SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING

DIPLOMA IN MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

What You Learn

Core Principles: Application of physics, math, and material science to mechanical systems.

Key Concepts: Thermodynamics, kinetics, fluid mechanics, and design.

Practical Skills: Research, design, development, testing, and maintenance of mechanical devices.

Computer Skills: Essential for modern engineering. 

Career Opportunities

  • Industries: Automotive, manufacturing, mining, energy, construction, aerospace.

  • Roles: Engineering technician, designer, maintenance specialist, project team member.

  • Further Study: Can lead to an Advanced Diploma or Bachelor’s degree Qualification & Structure (South Africa Example)

  • Type: Typically an NQF Level 6 qualification.

  • Duration: Often 3 years or more, including in-service training.

  • Accreditation: Often accredited by bodies like the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) for professional registration. 

Who Should Take It

  • Individuals interested in how machines work and creating practical solutions.

  • Those seeking a hands-on, skill-oriented pathway into the engineering field. 

DIPLOMA IN ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING

Key Aspects of the Diploma

  • Focus: Practical skills in electrical systems, problem-solving, and application of engineering principles.

  • Practical Training: Includes lab work with software (MATLAB, Simulink) and virtual labs, plus industrial exposure.

Career Opportunities

  • Electrical/Instrumentation Technician

  • Electrical Service Technician

  • Engineering Associate

  • Project/Electrical Supervisor

  • Roles in power generation, wiring, electronics design, and maintenance.

Progression

  • Leads to registration as a Candidate Engineering Technician.

DIPLOMA IN CIVIL ENGINEERING

Key Aspects of the Diploma in Civil Engineering

  • Course Structure: Typically 3 years of full-time study, or sometimes 4 years for Extended Curriculum Programmes (ECP). It often includes a mix of theoretical knowledge and Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) or in-service training.

  • Curriculum Focus: Students cover subjects like Structural Analysis, Engineering Mathematics, Soil Mechanics, Fluid Mechanics, Quantity Surveying, Engineering Drawing (CAD), and Building Materials.

  • Admission Requirements: Generally requires a National Senior Certificate (NSC) with a diploma/bachelor’s pass, with specific minimum scores in Mathematics, Physical Science, and English (usually level 4 or higher). Some institutions may accept an N3 or N4 technical certificate.

  • Professional Registration: Graduates can register with the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) as Candidate Engineering Technicians and eventually as Professional Technicians after gaining required experience.

  • Career Opportunities: Graduates find employment as Site Agents, Civil Engineering Technicians, Construction Managers, Drafters, or Quantity Surveyors in consulting firms, construction companies, and government departments.

  • Further Studies: The diploma allows for vertical articulation into an Advanced Diploma in Engineering Technology (NQF Level 7), enabling further specialization.

Common Subjects & Modules

  • Technical Studies: Civil Engineering Construction, Structural Engineering, Water and Sanitation, Geotechnics.

  • Management: Construction Management, Engineering Economics, Health and Safety.

  • Drafting & Design: Computer-Aided Drawing (CAD) and Civil Engineering Drawing

CERTIFICATE IN PLUMBING

Overview

 Plumbing qualification is an NQF level focusing on the theory
of plumbing. This qualification meets the academic requirements for you to write your trade test once
you have acquired the required practical hours. This qualification consist of one compulsory part
 and two optional practical parts, beginners level).

 

CERTIFICATES IN FITTING AND MACHINING

Key Certification Pathways

  • National Certificate: NQF (Engineering Studies): Focuses on theoretical knowledge (Fitting & Machining Theory, Maths, Engineering Science, Drawing) required for apprenticeship, with each level taking 3–12 months.

  • National Certificate (Vocational) (NCV) Levels 2-4: Combines practical and theoretical training in Engineering and Related Design, covering welding, machining, and maintenance.

  • Occupational Certificate: Fitter and Turner (Red Seal): A comprehensive, hands-on qualification (NQF Level 4) focusing on complex component fabrication, fault finding, and equipment installation.

  • Advanced Technical Training (N4-N6): Leads to a National Diploma in Mechanical Engineering, involving 24 months of theoretical study and 24 months of in-service training. 

Core Competencies Developed

  • Operating and setting up lathes, milling machines, and drilling machines.

  • Reading technical blueprints and engineering drawings.

  • Assembling, fitting, and commissioning industrial machines.

  • Performing routine maintenance and repairs. 

Admission & Duration

  • Admission: Typically requires Grade 9-12 with Mathematics and Science for N1, or relevant technical experience.

