine eye for detail

·         have a steady hand

·         enjoy working with others

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

Training is a very important part of building, mainly because there are important safety regulations to adhere to during the building process to ensure that buildings are safe for occupation and that they will not be affected by the elements (like wind and rain). If you want to be a builder, it is suggested that you get formal training. It is always an advantage to be able to supply a future employer with certificates and paperwork to prove that you are skilled for the job.

There are several colleges that teach building subjects – you can confirm with the Construction Engineering Training Authority (CETA) whether your college or course is certified. If a course is CETA accredited it means that they comply with the minimum industry standards. This is a good course to choose and you know that your training will be of good quality and your certificate valid.

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 builder. Keep in mind that we also offer loans for all your study equipment – so you do not have to worry about having to buy a level, hardhat or drafting table. For more information or to speak to one of our Eduloan consultants, visit our website www.eduloan.co.za.