Definition

An apprentice is a person learning a trade from a skilled employer, having agreed to work for a fixed period at low wages.

Apprenticeships

The Department of Labour brought in new laws to develop the skills of the citizens of our country. Specific trades, such as welders, plumbers, fitters, plasterers, mechanics and instrument technicians, were identified as scarce skills by the Department. The apprenticeship learning programme was seen as assisting the Government in training the unemployed and employed to obtain a qualification to work as an artisan.

What is the QCTO?

The Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO) is a Quality Council established in 2010 in terms of the Skills Development Act Nr. 97 of 1998. Its role is to oversee the design, implementation, assessment and certification of occupational qualifications, including trades, on the Occupational Qualifications Sub-Framework (OQSF)

To see which courses are on offer through QCTO – check out their website:

://www.qcto.org.za/index.php/services/qualifications

What is an apprenticeship?

The apprenticeship was born hundreds of years ago (the Middle Ages) in other countries when young people worked under a master craftsman to learn trades. It was inexpensive work in exchange for learning, and the young men often lived in the artisans’ houses. Women were taught embroidery and silk weaving.

Today, arrangements around apprenticeships are much more formal. In South Africa, the Manpower Training Act of 1981 protects the apprentice and employer alike. Modern apprenticeships combine on-the-job training and related classroom instruction, in which apprentices learn the practical and theoretical aspects of the designated trade. Apprentices need to do a trade test at the end of their training, after which they will be certified, if successful and be recognised as artisans within the relevant industries.

How do apprenticeships and learnerships differ?

Both learnerships and apprenticeships consider work experience (on the job) as essential to the training. Apprenticeships are limited to technical trades, while leadership can be for any career, for example, tour leader. An apprenticeship is based on the Competency Based Modular Training (CBMT) system, meaning that an apprentice must pass the relevant modular and phase tests and a final trade test to be recognised as an artisan. Apprentices need to work for the employer for a minimum/maximum period as prescribed in the relevant conditions of apprenticeship.

Learnerships are outcomes-based; thus, if learners can demonstrate their competencies during the assessment, they receive the qualification or credits. Apprentices receive CBMT for three to five years, depending on the prescribed duration of the designated trade. Apprentices need to complete each training module and pass the relevant module test before they can continue to the next module or phase of the training. After several unsuccessful attempts to pass the said tests, the apprentices will be informed that the apprenticeship contract will be cancelled/terminated in terms of the relevant conditions of the apprenticeship. As already indicated, apprenticeship training is structured, and the qualification is nationally recognised.

Apprentices entering apprenticeships should be at least 15 years of age. Each sector, such as the transport or manufacturing and engineering sector, has different approved apprenticeship conditions regarding entry requirements, and you will be best advised to get information on the apprenticeship requirements from the relevant Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs). Enquire at your nearest Labour Centre about these. The difference will be in terms of educational requirements, duration of the training and the modular tests.

How can you apply?

One of the conditions for an apprenticeship is that the employer must employ unemployed people for the duration of the apprenticeship. Unemployed people can thus only enter an apprenticeship if an employer is willing to take unemployed people into an apprenticeship programme. Unemployed people can apply for an apprenticeship if an employer calls for applications from unemployed people. Employers advertise in newspapers or place adverts in the community, city, town or community.

If you are unemployed, you can register with the Department as a work-seeker. Your details will be captured on the computerised job-matching system of the Department, the Employment Services System of South Africa (ESSA). Keep your contact details current, and the Labour Centre will contact you as soon as positions become available. If you meet the criteria, you could be called for a briefing session and an aptitude test to ensure you will be happy in your apprenticeship. Consider which area you want to do the traineeship in. The careers counsellors can assist you with this decision. You can also ask a careers counsellor in the Department to help you with career advice to choose an appropriate apprenticeship that will suit you best. The careers counsellor will also be able to provide you with career information on different apprenticeships.

Who is involved in an apprenticeship?

The apprentice will enter into a contract of apprenticeship and must adhere to the relevant conditions of apprenticeship and the applicable sections within the Manpower Training Act. The employer will decide if he will enter into a contract of apprenticeship and must also adhere to the relevant conditions of apprenticeship and the applicable sections in the Manpower Training Act. The employer and the SETA are responsible for specific costs of training apprentices in terms of the relevant conditions of apprenticeship and the SETA’s funding policies. The training provider provides theoretical classroom training. INDLELA and Accredited Trade Test Centres do the trade tests. The Sector Education and Training Authority provides funding for the apprenticeship in terms of approved criteria and also ensures the quality of the training. The Department could assist with recruiting, assessing and selecting prospective apprentices.

Can you do a trade test based on work experience?

Yes, provided you qualify in terms of section 13 or 28 of the Manpower Training Act, 1981, as well as the relevant conditions of apprenticeship.

What are the apprentices’ rights?

Apprenticeships are managed in terms of the Manpower Training Act of 1981 and the relevant conditions of traineeship, which include wages, training and conditions of employment.

Contact details

Resources:

National definitions of quality apprenticeships (Digital toolkit for quality apprenticeships). http://ilo.ch/global/topics/apprenticeships/publications/toolkit/what/national-definitions/lang–en/index.htm

TVET+ | One-year modules. Three year qualified craftsman education.. https://www.tvet.plus/skills/a-modular-approach/