South Africa is experiencing an acute shortage of trained and competent technicians in the motor and transport industries.

On the other hand, there are many workshop assistants who, not having had the opportunity of an adequate education, are nevertheless doing very good work maintaining and repairing vehicles through knowledge and experience gained on the job.

The purpose of this programme is to train and develop these workshop assistants to increase their range of competence and enable them to carry out a wider range of tasks, thereby enhancing their status and increasing their value to their employers.

The programme is divided into three levels – basic, intermediate and advanced, providing the opportunity of grading workshop assistants progressively, and rewarding those performing work at a higher level instead of keeping all workshop assistants on the same grade, as is often the case.

Delegates are required to have a reasonable level of literacy in English, and also to possess reasonable numerate skills – we prefer not to state minimum educational standards as this could preclude delegates who have left school early but have improved their levels of literacy and numeracy through experience.  We feel that employers are in the best position to assess suitable candidates.

This programme includes both theory and practical work – how it works, and how to maintain and repair it.  To provide a high level of interaction between the delegates and the course presenter, each course is limited to a maximum of 10 delegates.

To optimise benefits to employers and delegates, we propose that mentors be appointed to monitor delegates’ progress and also to assist in their development.

Delegates who have completed this programme can, after they have gained further experience, be further trained and prepared to undergo a voluntary trade test.  If successful, they would then be regarded as fully-fledged technicians.

Courses are arranged to meet demand, and, to improve cost-effectiveness, are presented on the premises of the core client.  If delegate numbers are insufficient, other organisations in the area can be invited to participate.