  • Duration: N1-N3 usually takes 1 year full-time; apprenticeships can span 3+

CERTIFICATES IN RIGGING & BUILDING CONSTRUCTION

Key Certification Pathways

  • National Certificate: NQF level (Engineering Studies): Focuses on theoretical knowledge (Fitting & Machining Theory, Maths, Engineering Science, Drawing) required for apprenticeship, with each level taking 3–12 months.

  • National Certificate (Vocational) (NCV) Levels 2-4: Combines practical and theoretical training in Engineering and Related Design, covering welding, machining, and maintenance.

  • Occupational Certificate: Fitter and Turner (Red Seal): A comprehensive, hands-on qualification focusing on complex component fabrication, fault finding, and equipment installation.

  • Advanced Technical Training NQF level: Leads to a National Diploma in Mechanical Engineering, involving theoretical study and  in-service training. 

Core Competencies Developed

  • Operating and setting up lathes, milling machines, and drilling machines.

  • Reading technical blueprints and engineering drawings.

  • Assembling, fitting, and commissioning industrial machines.

  • Performing routine maintenance and repairs. 

Admission & Duration

  • Admission: Typically requires Grade 9-12 with Mathematics and Science for relevant technical experience.

CERTIFICATES IN CARPENTRY

Key Certification Pathways

  • National Certificate:NQF level (Engineering Studies): Focuses on theoretical knowledge (Fitting & Machining Theory, Maths, Engineering Science, Drawing) required for apprenticeship

  • National Certificate (Vocational) (NCV) Levels 2-4: Combines practical and theoretical training in Engineering and Related Design, covering welding, machining, and maintenance.

  • Occupational Certificate: Fitter and Turner (Red Seal): A comprehensive, hands-on qualification level focusing on complex component fabrication, fault finding, and equipment installation.

  • Advanced Technical Training NQFlevel: Leads to a National Diploma in Mechanical Engineering, involving  theoretical study and  in-service training. 

Core Competencies Developed

  • Operating and setting up lathes, milling machines, and drilling machines.

  • Reading technical blueprints and engineering drawings.

  • Assembling, fitting, and commissioning industrial machines.

  • Performing routine maintenance and repairs. 

Admission & Duration

  • Admission: Typically requires Grade 9-12 with Mathematics and Science, or relevant technical experience.

WIRE MAN LICENCE INSTALLATION RULES

Key Requirements and Rules

  • Theoretical Exams: Two papers covering the SANS 10142-1 (Wiring of Premises) standard. Papers must be passed within 12 months of each other, or you must rewrite both.

  • Practical Experience & Registration:

    • Single Phase Tester (SPT): Requires specific practical experience in testing single-phase installations.

    • Installation Electrician (IE): Requires N3/equivalent, Trade Test, and Installation Rules.

    • Master Installation Electrician (MIE): Requires higher qualifications and experience in hazardous locations.

  • Compliance: A registered person must issue a Certificate of Compliance (CoC) for all electrical installations, adhering to OHSA safety regulations.

  • Validity: The license does not need renewal, but practitioners must stay updated with the latest SANS 10142-1 editions. 

WIRE MAN LICENCE SPECIALISED ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION CODES

Key Aspects of Specialised Electrical Installation Codes

  • Purpose: To qualify as a Master Installation Electrician, proving competence in specialized hazardous environments beyond standard low-voltage wiring.

  • Core Standards Covered:

    • SANS 10142-1: The Code of Practice for the Wiring of Premises (fundamental).

    • SANS 10108: Intrinsically safe apparatus.

    • SANS 10086: Installation of electrical equipment in hazardous locations.

    • SANS 10089: Petroleum industry installations.

    • SANS 1973-3: Switchgear/Panel design.

  • Exam Structure: Divided into two papers (Paper 1 & 2), covering topics like intrinsically safe (Ex ia/ib) apparatus, cathodic protection, and explosive atmospheres.

  • Prerequisites: Candidates generally need to hold an Installation Electrician license, have at least two years of practical experience, and often a technical qualification (N6).

  • Focus Areas: The exams heavily emphasize safety, technical calculations, and compliance documentation for specialized sites.

Common Topics in Specialised Codes Exams

  • Hazardous locations (Zones 0, 1, 2 for gases, 20, 21, 22 for dust).

  • Intrinsic safety and explosion protection techniques (Ex d, Ex i, Ex n).

  • Testing and certification of specialized equipment.

  • Installation of surge protection devices.